Blanchfords hit their 70th

Oxfordshire builders merchants Blanchford & Co are celebrating their 70th birthday at the end of this month.
The company, which now trades from three branches in Bedford, Headington and Princes Risborough, was set up by brothers Fred, Cecil and Ronald Blanchford in Queen Street Oxford.

The Blanchfords sold out in the mid 1950s when they retired, selling to two employees and a third party, whose families still own the company today.

In the 1960s they sold the Oxford premises and expanded Headington, opening the branch in Bedford in 2006.

Purchasing director John Hayden says they are planning a party for the end of the year to celebrate with all the staff.