Norman Lever (1929-1980)

Norman Lever, a Watchmaker and Jeweller, was born in Walkden on 19th of June in 1913 and he was baptised at St Paul’s Church, Walkden on 6th August 1913. Living with his family at 25 Dagmar Street, Walkden, in 1929 Norman was apprenticed to William Hardman of Kearsley. Norman’s father paid William Hardman the sum of ‘£10’ to secure Norman’s Apprenticeship.

The records of Norman’s apprenticeship wages are retained by the family and were as follows:

Start – 10/0, (50p). 1 Jan 1929 – 12/6 (62.5p). Aged 16 years 15/- (75p). Aged 17 years 17/6 (87.5p). Aged 18 years 20/- (£1). Aged 19 years 22/6 (£1.12), Aged 20 years – 25/- (£1.25)

On completion of his apprenticeship Norman purchased his own shop, at 43 Bolton Road Walkden. He worked from there until 1958, when Norman purchased the shop of J. T. Yates at 13 Bolton Road, Walkden.

43 Bolton Road Walkden

This shop would become N. Lever & Son, however his son didn’t follow him into the business, and Norman would remain there until his retirement in 1980.

Norman Lever outside his shop at 13 Bolton Road in Walkden.

Sadly Norman Lever died on the 24th of February in 1983.

Norman is known to have made his own watches, but none are known to exist.