Wakefield Museums and Castles

Saville Ramsden: market gardener, nurseryman, rhubarb grower.

In 1870, a nursery at Vine Cottage in Kirkhamgate was established. It started out supplying conservatory plants for country houses. Saville Ramsden took over the business from his father in 1910. This home nursery went on to become the famous Brandy Carr Nurseries.

Ramsden introduced rhubarb in 1916. He became a specialist in forced rhubarb. The local industry reached its peak in the late 1930s. For 25 years he was secretary of the Leeds and District Market Gardeners association.

Rhubarb needs a lot of nitrogen. Ramsden got it from some unusual sources. These included sewage, wool and textile waste from the mills. He also used slaughter muck from Wakefield slaughterhouse. 

Saville Ramsden’s grandson, Ben Asquith, represents the fourth generation of growers at Brandy Carr Nurseries. Brandy Carr Nurseries now stocks the widest range of rhubarb varieties in West Yorkshire.