Our History
The vision of Mires Beck Nursery became a reality in 1985 when Richard and Irene Tinklin founded the nursery with a pioneering dream: to preserve the UK’s native wildflowers while creating a therapeutic, rural environment where individuals with learning and emotional difficulties could develop new skills and flourish.
To secure the nursery’s long-term future, Mires Beck became a registered charity in 1994 (charity number 1038078). Today, we proudly continue to honour Richard and Irene’s original vision.
A Legacy of Support and Growth
For over three decades, Mires Beck has provided meaningful work experience and social therapeutic horticulture for adults with learning difficulties, neurodiversity, and physical disabilities.
Our 14-acre nursery and conservation site offers a peaceful, supportive setting where more than 90 trainees work in teams guided by dedicated staff and volunteers. Trainees build confidence, develop social skills, form lasting friendships, and play an essential role in the commercial success of Mires Beck.
A Commitment to Conservation
Environmental conservation has been central to our mission from the beginning. What started as a 10-acre field has grown into a thriving 14-acre site with remarkable ecological diversity.
Key achievements include:
Specialist library of over 150 wildflower varieties, distributed to conservation projects across the UK.
Central woodland featuring over 2,500 trees.
Natural, rainwater-fed pond.
Wildflower meadow.
Newly established willow maze and bird-feeding station.
These features reflect our deep commitment to conserving the environment while fostering personal growth for all involved.
Discover More
To learn more about our inspiring journey, pick up a copy of A Place to Grow by Alan Selby, chronicling Mires Beck’s remarkable history from its humble beginnings to the flourishing social enterprise it is today. Available at the nursery for just £10.
Our Timeline
1985
Richard and Irene Tinklin Buy 10 acres of land to create Mires Beck Nursery. After visiting the United States on a Churchill scholarship, the founders were able to learn about projects providing horticultural teaching to adults with learning disabilities. The nursery facility started with one barn as its only premises from which to operate the project. and one greenhouse as its starting point for production of wildflowers.
1994
The business was registered as a charity. 9 years later with the provision of 2 glasshouses and new portocabins to house the service users coming to the nursery, the trustees officially registered Mires Beck as a charity. Fundraising commenced for further greenhouses and poly-tunnels delivered over the coming years. In 2006 the Anniversary Garden was built which plays host to service users in need of one to one care.
2005
The charity was donated 4 acres of land by Humberside Aggregates. After 2 quarry works adjacent to the nursery were completed, Mires Beck was donated the land to turn into conservation projects for planting and creation of habitat for wildlife. Today we are working to expand the original plans to create further recreation and learning for our service users, staff and visitors.
2010
The Oasis Opened. After generous fundraising by many charitable bodies, the nursery built a new central hub with facilities for the developing client base, which has since seen numbers double. We are about to commence fundraising for the further much needed expansion of the Anniversary Garden to deliver the build of new a facility for up to 40 service users with both learning and physical difficulties.