The life and achievements of Tim Hargreaves, founder of Gillingham-based lampshade manufacturer Albioncourt, are celebrated by friends and family after his recent death.

TRIBUTES have been paid to Gillingham’s ‘Lampshade Man’ – Tim Hargreaves – who passed away in December.
Tim was behind Albioncourt, the Gillingham-based lampshade manufacturer, whose premises are at The Idea Works, in New Road.
He founded the company in 1993 and was working throughout illness which eventually saw him pass away on December 6 last year.
A funeral was held on January 13, as tributes continue to pour in from, friends and customers alike.
“Tim had been unwell for many months but continued to be active within the company, mostly working from home over the last year,” said Albioncourt’s managing director, Jennifer Richards.
“Some may not have even known that Tim had been unwell, or at least the seriousness of it. Tim was never one to think of himself, but always of others.

“He will be greatly missed.” Friends and colleagues said Tim was widely known at trade shows as that ‘Lampshade Man’, with amusing anecdotes and astute observations. He had great knowledge of the lighting industry and others would search him out for his expertise.
He was also fondly thought of by staff at Albioncourt.
“To us, Tim’s staff, he was an excellent employer, which is reflected in the 20-plus years some of us have spent by his side,” Jennifer added.
“Tim was always much more than an employer. He was our mentor, role model, friend – our work family.”
Jennifer, along with Tim’s youngest son Jasper, will now continue the firm in honour of its founder.
“We will continue to make him proud of the company he established all those years ago, and fulfil his retirement plan of Albioncourt’s future as an employee ownership trust,” she said.
“From all of us here at Albioncourt, we thank you for your support.”
You can find out more about Albioncourt at www.albioncourt.co.uk.