Celebrating over 100 Years
A family tradition of values and quality
The history of W. J. Trotman Builders goes back over 100 years when William John Trotman (pictured above) returned from the Great War in 1919 and decided to set up a building business with his fellow soldier, Private Ledbury. Four years later, when Ledbury emigrated to Canada, William John (commonly known as Jack) took the reins of the company and so W. J. Trotman Builders was founded. Based at his home in Dean, in the parish of Cranmore, East Somerset, Jack carried out repairs in the local area, including extensive maintenance to Cranmore Hall for the Paget family.
In the 1930s Jack Trotman constructed his first new dwelling, an impressive home for his sister Ella featuring a veranda to the front, situated in the village of Doulting. Jack was subsequently employed to build a series of other new properties, including a bungalow in the same village.
How times have changed! Of historical interest, a copy of Jack’s original estimate of £830 for the build of the bungalow, dating from 1934, can be seen at full size by clicking the image on the left.
The onset of World War II saw many of Jack’s employees called up to active service. As the war ended, many of them returned to the UK to then be sent up to London by Jack to help the efforts to repair the extensive bomb damage.
During the 1950s, Jack began construction of his own bungalow known as Ashdene in the village of Cranmore. Upon its completion, Ashdene became the registered office of W. J. Trotman and so it would stay for the next 50 years. Over the next two decades, Jack won several prestigious contracts from Shepton Mallet Rural District Council to construct much-needed council houses in Cranmore, Doulting and the surrounding villages. At the same time, the company continued to purchase plots of land on which they built a number of private bungalows.
In the late 1950s, Jack’s son-in-law Leonard Reakes became a part of the business, soon to be joined by his son (Jack’s grandson) John in 1963. At the same time, the business was officially registered with Companies House and the W. J. Trotman Builders Limited that we know today was formed. Building continued at an impressive pace over the next two decades, with many contracts carried out for Somerset County Council and other commercial organizations as well as other private work.
How times have changed! Of historical interest, a copy of Jack’s original estimate of £830 for the build of the bungalow, dating from 1934, can be seen at full size by clicking the image on the left.
The onset of World War II saw many of Jack’s employees called up to active service. As the war ended, many of them returned to the UK to then be sent up to London by Jack to help the efforts to repair the extensive bomb damage.
During the 1950s, Jack began construction of his own bungalow known as Ashdene in the village of Cranmore. Upon its completion, Ashdene became the registered office of W. J. Trotman and so it would stay for the next 50 years. Over the next two decades, Jack won several prestigious contracts from Shepton Mallet Rural District Council to construct much-needed council houses in Cranmore, Doulting and the surrounding villages. At the same time, the company continued to purchase plots of land on which they built a number of private bungalows.
In the late 1950s, Jack’s son-in-law Leonard Reakes became a part of the business, soon to be joined by his son (Jack’s grandson) John in 1963. At the same time, the business was officially registered with Companies House and the W. J. Trotman Builders Limited that we know today was formed. Building continued at an impressive pace over the next two decades, with many contracts carried out for Somerset County Council and other commercial organizations as well as other private work.
Tristan & John Reakes, the current directors
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Sadly, on 9th January 1990, Jack Trotman passed away at the age of 92, and his grandson John Reakes took charge of the company. Six years later, his son (Jack’s great grandson) Tristan joined the family business and the company experienced a new spate of growth as it secured a series of prestigious contracts in the commercial and private sectors.
After over 50 years, the business moved its offices from Jack’s bungalow Ashdene , to Peasedown, where the company still resides to this day. W. J. Trotman Builders Limited continues to proudly serve the surrounding area and its residents, just as its founder had intended over a century ago. |