Our History

C&S Dumpleton Ltd, St. Albans', has a sterling tradition of quality construction, decorating, restoration and maintenance services dating back more than 100 years.

The company was founded in 1900 by Charles William Dumpleton.

C & S Dumpleton Ltd continues to grow, with projects in Hertfordshire and Northern Home Counties. Five generations of the Dumpleton family have maintained the company’s premier quality and C&S Dumpleton Ltd still trade using traditional quality with Today’s Technology.

In 1900, all joinery was produced using hand tools. Horse drawn wagons transported the wooden scaffolding and building materials.

Before the First World War the joiners were allowed to drink beer at their work benches. However, they were not allowed to smoke because wood shavings, knee deep to keep their feet warm, posed too great a fire hazard. The workers included some interesting characters, including a maintenance man who fought as a sergeant major in a battle for the Khyber Pass, then separating India and Afghanistan and now the main route between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The current site at 29-35a Culver Road was originally the company’s work and storage yard. The first office premise was at 54 Victoria Street, however C&S Dumpleton Ltd moved the office to join the work area in 1932.

Charles William Dumpleton’s sons, Charles and Sidney, were the second generation to head Dumpleton’s, using their first initials when they formally incorporated the company in 1935. Their sister, Edith Peters, was also a principal in the business.

The three siblings took the firm through the difficult years of the Second World War. Many of the firm’s tradesmen were called up, and the Dumpleton yard was designated as a first aid station and as an air raid observation post.

Later, Sidney’s son John and daughter Betty Latchford joined the firm, along with their cousin Roy Christmas.

John’s son Graham (Managing Director) , his wife Sharon(Company Secretary), have led the company through its fourth generation. Their son Gary is now the Contracts Director.

With its unusual name and its part in the history of the area, C&S Dumpleton Ltd is a company easily remembered. and as clients seek the reassurance that comes with the knowledge that one is dealing with a long-established and successful firm, few can offer such an outstanding and distinguished record.