Gardening because I love it
My Dad is a great gardener, and so was my Grandad. Some of my earliest memories are sitting in my Grandad's conservatory pricking out seedlings. Or roaming around the allotment site, poking around the manure pile while my Dad laboured on the vegetables. My daughter and granddaughter are continuing the family theme (see pictures below).
Our first garden in West London was just a patch of weeds and couch grass. I cleared it, seeded the lawn, planted a couple of trees, bought a chicken hutch and loved it. I got an allotment and learned from the Sikh gentleman who grew expertly next to me. And it went from there. Wherever we lived our (always small) garden and allotment was my passion.
For 35 years, gardening was my hobby whilst I worked running charities in deprived areas of London and Sheffield. Wherever I could I developed landscaping or gardening projects to encourage people to work in the outdoors and join in the wonder of growing.
In summer 2021 I passed my RHS exams and launched into self employed gardening, learning something new every day and loving the opportunity of working in varied gardens in the Peak District.
I'm also associate priest at St Anne's church in Baslow where I work for around two days/week tending a different sort of garden!
Spring allotment
Impressive sunflowers from my daughter
Got to teach 'em early
