Garden Organic Plans to Close Ryton Organic Gardens.

[seasprout]

https://www.hortweek.com/garden-orga...rticle/1452696

I had heard rumors earlier in the year, but now it looks likely.

Personally, I only stayed a member so I could visit the gardens, (I live 30 mins away), and to be a member of the HSL.

I have contacted the HSL by facebook today asking them about their future now this news is out. I'll let you know if they reply.

[veggiechicken]

If they close the gardens, I'm sure that many members will be upset, as visiting Ryton must have been a major attraction if you lived nearby. They've been promoting Ryton as a membership benefit in their sales drives - if they knew they might be closing them, isn't that misrepresentation or summat?

I was a member for several years, but Ryton was too far away for a visit and GO do very little in Wales. Paying £51 a year membership for 6 packets of seed was just stupid - so I spend the money on RealSeeds instead!

[seasprout]

Paying £51 a year membership for 6 packets of seed was just stupid !

Now that is the cold hard truth.....

[veggiechicken]

Sadly it is!
I wonder how they will continue to grow the HSL seeds if they give up Ryton? Outsourcing to Seed Guardians?
Will they reduce the cost of membership if there is no Ryton to visit?
It'll be interesting to see what develops!

[bikermike]

hmmm... that is a thing
tbh I generally find their catalogue stuff is more expensive than other catalogues too.

I keep membership for the campaigning side more than anything.

[rary]

Some how I am not surprised at it closing, I was there several years ago and was not greatly impressed with it, I felt that it was not showing organic gardening to its full potential, and like VC paying the membership fee for what you got, was to me just being greedy

[seasprout]

Chase Organics Seeds and Retail Business acquired by Suttons Consumer Products Ltd

This is a copy of an email I got today..... (also heard a rumour chase organics staff made redundant).


Chase Organics Seeds and Retail Business acquired by Suttons Consumer Products Ltd

Dear .........
With effect from 22nd December 2017, Chase Organics' Seeds and Retail business was acquired by Suttons Consumer Products Ltd.

Dobies gardening brand within SCP, will now be operating The Organic Gardening Catalogue website, www.OrganicCatalogue.com.

Chase Organics has always been a business of two distinct parts (The OGC supplying seeds and supplies to gardeners and Chase's commercial sales of plant nutrition products). We will continue supporting the commercial market with our Seaweed based Plant Nutrition products, Chase SM6, Chase SM3, Chase SM4, Chase SM5, Chase SM7, Chase Seaweed Meal, Chase Blend 14 and QR Compost Activator. We will be concentrating on developing and expanding our UK and Worldwide markets for these as well as introducing new products to build the range.

We are however delighted to let you know that we have been successful in finding a new home for the domestic, organic seeds side of the business and that it will in future be managed by Dobies (formerly Dobies of Devon, and sister company of Suttons Consumer Products Ltd).

Dobies is a 137 year old business, originally based near Chester but now residing in Devon. It has been awarded the coveted "Best Buy" Seed Supplier by Which? Gardening with "an impressive 91% of seed producing healthy seedlings. Their 8.5 out of 10 Trust pilot ranking also attests to their commitment to providing quality products and service and we are happy that The Organic Gardening Catalogue business will be in safe hands. Dobies has an extensive gardening offer as well as ranges under its “good life” brand that extend to beekeeping, and keeping chickens as just a couple of examples.

We are writing to you now as required by and with the approval of the Information Commissioner’s Office to let you know of the change of ownership of the business and to advise you that your personal data will be transferred to Dobies. Dobies will in future be the data controller and will be handling your orders and customer details.

If you do not wish your personal data to be transferred to Dobies please use the unsubscribe link below .

This news may explain a little why the new seed catalogue has been a little delayed – and we apologise for that. The catalogue is due to be sent out over the next couple of weeks and contains the full range of Chase organic seeds which we have already packed and are now in the process of transferring to the Dobies warehouse. They will also continue to sell our ever-popular Chase Organics seaweed plant nutrition range, SM3, SM4, SM5 and Chase Seaweed Meal.

Dobies will also be handling the despatch of all pre-ordered items, including seed potatoes, onions sets and newly harvested seeds.

The telephone number 01932 878570 has been routed to Dobies for all enquiries. You can also use the new number 0844 967 0330.

For calls to Chase Organics please use 01932 878578.

It has been a pleasure to serve you, I am sure you will be as pleased as I am to see The Organic Gardening Catalogue given the opportunity to continue and thrive, supplying your organic gardening needs for many years to come.

With best wishes

[burnie]

A shame if anyone lost their job, never bought from them, but I do buy from Dobies, have done for years, a factory I worked at in the 1980's had a gardening club that had a deal with Dobies.

[veggiechicken]

Seasprout, did you find out what was happening to Ryton?
If Ryton closes and the OG seed catalogue has been sold to Dobies, one wonders what else will end.

[seasprout]

Garden organic members are expecting a letter with the spring magazine....out soon.

I’ll share any info I get.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks. It'll be a loss if OG is breaking apart.

[veggiechicken]

https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/new...ning-catalogue

Dobies will continue to offer 10% discount on seeds to GO members.

[Thelma Sanders]

Ryton is up for sale!
https://propertylink.estatesgazette....ventry-cv8-3lg

[veggiechicken]

Well spotted Thelma.

http://bulkloader.prd.pl.artirix.com...a6_Details.pdf

Investment/Residential redevelopment opportunity.
I've never been there and am not a member now, so my opinion doesn't matter, but, this seems a bit of a kick in the teeth for all those who were encouraged to join last year. There were a regular stream of emails and posts on FB inviting membership.

[sparrow100]

I am so angry at this. Members shouldn't be the last to find out.

Staff were only just told, and apparently it missed the window for the newsletter so it's ok for the membership to find out on FB & Twitter, but GO can't be bothered to send out an email. Will be in the Spring Organic Way apparently, but by then the news will be at least 2 months old.

HSL is apparently going on, but not sure how it will work.