Sophia Charalambous
newsdesk@essexchronicle.co.uk
A GARDEN nursery is celebrating 60 years of being in the business.
Sally Belcher and her husband, Les, took over the family business, Hillcrest Nurseries, nine years ago when founder, Dudley Vinall, died.
Mr Vinall started the businesses in 1947 in Herongate, Brentwood, on the corner between Weald and Western Road, with his sister, Gene.
Both siblings married in 1953, Mr Vinall married Audrey, and they bought the land in Ingrave to start the nursery.
"It was built up from nothing, just the open ground," said mum-of-two, Sally, 57.
"When mum and dad first bough the land they lived in what we know as the potting shed which is tiny.
"They lived in there for 18 months together whilst their bungalow was being built - and mum still lives in the bungalow now."
Sally left school and worked with her dad, and took over the business after his death.
She said: "I knew as a small child that I wanted to grow plants and work with dad, and I was fortunate enough to do that.
"There are photos of me at three-years-old with a watering can.
"You never stop learning about conditions for plants and the new varieties, but the pleasure of seeing things grow and that you've cared for is a beautiful thing."
The company are planning on displaying old photographs throughout this summer to show how the nursery has changed over the 60 years.
"Back then you could see from one end right down to the school on the other end, but you definitely can't see that anymore," said Sally.
"Then in the mid 70s, dad closed the Brentwood shop to concentrate on growing the plants.
"People had cars and so they could all drive to the garden centre because they wanted to see where the plants were grown."
Hillcrest prides itself on supplying unusual plants such as hybrids and other unusual varieties.
Now, Sally and husband Les, who came to work at the nursery a couple of years before Mr Vinall died, are carrying on the business as a new partnership.
"We tell people that we supply things for both the beginner and the connoisseur.
"I was very fortunate to have my dad, but it is a new journey with Les now."