Tribute to founder of Woolpit Nurseries, in Old Stowmarket Road, near Bury St Edmunds, who has died, aged 80

The founder of a popular nursery has died, aged 80.

Pam Jackson founded Woolpit Nurseries, near Bury St Edmunds, in 1978 with husband Bob.

Initially, a nursery growing tomatoes, it then expanded into bedding plants and hanging baskets 25 years ago, selling hundreds of thousands direct to the public, as well as supporting the district in its Britain in Bloom successes.

For the last 20 years, daughter, Catherine and son-in-law Andrew Brain, have run the nursery, on old Stowmarket Road, Woolpit, one of the few remaining grower nurseries in Suffolk.

Mrs Jackson, who still helped out at the business, on occasion, until a few years ago, died on February 13, at Chilton Court care home, Stowmarket, where she had lived for the last 17 months.

Son-in-law Andrew said: “It is with extreme sadness that I announce the passing of my mother-law, Pam; finally ending her horrendous struggle with Alzheimer’s/dementia.

“In 1978 Bob and Pam moved to Suffolk and set up Woolpit Nurseries with their four young children. She managed to juggle running a business and a home.

“Myself and daughter Catherine moved to Suffolk in 2002 to work along side Bob and Pam and I’ve been privileged to take on the business they created but the work and sacrifice Pam put in will never be forgotten.

“For those that might want to join the family and friends the service will be at the Bury St Edmunds crematorium at 3pm on Wednesday, March 5, with the wake at Woolpit cricket club from 4pm.”

The nursery will close at lunchtime on March 5 as a mark of respect and so all our staff can attend.

Should anyone like to make a donation, rather than flowers, donations can be made to Dementia UK.

Woolpit Nurseries Suffolk, with more than 90 per cent of the plants grown on site.

Today, the nursery supplies over 250,000 seasonal bedding plants and 2,500 hanging baskets every year for the general public, businesses and local authorities.

It supplies and installs 'In Bloom' displays for Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury, Stowmarket and Newmarket.

The nursery has helped Bury St Edmunds win numerous awards including Gold Medal in Anglia in Bloom.

Pam leaves behind husband Bob, now 88, sister Barbara, son Oliver, daughters Catherine, Helena and Anna.