BELL CHIMES IN TUNE WITH THIS FENCING LIFE
It’s an absolute pleasure to chat with Rob Bell of Kendal-based Rob Bell Fencing! His infectious enthusiasm and passion for all things fencing is an example to all and, if bottled, would prove to be a heady brew.
“I love the freedom of being my own boss and I love the freedom of being out in nature,” exclaimed Rob who started out in 1988 as a self-employed farm worker with a weekend side line in hedge laying.
That weekend side line soon morphed into full time work alongside a range of fencing work and, in 1996, he set up the business alongside wife Clare as a partner. In 2015 the business became Rob Bell Fencing Ltd; the duo haven’t looked back since, now employing three full-time staff as well as two subcontractors from their base in the picturesque south Cumbrian town.
Rob went on “We have steadily built up a strong reputation for doing big projects in difficult to reach places and now work across Cumbria as well as occasionally venturing into Lancashire and North Yorkshire.
“One of the catalysts for setting up in business was seeing a post knocker, made by a local fabricator in an agricultural sale and realising that it could get me started. I now run a Solotrack post knocker with Solo netter and a Solo wrapper with a Protech Evo1 machine for a second team. Amongst the weeds and nettles is a Protech P400 tractor mounted machine just in case,” said Rob who has a solid pipeline of work scheduled in until the end of 2024.
He continued “I enjoy the fact that I’ve finally found something I am good at! I learnt to read and write at school but my education was cemented by the Young Farmers movement where I went from a shy schoolboy to a confident competitor in cross country running, public speaking, hedge laying and debating. Having left school thinking I was going to be a farmer, differences of opinion with family led to a change in direction and I became a travelling salesman for 2 years. Moving on, I immersed myself in agricultural work and found my niche in hedge laying and fencing.
“You can’t beat this outdoor life especially amidst the spectacular Lake District scenery. No two days are the same and, whilst I don’t do that much hedge laying these days, I’m still very much hands on with the fencing at the ripe old age of 58 despite two hip replacements in my younger years!”
Indeed Rob’s thorough approach to work was recently recognised with a nomination in this year’s agricultural section of the AFI national awards and he headed down to Cardiff in early October for the ceremony.
“I was disappointed not to win but it was a great honour to be recognised in this way and I enjoyed the event. I’ve always tried to put something back into fencing and passionately believe I can help to improve things for future generations. The AFI is a good vehicle for that.”
Rob has already played his part in creating a positive legacy with two grown up daughters but this armchair rugby fan, with a love of a wide range of music, still has his own hopes and dreams. He’s got a motorhome in his crosshairs as a way of enjoying that great outdoors even more!
“I’ve lost a few good friends in recent years and it’s bought home to me the importance of seizing the moment and following your dreams. The freedom of the open road is a big pull for both Clare and myself.
“I’d love to turn over a million in a single year for instance and there’s still a farm boy in me who would like a small holding; it’s a landmark to aim for but however life pans out, I’ll keep smiling and enjoying this life I’ve created for myself,” he concluded.
With his integrity and passion for what he does, you suspect Rob will keep smiling. That million milestone will come, as will the motorhome adventures and few will deserve it more.
Mob: 07778 334065 Email: robbellfencing@gmail.com
