Out & About Summer 2019

They say great oaks from little acorns grow, an adage borne out by two Newbury schoolfriends who are celebrating 25 years in business together, having built a reputation for quality wood creations Solid silver Hartwood Oak HOME

H artwood Oak Buildings Ltd is the joint business venture of childhood friends Sam McCallum and Tim Green, who first met in the canteen at St Bartholomews Grammar School, Newbury, aged 11. Little did they know that some 40 years later they would be celebrating 25 years making quality, bespoke oak constructions from house extensions to porches and garden buildings. After school, at 17, the boys travelled to Canada together and, on their return, worked for several years doing hard landscaping with another old friend from school. Tim went on to manage that company while Sam worked at Beenham House doing restoration work and picture framing before travelling to Australia for 12 months, working in tree surgery. He then returned home and went to London to work in a gemstone business. Years passed, but the boys never lost touch. Meanwhile, Tim had got married and started a family as well as setting up a joinery business, making oak furniture. “I was one of those kids who was always fascinated by being dragged round country houses by my parents,” he admits. “I’ve just continued my interest in anything old. I was probably interested in history at school more than any other subject. That interest carried on into adult life – I’ll always maintain an interest in old houses, old furniture and antiques.” Tim’s father was a carpenter and he was happy to follow in his footsteps. “When I cottoned on that green oak was coming into a revival period 30 years ago, it pulled together everything I was interested in,” he says. “So I contacted Sam and put it to him that this was something we could turn into a business together.”

Sam was no stranger to finance as he had been running the accounts side of a gemstone business in Hatton Garden for six years. “I remember when we bought our first electric saw,” recalls Sam. “We were so excited at having a power tool; then we bought another – one each – it was mind-blowing,” he laughs. Tim and Sam have built the business from a two-man band, working out of a small shed, to a thriving commercial operation which today employs 15 people and is housed in a large, modern building with a suite of offices upstairs and a spacious workshop, the hub of the business, downstairs. If you know someone who has an amazing oak porch or a beautiful oak-framed playroom, garage, office or granny flat, the chances are the work was carried out by Hartwood Oak. A lot of their business comes from word-of-mouth as satisfied customers pass on recommendations. “We started out building sheds and outbuildings,” says Sam. “And then progressed to larger domestic projects. Porches have also become very popular. They are great fun to do, quite quick and easy – just a few days – and make a huge difference to people’s houses. “Our main seller is oak framed extensions. Added to a kitchen, they create a really dramatic living space and become the heart of the home. Often with vaulted oak roofs, they create a really exciting and inviting space to be in.” Hartwood Oak also train up skilled craftsman. “People with these types of skills are hard to find,” says Sam. “We take on an apprentice every two years and teach them the trade. It is very satisfying to see them learning and using their creative skills.”

Tim and Sam celebrate 25 years of Hartwood Oak Buildings

Tim working in their first cramped premises and below their first vehicle and large project

68

O&A SUMMER 2019