Sue Garner

As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we’re shining a light on the people at the heart of Tamdown’s story. Each month, we’re hearing from some of our longest‑serving colleagues — those who have witnessed the journey first-hand, contributed to our success, and helped shape the hard-working culture we’re proud of today. Their stories not only reflect where we’ve come from, but also what continues to inspire us.

For our fifth feature, we spoke to Dick Havelin, Welder & Fabricator, who has worked at Tamdown Plant for over 26 years!

What made you choose welding as a career in the first place?

I’ve been a welder all my life and even had my own garage at one point. I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands and, to be honest, I’ve always mucked about with cars — it’s just something I’ve naturally gravitated towards.  I actually came to work for Tamdown through Trevor, Lee Haylock’s dad, he was a good friend of mine — which is how it all started.

What is your earliest memory of Tamdown?

My earliest memories are working on the vans — servicing and repairs. There were around 110 vans at the time, so it kept me busy. I’d start at 6 in the morning and often finish around 7 in the evening, and I worked weekends as well. Trevor was a big part of those early days. 

I also remember Mac and Tom, the original Tamdown owners, if they weren’t in the office or on site, they’d be in the Star pub in Braintree — you always knew they were there because they both had new Ford Granada’s, special editions, and they would be parked outside. It was very different to nowadays.

Did you imagine you’d still be here 26 years later?

If I’m honest, no — I always thought I’d retire earlier. But life has a way of changing plans, and circumstances meant I carried on working. Looking back now, I’m glad I did.

What skills are more important now than they were 20+ years ago?

My role has changed quite a bit over the years. I don’t work on the vans anymore. I focus on welding and fabrication now, mainly repairing buckets, replacing blades, and manufacturing new ones when needed. It’s more specialised now.
One of the challenges today is that there aren’t as many people coming through with strong welding skills. I’ve been fortunate to work with a great apprentice in the past, Callum, who was excellent. It’s important that knowledge and experience like that is passed on to the next generation.

How has the machinery you work with changed over the years?

It’s changed massively. We used to do everything on the vans ourselves, but now you don’t really touch them — you need a laptop to diagnose most faults. It’s a very different way of working compared to the hands-on approach we had years ago.

Has technology made the job easier, harder, or just different?

I’d say it’s just made it different more than anything. Sometimes it can be frustrating because you might know exactly what the problem is, but you still need a laptop to confirm it.

From a fabrication point of view, though, there have definitely been improvements. We used to do a lot of gas cutting, whereas now we use plasma cutters, which are much more efficient. That said, I still like to think I’m a bit old school — but if it works, it works.

Is there a repair or challenge you’ll never forget?

One job that really stands out was a repair on a D8 bulldozer and its box (the attachment used for moving and scraping earth). We had quite a few of those machines back in the day, nowadays the machines have GPS-controlled equipment.

This particular machine had been working at Beaulieu Park when the rams on the box collapsed, twisting the main section. A few engineers came out to look at it and said it was beyond repair and a complete write-off. But John Crick, the Tamdown MD at the time said, “We’ll get Dick to repair it,” and that’s exactly what I did.

We brought it back to the yard, laid everything out, and I rebuilt the whole front end. It took about a month in total. When it went back out, I’d managed to take the twist out and get it fully operational again. It was a challenging job, but one I’m still proud of — especially as it was over 20 years ago now.

If you’re local to Braintree, you’d be interested to know that Tamdown helped form the earthworks for the Great Notley country park, which people will now see as the hill and surrounding landscape. They also cast the concrete plinth on the top of the mound and transported and placed the bird sculpture (twice, the first effort was stolen and dragged a couple of miles across the fields!).

What piece of kit have you always enjoyed working on?

To be honest, I’ve always just enjoyed the job itself. It used to be very varied, which meant no two days were the same, and that’s what I liked about it. Working on different pieces of kit and facing new challenges kept things interesting.

What achievement are you most proud of in your time here?

Repairing the box on the D8 is definitely one I’m most proud of. It was a real challenge, and to bring something back that others thought was beyond repair was a great feeling.

I also take pride in the smaller things — doing a neat, tidy job and knowing it’s been done properly. And mentoring apprentices has been a big part of it too. Passing on my skills, particularly in welding, and seeing someone progress and develop — it’s rewarding.

Just some of the machinery Dick has worked on during his time with Tamdown…

Thank you to Dick for sharing his stories and reflections from years gone by. We hope you’ve enjoyed this look back at our shared history. Be sure to keep an eye out for next month’s feature, where we’ll spotlight another long‑serving colleague and continue celebrating 50 years of dedication, growth, and community.

