[From
Modern Roses II, p. 20:] S. Bide & Sons, Ltd., Farnham, Surrey, England.
The Rose Annual, UK 1952. Article by A. Donald Bide.p137. S. Bide & Sons Ltd., FARNHAM, Surrey.
This business was founded long ago in the early part of the 19th century, about 1806, by Richard Bide, (the 1st) and progressed until another Richard Bide (the 2nd), the grandson of the founder, finding it necessary to expand, moved the business to its present site in 1854. He called it “Alma Nurseries” in memory of the battle in September of that year. This is the reason why the business only claims establishment from that date, though in point of fact it was in being many years before under a different name.
Richard Bide (the 2nd?) who founded Alma Nurseries had a son, Samuel Bide, who expanded the business considerably. This grew under the leadership of his two sons Arthur R. Bide and Herbert E. Bide.
In 1910 the business was made into a private limited company under its present name of S. Bide and Sons, Ltd.
Today there are two active Directors, A. Donald Bide Chairman) and Herbert W. Bide, the former looking after the Nursery and rose growing interest, the latter the farm side. The widow of A. R. Bide is also on the Board of Directors. Since 1854 the business has expanded considerably with successive generations of the Bide family, it now being one of the largest of its kind in the County of Surrey. The history goes back, therefore, over six generations since 1854 and a seventh is growing up and looking forward to the centenary celebration in 1954. Probably the best climbing rose to be introduced by S. Bide and Sons Ltd. is Phyllis Bide which received the Society’s Gold Medal in 1923. They received also a Gold Medal for The Queen of Spain in 1907. Though general nursery stock is grown extensively roses have been a speciality in the last fifty years, their blooms being admired each summer by many thousands of visitors who call and pass along the main Guilford to Farnham road at the Farnham end of the famous Hog’s Back.
