Louise Parkes, Author at Collier & Catchpole

Posted on 6 October 202223 October 2024 by Louise Parkes

Lexden Wood Golf Club Landscaping Materials Donation

At Collier & Catchpole, we’ve had the exciting opportunity to partner with Lexden Wood Golf Club in Colchester, delivering a wide selection of landscaping materials to enhance their mini golf course.

“Located just outside the historic town of Colchester, Lexden Wood Golf Club is a premier destination for golf enthusiasts in Essex. The club boasts a beautifully maintained 18-hole golf course that challenges and delights players of all skill levels. Surrounded by lush woodlands and serene landscapes, our course offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.”

Our extensive range of decorative aggregates played a crucial role in reshaping the landscape. Our selection of geotextiles, slate, decorative chippings, pebbles, and sleepers have created a stunning foundation for a variety of installations throughout the new Dinosaur Themed mini-golf course.

“Collier & Catchpole have blown us away with the transformation of our fabulous Fossil Falls, the products they have used have really made our dinos look amazing. There advice and attention to detail is second to none, and not only that they are all so super friendly and nice and love going the extra mile. Thank you so much” – Lexden Wood

Keep an eye out for our new Landscaping displays at Lexden Wood Golf Club in Colchester, just 1.5 miles from our Stanway depot.

“Crazy golf at Lexden Wood is not just about fun – it’s also an opportunity for families to bond and spend quality time together. Whether you’re competing for the best score or just enjoying the playful atmosphere, our crazy golf course is a guaranteed hit for your next family day out.”

Beyond their visual impact, decorative aggregates are low-maintenance, durable, and help with drainage, making them an ideal solution for both residential and commercial landscaping projects.

Whether you’re a professional landscaper or a DIY enthusiast, you’ll find everything you need for your next project at Collier & Catchpole, delivery and collection is available Mon-Sat at our branches in Ipswich, Stanway, and Lawford.

Posted on 28 September 202225 October 2024 by Louise Parkes

Celebrating 40 Years of Service: Paul Reeder’s Milestone

At Collier & Catchpole, we are celebrating a significant milestone today — Paul Reeder’s 40 years of service! A huge congratulations to Paul for his dedication, loyalty, and hard work over the past four decades.

A Message from Our Managing Director, Tim Rowbottom

“In a world of constant change, having long-serving employees is an important part of maintaining Collier’s traditions and performance. We are extremely proud that Paul has felt that we are a company he has been happy to work for over the last 40 years.”

As an independent builders’ merchant, we know that the strength of our business lies not only in the quality of our building materials and customer service but also in the commitment of our long-serving employees.

In an ever-changing world, having team members like Paul, who have been with us for 40 years, helps maintain the core values, traditions, and high standards that Collier & Catchpole is known for throughout Essex and Suffolk.

Paul’s longevity with our company is a testament to the positive working environment we strive to maintain. As an independent business, we are proud to foster a team culture that encourages growth, loyalty, and a genuine sense of community.

Celebrating long-serving employees like Paul are a vital part of our success, and their dedication ensures that we continue to deliver exceptional service to our customers, both in-store and through our delivery services.

Our progress has always been driven by the people in our business and they remain the most valuable asset the company has. We are immensely proud that over 25% of our staff have been with us for more than 10 years with more than 50% having completed 5 years of service.

As we celebrate Paul’s 40 years with Collier & Catchpole, we remain committed to supporting our team and growing as an independent company that serves the Essex and Suffolk communities. Thank you, Paul, for being such an integral part of our journey!

For more information about Collier & Catchpole, your trusted independent supplier of building materials in Essex and Suffolk, visit us today.

Posted on 6 September 202223 October 2024 by Louise Parkes

Discover the Beauty and Durability of Millboard Decking in Suffolk

If you’re looking for a decking solution that combines natural beauty with long-lasting performance, Millboard decking is the perfect choice for your garden. Inspired by the timeless appeal of real wood, Millboard is designed to outperform traditional decking in every way.

We’ve partnered with Millboard to bring you an exciting new display at our Ipswich branch, showcasing the range of decking options that will transform your outdoor space.

Millboard decking stands out from conventional composite decking thanks to its unique construction. As a result, it looks exceptionally like real wood, but doesn’t rot, retains high slip-resistance even when wet, and requires little maintenance other than a simple wipe clean.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current decking or planning a new garden project, you can visit us to explore the variety of Millboard decking finishes and colours in person. This hands-on experience will help you choose the perfect decking option for your Suffolk home.

Millboard’s range includes popular collections like Enhanced Grain, which showcases natural wood textures, and Weathered Oak, which mimics the character of aged timber. Each option is carefully crafted to offer superior style and durability, perfect for creating inviting outdoor spaces where you can relax and entertain year-round.

With Millboard decking, you get the best of both worlds: the stunning look of natural wood with the high performance and longevity of modern materials.

“At Millboard, we believe in pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. Our journey began with a simple yet profound idea: to create outdoor decking solutions that combine the natural beauty of wood with the durability and low maintenance of modern materials. Our story is one of innovation and dedication. We embarked on a relentless pursuit of excellence, leveraging cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices to craft a product that exceeds expectations.”

Keep an eye out for our upcoming Pavestone landscaping display, coming soon to our Ipswich Branch.

Come visit our Ipswich shop today and explore our new decking display. Whether you’re looking to elevate your outdoor living area or need inspiration for a new landscaping project, Collier & Catchpole provides the perfect solution.

Posted on 6 September 202223 October 2024 by Louise Parkes

Exploring the Historic W H Collier Site: A Legacy of Brickmaking

W H Collier Ltd has been a cornerstone of brickmaking in Essex, producing high-quality, hand-thrown bricks that continue to grace homes, heritage sites, and modern developments across Colchester and beyond.

