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BBC Essex interview

BBC Essex Radio

BBC Essex interview

January 22, 2020 Rachel Finlay Comments Off

Bakers’ Contracts Manager for the Church Works Department Adrian Ward, was interviewed by June Woolerton on the BBC Essex Sunday breakfast on Sunday 19th January 2020.

Click here to listen to the interview on BBC Essex

The interview began with BBC Essex’s June Woolerton asking Adrian about Bakers of Danbury’s history, in particular about William Baker who set up the company over 140 years ago. Adrian and June discussed the similarities between the business William set up in 1878 and Bakers of Danbury today, which include the company culture and work ethic, as well as the type of work carried out and the need to move with the times, in order to maintain the company.

Adrian explained that essentially, moving with the times is how Bakers became involved in the specialist conservation and repair of churches. William Baker was a “Millwright, wheelwright and carpenter”, but with the demise of mills, there were few mill jobs after the 1890’s. At which point William Baker concentrated on general repairs and construction of local properties, as well as church works.

In the interview Adrian tells June about the works Bakers of Danbury has carried out to some of London’s landmarks, which include St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and St Brides church, as well as works carried out within Essex which include working on Chelmsford Cathedral and local churches.

June told Adrian she had seen Bakers’ vans around the county looking after churches, and asked Adrian about the works Bakers carry out to churches. They discuss the typical works necessary to conserve and restore local churches, as well as alteration works which are sometimes carried out to help ensure a village church remains the centre of the community, in addition to worship.