Over 40 years ago, Peter Hurrell and Mr Ian McLean formed Hurrell & McLean Seeds, trading from the "Nether Hall" Counrty House premises in Nafferton, Driffield.

Both gentlemen were very well respected seedsmen, having worked for a now defunct but very well respected national seeds company, "Gartons Seeds".

Unfortunately, not long into the partnership Ian McLean had a very serious accident returning from the Great Yorkshire Show, and died shortly after.  Peter Hurrell ran the business himself for a short period after which Mr Cliff Wittaker joined the company.

During the 60's and 70's, when new combinable crops such as oilseed rape became fashionable - Hurrell & McLean stuck to what they knew best - grass seeds ley mixtures for Wolds customers.

Their reputation for knowledge and quality was enviable!

Fifteen years ago Arthur Gladstone purchased the business in full, inheriting the name and goodwill developed by his predecessors.

Arthur had worked for many years for the North of England company "Farmway Ltd" in Darlington.  Arthur had been their overall Seeds Manager.

Wanting to specialise even further, and knowing Peter Hurrell through business dealings, he shook hands on the purchase of the business.

A few years later, Arthur was joined by his son, Nick.  As well as looking after many large estates, Nick began to expand the business into the Sports, Recreation and Amenities facet of seeds sales by selling to councils and sports stadia.

Being a very keen 4 handicap golfer, Nick realised golf courses were an obvious choice to supply and help develop the business.

3 years later Colin Johnson joined the company. Colin previously ran the national company "Advanta Seeds" - formerly 'Sharpes Seeds'. He has been renowned for his expertise on Root Seeds and his expertise in this field is formidable.

With Colin's international contacts we have secured UK rights on several new varieties.

Our sales force has been strengthened by Paul Elstob, the husband of Nick's sister, Joanna.  Paul looks after the North Yorkshire region and has developed healthy sales of Maize seeds.  Paul also oversees grass seed mixture production

4 years ago the company relocated from Nafferton to a 2 acre main road site at Cranswick. 2002 has seen the construction of our new 5,000 sq.ft. warehousing facility, due to be doubled in size by 2004.

2002 also saw John Bradwell join Hurrells, again of ex-Advanta stock. His wealth of experience has already found a new Quinoa, new Buckwheat and the new Kale seed coating process in Germany and Sweden, which will help protect UK gamekeepers shooting / wild bird cover from Flea Beetle in 2003!