School project blooms into 40 year career growing roses in Pulham St Mary
When, aged 15, Chris Turner was given a school project to find a job, he decided to try his hand at growing roses.
He was given a trial before starting as an apprentice at Whartons Roses in Pulham St Mary.
This month, Chris, 55, from Harleston, celebrates 40 years of growing roses at the nursery, where he now works as a craft certificated grower, tractor and machinery operative.
He was given a computer tablet by the company as a thank you.
“It’s not often these days that people stay at one place of work for more than 25 years,” said managing director Robert Wharton.
“At Wharton’s Roses, there are 11 staff who have achieved this and two with more than 40 years, including Chris.”
Acting as a wholesaler, Wharton’s Roses produces more than 1.5 million plants each year for garden centres and other retail outlets, some 30 per cent of the total UK annual production.
The company has been growing rose plants in the area for more than 70 years.
“I just love the area, the varied work, the changing seasonal nature and demands of the rose crop,” said Mr Turner.