Our Team
From their roles at the sawmill to their favourite trees, here’s everything you need to know about the Coppice & Crown team.
Tom Bedford
Director
Tom has long been rooted in the world of timber and, after taking over the family business, was keen to grow his knowledge of UK grown hardwoods and share it far and wide. He is very intrigued by the world of design and architecture, and this, coupled with his knowledge of wood, led him to design the largest UK-grown glulam structure here in our yard. It’s likely Tom’s friendly voice that’ll greet you on the other end of the phone, and he’s always happy to chat all things timber.
Tom’s favourite tree is Chestnut ‘for two reasons – it’s easy to saw, and it produces delicious Christmas nuts!’
Polly Bedford
Director
Polly runs Coppice & Crown, together with her husband, Tom. Moving away from a successful surveying career in London, Polly found her keen eye for details lends well to working with natural raw materials, preparing flooring orders, and spotting new and exciting opportunities for the mill. Having harboured a love for interiors from a young age, she’s the one to speak to if you’re wanting advice on the colours and tones of our flooring.
Polly’s favourite tree is the sycamore ‘for its leaf shape and romantic winged fruit, samaras.’
Ed Williams
Head sawyer
Ed joined our team in 2021 as our Head Sawyer. He inspects each tree on arrival, designates it a place within our business and spends his days in the workshop, sawing beams, joinery grade and flooring packs. Ed also works closely with Tom and Polly to create bespoke timber pieces for customers. He’s currently doing a barn conversion with his wife, Katie, and enjoys spending his free time building and looking after their chickens.
His favourite tree is ‘the one that smells best when sawn – Douglas fir.’
Leif Urry-clark
Saw and workshop support
Leif came recommended to us by his friend, and now fellow workmate Henry. He completed his A levels earlier this year in Psychology, Biology, sports. Your’ll most often find him working alongside Tom helping to prepare final orders in our timber storage unit. When he’s not working, he’s most often off climbing or kayaking with Henry.
‘I love a giant redwood tree, they’re absolutely huge!’
Henry McCarthy
Saw and workshop support
Henry joined our team in 2022, wanting to find a workplace that suited his love of the outdoors. Studying outdoor education at college and working at the mill means that Henry never has a quiet day. He usually teams up with Ed and helps on the bottom saw, sawing trees into board form ready for drying. When he’s not working, he’s most often off kayaking with his fellow workmate Leif.
“I like the Cedar of Lebanon tree because of the awesome smell on the saw”
Natalie Boast
Sales & Admin
Natalie joined our team around Christmas 2023. She has enjoyed a vibrant and successful career journey in London, where she first met Polly, and the two became friends. Natalie made the leap to the West Country in 2022 having always been a city girl up until then. It will most likely be Natalie’s voice that answers your phone calls to us here at the workshop.
Her favourite tree? “Cherry Tree, for it’s beautiful blossom that comes as a sign that spring is here”
Sugar Bedford
Chief chewer
Sugar is our Red Fox Labrador X Cocker. She greets each customer visiting the yard and you’ll often spot her enjoying the underfloor heating in our office or snuffling in a sawdust heap. Sugar lives with Tom and Polly in their nearby barn conversion and often stars on our Instagram! Lucky to live within walking distance of the yard, she starts and finishes each day with a stroll across the River Mole and through the beautiful woodlands.
Sugar’s favourite tree is an Oak – the large knots have a lovely tannin flavour to chew on!
