Supporting British Industry & Craftsmanship
Hailey Wood Sawmill closed its doors in 2025 after sixty years of business. These photos are from the final two weeks when the yard was cleared out ahead of it's closure.
Hailey Wood Sawmill was launched in 1966 by the 8th Earl Bathurst and is located on the edge of Cirencester Park, The Bathurst Estate. Local friends Ian and Mark began working at the sawmill and in 1996, an opportunity arose for the friends to take over the business. With Mark’s technical and engineering skills and Ian’s business acumen, the business grew from strength to strength. The sawmill specialised in making high quality wooden products, including garden furniture, gates and fencing and more recently, oak beams, lintels and cladding for renovation projects.
"I was asked to photograph the final two weeks before the sawmill closed its doors for good. Over that fortnight the yard emptied - people came to collect firewood and the final pieces of furniture and fencing. It was sad to see the guys tidy up and take their belongings home - the huge pile of wood in front of the log burner - which had burned continuously for decades, slowly dwindled until there was nothing left." Carmel King photographed Hailey Wood Sawmill for a photobook which was given to the remaining members of staff when the sawmill closed in March 2025.
