Heighley Gate staff celebrate 200 years of service

Nov 2 2009 by David Black, The Journal

LOYAL workers who have put down roots at a North East garden centre are still growing strong after clocking up almost 200 years of service between them.

The eight dedicated employees at the popular Heighley Gate nursery and garden centre in Northumberland are celebrating this month after they were among 140 long-serving staff members given awards by their company at a special ceremony in London.

Led by maintenance supervisor Ivan Rowley – who has been with the Morpeth-based business for 39 years – the eight workmates have amassed a total of 194 years service.

Joining Ivan on the Heighley Gate roll of honour are indoor living manager Gillian Stocks, operations manager Diane MacDonald, planteria assistant Stephen Hopkins, nursery manager David Tomlin, nursery supervisor Christine Forsyth and nursery assistants Alan Hetherington and Russell Wilcox.

After Ivan, the next longest-serving team member is Russell, with 25 years, followed by Gillian and Diane, who have each been with the business for 23 years.

Next up are Alan and Stephen, who have both notched up 22 years, followed by David and Christine, with 20 years service each. Garden centre manager Roger Wale said: “This is a marvellous achievement, and we’re very proud of Ivan and all the other team members who received an award.

“We are extremely grateful for their dedication and I would like to thank them for the years of service they have given. We look forward to many more years ahead.

“They are well known by our customers and are an integral part of our team. Visitors to the garden centre rely on their experience, knowledge, help and advice when they are making decisions on improving their homes and gardens.”

Father-of-three Ivan, 54, who lives in Longframlington, started working at the garden centre in 1970 when he was 15.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted with my award which is a great honour. I was especially pleased to be invited to Syon Park in London for the special garden party to be presented with it. The previous owners of Heighley Gate, David and Sheila Lishman, were there too, so it was wonderful to be honoured in front of them. I enjoy the variety of work at a garden centre, and no two days are ever the same. I have seen the business grow over the years and have been a part of every step of the development of Heighley Gate.”

Heighley Gate is owned by The Garden Centre Group, which gave awards to more than 130 other long-serving employees from across the country at the London ceremony.