About John Siddle

In 1968 an impulse led John to give up his teaching job in England and to take his family, including Charlotte aged 4 and her sister Rebecca aged 5, on a 3 month adventure trip to Iran, driving an ancient diesel car and camping often by the side of the road.

Once they arrived in Iran, everyone fell so in love with the country that the intended short stay developed into 4 years in the magnificent city of Isfahan where John free-lanced as a teacher of English.

After only 2 weeks, and despite having no money their first of many rugs was bought in the bazaar. The rug dealer seemed to have no problem with the lack of cash and simply said: "Come and pay me  in a few months!" No paper passed hands and yet they walked away with a lovely deep red Balouchi carpet. The spark had been lit!

Moving to Shiraz after 4 years and making acquaintance with Mehdi the master rug repairer, John realised that he had come to an important crossroad in his life. For 2 years Mehdi taught him the art of repairing and it has been his passion ever since.