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Allwoods visit 2007

The visit to Allwoods nursery on 29th June 2007 was another success for the society. Around 30 members turned up, some travelling on the day and others from further a field staying for a night or two and combining the event with a break in Brighton. The weather was glorious, a great relief after the heavy rain the weekend before.

David and Emma James (the current owners) made us extremely welcome throughout the day with mugs of tea and coffee together with biscuits on arrival and in the afternoon. The formal part started with an excellent talk on the history of Allwoods by David. This could be the subject of an entire article (and probably will be), but I will summarise.

“The firm started when the three brothers Edward, George and Montague moved to Sussex from Lincolnshire as the price of land was then much cheaper in the South! Having been inspired by a visit to America they built glasshouses 100ft by 30ft (the span being limited by the length of available timber). They grew their plants in beds rather than pots and supported them with cross wires. These two measures reduced the labour costs (rubber hosepipes had not then been invented) and was a significant factor in making the firms cut flowers very competitive.

In 1913 the firm was very successful at the first Chelsea International Horticultural exhibition (to become the RHS Chelsea Flower Show). They won best in show, and continued to excel for years to come, with Montagues’ flamboyant style making him a popular figure.

The brothers all served and survived the First World War though Edward, who was a despatch rider, on one occasion returned from a mission to find a bullet hole through his petrol tank!

Between the Wars the business flourished and Allwoods dominated the carnation world. During the Second War cut flower production was seriously curtailed and officially limited for weddings etc. The firm grew herbs which were sometimes were sent with a protective packing of carnations around them!

After the war the firm recovered and sent cut flowers around the world with blooms sent to Croydon airdrome to be flown to the States. Montague died in 1958 and the firm was sold. Financial problems set in, the firm changed hands again and by 1994 the new owners were set to retire and close the firm. David James, who gained much experience at Vernons Geranium Nursery, bought the firm and started the work of rebuilding the business. Two years later the firm moved to its’ present site, an 8 acre field with a barn and now there are substantial poly tunnels, a garden centre and car park. The mail order side of the business is well developed and purchasing could not be easier via their website”.

After this fascinating talk the visit moved on to the propagation and packing unit. As well as seeing the whole process there was a fascinating display of Allwoods memorabilia with all the old catalogues, medal cards pictures etc.

At this point we retired to the local hostelry a short walk down the road for lunch. Emmas’ efficiency in running the business was demonstrated by her taking our food orders on arrival, typing these and sending in advance so that our orders were all ready on arrival!

After a leisurely lunch, (something which David assured me was unusual) we returned to see the stock tunnel. This was at the end of the season. David explained how for next year rather than grow the stock plants in individual pots they were to be grown in large trays and raised on benches. This would save considerably on the time taken watering.

The Society thanked David and Emma for laying on such an interesting day and presented them with a complete set of the Society’s yearbooks from 1949 onwards on CD to add to their historical records. So many of the articles from the first few years, were by Montague and his brothers.

Finally members were able to purchase at a discount any plants from the nursery and garden centre. Everyone agreed it was a fantastic day.