Item 53 - Receipt from wood and stone carving

In 1843 James Rattee set up a wood and stone carving works next to his house, Poplar Cottage in Station Road, Cambridge. In 1848 he entered into partnership with George Kett to form Rattee & Kett. After Rattee's death in 1855 his widow, Caroline, continued in the business partnership with George Rattee.

In 1926 the partnership was dissolved and the business sold to Rattee & Kett Ltd. The vast majority of the shares were held by John Mowlem and Co. Ltd. However, George Robert Kett continued as manager. Later projects included restoration work at St James's Church, Piccadilly (completed after the Second World War), restoration work at Westminster Abbey (completed in the 1980s), and restoration work at Ely Cathedral (completed in 2000). Following the acquisition of Mowlem by Carillion in February 2006, Rattee & Kett Ltd was the subject of a management buy out from Carillion in March 2007 but went into administration in September 2011.