Stockbridge Technology Centre and the Uniquely Yorkshire Story of Rhubarb
As the rhubarb season continues for home gardeners all over the country, what most of us don't realise is how close we came as a nation to seeing its commercial production disappear altogether. It is a tale with a uniquely Yorkshire flavour. The story of a family's determination and the support of an organisation that is leading the UK in horticultural technology today.
Celebrity chefs as varied as Rick Stein, James Martin, and Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall all sing the praises of Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb. Indeed, traditionally grown Yorkshire Indoor Rhubarb is to the rhubarb industry what champagne is to the wine industry. War time Britain, however, began a decline that could have sounded a death knell for its production.
War time Britain's palate was rather on the sweet side, and sugar rations were not available in the quantities needed to bring this sharp flavoured vegetable to their taste. This situation was compounded post war, when overseas trade and refrigerated logistics facilitated the trade of new and exciting tropical fruits. This spelt disaster for the Yorkshire rhubarb triangle, as the producers were massively over producing and making a loss on their production costs. Sadly, some went bankrupt, others sold up and most turned to other crops. Thanks to the tenacity of the Oldroyd family of Lofthouse, and in particular Ken, the son of the founder of E. Oldroyd and Son, some growers persevered.
To help safeguard the future of his crop, Ken sought advice from Stockbridge Technology Centre and the independent research station became involved in a range of trials in the late 1980's and early 1990's. A high proportion of the UK's specialist growers of rhubarb were, and still are, located within 20 miles of Stockbridge Technology Centre's site at Cawood, near Selby. In order to safeguard the future of Yorkshire Rhubarb, scientists and crop specialists examined all aspects of production to improve both yield and quality, to offset increasing production costs and to prepare the industry for future customer demands in taste, quality, and presentation.
Stockbridge Tecnhology Centre's first Station Director, the late Mr F G Smith, was largely responsible for the development of the outstanding varieties of Stockbridge Arrow, Stockbridge Harbinger and Cawood Delight. His work was then continued by Mr J.D.Whitwell and finally by Mr M R Bradley. As this was happening a strong link developed between the research centre and Mr. Oldroyd. He was invited to join the Advisory Committee at Stockbridge House in 1981 and was re-elected for 11 years until its re-organization in 1992. For his services to the rhubarb industry Ken was awarded the Northern Horticultural Societies highest award, The Harlow Carr Medal in 1995.
Sadly Ken, known as the Rhubarb King, died in 2007. His selfless devotion to the industry made him one of the Horticultural industries most respected and admired figures of his time. Ken left a great legacy behind, a rhubarb industry that has survived, thanks in part to his determination and dedication. Today the family company he worked so hard to build up produces yearly around 1,000 tons of rhubarb for UK supermarkets, whilst the experts at Stockbridge Technology Centre continue to share their agricultural and horticultural expertise with clients worldwide.
Ends
Photo:Painting of Stockbridge station director F.G. Smith that hangs in the board room at Stockbridge House, home to Stockbridge Technology Centre.
For more information or to arrange an interview with a representative from Stockbridge Technology Centre, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on
Direct line: 01430 871360
Mobile: 07971 961574
E mail:traceybaty@three60 marketing.co.uk
Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk
Notes to editors
For more information about Stockbridge Technology Centre, please call 01757 268275or visithttp://www.stockbridgeonline.co.uk/
For more information about E Oldroyd and Sons, please visithttp://www.yorkshirerhubarb.co.uk/ruhbarb_triangle.htm