Happy Valley Lavender & Herbs | 3505 Happy Valley Road | Langford | Telephone: 250.474.5767
The Happy Valley Lavender Farm celebrates 100 years this March 23 2010! One wonders what Lynda Dowling’s grandfather was thinking during his humble start walking the E & N (now Galloping Goose) Railway line to check out this property in 1910 …
By 1925 he had married Lynda’s grandmother after meeting her at Witty’s Lagoon on a church picnic! At that time he was a gentleman farmer originally from England. He served on the local Metchosin Farmers Institute and School Board.
Lynda’s grandmother, also from England, soon became famous for her Strawberry & Raspberry teas and cakes with the Woman’s Institute. Lynda remembers there always was an apple pie on the back of her grandmother’s black & silver wood stove…
Happy Valley Lavender’s current Herb & Lavender garden theme began in 1983. Lynda moved onto the family farm in 1986 with an English husband and 10 month old son. She felt like she had come home, with all the neighbours she knew from childhood times. Lynda’s grandmother would have loved her gardens, particularly all the Sweet Lavender like England.
If you remember Lynda Dowling’s grandparents, please share your memories with her as they celebrate the centennial of their family farm. It’s their 22nd year of harvesting Lavender as a crop, and a great time to come check out their secret sanctuary gardens and nursery behind Lynda’s grandfather’s daunting cedar hedge!
http://www.happyvalleylavender.com/lavender_harvest.html#grandfather
Tags: agriculture | farm