HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a talented craftsman who devoted 50 years of his life to a historic Halesowen button making firm.

Roy Taylor worked for fifty years at James Grove and Sons, joining the company aged 16-years-old until the company liquidated in 2012.

His work at the company creating tools and horn buttons has seen him dubbed the 'best in Europe' for his trade.

Mr Taylor, who was born in Blackheath and lived in Halesowen, passed away on March 20, aged 72-years-old.

Roy's family have paid tribute to the much-loved dad and grandfather with: "Roy was a loving, caring husband, dad and grandad. He was a proud, protector and provider, loved by many in the local community."

The factory was a huge part of Mr Taylor's life- he met his wife, Lynda, at work at the factory on Stourbridge Road where she worked as a sorter in the warehouse.

The pair married in July 1972 and went on to have two children and four grandsons.

He almost became a professional darts player in his youth after playing for various pubs in the Blackheath area, but he decided to quit the sport to spend more time with his family.

Mr Taylor's daughter-in-law Carla Mackenzie said the firm was his life and his expertise saw him approached by Birmingham Museum and the Black Country Living Museum to share his knowledge of his craft.

The firm, which was founded by James Grove in Halesowen in 1857, was the biggest button manufacturer in Britain. Its long history saw it produce buttons for the British Army in the First World War to supplying top designer brands Burberry and Barbour.

Paying tribute to Mr Taylor, former owner Peter Grove said: "A very sad time indeed, Roy was a friend and employee whom I had known for 50 years, 50 enjoyable years with never a cross word.

"Roy was an exceptional craftsman, not only in button making but he had so many other talents which, as a company, we were unable to use. He supported James Grove and Sons Ltd with all his skills and his help in difficult times will always be remembered.

"He was a perfectionist, everything he did had to be just right, nearly right wasn't good enough. His knowledge of horn buttons, tool making, shapes were the best in Europe."

Mr Taylor's funeral will take place at Rowley Regis Crematorium on Friday, April 24.

Due to the current restrictions on funerals due to the coronavirus lockdown, only ten people are allowed to attend, so his family are hoping to hold a celebration of Mr Taylor's life when it is safe for people to gather again.

Anyone who knew or worked with Mr Taylor is invited to contact Carla to pay their respects on 07793747685.