We recently took a nostalgic tour of their vintage brickworks, a site rich in history and craftsmanship, a place we once called home.

A Journey from Reading to Stanway: The Birth of W H Collier Ltd

The story of W H Collier Ltd begins in 1880, when William Holman Collier decided to branch out from the family brickmaking business, S & E Collier, which had been established in Reading in the early 1800s.

William, along with his wife Jessie, made the significant move to Stanway, Essex – a journey of approximately 110 miles by steam train at the time.

Once in Stanway, they discovered The Marks Tey Brickworks, a site previously owned by Mr. Wagstaff, a local farmer who had been using the natural clay and sand on his land to produce bricks. Sensing an opportunity, the Colliers acquired the brickworks and immediately set about expanding production.

Their investment not only grew the business but also provided the local community with alternative employment, moving away from the dominant industries of farming and railways.

W H Collier Ltd quickly became known for their meticulous craftsmanship. Each brick hand-thrown using clay from their own quarry, a tradition that has continued through the generations.

Today, W H Collier Ltd is still a thriving business, known for producing bricks with a level of detail and artistry that no machine can replicate. The company remained part of the Collier family until 1988.

A team of eight continues the tradition of brickmaking at W H Collier producing over 250,000 bricks every year.

“Our bricks are used in projects ranging from the most prestigious new-build developments to sensitive heritage restorations and self-build projects. Beauty no machine can match. Every brick is hand-thrown using clay from our own quarry.” – W. H Collier

The company’s dedication to traditional techniques ensures that each brick they produce is a piece of history, perfect for any building project that values authenticity and beauty. As W H Collier Ltd puts it: “Beauty no machine can match.“

From Marks Tey to the wider Essex area, W H Collier bricks can be found in countless projects, adding timeless character to homes, public buildings, and historical restorations.

Posted on 27 August 202223 October 2024 by Louise Parkes

Collier & Catchpole £200,000 Investment in Ipswich Branch

Collier & Catchpole, a leading independent builders’ merchant, has proudly invested over £200,000 in refurbishing their Ipswich shop and sales office, along with reconfiguring the yard layout. This significant investment is set to bolster their commitment to providing top-quality building materials and products for delivery and collection in Essex and Suffolk.

The refurbishment has successfully increased the shop space by an impressive 33%, allowing for better access to an extensive range of building supplies. Customers can now browse a wider selection of products, from essential construction materials to the latest in landscaping and decorative finishes.

Managing Director Tim Rowbottom expressed his enthusiasm about the upgrade: “Our business is very much based on the people we employ, but without the correct tools and facilities, they will always struggle to do the job to the highest standards. This investment continues our drive to keep the business relevant to our customers’ needs and is focused very much on the service we provide.”

On Friday, 26th August, Collier & Catchpole opened the doors to their brand-new shop at the Ipswich depot. The official opening event was a week-long celebration filled with activities that highlighted their dedication to serving the Essex and Suffolk building communities.

Trade displays from top suppliers such as Azpects, Pavestone, Bradstone, ACO, Mannok, Millboard, Metsä Group, and Haemmerlin showcased the latest building products, tools and innovations. These key suppliers are integral to Collier & Catchpole’s mission to provide high-quality building materials in Essex and Suffolk.

Branch Manager Jason Wood commented on the successful event: “Thank you to all the staff and contractors for your hard work in getting the new shop over the line. The extra space makes it much easier for customers to buy building materials, and that is really important to us.”

Fun and Games: Celebrating with the Community

The grand opening wasn’t just about showcasing products; it was also about celebrating with the community. The team organized the “Colliers Shovel Off!” game, where visitors competed to hold an OX shovel at a 90-degree angle for as long as possible.

John from Eagle Construction emerged victorious after an impressive 3 minutes and 30 seconds, taking home the shovel at the end of the event.

Guests also enjoyed delicious wood-fired pizzas from The Mobile Pizza Co, a local catering company.

Throughout the week, raffle tickets were handed out for instant wins. Prizes were generously donated by suppliers such as OX Tools, Rhino Flexi-tubs, Timco, ACO, Millboard, and Lexden Wood Golf Club. These giveaways added extra excitement to the event and showcased the strong relationships Collier & Catchpole maintains with top industry brands.

There’s no sign of slowing down for Collier & Catchpole. Work has already begun on Suffolk’s First Official Millboard Decking Display, set to be featured at the entrance of the new Ipswich shop. Expected to be completed in September, this display will provide customers with firsthand experience of Millboard’s exceptional decking products—ideal for those looking to enhance their outdoor spaces.

In 2019, Collier & Catchpole expanded by opening a third branch in Tendring to serve the Lawford Manningtree area, reinforcing their dedication to meeting the needs of customers across Essex and Suffolk. This latest investment in the Ipswich branch is another step in their ongoing mission to provide unparalleled service and access to high-quality building materials and products.

Marketing Manager Louise Parkes summed up the company’s forward momentum: “It’s great to finally see the new shop open for business. Everyone has worked so hard. Going forward, trading at the Ipswich depot will be vastly streamlined.”

Collier & Catchpole invites all customers, new and existing, to visit the newly refurbished Ipswich shop to explore the expanded range of building supplies. With improved facilities and an even larger selection of products, finding the right materials for your project has never been easier.

Can’t make it to the store? No problem! Visit colliercatchpole.co.uk to shop online and arrange for convenient delivery or collection in Essex and Suffolk. From construction materials to landscaping products, Collier & Catchpole is your one-stop shop for your building materials.