Our History

After service in the Royal Engineers during the First World War, Stanley Churches Baker returned to Meare. Shortly afterwards he set up his own carpentry and building business in Westhay, working from the Old Forge in the early 1920's.

He married Frances Mabel Moxey in 1928 and then bought and moved into Henley House Westhay, in March 1929, from where he conducted his business until his retirement in 1957. The business is still based here today.

One of the first contracts was to create the new churchyard at Meare, where as an undertaker, he interred many parishioners and he was buried there himself in 1983.

During the Second World War, he ran a saw mill, cutting much English timber, mainly for military purposes, but some went towards the building of the Mulberry Harbour which was towed to France for the D-Day operation.

He built several bungalows in the area, also a shop and house for Mr L Hodges at Westhay, who was the local grocer for many years.

Upon his retirement in 1957, the business was taken over by his two sons Ken and Colin, who ran it together until 1973 when Colin took it over on his own, and ran it for a further 24 years. After Colin's death in 1997, the business was taken over by his eldest son Chris, who continues the family tradition.

 

Our Company

Chris, Marie and Paul run the family business. Chris is the 3rd generation of the Baker family to do so and is a carpenter by trade. Chris started his apprenticeship straight from school, meaning he has over 30 years experience in the building industry.

Chris and Marie's son, Paul joined the company in 2003, after leaving school, taking an apprenticeship in carpentry, following both his father, Chris and grandfather, Colin. In 2015, Paul was made a partner, making him the 4th generation involved in the company.

Chris married Marie in 1986, she runs the office making everything tick whilst doing her best to keep Chris and Paul in check. Currently, there are six full time employees; two bricklayers: Bob and  Colin, Connor a NVQ3 qualified carpenter. Martin our labourer has been with us since 2018. Harri is training with us as an apprentice bricklayer.