The business was established in 1948 by my grandfather, Frank Vickers, as a small market garden on half an acre of ground. On Frank’s retirement he handed over the reins of the business to my father, Eric Vickers, who was at the time a head teacher in a local primary school. Eric in turn passed on the business to my sister Helen and me when he retired about 15 years ago. Over the 3 generations of continuous family control the business has continually expanded to occupy the present 7¼ acres and has evolved from a market garden into a full garden centre with a choice of catering facilities. Nevertheless, throughout the generations we have not only had a passion for plants and nature, but also excellent and friendly customer service.
Having
been resident in Tarleton for nearly 60 years the Vickers family
are ardent supporters of the local community. Both Eric and
Margaret Vickers spent much of their working lives teaching
in local schools and long after their retirement still give
up their time to support the education of young people. Eric
also spent several years as chairman of the local Parish Council
and Margaret led the local Guide group. This community service
ethic has been carried forward into their business and been
taken up by the next generation. Over the past few years Dunscar
has made donations large and small and raised thousands of pounds
to support such causes as local schools, the Douglas Cardiac
Trust, the North West Air Ambulance, Childwatch, Friends of
All Saints Hesketh Bank, Macmillan Cancer Relief, the RNLI,
the NSPCC, Derian House and Claire House Children's Hospice.
SUPPORTING
THE LOCAL COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS
Our General Manager, Shaun Lewis, pictured here, supports
the Lancashire Ambulance Service as a volunteer Community
First Responder 5 days a week. In rural areas across Lancashire
and elsewhere across the country the Ambulance Service uses
First Responders to respond to incidents such as chest pain,
heart attacks, difficulty in breathing and loss of consciousness.
First Responders have been trained to administer advanced
life support skills within their local community until the
arrival of an ambulance. As well as Shaun giving up his own
time as a volunteer, Dunscar supports this worthy cause with
fundraising. The Tarleton, Hesketh Bank and Banks First Responder
Group receives no government funding and thus relies completely
on the charity of the Douglas Cardiac Trust and local fundraisers.
TIPS FOR
CHARITY
In both our catering
establishments we have a policy that service should be included
in the price and thus staff do not accept tips. Where customers
nevertheless insist on leaving something we ask them to make a
contribution to a charity box instead. This policy and the generosity
from our customers have succeeded in raising thousands of pounds
a year for worthy charities.
Testimonials
"Thank you very
much for the cheque, received this week, from Dunscar Floral
Design's Golden Jubilee project. This money is very much appreciated
and will be used as a contribution towards the seating and tree
provided by our Friends' Association, to commemorate the Queen's
Golden Jubilee, as part of the school's ongoing development
of the grounds. Thank you once again for supporting the school
in this way."
Headteacher, Rufford Church of England Primary
School
"On behalf of the Friends of All Saints,
Hesketh Bank, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks for
your kind donation towards our Annual BBQ and Family Fun Day
on 28 June 2003. The event was a huge success and we managed
to raise over "2,000, a record for the Friends of the School.
The money will of course directly benefit the pupils in the
school. Thank you once again for your generosity.Secretary, Hesketh with Becconsall All Saints
CE School
"Could I thank you most sincerely
for providing a raffle prize at the recent Central and West
Lancs. Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner. As I am sure you
are aware, the raffle raised a fantastic £2,300 for
the Rosemere Cancer Foundation, and I would like to take this
opportunity to thank you and your colleagues for supporting
your local cancer charity in this way."
Chief
Officer, Rosemere Cancer Foundation
