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There is a lesson for fainthearted gardeners in a large, well-cultivated vegetable garden on the junction of Portland Road and Kings Road, Rushden.
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Mr. Henry Chester
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An area of the garden, about 360 square yards, is cared for by 64-year-old Mr. Henry Chester, 4 Windsor Road, Rushden. That's not very extraordinary until you realise Mr. Chester has been confined to crutches for the past seven years.
In July 1957, he was operated on for a diseased hip. After his operation he walked with the help of a stick but was later forced to use crutches.
Free Of Charge
Nearly every day this summer Mr. Chester has been at work on the plot of land, which belongs to a Northampton brewery. He is lent it, free of charge, by Mr. W. E. Powell, proprietor of the nearby off-licence, and before planting vegetables in the spring he dug the garden three or four times.
Mr. Chester points out that because of his ailment he is unable to bend. ''It's my arms and inside that do the work," he said.
He cultivates about eight varieties of vegetable and either sells them or takes them to his home where he lives with his son and daughter-in-law.
Born at Burton Latimer, Mr. Chester started work as a farm labourer when he was 14. He retired ten years ago and moved to Rushden eight years later.
He hopes to continue cultivating the garden next year, but, as was the case this year, he will also have to look after the garden at 4 Windsor Road.
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