H Bell & Sons celebrate 110 years with 110 trees

Date published: 28 April 2022

Local construction company H Bell & Sons is celebrating 110 years of business by planting 110 trees across the borough this year.

Company director Harry Bell, son Chris Bell and daughter Louise Scott met with the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Aasim Rashid, on Tuesday (26 April) where they planted a cherry tree in the Rochdale Memorial Gardens.

The tree will stand as a celebration of the local company’s longevity and a mark of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Four trees have also been planted in Taylor Park, Norden, and the remainder will be planted in community spaces.

Chris and Louise are the fourth generation of the family to run the business and their father Harry was in charge before them. Harry, named the Man of Rochdale in 2014, joined the firm in 1953 and is now retired – but he still takes an active role in the business.

The occasion was very poignant for veteran Harry, who planted one of the other trees in the same garden when he was chair of Rochdale Round Table in 1977, the Queen’s Silver Jubilee year.

Harry said: “I remember planting a tree like this one in 1977 alongside John Wild and Philip Jackson of the Round Table. It’s good to be able to plant a new one here which will grow tall just like that one did.

“For our business anniversary to be in a Queen’s Jubilee year makes it even more special.”

The first- and second-generation business owners were represented too on celebratory cupcakes which were presented to the Mayor, as well as being shared with the company’s workforce and families.

A donation of £500 was also made to the Mayor’s charity by the company.