IN THE BEGINNING
The history of Barrington and Sons, one part of Barrington Scholfield begins with the opening of the business by Henry Lovibond on 15th January 1845 at George Lane, (now George Street), Bridgwater. He was assistant Clerk of the County Court and he subsequently became a registrar of the County Court. In 1856 the firm’s offices were relocated to the County Court offices in Victoria Street, (now Queen Street), Bridgwater.
His son, George Lovibond, was admitted as a Solicitor in 1869. In 1874, the firm name was changed to H Lovibond and Son and presumably George was taken into partnership with his father. Another of Henry Lovibond’s sons, Henry junior, was an articled clerk with the firm in 1874 and became a solicitor in 1877. Towards the end of 1877 the firm name was changed to Messrs Lovibond and Son. George’s son (Henry's Grandson), George Francis Lovibond, was an articled clerk with the firm in 1901 and was admitted as a Solicitor in 1902.
THE FIRST BARRINGTON
George Lovibond is believed to have practised on his own after his father’s death and until Thomas Barrington, (Kit’s grandfather), joined him in partnership at some time in the 1890’s
At the end of 1903, the firm had become Messrs. Lovibond Son & Barrington.
Thomas Barrington became a Solicitor in 1890. He was Clerk to five drainage boards, also clerk to the Somerset Drainage Commissioners and then clerk of the Somerset Rivers Catchment Board. He retired from the partnership a few years before his death on 23rd February 1942.
JACK & JIM
John Hugh Barrington, (known as “Jack), was articled to the firm in 1922 and admitted as a Solicitor in 1925. He subsequently became a Partner with his father and on 1st February 1934 his brother Thomas James Mountstevens Barrington, (known as “Jim”), joined them in the Partnership. The firm moved to 12 King Square subsequent to the purchase of that property by Thomas Barrington on 27th September 1926. The firm had also opened an office at 30 Baldwin Street, Bristol by at least 1920; this was closed by the end of the 1930’s. On the 20th May 1935, Jack and Jim Barrington purchased 11 King Square.
Jack Barrington was Clerk to the Bridgwater County Justices, the Somerset River Board, the Governors of the Dr Morgan School and the Bridgwater School for Girls. He was joint Clerk to the five drainage boards previously mentioned and a member of the Bridgwater Rotary Club.
Jim Barrington was articled to a firm in Bristol and qualified as a Solicitor in 1931. He succeeded his brother Jack as Clerk to the Bridgwater County Justices and to the Somerset River Board and he was also Clerk to the Commissioner of Taxes, an appointment that he held for 20 years. He was also Clerk to several internal Drainage Boards. At one time, he was the only part-time Clerk of a River Authority in the country.
The Barrington brothers continued to practice as Partners at 11 &12 King Square, and at the end of August 1947, they also opened an office at 8 College Street, Burnham-on-Sea with the intention that Jack would run that office and Jim would run the Bridgwater Office. At that time the firm name was changed to Messrs Barrington & Sons.
BARRINGTON & SONS
After Jack’s death, in 1952, Jim Barrington took on Jack Fielden and later, Alan Mclaren as Partners of the business in Burnham-on Sea, he later transferred that business to the two of them.
John Henry Hooper became a Partner at the Bridgwater office after Jack’s death. He had served his articles with the firm and qualified as a Solicitor in July 1948. John was Clerk to the Commissioner of Taxes and a Notary Public and a very well known Bridgwater sportsman.
In the late 1960’s Jim's sons Christopher Benedict Barrington ,(known as Kit), and Tom Vincent Barrington joined the Partnership. Jim Barrington retired in 1971. John Hooper, Kit and Tom Barrington were in Partnership together until 12th April 1982, when Robert Patrick Francis Colledge joined them. John Hooper retired from the Partnership on 5th April 1984 and he died on 30th October 1988. An office was opened by the Partnership at 81 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol on 4th January 1982 and was run by Tom Barrington until he retired from the firm to run the office independently. James Richard Calderbank joined the Partnership on 6th October 1984. Martin Charles Broker joined on 6th May 1991. James Calderbank retired on 5th May 1995 and Robert Colledge retired in November 1996.
There have been many long serving and loyal members of staff, amongst whom Harold Alford who celebrated 50 years with the firm in 1965 and Hazel Coombes who started work with the firm on 1st November 1943 (coincidentally the date of Kit Barrington's birth!).
Barrington & Sons merged with Scholfield Roberts and Hill on 6th January 1997 when John Louis Tuffin and Kevin John Shearn joined Kit Barrington & Martin Broker. Scholfield Roberts and Hill was founded close to 1840 and they practised under the name of Barham and Watson for many years. Their office had previously been in Castle Street for over 40 years. Their most recent partners included Michael Hill and Philip Roberts. The firm's name was changed to Barrington Scholfield to reflect this merger. Hugh Barran practised as a sole practitioner in St Mary Street for the best part of 20 years. The firm of Hugh Barran was incorporated following Hugh Barran's retirement from practice.
LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENTS OF
JACK
At one time was a member of the Somerset County Rugby Union Committee and played for Bridgwater, playing a considerable part in reviving the Burnham Rugby Club of which he was President. He was on the Somerset County Cricket Executive Committee also playing for Bridgwater. He captained the 2nd XI cricket team of Burnham on Sea. He was a vice president of the Burnham operatic society and the chairman of the Burnham arts centre. He died on 14th February 1952.
JIM
Played rugby for Bridgwater and Albion in 1924 and 1925, and played 30 times for Somerset. He played for and Captained Bristol. During the season 1930/31, he played twice for England, once against Ireland when the match was lost by 1 point and once against Wales, which was drawn, and when he finally stopped playing he became a referee. He played cricket at Bridgwater Cricket Club for very many years and captained them twice, the last time in 1948. He played tennis and was a formidable mixed doubles tennis partner. He was a founder member of the Sedgemoor Squash Club in 1951 and played for many years. He was on the executive Committee of the Somerset County Rugby Football Union for a number of years was President and later became a life member. and died on 6th September 1973.
Click here to read some reminiscences of our longest-serving staff member!
11-12 King Square,
Bridgwater,
Somerset,
TA6 3AH Tel: 01278 422858
Email:
gpresley@barrington-scholfield.com