http://www.theleevalley.co.uk Learn more about the Lea Valley Nursery Industry Sun, 23 Oct 2011 09:53:21 +0000 en hourly 1 http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/cucumbers.html http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/cucumbers.html#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:50:57 +0000 admin http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/?p=127 For many years cucumbers have played an important role within the Lea Valley nurseries. The Rochford`s were experienced growers, with Tom II in particular cultivating considerable amounts during the Great War. When Joseph Rochford began his new life in Turnford in 1882 his only competition was one other market grower, a gentleman named Thomas Hamilton [...]]]> http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/cucumbers.html/feed 0 http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/covent-garden-market.html http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/covent-garden-market.html#comments Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:59:24 +0000 admin http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/?p=79 The Lea Valley was a prime location for nurseries, not least because of the areas relative closeness to Covent Garden Market. The likes of the Rochford`s took full advantage of this factor, selling some of their finest produce which in the early days was brought down on a horse and wagon. It was at Covent [...]]]> http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/covent-garden-market.html/feed 0 http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/the-pineapple.html http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/the-pineapple.html#comments Wed, 02 Dec 2009 08:26:12 +0000 admin http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/?p=72 The pineapple is a prime example of the exotic fruits which were grown in English nurseries. Originating from Paraguay and the Southern parts of Brazil, the pineapple became an extremely popular fruit in English markets and was readily associated with wealth and extravagance. The pineapple was so popular at Covent Garden Market it even became [...]]]> http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/the-pineapple.html/feed 0 http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/the-great-eastern-railway.html http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/the-great-eastern-railway.html#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:17:22 +0000 admin http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/?p=100 The Great Eastern Railway was formed in 1862 having amalgamated with the Eastern Counties Railway and a number of smaller railways. Its development would have a profound effect on three main types of traveller; the commuter, the agriculturalist and those going on holiday. London was now more accessible than ever and villages such as Tottenham [...]]]> http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/the-great-eastern-railway.html/feed 0 http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/tomatoes-during-the-war.html http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/tomatoes-during-the-war.html#comments Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:41:53 +0000 admin http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/?p=25 Whilst all of the nurseries specialized in their own personal produce the outbreak of World War 2 was to force all of the growers in the same direction. The days of roses and grapes were over as the government introduced new legislation banning the production of non-essential produce. Tomatoes were now the crop of choice [...]]]> http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/tomatoes-during-the-war.html/feed 0 http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/lea-valley-nurseries.html http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/lea-valley-nurseries.html#comments Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:39:46 +0000 admin http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/?p=39 By the 1930s the Lea Valley had a higher concentration of greenhouses than anywhere else in the world. Below are just three examples of the companies who helped make this happen: Rochford`s No programme on the Lea Valley nursery industry would be complete without the inclusion of the Rochford family. Michael Rochford, the father of [...]]]> http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/lea-valley-nurseries.html/feed 0 http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/clay-flower-pots.html http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/clay-flower-pots.html#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:47:50 +0000 admin http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/?p=19 http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/clay-flower-pots.html/feed 0 http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/land-girls.html http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/land-girls.html#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:20:16 +0000 admin http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/?p=13 A shortage in strong, male workers was one of the many problems faced by the nurseries following the outbreak of war. A number of companies solved this issue by hiring Land Girls, those trusted female recruits from the Women`s Land Army who were willing to step in and do the jobs usually reserved for men. [...]]]> http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/land-girls.html/feed 0 http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/appeal-to-contributors.html http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/appeal-to-contributors.html#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:07:50 +0000 admin http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/?p=3 The producers of the Lea Valley Nursery programme are eager to hear from anyone who has cine film or photographs that might be of interest. Alongside interviews with a number of nurseries and Thomas Rochford himself, we will also be including the memories of former nursery workers. If you are happy to speak on camera [...]]]> http://www.theleevalley.co.uk/programme/appeal-to-contributors.html/feed 0