Celebrating their 125th anniversary, Ernest Brigham & F Kneeshaw & Sons stands as a cornerstone of the Bridlington community, offering valued and respected funeral services.
Since their inception, the company has grown and evolved, yet their commitment to compassionate and professional care has remained unwavering.
Over the years, Ernest Brigham & F Kneeshaw & Sons have proudly served Bridlington and the surrounding areas, ensuring families receive the support and respect they deserve during their time of need.
Read more about the company, their roots and evolution which spans well over a century.
A new century awaits…
In 1899 just before the dawn of the 20th century, J Wentworth & Son start becoming Undertakers as well as Cabinet Makers, Upholsterers and Joiners.
They open up the undertakers at 6 & 7
Westgate in Old Town, with their furniture warehouse at 24 High Street.
The Lord Feoffees.
F Kneeshaw & Sons
In January 1908, Francis Kneeshaw was appointed as the joiner for Bridlington Town Council.
Shortly after this, his first advert appears in the Bridlington and Quay Gazette advertising his services as an
Undertaker at 58 Richmond Street.
In 1925 the J Wentworth and Sons
business located on Westgate in the Old Town is acquisitioned by F. Kneeshaw and Sons.
Francis Kneeshaw’s Grandson, Malcolm, continued to run the business after him until approximately 2005.
The original premises were located
at 58 Richmond Street, but later
relocated to 25 West Street.
Ernest Brigham – A brief
history
The original firm was called Walter Brigham and son.
They were based at 66 Quay Road,
Bridlington at Montague House.
Ernest Brigham was the eldest son of Walter Brigham. Walter went on to have 3 other sons – John, Norman and Colin.
The seventies
Ernest Brigham decided to set up business on his own in approximately 1970 at 51 St. John Street – forming Ernest Brigham (Funeral Directors) Ltd and ran this successfully for many years alongside his daughter Angela Skelton.
The other brothers continued at Montague House as Brigham Brothers.
When Ernest Brigham retired in 1985 due to his wife’s ill health, the firm
was bought by Tony Warburton who commissioned and built the East Riding Crematorium at Octon.
Max Robinson, who started his funeral career at Kneeshaw’s, then went to work for Brighams around this time.
The merger of Ernest Brigham
And F Kneeshaw & Sons
It wasn’t until 1990 when
Tony Warburton also bought F Kneeshaw & Sons.
Since then both firms have been run in tandem but at separate locations.
In 2013 Ernest Brigham’s, Kneeshaw’s and the East Riding Crematorium were bought by Dignity Funerals Ltd.
In 2018 it was decided that Ernest Brigham’s and Kneeshaw’s were to share the same site at 51 St John Street.
Max Robinson successfully grew the business to what it is today and in 2022
handed over the responsibility of manager to Victoria Barton, who continues to successfully run the business today.
