Charles Knight and his ....

..... wife.
My daughter and "M" and I had a cuppa / cream tea and jacket potato and filling for "K &M " here this pm. As I hadn't got a blip for today I thought you may like to hear the history of these garden centres.
In 1940 Charles "Jack" Knight rented a cottage at Nags Head in Godstone and soon began a family run business growing and supplying quality fruit/ vegetables / flowers , the business soon grew with hard work an d commitment by Jacks sons Brian and David. When Jack passed away in 1961 the business ,then thriving, was left to sons David and Brian .
In 1970 Woldingham Rosedene nursery was purchased by 1989 the Georgian House was purchased and the grounds were landscaped , this is currently known as the Dene Coffee shop where it has a really country feel.
In 1993 Chelsham Place was obtained ( this was where we ate this pm) it now has been expanded greatly and has a large four seasons restaurant .
But before all this happened the original was officially opened by Susan Hampshire.
As the years went by both Brian and David had family involvement in the business. With the announcement of Brian's retirement in 2003 David had sole control of the business , which was reformed in a different structure . Full control by David and family is now concentrated on Woldingham and Chelsham centres.
I was up early hoping to start cutting the hedge by hand, alas, it was raining therefore abandoned and work resumed with my ironing, then the rain having stopped I started cutting the hedge , to be resumed tomorrow weather permitting .
The thunderstorms promised did arrive and boy didn't it rain ! No watering needed tonight!

Grateful ..... for "K &M" taking me out for a couple of hours.