Garden and Green

Some people dream of early retirement,

an idea that would probably have been

a nightmare for Phyllis Self. In fact, the

very notion of 'retirement' has passed

this English Rose by as she is still

remarkably working full time as

'Matriach' of the family garden centre at

100 years young!

Mrs Self recently received her telegram

from the Queen, congratulating her on

reaching her century year and had a big

party to celebrate as well as a family

meal.

Working alongside her son and

grandsons, Mrs Self, a company director

deals with all correspondence, payroll,

and personnel matters at the Whitehall Garden Centre, in Wiltshire, with another branch in Bristol. She still drives the short distance to work in her Red Mini for 9am and can often do a 48 hr week!

Born in 1907, seven years before the horrors of the WW1 trenches, a time when Shire Horses ploughed the fields, and motorways a concept unknown, Mrs Self originally from Lancashire met her Husband in the 1930s in Wiltshire and settled down as a farmers wife on the family farm, at Lacock. The Selfs started a garden centre on an unused field and Mrs Self started working for the company when she was 64, when most women have already been retired for 4 years. The business grew and is now a thriving enterprise employing nearly 200 people.

Mrs Self has no plans on retiring to spend time gardening, and why would she want to, when she is already surrounded by family, friends and has her own centre full of flowers and plants to enjoy. Happy 100th!

Q & As

G&G - What is your typical day at the office?

Mrs Self - Dealing with incoming post, interviewing prospective employees and circulating at the Garden Centre

G&G - What is your favourite plant?

Mrs Self - The Rose

 

G&G - What is your top garden tip?

Mrs Self - To keep the garden simple

 

G&G - What is your tip to reach 100?

Mrs Self - Keeping busy and meeting people

 

G&G - What is your favourite gardening task?

Mrs Self - Tidying the borders

 

G&G - When you look around our countries streets and countryside today, what is the biggest change you see since you were a youngster?

Mrs Self - Many more built up areas.

whitehallgardencentre.co.uk