More help sought for glasshouses research

My appeal for photos and memories of the Worthing glasshouse industry has been amply rewarded and I have received some fascinating material.

I have also been awakened to the scale of the task I have undertaken, but I am very lucky that David Abbott, historian of the West Sussex Growers Association, has joined me in the project and is helping with the research. We plan to hold an exhibition at Worthing Library in March, 2011, which will show the extent of the many "discoveries" we have made.

However, I would like to make a further appeal to your readers because, surprisingly, I have had no response about some of the best-known Worthing growers. They include Pipers, in Chesswood Road and Ladydell Road, one of the largest firms, which closed in 1955, and others like Hollis, of South Farm Road, Russell, of Chesswood Road and elsewhere, Barnwells, Beer, Bushby, and Purser. If anyone knows any descendants of these families, I would be delighted to hear from them.

Finally, I have received a number of photos which require identification. The two here were taken at Saunders' nursery in Castle Road, some time in the 1940s, and I am hoping some of your readers may be able to help with the names.

Harry Long, the foreman, is sitting fourth from the left, but he is the only known person.

Interestingly, the photo of the Land Army girls has the inscription "Worthing Herald" printed on it, so it must have appeared in the paper, but when and why? Any suggestions will be most welcome.

Malcolm Linfield

Westward Lane

West Chiltington

NOTE: All letters must include a name and address.

Write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA, or email the Herald.

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