ABOUT
ME
Born to Cut Letters
Born in a prefab on Wanstead Flats, Manor Park to Edward and Gwendoline Moran. I had three elder brothers and a sister. When I was just a baby, bald and with no teeth, it was thought I looked like my old Uncle Jim and the name has stuck ever since. Call me Keith or Jim, I will answer to both.
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At the tender age of 15, after leaving school I joined my elder brother at a local monumental masons, Rayfords, and began a 5 year apprenticeship; that to this day I have never regretted.
My teacher the proprietor, Johnny Raven, was a thorough and patient man, passing on his skills and abilities. Johnny was the finest letter cutter I have ever met; his work was clean and meticulous. He often said that I had been 'Heaven Sent' to carry on this ancient craft, and I will always be grateful for his teachings and the opportunities he gave me.
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52 years later I still love the skills he generously taught me creating beautiful inscriptions that will be here long after me - forever.
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I have had the privilege over the years to cut for many, many people. The famous, the infamous and those who were loved and lost to us. I have cut inscriptions in Hebrew, Chinese, Arabic, amongst many other styles including raised lead and the fine copying of other fonts and styles created by other craftsmen, even the odd Hieroglyphic for my children when they were at school.
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Never phased by style or stone I love to create your memories and prayers to cherish.
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When I am not signing off on peoples journey to the stars I enjoy fishing with my brother and spending time with my 4 grandchildren.
