Heard today, though it is second hand, so we do not descibe it as fact, that there have been some changes within our old area.
1. Goddards have closed for Landscape sales? My old colleague Doug Hammond who ran Goddards is now running his own Landscape business.
To explain, Doug and I both previously worked for Pantiles Nurseries Ltd. and we were both appointed as Directors of Pantiles at the same time, Doug ran the Landscape teams, I ran the Retail site and Wholesale sales.
2. Johnsons of Whixley have pulled out of their leased site in Chobham. Now I know that it was generally accepted locally that Johnsons, well, were not local, but being their former neighbours, we liked them, and worked with them. Neither Johnsons or indeed ourselves in our former lives were invited to the Woking Show, and it appeared to us as a pretty much closed shop.
Having "done" the Woking Show from 1981 - 2003 as an employee, just thankful for Creating Landscapes arriving, which is open, and not a closed shop.
Sad though, for our old stomping ground, still, life moves on!
Views: 427
Replies
Steve
Goddards have been closed for landscape sales for some time. Mark Grumbly (now working with Rupert at Griffin Nurseries) left some time before the nursery closed.
Goddards continue to produce plants for their own commercial landscaping dept, I believe.
Thanks Phil, we know both Mark and Rupert
Philip Voice said:
The whixley site appears to have doubled this year with alot of building work and new glass going up - I drive past it every fortnight between some of my regulars.
Perhaps they decided to concentrate up north?
I have used Johnson's on a couple of occasions and was disappointed to learn they were closing. I have been to Crocus open days but not sure if they are a bit expenisve as a supplier.
Who would Woking people reccomend as a plant supplier? I have a couple of jobs coming up which will need plants. Also, have we enough Woking/Guildford people for a meet?
As a Woking person for 47 years and a Woking Grower for 30 years, I would recommend www.somerstock.co.uk, an un-bias view of course!
We arranged with Graeme @ BGS the Surrey LJN meet-up, this time last year at the Worplesdon Place Hotel. Would be happy to arrange the same location, as we have some friends there, so could get some good rates.
Interesting thread considering I used to work for Goddards after I Left college and then a couple of years later worked for LDC which I believe you John worked for.
I'm based near to Guildford, and when doing planting projects in and around Woking, I use North Hill nurseries, - who are very good. I personally use Spring Reach Nursery the most, which is just down the road from me, - I used Johnson's quite a bit when I started, but found they only had a limited range of perennials, so hadn't used them as much in the last couple of year, - although was still on their mailing lists, so had been told they were closing.
Let us not forgot the other dear departed nurseries around here:
- Coblands at Brookwood, Woking (ok, it has been closed for a while)
- Coblands at Reading (not sure how long been closed)
Do miss Goddards - a stones throw away and ideal for that "immediate" requirement.....
May they rest in peace
I never used Goddards, but Coblands deserved to close in my opinion as the quality of their stock and their hygiene were dire. I know that trade nurseries don't need to look as good as garden centres, but weeds need to be removed.
Used Goddards in the past, but only when Doug ran it, like ourselves, he has high standards.
Used Coblands 12 years ago? perhaps more, for their open ground Rhodo's. Dealt with Nick who was then Manager, and has since as I understand moved onto manage Palmstead.
I too viewed Coblands container stock, everyday whilst driving past the Brookwood site, and also in Kent. Seeing the Brookwood site everyday, taught me that we were not that bad, after all.
Claire Brown said:
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next