Dave The Cobbler

Dave Lythgoe who was Levenshulme’s Cobbler for many years has died.

If you wish to pay your respects Dave’s funeral cortège will pause for one minute outside his old shop under the veranda on Stockport Road at 1.50pm tomorrow (Wednesday 24th June 2020). Please gather in plenty of time and respect social distancing. The cortège will then turn left down Albert Road and on towards Southern Cemetery.

People will also be gathering from 1.30pm outside Fiddler’s Green Pub on Stockport Road.

Please see below for a tribute to Dave by Lawrence Hennigan, Chair of Levenshulme Trader’s Association and member of Levenshulme Community Association Core Group.

Read the Manchester Evening News article with more tributes and memories of Dave HERE

Dave Lythgoe – “Dave the Cobbler”

‘MY SHOES HAD MORE LIVES THAN TRIGGER’S BRUSH’

A tribute to Dave the Cobbler.

By Lawrence Hennigan

Over the last week, it been great to see all the tributes paid to ‘Dave the Cobbler’.  I knew Dave for decades and his humour and professionalism shone through.  He was a member of the Levenshulme Trader’s Association and a huge supporter of our community.

Looking at some of the comments posted on ‘Levy Massive’ and other sites made me smile.  ‘The man who saved my Friday nights’, ‘an eye for key cutting that showed 20/20 vision’ and my favourite was ‘Due to Dave – my shoes had more lives than Trigger’s brush’  

Not a lot of people know that Dave raised thousands for charity after the death of his beloved son – Andrew.  Dave will be laid to rest next to Andrew on Wednesday afternoon.

There’s loads that people didn’t know about Dave.  He was a quiet man, a lovely man and a great character.  For instance, he was an expert in fixing Irish Dancing shoes – helping keep part of our culture alive.  His expertise saved parents a fortune.  Dave fixed shoes for free for the less fortunate and homeless using his traditional cobbling equipment.

Dave was one of Stockport Road’s great characters.  We’ve lost lots over the last few years.  On Wednesday at 1.50pm, I’ll be standing outside his old shop near the veranda.  I hope as many residents can join us as we say goodbye to one of Levenshulme’s great characters.

In tribute to Dave, I’d ask that you continue to support small traders – especially in these challenging post lockdown times.

Leave a Reply