History and Family

A.B.Walker is actually a seventh generation business that has been in the Walker family for five generations having been started by Mr Benjamin Dunn in 1826. Subsequently, Alfred Blyth Walker married his granddaughter and eventually acquired the business in 1882. The current working members of the family are all directors of the company: Julian, Matthew and his wife Melissa. In addition, Julian’s wife Nicola Kirk, a lawyer, is a non-executive director, and Terry Goodsell, a Chartered Accountant, serves as our non-family Chairman.

Walker Family

Julian, Melissa and Matthew Walker

As with any family business, the heritage, values and culture of our family are readily infused into everything we do; when offering such a personal service, we believe this makes all the difference.

Family History

A.B. Walker was established in 1826 in Reading as ‘Coach Masters’; the Walker family originally from Marlow moved in the 1870’s to Crown Street, Reading before settling on the present day site on Eldon Road in the 1930’s. Over the generations, they became part of the identity of Reading and in time branched out to the communities of Bracknell, Wokingham, Maidenhead, Thatcham, Henley-on-Thames and Caversham in recognition of the need to be locally embedded in order to provide an appropriate local service.

Our family history has had more than its share of conflicts, accidents, unexpected deaths, unexplained births, intrigue and captivating perseverance and loyalty. Each generation seems to have brought something new; as in the past, the current custodians will be looking to the next generation to affirm their accomplishments.

Timeline

1825

The Leander Club, Henley and Wokingham Cricket Club formed

1826

Our Furnishing and Carriage masters established in Reading by Benjamin Dunn

1844

Wokingham becomes part of Berkshire

1856

Benjamin Dunn (jnr) takes over the business.

1856

Birth of Alfred Blyth Walker

1871

Reading football club formed

1882

Alfred Blyth Walker acquires business re-named C & AB Walker

1895

Oscar Wilde imprisoned in Reading Gaol

1899

Alfred George joins his father so the business is renamed AB Walker & Son

1908

The Wind in the Willows was written by Kenneth Grahame based on Cookham

1923

Reading Bridge opens (Caversham bridge 1926 - Henley bridge 1786!)

1930

First of the third generation Ronald Alfred joins firm followed by brother Brian Gerald (Gerry).

1931

Douglas Bader crashes at Woodley Aerodrome and his legs are amputated at the Royal Berkshire Hospital

1944

V1 Doodlebug attack on Stoke Row

1951

The first fifty houses of the Bracknell New Town are occupied

1980

First of the fourth generation David Charles followed by Anthony Ronald

1983

Launch of Henley Festival of Music and Arts

1993

Opening of the Bracknell Office

1993

First of 5th generation Julian Anthony Blyth followed by brother Matthew Charles and cousin Simon James.

1996

Opening of the Henley Office

1998

Reading FC moves to Madejski stadium

2001

First AB Walker website

2005

Opening of the Wokingham Office

2011

Opening of the Thatcham Office

2015

Opening of Caversham Office

2016

Britain votes to leave the EU

2016

Opening of the Maidenhead Office and brand change

Accreditations

A.B. Walker have always been involved with the national organisations that represent our profession and several members of the family, past and present, have held offices both regionally and nationally. Our membership of these trade associations offer our clients the reassurance of our compliance to a rigorous code of practice as a framework for best practice and also a complaints process. Click through for more information.