Happy retirement to Jackie
Friday May 29th really did mark the end of an era at Churchtown Farm, after 33 years Jackie Perkins retired. She was there at the start. One of the first people employed as the idea of postal flowers took off and more hands were needed, not only to pack flowers but to take phone calls and process orders. In those days the whole operation was carried out in a leaky old glasshouse with the computers and phones in a wooden shed to give them a bit of protection from the elements.
Jackie was joined at the farm by her brother Will who for many years was our shed manager. As the business grew Jackie became office manager and then admin manager, a job that required a bit more space for filing and paper before things were quite so digital so Jackie moved up into the eaves of the shed with her very own staircase and balcony!
Jackie has been trying to escape from us for a while. She tried reducing her hours and warned us that one day she would retire. For quite a long time, we've successfully stalled the inevitable but after enjoying a lovely long cruise in February, it was clear Jackie had really made her mind up to give up being our chief paperwork wrangler and spend more time looking after her garden. So balloons were festooned, prosecco was popped, gifts were given and Ben escorted Jackie home (it's only around the corner).
To Jackie - a massive thank you, you've been a key part of Churchtown Farm's success, it's genuinely going to be a different place without you.
THE MANY DECADES
of Jackie
1990's
In it from the start
When Jackie started working at Churchtown, only a year after we started sending flowers by post, the office was a shed inside a leaky old glasshouse.
2000's
Bigger team
As the team increased Jackie took on the role of office manager, working closely with Hilary and then Zoe Julian to make sure all your flower orders were processed efficiently.
2010's
Admin manager
Yet another offices move for Jackie, this time up in eves of shed. Really toasty in the summer and freezing in the winter but you do get your own coffee machine and radio.
2020's
Extra garden time
Jackie reduced her hours but after 33 years of Churchtown Farm she has now officially left the building (unofficial she was back 2 hrs later because she forgot something!).