Our rich history from 1865

The history of the West family in timber started in the 19th century, tangible felling records date back to 1865. Walter Luke West had his own business, more than likely working with his father, James West, who in the 1851 census was described as a ‘Wood Reve’ (which translates as a custodian of the woods). Based around the West Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey borders, the family would buy a `parcel’ of timber, comprising a number of trees, often still standing in the woodland. The timber would be felled and cut into beam, posts or plank where they fell. This would be achieved by digging a pit and hand sawing, to be hauled out of the woods by horse and trailer.