GORDON RIGG'S GARDEN CENTRES - THE BEGINNINGS

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.





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)

 



Gordon Rigg's garden centre - humble beginnings

Gordon Rigg's garden centre - humble beginnings

Gordon Rigg's original 'Utility Van'

 

Gordon Rigg's original utility van description.