On the first Monday in September, in blustery conditions and with the
light diminishing fast we paid a flying visit to see Ron Haines in
Radstock, Somerset.
Although the weather conditions were not good and the majority of
Ron’s flowers had long since finished, we were far from disheartened.
Through the gloom a stunning basket welcomed us.
Any one seeing Ron’s greenhouses cannot be less than impressed. The
only word that can describe them is, immaculate. Many may strive to
achieve this standard but few if any actually do.
No compost, ancillary items or pots (except with plants in, of
course!) ever see the inside of his greenhouses. All potting work is
carried out in his garage and then painstaking carried over to the
greenhouses. The quality of plants and flowers do astonish, none more so
than the cutting tubers taken this year.
Ron has been growing begonias for well over forty year and in his
show days exhibited at Berry Barr, Birmingham, Southsea, Hampshire and
Clevedon and Weston Super Mare, both in Somerset.
He was a contemporary of such growers such as Brain Jefferies of
Midsomer Norton, George Beevor, Taunton, Ted Haines from Gloucester (no
relation), Ray Weekes, Paulton, Cliff Woolley, Fred Martin and Donald
Anderson among others. Sadly, a number no longer with us.
It is an
inspiration to see Ron and we have vowed to make a timelier visit in
2009.
