I have been interested in gardening from a very early age, and would help my family and friends with garden work whilst I was still at school. My career in horticulture began when I left school at 16 years of age, completing labouring jobs doing potting, feeding and bedding tasks. I joined Newcastle City Council 18 months later and began to learn other relevant areas of work. At the same time I began a course at Kirkley Hall College related to production horticulture techniques.

I have progressed well and have learnt a great deal whilst I have been at Newcastle City Council, in fact there are always new things to learn and skills to keep up-to-date. I have also completed a NEBS Management Certificate and I am a qualified Assessor.

My day normally starts at around 6.40am at the nursery. I supervise a team of 8 people to organise the propagation and production of 1.2 million plants (shrubs and bedding plants) used in the parks and grounds within the responsibility of Newcastle City Council. As a qualified assessor, I am now able to assess trainees as part of their National Vocational Qualifications at the City Council.

Horticulture is an enjoyable and interesting area of work and I would certainly recommend it. Watching the plants grow and getting them all planted throughout the City is very gratifying.