On Saturday 14th July a commemorative plaque was unveiled to commemorate ‘Tomatoland’ that was sited alongside Pickersleigh Road from 1912 to 1961. This was one of the foremost horticultural businesses in the country and produced vast quantities of ‘Malvoma’ tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuces in 13 acres of glasshouses.
The plaque was unveiled by Jeanne Stranack, the daughter the late Basil Stranack, owner and managing director of Malvern Tomatoes Ltd.
Jeanne was keen to emphasise that the plaque commemorates not only her father but also the loyal and skilful workers employed by him. The roads on the housing estate, built in the 1980s, that now occupy the site are named after tomato species, previously grown there, such as Harbinger, Challenger, Shirley and Ailsa Craig. Additional information can be found on the Malvern Civic Society website under publications, Bandstand May 2018 (pages 12 – 13).