Rasell's Nurseries

Anon - A Historical Review of Rasell's Nurseries by a loyal customer, adviser and friend.

My whole career was in the financial world and in June 1977 I was sent to South Lincolnshire. That month I completed a business visit to Rasell's Nurseries in Little Bytham where I met the owner, a Mrs Rasell, tending to the plants. She explained that her late husband, Donald, had died suddenly a few years earlier, Margaret herself had a degree in horticulture and decided to continue the business with her son, Tim, who then had to leave Stamford School Sixth Form which was a monumental decision.

Due to being relocated I purchased a house with my wife in a nearby village that needed many plants, after my first visit to Rasell's I spoke with my wife, she was the intelligent gardener, and told her that I would introduce her to Margaret and Tim regarding our garden. A most joyful, happy friendship developed and continues to this day but sadly without Margaret and Elizabeth.

The nursery prospered from 1977 into the early 1980's but the country went into a deep recession where inflation was rampant and remuneration was frozen. The astute decisions and sacrifices made by Margaret, Tim and Carol (Tim's wife) resulted in the nursery surviving which is a commendable achievement.

Tim took a leading role in the business as the country moved out of the recession to expand by building a greenhouse for propagation and nurturing of young plants before coming to the selling area. Over the next few years fertilisers, weed killers, compost and tools were introduced to the shop but Tim wanted to avoid becoming a garden centre and we can applaud Tim for being so thoughtful.

By now Tim had relinquished the market stalls at Stamford and Melton Mowbray which he manned every week since those early days, many market shoppers loved his stall and knowledge. Claire, Tim and Carols daughter, completed a horticultural degree at Edinburgh University (Botanic Garden) and came back to the nursery and became a partner in the business. With growing trends of customer needs in particular the 'food & drink' industry, The Tea House was created to provide luxurious refreshments, including; various tea & coffees, cakes, sandwiches, hot food and afternoon tea.

The borders have been improved to showcase different planting styles to inspire and excite, and the whole 'walkabout' is a complete joy to behold. So a visit to the Rasells Nursery and The Tea House is a truly enjoyable outing, the nursery sparkles like a 'jewel in the crown'  in South Lincolnshire . For all of this we must remember Donald & Margaret Rasell, and today thank Tim, Carol, Claire and the teams dedication, skill, perseverance and sheer love of plants we, your happy customers, thank you warmly.

Anon