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Traditionally, every Norfolk Lavender product carries the
signature of the company's founder Linn Chilvers, and the
signature remains one of the company's trademarks, still
appearing on our writing paper.
Linn Chilvers was the son of a keen botanist who in 1874
started a nursery garden and florist's business in Heacham
and Hunstanton, on the North Norfolk coast. Both Linn and
his father had a keen interest in lavender and grew several
varieties.
After his father's death Linn continued the nursery business.
He had always dreamed of growing lavender on a large scale. He
knew of the failure of the lavender fields in the South of
England, and as Norfolk offered good growing conditions he
determined to try it on a commercial scale.
In 1932 Linn went into partnership with Francis 'Ginger'
Dusgate who provided 6 acres of land while Linn supplied the
13,000 plants required. Three men and a boy did the planting
in eighteen days for a total cost of £15.
The partnership's first harvest was in 1933 and the brave
venture attracted much publicity. One of the interested
watchers was a chemist from Leicester, Mr. Avery. He told
Linn that he had a recipe for a lavender perfume made for King
George IV. They agreed that the partnership would use the
formula, and for many years Mr. Avery came to Norfolk to mix
the essences himself, until on his death the secret was purchased
outright by Norfolk Lavender Ltd.
Since those days the company thrives and is still producing lavender
products that Linn would have been very proud of.
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