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VENABLES have specialised in conservation based arboricultural works for a number of years along with our regular highways, parks, schools and residential works and have evolved our thinking firmly along these lines. Venables is a family run business comprising of two generations, Patrick and Dennis along with Patrick’s son, Steve. Although the company was originally founded in the early 80’s, our family have been dealing with trees for several generations.

1942 Cyril (Stick) Venables, far left. Forest Of Dean, Gloucestershire. This was taken during his time serving with the Royal Engineers, where he found himself felling trees, running a mobile sawmill, charcoal burning along with bridge building and mine clearing. Unusually for the army, they placed him with a unit in keeping with his own trade in civvie street.

1962 Five Oaks School, Hatfield. This when the site was cleared to make way for the school.

1964 Palmers Green, London, N13. A photo courtesy of Mr Norman Weaver, who was the customer. Picture taken by a neighbour and sent this along with a letter of thanks. Headed paper for the note included his phone number - 'Bowes Park 4470'

1978 Dennis, Cancer Research Institute, South Mimms. Large Elm being dressed ready for the timber mill. Note the complete lack of any protective clothing.

1985 Pat with his father, Stick, loading a trailer. Location unknown.

1988 Dennis, preparing to fell a large Poplar.

1989 Using our old Fordson Major tractor during clearance of a few hundred Poplar trees. Dobbs Weir Caravan Park.

2002 Steve, during his training days, about to climb a large Lime tree that unfortunately had to come down due to severe basal rot. Now using full P.P.E. Hertford.

2002 The beginning of certification

2003 Our first Unimog, being used to lift trees along Cheshunt Country Walk.

2006 Unimog and timber trailer carrying a Cedar trunk, Barnet.

2006 Use of mobile elevated platform (M.E.W.P.S) or 'cherry picker' to help prevent damage to graves and gardens. Hendon Cemetery.

2006 Steve, now training others at our yard in Newgate street.

2007

2007 Our staff , chipping brush and carrying out pruning operations this year. Full use of climbing equipment, P.P.E. and always uniformed. Our in house training programme, along with outside, independent trainers and assessors ensures that our staff , customers and members of the public remain safe and best practice is observed at all times. A long way from the pictures at the beginning of this history.

2007 A modern day verson of the very first picture in 1942