The very first mushroom farm that husband Pieter J.C. Vedder visited in the U.K. was the one from Peter Stanley-Evans. Together with his boss, Pieter Bels they did so in 1958, probably in combination with the Mushroom Fair.
Peter Stanley-Evans grew mushrooms in metal military bunk beds, 2 high in greenhouses.
He also grew chrysanthemums.
This was the 1st real excursion with board members of the Mushroom Experiment Station and the Practical Training Center for Mushroom Growing.
Husband Pieter's 1st Dutch Publication was not yet out at that time but he'd lectured at several International Congresses and wrote articles for Mushroom Magazines.
Husband Pieter's 1st Dutch Publication was not yet out at that time but he'd lectured at several International Congresses and wrote articles for Mushroom Magazines.
Husband Pieter is to the left, 2nd row standing. His boss, Pieter Bels is also in the 2nd row to the right and his wife Henriëtte Bels-Koning is to his left.
This was in front of a restaurant in the UK.
During one of husband Pieter's visits, Pieter Bels was talking with Peter Stanley-Evans Sr. and Pieter was discussing with Stanley-Evans Jr.
Pieter overheard Stanley-Evans Sr. say: 'Yeah, yeah, we have to realize that is the next generation...'
Sadly we learned that his (only ?) son had died rather young...
It was also this friend Peter Stanley-Evans, who invited husband Pieter with his entire group to his home for a formal Tea.
Mrs. Evans and her daughter-in-law had made the beautiful decorated little cakes themselves!
To view more photos from this excursion go here: de Champignon - cultuur 1958 - 6 via ISMS just click it.
Below this post you find the link about the beautiful Tanner Krolle Attaché, Pieter got gifted from Peter Stanley-Evans...
Very interesting old black-and-white movie from 1958 to get an idea about how it was back then: Mushroom Farm Aka Airman At Home, Mushroom Fair 1958 This was not in bunk beds but small wooden trays.
Click the link above in pink, it is 2:39 min.
During one of husband Pieter's visits, Pieter Bels was talking with Peter Stanley-Evans Sr. and Pieter was discussing with Stanley-Evans Jr.
Pieter overheard Stanley-Evans Sr. say: 'Yeah, yeah, we have to realize that is the next generation...'
Sadly we learned that his (only ?) son had died rather young...
It was also this friend Peter Stanley-Evans, who invited husband Pieter with his entire group to his home for a formal Tea.
Mrs. Evans and her daughter-in-law had made the beautiful decorated little cakes themselves!
To view more photos from this excursion go here: de Champignon - cultuur 1958 - 6 via ISMS just click it.
Below this post you find the link about the beautiful Tanner Krolle Attaché, Pieter got gifted from Peter Stanley-Evans...
Very interesting old black-and-white movie from 1958 to get an idea about how it was back then: Mushroom Farm Aka Airman At Home, Mushroom Fair 1958 This was not in bunk beds but small wooden trays.
Click the link above in pink, it is 2:39 min.
Picture from David Stanley-Evans from The Mushroom Journal 1978-11
Peter Stanley–Evans was the 1986 recipient of the Sinden Award.
His lecture was published in the Mushroom Journal February 1987 issue ←click ISMS link.
1989-6 The Mushroom Journal published a nice Profile story about Peter Stanley-Evans, written by Charles Spencer. Click the link to the ISMS pdf
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Published to the ISMS upload from 1990-12 The Mushroom Journal click link
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Fidlers Hall is mentioning the history of the mushroom farm. We don't know yet if Beth Stanley-Evans is maybe the daughter-in-law from said deceased son.
Just today, I got a very kind reply from a person managing the Fidlers Hall website and I will pass on the link to this post once it will get published this evening!
That way, Beth Stanley-Evans will get to read it...
Burwood House mentions the garden of Fidlers Hall, which belonged to her parents-in-law. Was that Peter Stanley-Evans?
Just today, I got a very kind reply from a person managing the Fidlers Hall website and I will pass on the link to this post once it will get published this evening!
That way, Beth Stanley-Evans will get to read it...
In The Mushroom Journal 1978-5 is a very interesting article about them:
One of the World's Most Outstanding Mushroom Farms just click link.
It looks like on February 14, 2000, this very special and long-time mushroom friend left this earth.
Both of us did give a seminar for International Spawn Laboratory (in 1998 being absorbed by Sylvan) for their growers/customers.
That was held at Tewkesbury Park for two days in 1994.
We still have Peter Davies letter thanking the organizer.
To quote just a few lines:
"This is just a brief note to thank you very much for a tremendous two days at Tewkesbury last week. Your hospitality was most generous and of course in Pieter Vedder you had one of the most respected names in the mushroom world.
His talks were both very interesting and stimulating — certainly food for thought when we return to our own farms..."
On February 10, 2008 published in the BBC NEWS | UK | England | Sussex | Struggling mushroom farm to close
That was held at Tewkesbury Park for two days in 1994.
We still have Peter Davies letter thanking the organizer.
"This is just a brief note to thank you very much for a tremendous two days at Tewkesbury last week. Your hospitality was most generous and of course in Pieter Vedder you had one of the most respected names in the mushroom world.
His talks were both very interesting and stimulating — certainly food for thought when we return to our own farms..."
