Parkers Seeds director retires after 50-year Norfolk career

Chris Parker will be the last member of his family to run the Parkers Seeds business started by his great-great-grandfather Herbert Parker in Norwich in 1859.

When he steps down later this month after a 50-year career, the firm will continue as part of Adams and Howling agricultural merchants, which it merged with in 2004.

But it breaks the long line of Parkers who have witnessed major changes in agriculture, and the evolution of Norwich's industrial heritage.

Chris Parker is retiring after 50 years with family firm Parkers Seeds - Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mr Parker joined the company in July 1972 after leaving Easton College - but the start of his career was marred by tragedy when his father John Parker, then the company director, was killed in a car crash a month later.

"I was 17, I was thrown in at the deep end and had to learn everything very quickly," he said. "It was quite traumatic at that time, but we managed to survive it."

He became a director at 21, helped by managers who had worked with his father - and his grandmother, who took over the company chairmanship after his grandfather Keith Parker died in December 1971.

Chris Parker's father John Parker, left, and his grandfather Keith Parker in 1969 - Picture: Parkers Seeds (Image: Parkers Seeds)

Mr Parker said the seed industry has seen "terrific changes" during his 50 years, including the move to bulk grain handling and increased mechanisation.

"In the old days, the pace of doing everything was slower and there was a lot more pleasure in doing everything, but now everything is wound up to such a fast pace, it is all computerised, and there is much less face-to-face contact," he said.

"I've always preferred to have conversations with people, rather than sending an email. I suppose I am a bit old-fashioned like that, but a lot of the farmers tend to like it, as they get to know you and they appreciate the advice you give them."

Parkers Seeds was founded in 1859 near Foundry Bridge in Norwich, in a warehouse (pictured left) with a wherry in front. The Great Eastern Hotel is where the Nelson hotel stands now - Picture: Parkers Seeds (Image: Chris Parker)

The company was founded in 1859 in a warehouse on the banks of Norwich's River Wensum near Foundry Bridge, next to the Great Eastern Hotel - now the Nelson hotel.

"The old wherry boats would bring goods up to the warehousing when we first started," said Mr Parker.

As freight moved from the rivers to the railways, the company relocated alongside the Boulton and Paul factory on Riverside Road in around 1900, to improve access to the train station.

The Parkers Seeds building on the old Riverside Road next to Boulton and Paul and Thorpe Railway Station - Picture: Parkers Seeds (Image: Parkers Seeds)

Then, when road haulage took precedence, the firm moved again in the mid-1960s to its new seed plant in Bramerton.

Parkers Seeds specialises in crop seeds for farmers and grass mixtures for grazing, conservation and amenity uses including rugby pitches, golf courses and school playing fields.

After Mr Parker's retirement, the brand will be managed by seed specialist Chris Haydock, who joined Little Plumstead-based Adams and Howling last November.

Parkers Seeds being delivered by horse and cart - Picture: Parkers Seeds (Image: Parkers Seeds)

Mr Parker, 67, said: "I am a bit sad in some ways, but when I made the decision back in 2004 to merge the Parkers Seeds brand with Adams and Howling, my plans were that they would be able to carry it on, so at least Parkers Seeds will continue.

"When I started in 1972, it was also the year that Adams and Howling were formed, and they came to us soon after to supply their seed requirements. So there has always been a link between us."

His two sons, John and Robert, both went into "completely different careers", but they are involved in the original family business Herbert Parker Ltd, now mainly a property company, which Mr Parker still manages with his wife Judith, who helped him to run Parker's Seeds for more than 30 years at Bramerton.

The Parkers Seeds market stall in the late 1800s, at the Norwich Cattle Market next to the Norwich Castle - Picture: Parkers Seeds (Image: Parkers Seeds)

An award for Parkers Seeds for a farm in Wrentham in 1927 (Image: Parkers Seeds)