People K
Alice Kear.
Died in Florida, having lived in Wood Street. Married Lewis Kear.
Joan Keen
Joan & her husband Roy came to Wood Street in about 1950. They lived in the Retreat ( now demolished & rebuilt ) on the Green. She was secretary of the HortSoc. In 1953 & show secretary for several years. Lived at Beckdale House as a child, moving to a Keeper’s Cottage called Rose Cottage – a new Rose cottage being built in 1938.
Cyril (Bill) & Agnes Kemp.
The Kemps began their nursery at ‘Sandiacre’, 148 Frog Grove Lane in 1947. Agnes was born in Scotland where her father had a farm. She came to London shortly before the War and met Cyril, who worked in an aircraft factory. Bill was keen to become a grower, so just after the war they bought a plot of land; no bungalow could be built until 1947 due to a shortage of bricks. The bricks were made by prisoners-of-war and are different to others in the lane.
They started with 600 tomato plants, but all died of blight. A quarter of a tonne of peas to sow were eten by Rooks. Without experience, times were difficult, but with hard work things gradually improved. They grew radishes, garlic & French beans which were sent to London by train from Worplesdon. They erected their first glasshouse in 1952, measuring 4.5m x 30m at a cost of £260.
They had a daughter Christine & a Son Roydon who aged 19 went into partnership with his father. New glasshouses were bought and the business expanded. It is now very successful entirely directed to growing bedding plants, herbaceous plants & shrubs almost entirely sold wholesale to garden centres.
They have contributed greatly to life in the village. They produce for sale at the village show, and donate to village organisations.