Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Chatting on the Plot => Topic started by: mumofstig on January 21, 2018, 18:40

Title: Ryton organic garden for sale
Post by: mumofstig on January 21, 2018, 18:40
So - first their seed business was bought out by Dobies/Suttons
and now the gardens are up for sale

https://propertylink.estatesgazette.com/property-details/6306599-ryton-organic-gardens-coventry-cv8-3lg

They don't seem to have told members what's gong on - what's happening to HSL, I wonder  :wacko:

Title: Re: Ryton organic garden for sale
Post by: John on January 28, 2018, 01:07
I was told this was coming before Christmas (can't say who by) - that person reckoned there was a big hole in the pension fund. I was also told the reason Garden Organic dropped Chase (after 25 years) was the £50K Chase were donating wasn't considered enough and Suttons / Dobies got the endorsement which enabled them to leverage the purchase of Chase's retail arm. SO endeth 100+ years company

The HDRA was lovely in the early days but as it grew it seemed to lose the plot (for me anyway). I understand you have to change somewhat with the times, but if you lose sight of your core..   
Title: Re: Ryton organic garden for sale
Post by: rowlandwells on January 29, 2018, 16:40
is this on the cards there selling Ryton organic gardens because I know a lady who was involved with Ryton gardens this news is somewhat of a surprise to me
Title: Re: Ryton organic garden for sale
Post by: John on January 29, 2018, 17:54
is this on the cards there selling Ryton organic gardens because I know a lady who was involved with Ryton gardens this news is somewhat of a surprise to me
If you follow the link at the start of this thread you'll see it's being advertised for sale.. suitable for re-development apparently.
Title: Re: Ryton organic garden for sale
Post by: sunshineband on January 29, 2018, 19:21
Not sure even if we club together we could afford to buy it though.....
Title: Re: Ryton organic garden for sale
Post by: mumofstig on April 04, 2018, 17:28
On Twitter: " Garden Organic founders, Jackie & Alan Gear, who helped Lawrence Hills set up HDRA, have today joined the campaign to save the 22 acres of organic gardens. Their statement can be found on our new website https://saverytongardens.com  "
Title: Re: Ryton organic garden for sale
Post by: mumofstig on September 17, 2019, 17:10
It has been sold now! Nice to see that HSL will continue, but surely they'll have to reduce the cost, if it doesn't include the usual site access?

https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/ryton-gardens
Title: Re: Ryton organic garden for sale
Post by: John on September 18, 2019, 01:45
Unbelievable!
One of Lawrence Hills aims for the HDRA was to ensure his work on comfrey wasn't lost (as in the various bocking strains. Apart from B 14 they appear to have gone, including B 4 which was developed as an animal feed crop.
When they bought Ryton it was to be permanent home. There was an appeal for money from members to buy it...
A sad day.