On February 10, 2008 published in the BBC NEWS | UK | England | Sussex | Struggling mushroom farm to close
The very MGA Mushroom Grower's Association in the U.K. also has dissolved...
Also the British monthly magazine 'THE MUSHROOM JOURNAL' is no longer.
Husband Pieter wrote several articles for them over the years.
Thanks for your visit!
Also the British monthly magazine 'THE MUSHROOM JOURNAL' is no longer.
Husband Pieter wrote several articles for them over the years.
Thanks for your visit!
Related link:
{Pieter’s Tanner Krolle Attaché - Royal Gift purchased at Harrods by English Friend} | previous post about the beautiful Tanner Krolle Attaché Pieter got gifted from Peter Stanley-Evans...
Beautiful memoire.
ReplyDeleteDearest Krishna,
DeleteYes, those are precious memories!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeletewonderful memories again! Thank you for sharing!
Wihsing you a wonderful week,
Love and hugs, Claudia xoxo
Dearest Claudia,
DeleteThank you and those were no doubt Pieter's very best years.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hello Mariette, That was an interesting idea, growing mushroom in military bunks, which when you think about it are about the right size. Also, sometime you hear expressions like "he lies down so much he's starting to grow mushrooms".
ReplyDeleteSeriously, it's too bad that the English mushroom farm had to close, but it looks like it had a successful run of many decades, and then fell victim to larger changing cycles in agriculture. This is too bad because local produce is usually better in quality, and supports the local economy.
--Jim
p.s. I enjoyed the film. It was short, but showed each mushroom-growing step in sequence. Your posts have filled in a lot of the missing details, so I know how much hard and carefully-prepared work goes into each one of those steps!
Dearest Jim,
DeleteGlad you enjoyed watching the film and reading more about these early, 'golden' years.
Pieter has spent so much time in England and learned a great deal there.
Both of us have been discussing this week that we don't know of any, worldwide example where a family owned business made it into the third generation. A sad fact but so true.
It has been a very demanding job for sure and often the younger generation does not opt to go that road...
Nowadays transport is no longer an issue, for fresh produce and or canned, so we're dealing very much with 'global' competition. That's what we both always taught in our seminars and at huge farms where we consulted.
Eastern Europe is a competitor and China, even the Middle East has stepped into mushroom production.
Finding harvesters is a big issue as well. During our last seminars in the UK (England + Ireland) I got asked if I managed Pakistani language or Afghan... That was their work force and huge communication problems!
Hugs,
Mariette
Hola Mariettas .. que bonita memoria.
ReplyDeleteEdpero que tengas una buena semana
Dearest Angélica,
DeleteThank you and yes, we have been able to ride our bikes in some balmy weather! Thursday it will be even 27˚C.
Looking forward to real spring!
Hugs,
Mariette
The very first mushroom farm in UK, that must have been very memorable. I’m sure Ms. Beth Stanley-Evans will enjoy reading the post :-)
ReplyDeleteDearest Tamago,
DeleteDon't know if it was the first mushroom farm but it was old, from 1958... Quite a history.
We both sure hope that some relatives will enjoy reading this!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteAngels Birthdates & fortunes, All of you know that there are often Angels among us they can be two or four legged, They know when we need them most, These photo is made by Pieter at When I just was one day out of the hospital and look cat narse barty is rosing you back to health!
So many of old years ago The mushroom farm in UK.
Hugs
Michiko
Dearest Michiko san,
DeleteIt amazes me each time how well you recite one of my previous posts! This time you're mentioning: {Angels Birthdates & Fortunes}
Yes, cat nurse Barty really worked hard at nursing me back to health!
This mushroom farm in the U.K. is some history about husband Pieter's pioneering years in the Mushroom Industry.
Thanks for your visit loyal friend!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette,
ReplyDeleteI have learned from your posts that there are various kinds of mushrooms produced around the world, and there are a lot of mushroom growers dedicate to their job. I like to eat mushrooms. I will make deep-fried shiitake this evening!It is my favorite recipe.
I hope you have a good day.
Now, flue is going around in Japan.
Dearest Tomoko,
DeleteOh, the variety of commercially grown mushrooms indeed varies by region.
As for both of us, we like the Japanese Shiitake the most! It has the most flavor and also has some true medicinal qualities. Even though the trend is to make it look like the white button mushroom, the Agaricus Bisporus is having special qualities. This is a desperate try for increasing consumption as the market is no longer good. But what nobody ever publishes is that in order to have some health benefits from the minerals found in Agaricus Bisporus, you must consume about 2 kg (4.4 lbs) per day! Due to the high water content of approx. 92-93%. There is little or no value.
Shiitake is proven to have lots of medicinal value.
Loved your post about the Firefighters training as it did bring back fond memories for me from my time in Japan in July of 2007. {Japanese Fireman's Happi-Coat from my 2007 Trip}
Hugs,
Mariette
Oh my,,,!you were wearing a fireman's happi-coat!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit, and sorry my comment is closed.
These days, I am spending a lot of time to read the original dialog of the movie,Driving Miss Daisy.
It is too much of my high challenge.
Dearest Tomoko,
DeleteThank you for your visit and reply.
Hope you manage to stay warm and healthy, no flue!
One can only admire you for being able to deal with two languages, using different characters! I cannot...
Hugs,
Mariette