A chat with Norman
Ousby from Lune Springs Garden Centre
Lune Spring Garden Center is located on the
main road, the A683, which bypasses Ravenstonedale but cuts
along the edge of Newbiggin-on-Lune. Newbiggin is a separate
village but is actually part of the parish of Ravenstonedale.
The garden centre was the brainchild of Norman Ousby.
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Norman was born a farmer and still has land,
and, although he doesn't keep animals himself anymore,
he still carries out the maintenance work on his land, which
involves things like walling and fencing.
Before he opened the Garden Centre he was
a Drug Baron. Drug Baron? I don't think so!
"Yes I was", he argues, "I used to be a rep
for an animal pharmaceutical business."
| I was also a great smoker", he told me when I was admiring the many collections of framed cigarette cards that line the walls of the cafe. "It all started with a packet of Woodbines. I smoked one and thought it was great. Then I was sick. I didn't know what to do with the others. I couldn't risk my parents finding them and I couldn't bear to waste them so I smoked the other nine and then I was very sick and I had a very bad head. |
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Anyway, I thought it
was an expensive way of collecting cigarette cards so
all the |
The cafe is also a retail outlet for a local blacksmith, a
'proddy rug' maker, a potter and
someone who makes high quality model animals, including models
of local sheep breeds.
They also sell food of course, all made on
the premises and all, well,
what can I say except it is very short on e-numbers.
The cafe is open 8 days a week and other days by arrangement.
In the ten years since it opened, they have
been the choice of venue for many wedding receptions,
golden weddings and other family celebrations.
Once a month the locals meet for what they
call a Lunch Club,
a good excuse to simply meet, eat and share an hour or so
in convivial company.
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Many people 'in the know' divert from the
Coast to Coast Footpath which comes within a mile of
Lune Spring, just to sample their Cherry Slice, the best in
the world!
Once a week a local Guided Walking Holiday company take their guests there for dinner and Norman dishes up Smoked Trout from the Trout Farm next door and the most perfectly cooked vegetables.
Where did you learn to cook? I asked Norman. "I can't" he replied, lying through his teeth.
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Whether it's a formal dinner for
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On sunny days, the
garden beckons and there is comfortable seating and
a well equiped children's play area |
Norman regularly holds Charity evening in the cafe. These
have included an
Antiques Road Show with Henry Sandon,
a folk evening with Dales Folk and talks on every subject
under the sun!
Over the years has raised many thousands of
pounds, mostly for
Cancer Research but has supported other charities as well.
Norman with 'Dales Folk'
The cafe is only a small part of Norman's life. He does Contract
Gardening in about half a dozen different
locations in the parish, and then, of course, there's the
Garden Centre itself.
Situated at an altitude of 800 ft, the things that he grows
are either very hardy or grow underground.
His favorites are the 'cottage garden' varieties, Lupins,
Hollyhocks, Pinks, Guems and Michaelmas Daises.
Plants are grown in a large polly-tunnel, which is a bit precarious
and has to be re-sheeted every three or four years. He also
has a large selection of trees, shrubs and alpines plants
growing outside,
so you know if you buy a tree from Norman it really will be
well and truly hardened off.
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Attached to the cafe there is a barn, which
is used as a showroom for an antique dealer.
Below that there is a workshop used by a local joiner so there
are, in fact, several different businesses on the site.
All in all, The Garden Centre is a real asset,
not only to Norman and the many tourists who visit it,
but also to the whole of the Parish of Ravenstonedale.