I've been buying plants from Gordon Rigg's garden centre in Walsden, West Yorkshire, for a long, long, time but I had not realised that the business had been started 70 years ago, 24 August 1945. When I visited last month it was wonderful to see that the present owners had put together an interesting display for their customers, celebrating the occasion.
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| Gordon Rigg (1919-2004), the founder of Calderbank Nurseries (now Gordon Rigg's) |
It all began on 24 August 1945 when Gordon Rigg paid to H. Jackson of 2 Beswick Street, Walsden, the grand sum of £150 (which seems a small sum today but when you think how long ago it was, and what the average paypacket might have been, it was no small amount) for a shed, two cabins, tools, and 2 greenhouse boiler pipes, etc. The business was to be called Calderbank Nurseries and at some point was changed to Gordon Rigg's.
Gordon Rigg's website
About Gordon Rigg (external website)
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| Gordon Rigg's garden centre - humble beginnings |
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| Gordon Rigg's garden centre - humble beginnings |
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| Gordon Rigg's original 'Utility Van' |
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| Gordon Rigg's original utility van description. |
