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Four Oaks Nurseries was set up on a 2 acre greenfield site by brothers Stuart and Arthur Coutts in 1964 for the production of bedding plants. The Vicar of Chelford had the foresight to help them source land as he could see potential employment for local people and particularly married women in a rural area.
The brothers pioneered the use of supplementary lighting in seedling production, working closely with Manchester University’s Botany Department at Jodrell Bank and Norweb, the local Electricity Board. The first “Four Oaks Open Day” was organised in 1971 by Norweb to promote the use of growing rooms in commercial horticulture. Over 400 local growers visited and 4 trade exhibitors had a presence.
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By 1979, there were around 80 exhibitors and at this stage Four Oaks took over the organisation and it became the “Four Oaks Trade Show”, with myself at the helm. The 1980s were the boom years. Huge numbers of small growers and grower retailers were the backbone of the industry and at this stage the show was one day only. Two years of preview evenings proved the need for an extra day and in 1991 during the last recession the show became a 2 day event which was a turning point. This brought in the European exhibitors with masses of hardy stock, mature trees and Mediterranean plants, changing the profile of the show.
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The business was bought by Richard Harding in 2002 which secured the future of the site and a period of investment followed for both the show and the nursery. This was a brave move by Richard who had retired some 10 years earlier but enjoys the challenge of a small business and horticulture presents more challenges than most. A gregarious man, he was exactly the right person to take the business forward and it continues to prosper under his care.
2020 should have been the 50th anniversary year but with the prolonged restrictions of Corvid-19, the decision was taken to postpone the 50th event until 2021 when we can celebrate in style and safety.
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| PAT COUTTS |
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| Event Director |
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