Major Cook's Climbing French Bean

Major Cook was a keen gardener and a student at Kew in 1939. His first job was to train people to grow their own food as part of the war effort. In 1940 he joined the army and served in the Middle East during World War Two.

After the war he began working for the Commonwealth War Graces Commission, based in Bayeaux/Arromanches. According to information sent to us by his family, Major Cook guided, advised and oversaw the building of all the Commonwealth War Graces Commission Cemetries in France.

Our research suggests that Major Cook’s beans may have been developed in Southampton in about 1900, by Major Cook’s grandfather, Alderman F. Vokes.

Mr Vokes was an experimental horticulturist and winner of over 1,000 cups/awards in horticulture. He was also Sheriff of Southampton and the remains a park named after him near the docks in Southampton.

This popular climbing French bean was accepted into the Heritage Seed Library collection in 2000. It was first shared with members a decade later in 2010 and has been a firm favourite ever since.

Major Cook’s bean produces pretty, purple-violet flowers followed by a huge drop of tender, stringless beans with an excellent flavour.

This bean is thought to have been developed by a noted dignitary, and former grocer, who during WW1 shared his knowledge of food production. He continued to share his enthusiasm for horticulture until his death aged 83 in 1927, as Chair of Southampton’s Public Land’s Committee from 1923 until his death) he initiated improvements to public parks, gardens and green spaces. Clearly this bean was important to him and his grandson, who inherited his love of horticulture and sharing the knowledge he had in times of need. It is a true family heirloom.

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