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An English Rose

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.

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