Greenhouse in Cullingworth crushed by snow (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Greenhouse in Cullingworth crushed by snow

8:00am Monday 28th January 2013 in News By Hannah Postles, T&A Reporter

A Bradford horticultural nursery owner told how his life’s work and business are under threat after his greenhouse collapsed and smashed under heavy snowfall.

Stewart Taylor, owner of Faro Field Nurseries and Landscapes on Haworth Road, Cullingworth, woke up on Saturday morning to find a “twisted and mangled” wreck where the 8ft by 24ft greenhouse once stood.

He says that he will now be forced to miss this year’s growing season.

An adjoining canopy was also ripped down as five to six inches of snow fell on Friday night and a truck used by the business is currently trapped underneath.

The 56-year-old said the greenhouse, which had been in place for around 15 years, could cost the small business “thousands of pounds” to replace.

“It’s knackered us for this year at least,” he added.

“The growing season starts early February and we will miss it.

“It was just the sheer volume of snow that Friday night, there was nothing we could have done. It’s a freak of nature thing.”

His wife Mary, 55, added: “We’ve had this much snow in previous years but this is astonishing.

“There were about five or six inches of snow and the greenhouse collapsed under the weight of it.

“When we looked out at 8.30am on Saturday morning it was gone.

“Now all that’s left is a twisted, mangled wreck – there’s glass everywhere and the area’s been deemed unsafe.

“It’s the main growing area and it’s totally destroyed.”

Mr Taylor said the business, which has been operating for 18 years, would do what it could to provide hanging baskets and bedding plants for its customers and would continue to offer its landscaping services.

“We will need to look at whether we replace the greenhouse or not. We are only a small business,” he said.

“It’s just not something you expect to happen.

“After a night of snowfall, bang, it’s gone.

“We will try and do anything possible to continue, it’s just how I’m not sure.”

Meanwhile, Harrop Lane in Harecroft, near Wilsden, was one road flooded due to yesterday’s heavy rain, which followed Friday’s snowfall.