EDITOR'S CHOICE SPORT LATEST Pair are off to Twickers Great Britain ace Alex eyes Beijing place Rotary Club recognised as girls get a boost PAST From the Archives - May 8, 2008 From the Archives - May 1, 2008 VOTE Do you agree with plans for a new eco town at Long Marston? Yes No Don't know GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL Just register

Most read Comments 1 Firm ordered to repay driver's wages 2 Evesham Indoor Market opens again 3 Refused wine due to helpful son, 11 4 Pair are off to Twickers 5 Asparabus tours through the Vale 6 Evesham residents urged to support Burma Appeal 7 No show from pub owners at meeting 8 We're ready for flooding 9 Post office move cancelled 10 Great Britain ace Alex eyes Beijing place Today | 7 Days 1 Work vital for our economy 2 50 jobs on the line if tax office closes

Comment

FOR the past 100 years, the Littleton and Badsey Growers has been a major force in the Vale of Evesham. To mark the centenary, a special calendar has been produced containing an illustrated history of the society and throughout the year the Journal will publish extracts from its history.

The first headquarters was at Blackminster but since the GMS business based on Vale Park, Evesham, was bought, the firm trades from there under the name of BHGS Ltd.

"We have come a long way over the past 100 years," said general manager Brian Barber. "There have obviously been peaks and troughs but we have overcome the difficulties and we continue to meet the needs of growers and gardeners."

In the early 1900s, market garden produce was marketed in three ways: Sending by rail to commission men in Birmingham, sending the produce to Evesham Smithfield Market and selling to local dealers.

The growers were at the mercy of all who handled the produce and needed a more organised approach both to selling and their ability to buy requisites at a fair price.

The farming industry had become very depressed with farm labourers earning about 15s (75p) per week.

Consequently, after interest shown at a meeting held in December 1908 chaired by C A Binyon, the Littleton and Badsey Growers' Society was registered and a long history with the Industrial and Provident Society began.

A small wooden shed on the edge of the railway goods yard at Blackminster was used as an office.

When the first year's work was reviewed at the AGM in 1910 the accounts showed a loss of £20, a serious depletion of inadequate capital. In 1913, the society reported a small profit of £4 4s 9d and much experience had been gained. Turnover began to increase slowly.

In the summer of 1914, war broke our and there was a great need for medicinal herbs such as belladonna, henbane, stramonium, dandelion and digitalis.

Kilns at Aldington and later at Harvington were used to dry the produce. Such was the success of this venture that the future of the society was assured. In 1917, belladonna growers were paid a bonus of over £2,900.

9:59am Thursday 27th March 2008

Print

Email this

Comment