Eves Corner, Danbury, CM3 4QB 01245 225876 info@bakersofdanbury.co.uk

David Wood, Managing Director Bakers of Danbury (1965 to 1990's)

David Wood

A fond farewell

June 21, 2019 Rachel Finlay Comments Off

We regret to announce the very sad passing of our former Managing Director and dear friend David Wood on 5th June 2019. David joined Baker and Sons in 1956 with which he was involved, in one way or another, for the next 60 years or so.

After Joining Baker and Sons, David soon rose through the ranks from Cost Clerk, quickly establishing himself as indispensable to the Managing Director. In 1965 David became a Director and later Managing Director in 1968.

In 1971, with the help of John Knott and Bernard Speakman, David took the company over; they were to remain lifelong friends. The company became Bakers of Danbury Ltd for which David remained Managing Director until the early 1990’s. Under their control the company’s reputation soared and it went from strength to strength, with work on churches and ancient buildings becoming a particular speciality.

David was personally involved in major refurbishment works at Waltham Abbey, St Albans Cathedral and Writtle Church as well as projects on countless other parish churches. He stopped working full-time in 1994, but continued working part-time until 2005. David also served on the Fabric Committee for Chelmsford Cathedral from 1991 to 2015.

In 2013 David wrote within the book “A History of Bakers of Danbury Ltd”;

I am proud to have been part of the team responsible for carrying the firm forward for such a long period. I feel satisfied that we have been able to maintain the standards set by William Baker so long ago, in a world that is so vastly different to that in which he worked. I am also confident that the now well-established new managers hold similar aspirations to all those of us who have gone before, and will continue to give valuable service to the local and also the more widespread community which the firm now serves.”

David’s son Simon was a Contracts Director working within Baker’s Church department over 20 years, and at present David’s younger Son Antony continues the family dedication to Bakers of Danbury, also as a Contracts Director. Ant has been with Bakers over 25 years now.

David’s visits into the office to offer support and advice or just for a chat in recent years were always welcomed and he will be sadly missed by all. Without his dedication and commitment to the company for near on 60 years we may well not be where we are today.