MOVERS & SHAKERS TIM BENNETT

im’s learning curve from the best in the business. A spell in the southern hemisphere in the seventies proved to be the making of Tim Bennett, a definite “mover and shaker” within our sector.

*“I travelled to New Zealand in the autumn of 1976 and stayed for two years and then spent two years in Australia.

It was there that I learnt the ropes and I became fascinated by the quality of the workmanship of the fences and stockyard building there. Fences down under are built to last thirty to fifty years, unlike the seven to twelve years you would get out of the chestnut mixed cleft and round back in Sussex.*

*“I worked for three different fencing contractors in New Zealand, mostly building 7 wire and batten fences in and around the Hawke’s Bay area on the North Island.

I then moved to Australia on the advice of one of the contractors I worked for in Hawke’s Bay. It was whilst there that I made contact with Bill Plessis, an enthusiastic proponent of permanent electric fencing.

Bob Plessis was a fence consultant who worked with Bill Gallagher on the development of the original high voltage, low impedance fence energiser. I learnt electric fencing from Bob and spent my time building Insultimber electric fences to keep sheep in or rabbits and kangaroos out.

I also carried out a lot of conventional multi wire and dropper fences and built a cattle yard or two.

My father was a Kiwi and I am a New Zealand passport holder so I went with the aim of learning the lingo. I came back with a much greater understanding of the importance of a thorough, professional approach to fencing,”* added Tim, who set up Tim Bennett Farm Fencing (TBFF) in 1980.

*“The standard of Strainrite wire and fences supplied by contractors in the early 80s was pretty low and I wanted to show there was a purpose in doing the job properly and achieving a longer lasting fence.

This aim was greatly advanced by the introduction of HURRICANE high tensile netting by Hurricane in the early 80s.”*

Tailoring the style of his fencing to suit the changing face of UK agriculture, he has since erected thousands of metres of fencing throughout the South East of England and abroad, building a reputation for fine workmanship and excellent attention to detail.

*“I left school at the age of 16 with no qualifications and started working with sheep on a local estate in 1972. I attended a local agricultural college. I took to that much more than school and managed to pass my exams.

Whilst I’ve enjoyed working with livestock, replacing fencing provided the lion’s share of the annual workload.

I worked alongside an old friend for a while spending many a winter weekend fencing for a local farm in order to fund a debauched pub lifestyle!

It was the experiences in New Zealand and Australia that got me back on track and allowed me to focus on adopting a more diligent approach,”* added Tim, whose son Jack, now with Tornado, became involved in the business from an early age.

*“Jack was helping me out measuring up and building fences from before he was ten years old. It’s always been a case of earning your money by doing what you know how to do and then realising that what you are doing forms part of the larger sector and industry.

In reality, supplying and erecting farm fencing is a lifestyle rather than a huge money-making exercise.

There’s a range of skills and knowledge that goes into building fencing and I always get a massive sense of job satisfaction at the end of each day.

Add in the regular contact with customers, the comradery of the blokes you work with and a wide range of suppliers that you grow to trust and there’s all the ingredients for a contented and fulfilling life. It’s a recipe for success when you learn to enjoy all of the different facets of our stock in trade.”*

There’s a lot to be said for learning from the best, and that approach has helped establish Tim as one of the best in his own right!

Contact Information:

Bennett Fencing LLP

07740795708