Fifty years of Milton Ernest Garden Centre

Milton Ernest Garden Centre opened in the kitchen garden of Milton Ernest Hall at Easter 1973.

Milton Ernest Hall was the home of a Milton Ernest family called Starey It was built between 1854 to 1858 and designed by the famous gothic church architect William Butterfield for his sister who married Benjamin Starey It is the only country house he built

During the Second World War the US Army Air Force were billeted at the Hall along with Glenn Miller He played a concert from there before his last flight from Twin Woods Airfield opposite when his plane was lost

The house and grounds were then left derelict until 1972 when the estate was bought by a London based Advertising Company Maureen Catlin purchased a lease to open a Garden Centre in the old kitchen garden and started work in the winter of 1972 clearing the overgrowth and restoring the original Victorian Green Houses The Outdoor Plant display beds were constructed to emulate a “Herbal Knot Garden” radiating out from the central Pear Tree originally planted in 1902

Milton Ernest Hall Gardens opened at Easter 1973 with a happy little staff of five and traded from there until 1993

In 1992 when Milton Ernest Hall now a Nursing Home would not renew the lease Milton Ernest Garden Centre was charged with finding a new home

Clifton Ibbett OBE a successful Farmer, Developer, and a Benefactor to many local causes, offered another site in the village and Milton Ernest Garden Centre moved home

by Maureen Catlin

The Garden Centre which at the time was “State-of-the-Art” in design opened its doors in September 1993 It now included a pet and aquatic centre, a coffee shop, an art and craft shop and a variety of local small entrepreneurs with niche markets Our numbers rose to a total of 48 staff

MEGC quickly became integral with the village opening the first Post Office within a Garden Centre in the country at the request from a petition instigated by the Vicar “Our post office is still greatly supported by local people from the surrounding villages for its many other banking and postal services The easy parking, a friendly face and the promise of a coffee afterwards provides a weekly outing for many people living alone

“Milton Ernest Garden Centre was again ahead of the multinational stores”

“Along with the new Garden Store came New Technology

We were a first to introduce customer Loyalty Cards A popular scheme still in use today with customers taking great advantage of the “Save as you Spend” slogan Savings and special offers are regularly emailed directly to customers “to help save money”

A Village Grocery Shop, a Dog Grooming Parlour, a Car Valeting Service and Shed and Greenhouse Concession increased the range of product and services available all under one roof Our annual fun days like The Horticultural Show, The Dog Show, Vintage Car Day, Wildlife Day, Monthly Car Boot Sale and Book Launches are always very well supported and raise money for local charities

Over the years we have seen Santa arriving in his cart with the Shire Horses accompanied by elves and magicians and the staff in fancy dress Now our wonderful festive fayres contribute to make a fun Christmas Family Outing for all

“Chris and Stewart love getting stuck into our popular Kids Gardening and Craft Clubs Held during school holidays children can “learn by doing” and take away their masterpieces Stewart will also tempt you back into the garden with his “something for the weekend” posts on Facebook and Instagram All our events and special offers can be found on our website and social media channels ”

At Milton Ernest Garden Centre we are open every day of the year except Christmas Day Boxing Day and Easter Sunday We hope you can find time to pay us a visit and enjoy a pleasant, relaxed shopping experience with us