15/01/2026
The history of the Glasshouse Studios our home in Fordingbridge. By Mike Jackson
Avonvale Nurseries in Fryern Court Road, on the outskirts of Fordingbridge started life in the 1930s as a small market garden under the ownership of Edgar Bailey. In the 1970s it was transferred to his son Timothy, who had come back from University. Tim
switched to just growing tomatoes hydroponically, growing plants in water, without soil.
In the early 1970s Tim met Mike Jackson, who had also moved to Fordingbridge. They had both married teachers and played cricket for Fordingbridge. Mike had grown up in Gillingham and was an active sportsman. He had played football at a semi-professional level but his early experience with Young Enterprise, he was a founding member of the organisation, made him realise that his entrepreneurial skills were much better than his football skills.
Mike ran a number of companies before realizing that there was a gap in the market for early retired people who did not want to just sit at home, and who had a lot of practical skills which could be used for the benefit of the community. Whereas Young
Enterprise was about giving young people business experience, this was at the other end of the job market. Hence Old Enterprise was formed.
By now Tim’s business was not proving profitable and the nursery closed down. Mike bought the site from Tim and turned it into a business park, with 32 office units which now employs over 150 people, and is known as Glasshouse Studios.
It is the centre for Glasshouse Studios Training.
