03 February 2025
World’s first railway – runs with one of Shropshire’s oldest companies
What does one of Shropshire’s oldest companies have in common with the World’s first passenger railway line? They both started life in 1825 – two centuries ago. This year Balfours celebrates its 200th anniversary and has launched a timeline of rich history on its website.
Originally conceived by a surveyor, valuer and Tithe, yes Tithe collector, Timotheus Burd of Cardeston, near Shrewsbury was appointed agent for the land of an Oxford University College – and so began his company. A quarter of a century later his two sons, Henry and Lawrence joined the now Burd and Sons.
Business manager, Craig Varley reflects, it is a fascinating timeline: “Roll forward through the challenges of World War 1 and in 1920 Thomas Balfour and James Cooke founded Balfour and Cooke. That’s just a couple of years before the BBC was founded and as motor vehicles were becoming more accepted in Shropshire.
“The two companies, along with Benson & Rogers-Coltman of Craven Arms amalgamated to Balfours in 1998 locking in our ethos for quality of service. Today, the evolution continues apace, but we will be taking time, throughout 2025, to celebrate and rediscover our roots, that begins with a timeline on our website revealing our rich history,” Craig adds. To discover more visit https://www.balfours.co.uk/about/our-heritage
