History_Page

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Born in Gillingham during 1915 Henry (Harry) Richard Bell formed the first Bell Glass shop in 1947, located in Canterbury Street close to Gillingham High Street. Henry was known by many close friends and customers as Harry.

With WW2 barely over (following some local damage by the Luftwaffe bombers) Harry was inspired to do something for the local community, and thus formed The Glass Shop where his pride and joy became the acquisition of 3 company vans. The business name soon changed to H.R. Bell, upon which Harry established that he had the artistic & craft skills for constructing leaded light windows/ stained glass panels - this being a technical skill nigh impossible to find in the year 2006. Indeed its likely that many stained glass transom panels found above doors in older local properties were hand crafted by Harry.

The mid 1940’s were a time of high unemployment, but Harry in his genuine goodwill spirit for contributing to the local community helped a little by employing others, and thus expanding his humble business. This was not to mean that his wife Nora could become a lady of leisure, when Nora had the responsibility of manning the shop counter whilst Harry was busily engaged in making and installing windows & glass.

By the early 1960’s the Canterbury Street shop had expanded to create larger productive workshop facilities, and it was during this period that Harry’s love of flying and adventure took him & Nora to many destinations around the world - with countless pages of their joint passport being obliterated by Visa stamps. Alas during 1967 Henry died whilst flying in a glider, but maybe we should not shed a tear when he died doing something he loved, which is surely better than being crippled by an intimidating illness.

This website is dedicated to the memory of Harry.

Following the loss of Harry in 1967 his eldest son Michael Bell took over managing the company with his wife Judy making a substantial supportive contribution in acting as Company Secretary. This brought about major changes primarily with the acquisition of the Rainham branch workshop in 1980, which was regarded as an ideal space for company expansion. This was especially so having regard to its generous floor space which was suitable for fabrication, with scope for forming contracts & administration offices to then form Head Office for the group of branches. With its generous vehicle parking facilities the Rainham site was also regarded as forming the hub for all trade & contractor transactions. At that time Mike had already gained a wealth of experience working under the watchful eye of Harry, and like father like son also shared Harry’s great passion for gliding & soaring above the clouds. In latter years Mike did however choose to give up gliding in preference for having a propeller race him through the skies.

Above: Mike & Judy Bell (Click on thumbnail to enlarge)
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Come Mike’s retirement in 1997 he & Judy had achieved a great deal, namely in proudly watching their two sons Alan & Ian take to the glass industry likes ducks to water (and duly making them Directors), but more importantly for not only flying the Bell Glass flag with honour and dignity, but creating a reputation for the company on a level which multi-national competitive companies can only but dream about. Indeed large companies with their shareholder and fat cats might well generate exorbitant profits, but where it comes down to sincerity of a personal service its impossible to compete with heritage, blood relationships and genuine family company pride - as has long existed at Bell‘s. 1997 was then the period where Mike’s sons Alan & Ian Bell (as a third generation) jointly took over managing the company, with Ian’s wife Tina then becoming the Company Secretary. Both Alan and Ian had been employed within the company since leaving school, with both gaining a part time Saturday and evening apprenticeship from the age of 12. Exact dates on this are unknown but is thought be a bit later than when Noah sunk his Ark.

Above: Alan Bell (Click on thumbnail to enlarge)
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As brothers, Alan & Ian were on their path of contributing to the fine Bell Glass reputation with the goal of creating a wider customer base throughout Kent, whilst meanwhile doing much to promote the comprehensive levels of service provided by the company. These being areas of service or provision which receive little publicity. Meanwhile Harry’s goal in creating a sincere helpful service for the local community has never been forgotten and has been cast in stone for all who follow. Sadly in 2006 Ian Bell decided upon a different career leaving Alan to take over the reins single handed. Today (as at 2006) Alan has two younger children who receive glass cutters for Christmas presents, so all being well a fourth generation is sitting in the wings ready to make a proud 60 year family trading background much longer. Will it become 100 years - well lets hope so. In reviewing the photo gallery of staff (see “Company Profile” page) it will become apparent that the average length of company employment is around 20 years. This staggering figure begs the question as to whether they are all being blackmailed, are aliens from outer space, or could it just be that they enjoy contributing to a sociable family run great company ?


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Above 05: 1960 -Construction of the Rainham (Bloors Lane) site, which would be extended numerous times over the years ahead.
Above 06: 1970 - Original Canterbury Street branch extended into the adjacent property and given a new shop front.
Above 07:1980 - Fabrication & double glazed unit production now under way, with separate workshop areas for various functions.
Above 08:1980 - Large glass cutting benches necessary for working on stock size sheets.


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Above 09: 1984 - Bell Glass sponsored charity parachute jump.
Above 10:1985 - Fleet of Bell Glass service vehicles (14 vans as at 2005 run on LPG to contribute to pollution issues).
Above 11:1985 - Bell Glass advertising campaign to local buses.
Above 12:1987 - Mike & Judy Bell (still alive and kicking at 2006) with former Director Paul Martin.


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Company Founder Henry (Harry) Bell	Canterbury Street Shop 1947	Henry’s Cherished Fleet Of 3 Vans 1947	Henry’s Wife Nora Bell

Note: In the 1947 shop photograph it is actually young Michael Bell who can be seen gazing into the window - probably contemplating how he would re-arrange the display if he took over the business next week.