business
Pre the Second World War there were many different types of shops catering for the needs of the village. Circa 1950 there was a bakery and butchery, grocery stores, a fruit and vegetable shop, which also sold fish and chips, a sweet and tobacconist shop, which was also the post office. In the last decade the remaining general store, Bennetts of Beckington, ceased to trade and in 1999 the Post Office closed.
Today various mobile vendors visit the village, whilst in the centre of the village there is a garage and petrol filling station, Beckington Motors, which has been in business for 4 generations. At the entrance to the village on the bypass by the Trowbridge road roundabout, there is a motorists' service area, with a fuel station, travel lodge and restaurant. Groceries, sweets, fresh coffee, tobacco and newspapers are also sold at the filling station.
There are 3 public houses in the Parish.
The Woolpack and The Forresters are in Beckington whilst the Full Moon is in Rudge. All serve meals and offer accommodation.
There are also several guest houses in the village (see below).
A highly successful engineering business (SEA Ltd) is now located in the 17th century
building and grounds known as the Castle, which they have renovated with some care
during the last decade. Other businesses in Beckington include three building contractors,
two electricians, a plumber, and Emma Books Ltd in Mill Lane.
In August 2006 the village welcomed the opening of the only shop in Beckington -
Mes Amis. This is a thriving delicatessen and coffee shop that also serves
light meals and a selection of meals to take away. The menu changes daily, but is
always freshly prepared and uses only the best produce and ingredients. Mes Amis
is open Monday through Saturday from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. You are sure to find
a friendly welcome and become one of their many regular customers. 01373 830723.
Business Listings:
We are pleased to list here those local businesses in and around Beckington which
advertise in our Parish Magazine
Network. Through this they support the life of the village and encourage a sustainable community.
If you are looking for a local purchase or service, please give them a call.
Springmead School
Nursery and Pre-preparatory. 01373 831555 / 0771 3267627. Independent co-educational
school.
White Row Country Foods Farm Shop 01373 830798 for organic produce, fresh
foods, bread, butchery, cafe, plants, gifts, etc. etc.
Eden Vale B&B
01373 830371. Quiet riverside farmhouse. En-suite accommodation, fishing available.
Paul Antell Plumbing For all your plumbing needs call Paul Antell on 01373 467427 / 07890 366832.
Sharon's Home Visiting Foot Clinic
For professional treatment of all foot probmelm in the comfort of your won home. 01373 836734 / 0772 8300402.
Busy Bees Cleaning & Gardening Services. 01373 455911 Amy: 07971 921651 Caron: 07971 921617 fax: 01373 300726, email: busybees2000@lineone.net. Offering residential and commercial cleaning & gardening services. www.busybees2000.co.uk.
The Full Moon,
Rudge 01373 830936. An old village inn with en suite rooms looking over
the Westbury White Horse. Intimate dining rooms and imaginative English Food. Since
the Spring of 2003 additional village cottages have been available and guests are
able to use the new indoor pool.
Jeremy Alderman Building Contractor 01373 467953 mobile: 0850 285874. New
builds, renovations, alternations etc.
T.S. Prescott 01373 832749 Plumbing & Heating installation, extensions
& alterations; decorator & iphe registered plumber.
Driving Instructor Steve Dayman-Johns 01373 466611 DOT Approved, mock test
included, pick up at home or work; any time of day.
The Somerset Smithy 01373 462609 Mobile Ornamental Blacksmith of exclusive character.
Bowen Technique Julie McDougal CertECBS VTCT MBTER 01373 830071 or 07973 758106. email
juliemcdougal@btinternet.com.
ALL ABOUT LOCKS The local locksmith company 07886 338121.
Locks opened, supplied and fitted. Non-destructive opening whenever possible.
Ant's 4 Aerials & Satellites 01373 836552 or 07877597927.
Fast, reliable, local service.
MILLERS Electrical Contractor Martin Miller 01373 466301. Fuseboard upgrades;
Security lights; Underfloor heating; Telephone points. email
martin1.miller@blueyonder.co.uk. www.millers-electrical.co.uk
Newlands Tree Care Andy Brake 01373 830429 All aspects of tree surgery undertaken.
Mendip Mowers, Chapmanslade: Sales, Service and Parts. 01373 832965.
The Woolpack Inn 01373 831244 A former small 16th century coaching inn.
Food and accommodation. Special seasonal events and meals. Always a warm and friendly
welcome.
A Bit Of A Do Outside Catering 07801 070222 or 01373 831254
Your gateway to a better garden Richard Robbins 01373 473008; 07510 130083
Brian Allsop Carpet & Flooring Ltd 01373 463866 Mobile: 07887 953014
West Couontry Tiling 01373 462224
Housemaids Cleaning Services 01373 474246
Claire Merritt Antiques & Furnishings 01373 464993
Seymours Court,
Beckington. Country House B&B. 01373 830466
Sunny Hill Preparatory Nursery & Pre-prep School for girls ages 3-11
and boys aged 3-7. Bruton School for Girls 01749 814427
Bristows Carpentry and Developments Ltd. 01373 300062 or 07968 365840. email
bristowscarpentry@hotmail.co.uk.
Help Property Maintenance No job too big or too small. 01373 302359 / 07970 119550
Fresh Sahara Oven Cleaning + Carpet Cleaning 01225 866892.
Three C's Local Cleaning Services Regular and one-off general cleaning plus... 01985 217004. info@thethreecs.co.uk
MAC Electrical Services Mike Clarke. All types of electrical work undertaken. 01373 859297 / 07793 722290
mike.clarke202@virgin.net
Clean-it Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Specialist. Home, Private, Lettings, Business. 01373 462059 or 07779 247961.
Basic Computers Software & hardware problems sorted. 01373 813353 email for details.
