Adrian Bloom pays tribute to Laurence Flatman

Laurence Flatman died in January, aged 88.  He spent his working life at Blooms Nurseries in Bressingham.  A thanksgiving service will be held on March 2^nd.

Adrian Bloom writes, “You could not ask for more than the lifetime of valuable service and contribution that Laurence made to the nursery business of Blooms.

“He joined Alan Bloom in the early days at Bressingham from 1947 (I think), eventually becoming foreman of the Alpine department, which along with perennials was the backbone of Blooms wholesale nursery business.

“As the company grew, Laurence took on transport and packing, also being involved with the development of the retail mail order under the Bressingham Gardens name.

“Laurence also participated in more of a sales role at the Chelsea Flower Show from 1970, and later on the wholesale front when the Anglia Group of Nurseries was formed and garden centre sales became the growth area under the Blooms of Bressingham brand from 1984 onwards.

“Many in the trade will remember Laurence’s friendly personality and commitment to the quality and service initially incorporated by Alan Bloom when Laurence first joined the company.”

A service of thanksgiving will be held in St Mary’s Church, Diss, on March 2at 2.30pm.

Pictured from Left to right

Adrian Bloom, Mary Fox (company secretary), Laurence Flatman, Alan Bloom, Maurice Prichard – holding pipe (manager of perennial dept), Flora Bloom, Robert Bloom.

The picture was taken in front of Bressingham Hall in 1976, just after Laurence and Maurice had been made directors of Blooms Nurseries Ltd.

Robert and Adrian were joint Managing Directors, Alan Bloom was Chairman.