| Ralph and Edna Riley started
the company back in the late fifties when as a young couple they moved
to the Scarr in Newent to become tenants of the Land Settlement Association
(LSA). This was a government sponsored scheme to encourage aspiring
growers to become small holders. Each small holding was set up with
a small glass house, approximately 3 acres of prime horticultural
ground, a small house and a piggery/ shed. |
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There were around 50 holdings in this estate each producing a variety of horticultural crops. Sales and purchases were centrally organised by the LSA. Ralph and Edna soon got settled and produced a variety of crops, such as celery, runner beans, peppers, lettuce, and children! |
| In 1982 their son Tim graduated from Pershore College and set up on his own growing lettuce and peppers. After a couple of years it was decided that it made more sense to join forces and Tim and Ralph set up a partnership. In 1987 whilst Tim was recovering from a broken leg the idea to grow tomatoes in modern greenhouses was developed into a workable plan and soon enough the greenhouse builders were on site to build the first quarter acre. Whilst still growing peppers, lettuce etc, tomatoes in rockwool was becoming the main crop. In 1989 the greenhouse doubled in size and in 1994 it was expanded to one acre. A new packing shed was built to make packing tomatoes for supermarkets more efficient. Tim's wife Marie entered into the partnership in 1994 and from then on only tomatoes were grown at this time. The greenhouses were computer controlled and yields were increasing year on year. In 1996 the last part of the masterplan was implemented to increase the total area to 6600 m2. |  |
However in 1998 after a few years with low prices and an increasing problem of attracting reliable staff it was decided to take a break and rent the greenhouses out to a local strawberry grower. This was quite successful for 5 years but being growers at heart Rileys grew restless and consultancy jobs in irrigation and environmental control although very lucrative were not quite as exciting as growing crops. So tentatively new crops were explored and thy got into contact with orchid plant breeders who were quite keen to develop an English market. In 2003 the first plants appeared, as the greenhouse became re-developed to grow potplants. This meant a benching system, upgrading of the heating system, screen installation and a new irrigation system, lighting and cooling - essential to make orchids flower. First in the smaller block for a three years and then two years later the rest of the nursery |
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In 2007 it was decided that we were ready to take on the full nursery for Orchids as sales looked very positive. However plant material was in short supply and this hampered the speed of expansion. Despite being only 15 years old the greenhouses for the expansion plans were not high enough and after some debate it was decided to take them down and rebuild them. Specialist teams from Holland cleared the greenhouse site in one week and the re-building of the new greenhouse 5m high In 2008 we started to fill this new and bigger area up with plants. |
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Whilst we were re-building and expanding the same was going on in Holland and the production increased by around 50% year on year for some time. This coupled with the economic downturn resulted in poorer returns. However working closely with customers to build long term relationships worked well and by the end of 2009 we were once again short of production. |
| However on New Years eve 2009
the world changed for us. A fire raged through the whole greenhouse spread along the screens. Until today it is not quite clear what has started it but the result was very depressing indeed. For the next 10 months the Rileys and their loyal staff with the help of the NFU Mutual Insurance, Cambridge Glasshouse Company and Hortisystems, were clearing, rebuilding etc the greenhouses and the crop to their former glory. 40 Tonnes of glass and 80 m3 of plastic have been taken away from the site. 50% of the glass had to be replaced and approximately 10% of the structure. All the screens had to be replaced and extensive repairs to the lighting and heating equipment had to be made. The whole crop was lost and that was replaced with the help of an elaborate recovery plan which was put together by Tim and Marie and supported by the insurance. The plant breeders Floricultura, Bremkens and Sogo Taiwan were very helpful during this testing time. |
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| At present Riley Growers is back in full production with a superb crop. Our thanks go to our loyal customers who we are supplying with quality English | |
| On 10th November 2010 we celebrated our re-opening together with our 50th anniversary. This nursery has come a long way since Mr and Mrs Riley senior arrived here and we look forward to an interesting future. |  |
We
are the largest specialist grower of Phalaenopsis in the UK
Weekly
deliveries to Garden Centres, Florist and Pot Plant Wholesalers, Markets
and Multiple Suppliers in the Midlands, South and South West England,
and South Wales
Copyright
Riley Growers 2002-2010
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from Riley Growers Ltd