The Farmers Mart Jun/Jul 2016 - Issue 46 | Page 32

Fencing GRANTLEY SAWMILLS Opening times: Mon-Fri: 08:00 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 17:00 Saturday: 08:00 - 11:30 Email: [email protected] Tel: [phone] Grantley, Ripon, HG4 3ES If it’s fencing, it has to be the Atkinson’s YOUR ONE STOP FENCING SHOP...EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO TRANSFORM YOUR GARDEN ETC SAW MILLS LTD Timber Fencing & Decking • Fence panels, Posts • Decking, Sleepers, Trellis • Benches, Planters, Gates • Sawn timber • Arches and arbours • Wire fencing, Electric fencing •Sheds, Dog kennels, Log stores • Wood treatment • Nails, Screws and tools • Full range of ironwork 32 Jun/Jul 2016 www.farmers-mart.co.uk Moreton Business Park, Gledrid, Chirk 01691 772 794 www.etcsawmills.co.uk »» IAN WILKINSON MET Gary Atkinson and his two sons Antony and Ben, the team that now comprises Gary Atkinson & Sons Fencing Services. The business was started by Gary himself in 2003, after he had been working with other contractors and as a farm manager. When farming in general took a downturn, Gary took the opportunity of taking redundancy as he had always wanted to set up his own agricultural fencing business - having been involved with fencing as far back as childhood, working with paddock fencing on a dairy farm. Sons Antony and Ben have been in the business 10 and four years respectively. Antony has been with Gary since leaving school. He had planned to go to college but the prospect of student loans and debts didn’t impress him. He has never regretted his choice. Ben was originally looking at joining the army but when he saw how good a team Antony and Gary made, he decided he wanted to join them and like his brother, it is proving a good choice. Talking to all three Atkinson’s, it is clear that they are a jovial and hard working team. In the early days Gary was just labour only working for other fencing contractors, but it wasn’t long before his reputation began to grow and he found himself fully on his own, “I didn’t expect it to get this big,” Gary told me. REPUTATION COUNTS He explained that this reputation was built on solid foundations. “We only use the very best of materials and equipment- good wood, strong wire, posts, rails, gates etc.” A detailed estimate is always given and Gary always stresses that people need to make sure they are comparing like with like with estimates.