In Memory of Cyril Hobbins

Cyril Hobbins
9.01.1938 – 28.09.2025
Cyril was a colourful character with great drive and a relentless zest for life. He was known to many as The Magic Toyman, an artist, street photographer, theatre set designer, historian and a friend to many.
Cyril always had several projects on the go at one time. After working as a carpenter joiner, then teacher of adults with learning difficulties, he set up his own business making traditional handcrafted wooden toys. His research led him to publish a beautifully illustrated book on the history of traditional wooden toys and how to make them. He visited schools, museums and English Heritage sites all over Britain giving toy making workshops to generations of children. He earnt himself the title of the British Geppetto, when he was flown to Hollywood for the 70th anniversary of Pinocchio.
During his final weeks, whilst battling with terminal cancer, Cyril started to explore Chinese watercolour painting techniques using Chinese paintbrushes. He said the paintings were going to be made into a series of notelets to be sold to raise funds for The Air Ambulance Service, a charity close to his heart.