Yorkshire invention wins gardening award

An invention that helps gardeners save water and time has won a national award.

SealStop, an automatic shut-off valve created by Pocklington farmers Jason and Belle Richardson, has been named the winner of the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund at Glee 2025, the UK’s leading garden retail show at Birmingham’s NEC. 

The clever device connects to a standard hosepipe and stops the flow when a container or trough is full, preventing overflows without the need for timers or electronics.

First launched in the equestrian market, SealStop is now proving popular with gardeners across the UK as hosepipe bans return following the driest year since 1976. 

Proudly made just 45 minutes from York, SealStop is the first in a planned range of products, with rainwater harvesting tools currently in development.

Belle, pictured below, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won the GIMA Innovators’ Seed Corn Fund.

“It’s a wonderful acknowledgement of why we created SealStop in the first place.

“We were tired of wasting water whenever life got in the way, so we developed a solution that gives people time back and encourages smarter water use, especially during dry spells when conservation is vital.

“This support from GIMA will make a real difference, helping us grow faster, reach more people, and share the benefits of SealStop with the gardening community.”

Presented during the opening day of Glee 2025 at Birmingham’s NEC, SealStop is the tenth recipient of the GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund award

The prize includes free exhibition space at Glee, up to £4000 in tailored support for design, development, consultancy, manufacturing or marketing, a half-page advert in the GIMA New Product Digest, a year’s GIMA membership, ACID membership and ongoing PR support.

Vicky Nuttall, director at GIMA, added: “It was a tough judging day as all the shortlisted entries had great merit and real commercial potential.

“It took us all day to decide on our eventual winner. SealStop stood out as a product that not only solves a problem that haunts gardeners and smallholders but also brings genuine environmental benefits.

“We are excited to support Belle and her team as they bring this innovation to a wider market.”

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