As we continue celebrating Tamdown’s 50th anniversary, we’re proud to keep shining a light on the people who have helped build our story. Each month, we’re sharing reflections from some of our longest‑serving colleagues — those who’ve seen the business evolve, played a vital role in its success, and helped shape the culture we value today. Their experiences offer a meaningful look back at where we’ve come from, while reminding us what continues to drive us forward.

For our fourth feature, we spoke to Dave Butler, Site Manager, who has also been working with Tamdown for nearly 28 years!

What was your first role and how has it evolved since then?

I started working at Tamdown back when it was owned by Tom and Mac, and I’ve seen the ownership change a few times since. I was a machine driver in those days.

Back then, machine drivers had a lot of control over the job. We were the ones on the ground with the paperwork, which is quite different to how things are now, where everyone is expected to be able to read the drawings.

I remember one day Keith Breen saying to me, “Look after these few blokes for a few days.” I told him I couldn’t do both jobs—drive the machine and manage the lads—so he found another machine driver! From that point on, that was it really, I’ve been managing sites ever since.

I also remember being sent to Tamdown’s first ever project in Cambridge. Paddy Mohan was my Contracts Manager at the time. Over the years, I’ve worked with many of the current Tamdown Contracts Managers and Site Managers and have seen them progress and develop along the way.

What makes a site run smoothly in your eyes?

Putting the right people, in the right place, on the right job. As a Site Manager you’ve got to know the capabilities of your team – you need good, hardworking people that you’re able to trust. The site is easier to manage if you know everyone is doing what they’re supposed to be doing.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt whilst being a Site Manager?

Understanding people’s capabilities is important – you get far more out of them when you know what they can realistically deliver. You’ve got to be tough, but it has to be balanced with give and take.

I remember working on a job where it had been snowing heavily for days, and we had been pushing the team hard to complete a task. By the final afternoon the conditions were really bad, and there was a discussion about sending the lads home unpaid. I made the case for keeping them on full pay, because I recognised the effort they had put in and the difficult conditions they had been working under. 

You’ve got to be approachable too. When you move from job to job, the early stages can be challenging as you take time to get to know the people on site. But if you stay visible, present, and accessible, you build trust and develop strong working relationships.

What has been your biggest achievement that you are most proud of during your time with Tamdown?

I enjoy sharing my knowledge and experience, and over time I’ve passed those skills on to others around me. I’ve mentored a number of Tamdown’s Site Managers, including my son, Matt and more recently Tyler Grove. I’d say that’s what I’m most proud of.

Thank you to Dave for sharing his stories and reflections from years gone by. We hope you’ve enjoyed this look back at our shared history. Be sure to keep an eye out for next month’s feature, where we’ll spotlight another long‑serving colleague and continue celebrating 50 years of dedication, growth, and community.

As we mark Tamdown’s remarkable 50th anniversary, we’re taking a moment each month to look back at the people who’ve helped shape our story. Throughout the year, we’ll be sharing memories and reflections from some of our longest‑serving colleagues — those who’ve witnessed our evolution first-hand and contributed to the culture, resilience, and success we celebrate today. Their stories not only honour our past but also inspire the road ahead.

For our third feature, we spoke to Lee Haylock who has been working with Tamdown nearly 28 years!

What is your earliest memory of Tamdown when you started?

My memories of Tamdown actually begin long before I worked here myself. My dad worked for the company too, working as a Welder/Fabricator in the workshop and I would often join him on weekends.

One of my strongest early memories is from the late 1980s, when I was in my teens. My dad took me to the area that would eventually become Great Notley Country Park – before Great Notley Village or the Notley by-pass existed. I remember standing there, watching Tamdown’s Cat D8 dozer at work. It was enormous, one of the biggest machines they had at the time and it was cutting and shaping the balancing ponds. The noise, the dust, the sheer scale of it all left a real impression on me. I knew then that I wanted to be involved in the construction industry.

I later joined Tamdown as an Engineer on various sites in Kent after leaving university. The commute was long, so when an opportunity came up for a Technical role in the Braintree office, I jumped at it. From there, I eventually moved into the Commercial department, so I have been a QS for 20+ years.

How has the role of QS evolved since you started?

I’d say the biggest changes have come from technological advances, which have transformed the way we work. We now have access to far more information – and we can get it instantly. When I first started, there was no internet on site, everything was handwritten, then you went back to the office and posted a hard copy of the valuations to the customer.

Nowadays, all the information you need is right at your fingertips. It allows us to be proactive rather than reactive. We can now look towards the end of life costs rather than just what was spent yesterday. 

Collaboration with our operational colleagues has also improved, which makes a significant difference to how effectively we can plan, forecast and deliver.

What part of your role gives you the most satisfaction?

For me it’s all about the small wins – the achievements that come from the combination of moving parts. I get a real sense of satisfaction from seeing how each decision, each bit of collaboration, each piece of shared information contributes to the bigger picture. It’s more about the cumulative success we create as a team and that comes from supporting each other, and finding better ways collectively.

