Founder of successful Devon Croft Nurseries dies aged 82

The founder of a successful nursery business, Mrs Janet Richardson, died on New Year’s Eve, aged 82.

Janet established Devon Croft Nurseries in Newark with her late husband, John, and was still a partner in the business at her death.

Born Janet Margaret Price on May 30, 1939, at Newark General Hospital, she was the only child of Thomas and Jessie Price, of Marton Road, Newark.

Janet lived her whole life in Newark and attended Barnby Road School.

After leaving school she trained in ladies’ hairdressing at Ivy Henton’s Salon, 31 Market Place, Newark, and Clarendon College. She was the first trained in Newark to pass the City and Guilds of London Institute examination in ladies’ hairdressing.

Janet went on to open her own salon in Middlegate.

In her early twenties she met Newark farmer John Richardson, who she married on September 29, 1960, and daughter Karen was born two years later.

Janet continued hairdressing until the early Seventies when son James was born, at which point bringing up the family became her main role.

In the late Eighties John retired from farming and together with Janet established Devon Croft Nurseries in 1990. They became famous for producing bespoke hanging baskets and bedding plants.

Son James joined the business as a partner in 2004 and the nursery began to expand.

John died suddenly in 2006 but Janet continued to run the nursery with James and his wife, Susan, until ill-health forced her to retire in 2014.

She leaves daughter Karen and son-in-law Simon, son James and daughter-in-law Susan.