WITNEY, OXFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND – Louis Stephen Anthony Jarrett died peacefully March 11, at age 80. The Cotswolds dealer, co-owner of Witney Antiques, was an antiques dealer who specialized in needlework and textiles. He was a longstanding member of the British Antique Dealers’ Association (BADA) and among the founders of the Cotswolds Art & Antique Dealers’ Association.

Stephen joined BADA in 1973 and was first elected to the council in 1979, where he served as a council member for 14 years, including as vice president. He was instrumental in setting up the BADA Fair, for which he served as a director for many years, and Witney Antiques has been an exhibitor at each and every fair since 1993. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his work for the association and his passionate belief in all it stands for. He was also one of the leading support of the BADA courses at West Dean College.

Founded in 1963, Witney Antiques is known for its stock of Seventeenth, Eighteenth and early Nineteenth Century English and Continental furniture and period clocks, but is especially regarded for its collection of early English embroidery and needlework samplers.

In the firm’s textile gallery, English antique embroidery and some of the finest needlework samplers in the United Kingdom attracted interest for their unique historical perspective from collectors, museums and visitors worldwide

Stephen is survived by his wife Joy Jarrett, daughter Rebecca Scott, son Justin and grandchildren Freya and Torin. Stephen was a much valued friend to all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will be greatly missed.

The business will carry on, steered by Joy and Rebecca.

A funeral service was conducted on April 5 at the parish church of St Mary the Virgin in Witney.