Do you have a memorable negotiation or breakthrough moment?

Generally, due to the nature of our contracts, there isn’t much room for negotiation. However, one experience stands out. We were securing an RC frame contract in Cambridge for a customer who was working with a high-profile end client. The contract was quite onerous – this big client feeding down through the chain. I was a bit sceptical on how things would go, but the customer was open and willing to work through the details with us. We managed to reach a mutually agreeable position. It was a challenging process but an enjoyable one to be part of.

What advice would you give to an apprentice QS joining the company?

Spend as much time as possible on site – watch, listen and really take in what we do and how we do it. Observe how teams work together and how we interact with other trades. Understanding the practical side of the job is invaluable. Be inquisitive, ask questions and don’t be afraid to get involved.

I also believe that nothing beats face-to-face communication. You can pick up far more when you’re sitting across from someone – their body language, their reactions, things that you just don’t get through a screen. So speak more, message less.

What keeps you motivated after so many years?

I’ve grown up in this industry and during my time at Tamdown I’ve seen so much movement, growth and diversity, I feel very fortunate to have been part of that journey. It genuinely feels like family here – I enjoy the work I do, and I enjoy the people I work with. That combination is what keeps me motivated year after year.

Thank you to Lee for sharing his stories and reflections from years gone by. We hope you’ve enjoyed this look back at our shared history. Be sure to keep an eye out for next month’s feature, where we’ll spotlight another long‑serving colleague and continue celebrating 50 years of dedication, growth, and community.

As we mark Tamdown’s remarkable 50th anniversary, we’re taking a moment each month to look back at the people who’ve helped shape our story. Throughout the year, we’ll be sharing memories and reflections from some of our longest‑serving colleagues — those who’ve witnessed our evolution first-hand and contributed to the culture, resilience, and success we celebrate today. Their stories not only honour our past but also inspire the road ahead.

For our second feature, we spoke to Tommy Gant who has been working with Tamdown over for 34 years!

What is your earliest memory of Tamdown when you started?

Turning up with my bag of tools – you had everything you needed in that bag. We didn’t have the fancy electronic tools that you have today, just your hand-held tools.

What project stands out as especially meaningful?

St Mary’s Island – I lived quite close, so that was always a good thing that I didn’t have to travel so far to get to work. It was about 30 years ago now – there’s thousands of granite steps there – roundabouts, cobbles – and I worked on everyone of them!

How have the tools, techniques or site culture changed over the years?

Health and safety has definitely changed over the years. I’ve attended many courses since joining as health and safety has progressed. Toolbox Talks weren’t a thing when I started, you were just given your job. It was pretty simple in that respect. It was family-orientated back in the day – Tom Mohan would turn up and take us out for breakfast. I remember the times they organised a coach for us Kent workers to attend family fun days at Braintree Rugby Club in Essex.

What roles have you had at Tamdown?

I’ve been a health and safety representative, ganger man, black hat, dumper hat recently. I was also a mentor for the apprentices at St Mary’s Island.

Any stories that stick in your mind over the years? 

I remember finding cannonballs whilst I was working at St. Mary’s Island – probably Napoleonic as the area was used as a burial ground for French prisoners of the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815).

Today, I work with an engineer, Adam Ward, and his grandad really came to my rescue one day. We were standing near some 3-way traffic lights when a drunk driver came speeding by and somehow drove into the cables that got wrapped around his wheels. They ended up catching my legs and if it weren’t for Sean Ward’s quick thinking, which allowed him to get the cables away from my legs, I might have been dragged down the street. Luckily, I came away completely unscathed!

Do you have a moment when teamwork make all the difference?

You can’t do this sort of work on your own. It’s always been teamwork for me. We look after each other and just get on with it.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out?

When I started out the money for a groundworker was very good. I’d say get a mortgage and just work hard.

What keeps you motivated through the toughest days on the ground?

My two children, my two grandchildren and paying the mortgage! My daughter got married last year – that was a very proud day for me. 

When there’s bad weather you just have to stay and do it. You just get on with it and try to be happy.

Thank you to Tommy for sharing his stories and reflections from years gone by. We hope you’ve enjoyed this look back at our shared history. Be sure to keep an eye out for next month’s feature, where we’ll spotlight another long‑serving colleague and continue celebrating 50 years of dedication, growth, and community.

As we mark Tamdown’s remarkable 50th anniversary, we’re taking a moment each month to look back at the people who’ve helped shape our story. Throughout the year, we’ll be sharing memories and reflections from some of our longest‑serving colleagues — those who’ve witnessed our evolution first-hand and contributed to the culture, resilience, and success we celebrate today. Their stories not only honour our past but also inspire the road ahead.

For our first feature, we spoke to Mark Cain who has been with Tamdown for 32 years!

