Family firm that laid Spireites' pitch scores with 50th anniversary

The family-owned J.Pugh-Lewis Ltd, of Pilsley, is a leading sportsfield construction and fencing company. As well as the Spireites’ pitch, the firm is also responsible for the one at Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town’s training ground.

To celebrate the 50th birthday milestone, directors Tim and James Pugh-Lewis treated a dedicated workforce of 30 to a fun day out at Uttoxeter Racecourse. And the company’s longest-serving employee, John Wilde, who first started working for Pugh-Lewis in 1971, had the honour of cutting a special birthday cake.

Tim said: “We are pleased to have been part of the local community for the last 50 years, and we would like to thank all our employees, past and present, for making the business what it is today. We look forward to many more years to come.”

The business was formed in June 1966 by John and Rosalind Pugh-Lewis and started out dealing mainly with the reclamation of former coal mines and the drainage of agricultural land in the district.

It has progressed over the years and adapted to meet current demand. Now the sportsfield construction market takes up most of its time, along with the busy commercial and landscaping sector.

One of its current project is a new pitch complex for non-league football club, Skegness Town. Many sites require the firm’s expert services alongside the pitch works, such as specialist sports fencing, plus hard and soft landscaping, so clients are guaranteed the whole package.

The company is also busy at present installing the perimeter fencing for three new warehouse units at the Markham Vale enterprise zone in Chesterfield, as well as projects at many schools throughout Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. But it has a wide range of customers across the UK, ranging from football clubs to local councils.