The Pickford Showstoppers

A Memory of Welling.

At the back of our 1930's semi-detached home in Gipsy Road my father spent quality time tending his vegetable plot and potted chrysanthemums. He was obsessed with size and strived to grow everything as large as possible, and to this end, his Webb's Wonderful lettuces were impressive enough to claim first prizes in the annual Danson Park Summer Horticultural Shows. His greatest love, though, were the chrysanthemums - something about their distinctive smell - yet despite lavishing endless feeding, fertilising and devotion, try as he may he never won a first prize, let alone the coveted Best in Show. There came a day, however, when he discovered quite by chance of a nursery specialising in growing chrysanthemums for shows, exhibitions and the trade - Pickford Nurseries in Stratton Road, Bexleyheath. He simply had to check them out and dragged me along on a first visit. I was only nine at the time but I have never forgotten the huge greenhouse where hundreds of chrysanthemums in flower displayed spectacular size blooms, which to my young eyes seemed as large as footballs, each one immaculate in shape and form and in a rainbow of colours. Dad never said a word but his face betrayed the torment of a man who had met his nemesis, revealing both envy and reluctant admiration. 'Every one of these chrysanthemums, son, is a showstopper - every single one.'

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