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Your memories..... we would love to hear them and with a firm as old as ours we get told so many, now it's time we wrote them down so please contact us with your memories and we will add them to this section. From Mrs J M, Woodbridge Feb 2013 I am taking the liberty of writing to you regarding our life revolving around your Carnations & Pinks. My husband grew on your plants from as long as I can remember, his late teens to now nearly 84. Eighteen years ago he suffered a stroke which left him paralyzed down one side, he was however able to manage his greenhouse & plants! Unfortunately 2012 he suffered a second stroke and is now in a 24/7 nursing care. I have sent for the enclosed collection of plants which I can put in pots or garden, so I may continue to take him your blooms from time to time. p.s The highlight of my husbands experience was his bouquet of carnations presented to the 'Queen Mum' on a local visit.
From Mrs B T, Bexhill on Sea. 02/02/11
I can remember when I was about 12 years old my late father used to have carnation plants from Allwoods (I am now 73). In your recent catalogue I am so pleased to see carnations that my dad used to grow 61 years ago!! My favourite was Doris Allwood so your book 'Celebrating 100 years' will be a lovely reminder of my childhood. My father was manager of a nursery in Icklesham, it has gone now and the land is a housing estate. When I married years later (1964) I had a fairsize garden and I too had Allwoods Carnations and one year approx 1970 I won a cup in the Hastings Flower Show which they used to have in Alexandra Park. I still have the certificate and photo somewhere. Look forward to visting you in a few weeks.
From Mr D H. 23/08/10
My mum, Molly Padgham, grew up in Hassocks, and she always spoke very fondly of her time as a student working at the Clayton nursery, and meeting at least one of the Allwood brothers. I remember seeing an Allwoods display at my first Chelsea and really looking forward to visiting the nursery in the 70's and then being shocked to see the state of things there. It is wonderful that the business is thriving again, and I hope to be able to grow some of your border carnations which so few other firms are now selling.
From S O, 01/05/10
Hi David and Emma,
It was good reading about the history of Allwoods. My mum used to work at the nursey when it was in Wivelsfield along with Edna and Pam Everest, Dilys Smith and others. She used to walk across the field which is now Downsview Drive and Allwood Crescent from my grandad's place, Lambourn Farm. I also worked for Allwoods when it was based where South Downs Nurseries is now in the early 1980's. Glad to see you managed to rescue such a famous nursery and keep it going. Sarah
From: Mr S. B, Thurlaston, 19/02/10
Congratulations on the name of Allwoods achieving it's 100th year! I bought my first carnation plants from Allwoods in 1960. The plants were of the Sim variety and I found them to be first class strong growers. (We were dissapointed when the Sim varieties were phased out) We did very well with them and grew them for many years, we also won three prizes with them in 1963 at Coventry Flower Show. We have grown carnations every year since. We wish you all the best in the future.
From: J, W, Nuneaton, 02/02/10
Congratulations on reaching 100 years in business and on managing to keep going through the lean years.
As a child I was born and brought up in Staplefield, Sussex, and we often went by bus - No.23 to Brighton - few family cars then, and as we came into Hassocks and swung round a corner my mother would always point out your nursery. Viewed from the top deck of the bus your glasshouses and interiors were fascinating to us. My mother had a large clump of the Mrs Sinkins, perhaps that is why I love pinks so much.
Here's to the next 100 years.
From: Mr H B, Wickford, Essex.
Out of the blue came your catalogue, marvellous, great stuff. I was very pleased. They say that fate plays many strange things to us these days and this is one of them.
My old uncle Richard (Dick) knew the Allwoods many, many years ago and ran his business at Wivelsfield green (petrol station and haulage contacting, with my aunts bungalow at the rear, alice her name) She used to invite me down for holidays when I was 13 years old. My family lost touch with them, the war came, I was called up for the army at 20 serving in the desert campaign for 4.5 years (8th Army).
I always remember my uncle "Dick" taking me around the greenhouse showing me those tall pinks. I think your offices were right opposite the greenhouse.
I hope you did not mind my writing to you about the strange happening which brought back many memories and happiness at those long gone years.
From: J.M.S, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield.
Thank you for your interesting catalgoue, it took me back, I used to grow perpetuals in the 1950's and used Allwoods stock then! I am delighted that you the new owners have resurrected the firm and are continuing in the traditional ways.
I was also delighted to see that you are offering 'Waithmans Beauty' in the alpine section. I worked in the late 1950's for Reginald Raye at his alpine nursery in Silverdale and Reg selected and named that variety. The house on the nursery is called Waithman House, which is where the name came from. I grew 'Waithmans beauty' for years after I left Silverdale.
I am retired now - aged 73, with all good wishes for your continued success at Allwoods.
From: E. R. B, Kilgetty, Dyfed.
I have been prompted to write this note because of your catalogue. I have been in horticulture for some eighty years, having started as a garden boy before the war and have been in commercial gardeing ever since.
In those early days the 'Allwoods' name was highly respected, as was Carters, Blackmore & Langdon, Ryders, whiteleggs and many more. Then the shows were furnished by the firms own production and not bought in. I spent most of my career in cut flower growing for market growing in particular carnations, roses, chrysanths and fressias.
I had bought plants from Allwoods, mostly for stock of new seedlings, they were completely different times in the market growing industry and perhaps we look back with rose-coloured glasses. Most of those early firms are not with us now.
However I am so pleased that you are attempting to keep Allwoods in the forefront of the amateur trade that I wish you well in your efforts.
I am now 86 years old and still find great pleasure in growing plants.
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