After a short illness we are sorry to announce the sad passing of Ken Sharpe. Some will remember him from his days at the Hull company Westdock, starting there in 1959 selling glasshouses across the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands. After only 3 years and staying within horticulture, he started his own company, initially based in Ireland, he then moved back to Yorkshire in the late 1960’s to carry on his business.  In his time, he experienced many highs and lows in the industry, but his determination to succeed and provide an excellent service to customers, ensured his Company’s survival.

Ken loved working in the horticultural industry, talking to growers and keeping up to date with new trends in the industry. He was an early advocate of recycling, which continues to be the ethos at the heart of New Century Glasshouses Ltd today; refurbishing and recycling second-hand glasshouses for re-use, and re-roofing older glasshouses with energy efficient composite panelling. 

Although more recently he did not make many site visits, Ken was always available on the phone and with his clear mind and extensive knowledge, provided advice and assistance to those new to the industry and established businesses.  He had a sharp memory of growers and garden centres throughout the UK, maintaining their contact with Ken from one generation to another. 

It was important to him that the business should continue to grow and evolve and so there is no one more qualified to carry on Ken’s legacy than Graham Dixon, who, having worked with Ken for nearly forty years, is the new Managing Director.