As a garden centre marks its centenary, BOB OGLEY digs deep into its history.

ONE hundred years ago a young postman rented three acres of land at Belmont Lane, Chislehurst, bought a wheelbarrow and a few gardening tools and started a very small market garden business.

He had little time at his disposal as he was delivering letters from 5am to 9pm.

However, there were a few breaks in which he worked the land.

His name was Arthur Cooling and when he died in 1966 he left the business of plant production and greenhouse cultivation to those that followed.

Today, his magnificent nurseries are at Knockholt with his grandson Paul Cooling in charge of a garden centre which has been declared the “best in Britain” by Which? magazine.

One can only imagine how proud Arthur would have been, especially after his struggles in the formative years.

In the 1930s he built greenhouses using salvaged materials and after the war collected bits and pieces from the bomb damaged kitchen gardens of the old Chislehurst estates.

The Coolings centenary is being marked in a variety of ways.

On a Saturday afternoon a few weeks ago a marquee was put up to accommodate more than 200 people and a I was given the privilege of talking about RAF Biggin Hill’s role in the Battle of Britain.

This was followed by a stunning display by a single Spitfire just a few hundred feet above the nurseries.

The day was warm with a few white clouds.

It was real Spitfire weather.

On July 3, Paul and 11 members of staff flew to Scotland and climbed Ben Nevis in ideal weather conditions.

They then took a minibus to the foot of Scarfell Pike which they climbed in darkness accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds.

They then went to the foothills of Snowdon and to the top of the 3,500ft peak.

Paul said: “This was the smallest of the three and proved quite a challenge for aching legs and sleepy heads but we did it.

“Smiles all round and only a few blisters.”

The Coolings team climbed up 11,000ft (and went down again) and walked more than 26 miles all within 24 hours, which included driving between the peaks too.

The team have been sponsored and are set to raise £15,000 for charities in the area.

This was a challenge Arthur would have appreciated for, in establishing his business, he had many mountains to conquer.

Coolings ceased trading at Chislehurst in 1988 and moved to Knockholt, taking over Robinsons Garden Centre of Rushmore Hill.

It opened the Green and Pleasant site on Main Road, Knockholt, previously Whiteleggs Nurseries.

Write to me at Bob Ogley, News Shopper, Mega House. Crest View Drive, Petts Wood, Kent BR5 1BT, email bob@bobogley.plus.com or visit frogletspublications.co.uk