What is your earliest memory of Tamdown when you started?

Other than turning up on that first day full of anticipation and a few nerves, the thing that really sticks in my mind is the feeling of camaraderie and team spirit that I encountered here.

What roles have you held within the Company?

I have carried out various activities in my career so far here, from Buying to Plant and from Waste Management to Transport (and a bit of technical thrown in), all of which have their challenges, excitement and steep learning curves.

How has the company changed?

Tamdown has changed hugely since I started – from a small groundworks contractor punching way above our weight, we’ve grown massively. We started a remediation firm and have been involved in some really challenging remediation projects including what is now the DP World project, we’ve carried out Concrete Frames and Shell & Core contracts. We’ve had a utilities arm and are now part of Nexus Infrastructure plc. We hold forums that are attended and listened to by our customers and the wider industry. It’s almost unrecognisable from its origins, but it’s still kept the team spirit and can-do approach.

What major changes or innovations have you witnessed?

Without wanting to sound too old, when I arrived the only computer we had was in Accounts! We didn’t have digital cameras and the mobile phones were large, expensive and only worked for about half hour (nicknamed bricks). Everything was written by hand, filed and then manually checked, we used fax machines and post back then!

Any stories that stick in your mind over the years? 

We used to work hard and play harder and doing that with some of the colourful characters that I’ve had the privilege to work with through the years has certainly produced some stories. Unexpectedly finding a box of hand grenades and having to call the bomb disposal team will always stick in my mind though.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out?

Firstly, learn a skill or trade that can not be replaced by AI. Secondly, try and do something you actually enjoy as you’ll spend a long time doing it. Thirdly, give it your all, learn all you can, it’s a waste of your time otherwise.

What keeps you motivated after so many years?

Some people resonate with the quote “it’s not the winning but the taking part that counts”, however I’ve never wanted to just ‘take part’ and if you like to win, that’s what keeps me motivated.

Thank you to Mark for sharing his stories and reflections from years gone by. We hope you’ve enjoyed this look back at our shared history. Be sure to keep an eye out for next month’s feature, where we’ll spotlight another long‑serving colleague and continue celebrating 50 years of dedication, growth, and community.

Congratulations to all the winners and highly commended at the housebuilder awards last night.

We were proud to sponsor the awards show with our Managing Director, Rob Kendal presenting the small housebuilder of the year award.

A great event hosted by Housebuilder Media and good to see so many faces of the industry come together for the night.

An extra well done to the winners of the main prizes:-

🏆 Small Housebuilder of the year; Spitfire Homes

🏆 Medium Housebuilder of the year; Peabody

🏆 Large Housebuilder of the year; Bellway Homes

It’s been fantastic to see our Rainham site steadily take shape over the past few months. Since breaking ground, the team has made great strides, and we’re proud to share some key milestones:

✅ Temporary site entrance and compound now in place
✅ Main entrance completed alongside the handover of the Sales Area
✅ Over 400 metres of infrastructure installed
✅ 27+ homes currently under construction
✅ Attenuation ponds completed and ready for landscaping

A huge thank you to everyone involved for your hard work and commitment. We’re excited to see this development continue to grow and evolve in the months ahead!

For those slightly smaller jobs we’ve just added to the fleet a full insulated, tarmac spec’d, Mitsubishi 7C15 tipper. The vehicle was carefully chosen due to its mixture of emissions (Euro VI emissions standards with SCR + DPF after-treatment), excellent payload, strong chassis and compact design, giving great manoeuvrability.

Throw into the mix a local dealer ‘RCM-Saga’, Witham and it was the obvious choice.

To ensure the driver always keeps within his legal payload and compliant, we’ve added the on-board axle load indicator from Axtec, a great piece of kit.

Towing functionality finishes the truck off, adding to the versatility of the truck, enabling us to complete small tarmac works and customer care offerings, efficiently and effectively.

Great to see the progress at our Rivenhall site on behalf of Bellway Essex.

Some amazing work by the team whilst being Principal Contractor. Now that we have installed the main infrastructure, customer compound and sales arena we move onto the individual parcels roads and earthworks.

We look forward to seeing this project progress over the next few months.

Thank you to the site team for all of the hard work so far.

We are pleased to announce we’ve passed another three-day DVSA Earned Recognition audit. This enables us not only to continue to display the coveted DVSA Earned Recognition Logo but proves our dedication to operating a safe, reliable, and efficient transport operation.

Successfully completing another audit and continuing to achieve DVSA Earned Recognition status, demonstrates our commitment to the highest quality standards; it showcases our teams commitment to safety, compliance, and excellence in transport operations.

The audit, completed by an independent auditor, examined all of our transport systems, processes, and records across all relevant areas—including Vehicle Maintenance, Driver Hours, Training, and Operations Management.

Well done to the team involved.