Cats Protection Beautiful cats and kittens always available for good homes.
01985 218559
Gary Holt Painting, decorating and plastering. 01373 831476; 078 913 12503
Personal Fitness Kirsty Doonan: 01373 831178; 07788 100269
The Blue House, Frome Accommodation for elderly residents. 01373 462577
Beckington Limousines for all occasions. 01373 831717
P. B. Keniston Carpet fitting, Flooring & Tiling Specialist. 01373 464180; 07775 814125.
The Corsley Centre for Meetings, Wedding Receptions, Training Courses. o1373 832 494.
Nordic Pole Walking. 01373 836552; 078701 496235; jennie@thefitnessfarm.com.
Ken's Kabs Airports, Seaports & all UK Destinations. 07966 427225 info@kenskabs.com
The Waldron Partnership Chartered Certified Accountants in Bath & Radstock. 01225 319 371
Garden Care Lawns cut, rotavating, patio cleaning, hedges, fencing, etc. 0750 637 3335; 01373 832613
Danceworks Classical Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip-hop, Drama & singing 01373 474481
Chrysalis Landscaping Garden design - construction - planting. 01373 813 124
Spitfire Stairlift Services 01985 800150; 07590 315034
Philippa Kaye Seamstress 01373 463066
R M Log Supplies Hardwood logs and kindling; free delivery. 07876 621929
Little Cuckoos Pre-School Warminster. 01373 832298
Beckington Pre-School 01373 831 492
Partners in Design We'll help you create the home you want. Furnishings, design, colour schemes. 07733 268 825
A J Winter Traditional Builder 07966 131145 andjwin@gmail.com
Alexander Cameron Ltd. Independent Financial Advisers Local adviser giving professional, confidential impartial advice. 01373 467860 richard@alexandercameron.co.uk
Abi McGillivray Architecture Locally based RIBA architect with a personal and individual approach. 01373 831585
Learn a Foreign Language University of Bath. 01225 383991 flc@bath.ac.uk
Washed Up Crocks Whatever your event, large or small, I can supply crockery, cutlery, glassware and linen. 01373 830 171 mobile: 07746 410401 washedupcrocks@btinternet.com
Beckington Physiotherapy Alison Rossiter MCSP, HCP. 01373 831483 arossiterphysio@gmail.com
House Sitting and Dog and Cat Minding Service Rose Knight. 01373 464904 / 07773 435254.
Westwood Landscapes Pond and water garden specialists, garden designers, landscape gardeners. 01373 463866 Mobile: 07887 953014.
Relaxation 4U Treatments of relaxation. 01373 834512 or 07817 098728.
Business Focus:
Beckington Motors - Telephone: 01373 830238
Four generations of the Hillman family have run their business in the centre of
the village for 123 years. The present garage provides full servicing for most types
of vehicles, repair and recovery facilities. They are specialists in auto electrics,
carry out annual MOT tests and sell tyres, exhausts and batteries at competitive
rates, which they fit free and they offer free collection and delivery of vehicles.
Beckington Motors is a valuable village asset, providing a friendly and quality
service at truly competitive prices.
SEA Ltd at Beckington Castle
Telephone 01373 852000
Following the move of Ravenscroft School in 1970, Beckington Castle was left unoccupied
and sadly deteriorated to a ruinous state – so bad in fact that it was featured
in a national newspaper as "heap of the week"!
In 1989, however, the Castle and grounds were acquired by Systems Engineering &
Assessment Ltd (SEA). At that time only 12 strong, SEA was created to provide specialist
technical support to the Ministry of Defence. The Company initially occupied a temporary
building in the Castle grounds, while negotiations continued with the planning authorities
and English Heritage regarding refurbishment of the Castle and erection of a new
office building in the grounds. These negotiations ended up being very protracted
and it was not until 1996 that the splendidly refurbished Castle was finally re-opened.
The first phase of the sympathetically designed office building was also completed
in 1996, and in the same year SEA occupied a further office in North Bristol.
SEA's growth was accompanied by a diversification of activities, and the Company,
now 120 strong, has successful business units addressing the defence, aerospace
and transport industries. In 1998 a new company, SEA (Advanced Products) Ltd, was
formed to exploit high technology spin-offs from SEA. With further growth in prospect,
in September 1999 work began on phase 2 of the new office block, completing development
of the Castle site.
Over the years SEA has built up close and cordial relationships with the village,
sponsoring the cricket and football clubs, supporting the school and putting the
castle at the disposal of the village for charitable and community purposes. Over
20 staff live in the local area.
Madeline's Pickford House
Tel/Fax 01373 830329
Angela Pritchard set up her own business in outside catering in 1989, having spent
long hours studying the history of Italian and French Cuisine. Prior to this she
had been constantly asked to provide people with dishes for their private drinks
and dinner parties as well as offering quality dinners for her accommodation guests.
The business grew by word of mouth but Angela was insistent that her bed and breakfast
business with quality dinners would take first priority. It was recently awarded
4 Diamonds by the AA Inspection Team.
However over the years both businesses grew with several very prestigious catering
events. More part time employment from outside was becoming important and in 1997
it became apparent that the two businesses should be separated. It was decided that
Madeleine's should become a catering company and stand on its own, leaving the bed
and breakfast to continue to grow and thrive separately with Angela's husband Ken
playing an important part in fronting the bed and breakfast business and acting
as Company Secretary to Madeleine's. In recognition of their excellence and enthusiasm
in food and wine and their strong connections in Burgundy, both were made Cousins
of Savigny les Beaune.
Ivy House Farm
Geoff and Kim Bowles and family farming in the village since 1985 now run an Organic dairy farm-
Milking Jersey cows and processing the milk for bottled milk, creams and butter.