DECLINE
seeds could be easily shipped around the country, improving sales. But this development also necessitated a move, and the nursery relocated to Fishergate, onto land previously owned by the Rigg family, whose children died in a tragic boating accident that we've written about before (see the monument in St Lawrence's church yard). But that wasn't to last, as in 1853 the nursery moved again to a 100 acre site in Holgate – bigger even than Kew Gardens in London. James died in 1869, and the business was continued by his son James, joined by his son... can you guess? James! It was during this time, on the new huge site, that Backhouse Nursery was the most successful it had ever been, with 40 greenhouses, a famous rockery, and specialised alpine plants. The chances are you've walked around the site
However, following the agricultural depression of the 1880s, and later the First World War, demand for expensive plants and gardens fell. In 1921 much of the site was sold off (now covered by houses and a school), but the remaining part soldiered on in a vastly reduced state of 28 acres. This too, unfortunately, had to sold following the death of the final James Backhouse, and in 1955 City of York Council purchased it to turn into a public park. But the Backhouse legacy lives on. Take a walk around West Bank Park and you'll see glimpses of the old nursery, including the rockery, towering alpine trees, and tantalising lumps and bumps of long demolished buildings and greenhouses in the woods. And hey, the remnants of a beautiful nursery are a far better legacy for York than the crumbling ruins of a coal mine or steel works.
YORK LIFE
yourself and seen the descendants of those plants; today it is West Bank Park.
SPECIAL LAUNCH DAYS
Fri 8th September 7am - 4pm Sat 9th September 12am - 4pm Refreshments available
KITCHEN COLLECTION The Laura Ashley Kitchen Collection is now available to view at:
Appointed Stockist for the Laura Ashley Kitchen Collection
Visit our showroom: Mon-Thu 8am-5pm, Fri 8am-4pm, Sat 8am-12midday Leeman Rd,York YO26 4ZH
0330 119 3159 www.HowarthAtHome.co.uk
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