John Blenkiron and Sons opens third site in Catterick
Funeral director Will Bellerby, a former soldier that served in the Royal Logistics Corps, has also been appointed to the new Catterick branch
John Blenkiron and Sons Funeral Directors has announced the opening of its third location in a former military clothing shop in Hildyard Road, Catterick.
The whole building underwent a complete refurbishment to ensure that “families feel welcome and comfortable at a difficult time”, allowing the team at the funeral home to provide the “exemplary” quality of service and care which has been its hallmark.
John Blenkiron and Sons, which has been operating for more than five decades, opened its first branch in Richmond in the 1960s, while their second base in Barnard Castle opened more than 30 years later.
According to the business principal James Blenkiron, the son of founder John Blenkiron, he is “thrilled” to have opened another branch in his father’s name.
James Blenkiron said: “He would be incredibly proud of the business which he started to be helping even more people further afield. It’s something we have wanted to do for a long time, and I am delighted that, with the help of our parent company Funeral Partners, we have been able to make it happen.
“We’ve got a good relationship with the military based at Catterick Garrison and the Gurkha community based there.”
Funeral director Will Bellerby, a former soldier that served in the Royal Logisti Corps, has also been appointed to the new Catterick branch.
Bellerby said: “Previously, we have always helped families in Catterick from our base in Richmond, but hopefully it will be helpful for them to have a presence in town.
“It’s a big moment in the history of John Blenkiron and Sons, and hopefully bereaved families will benefit from having us close by. Anyone who wants to pop in and speak to me is more than welcome.”
In order to celebrate the opening, the Catterick branch will be hosting a special open day tomorrow (Thursday 25 May) for the local community to meet the team.
The opening follows the launch of the funeral home’s first community fund last month, which allows charities and other not-for-profit organisations within three miles of the funeral homes in Catterick, Richmond and Barnard Castle to apply for grants of up to £1,500.
