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 2nd.

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.

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Here's what others have said...
Garden Writer,  22 Jul 2020:
...I met Laurence a few times and at one stage he met Alan for coffee once a week along with Alan's perennial 'fiddler' Percy Piper. I would love to have been fly on the wall. A great plantsman.
Paul Gooderham,  1 Mar 2020:
...I joined Blooms in 1973 during my summer holidays from school, working in the propagation department. It was Laurence that gave me that job and showed me where to go on my first day. I remember his friendly nature, he always had time to see how you were and how things were going, he had a great knowledge of plants, in particular Alpines, he was also very well known outside of Blooms by most garden centres and Nurseries across the UK. It was a privilege to have known him and worked with him at Blooms of Bressingham.
Andy Dinnage,  26 Feb 2020:
...I joined Blooms from leaving school and got to know Laurence having worked on the alpine dept. Laurence always had the time to stop and chat and share his huge knowledge of the plant world. I spent a memorable 6 years at the nursery and in that time met some great friends and my future wife Dawn who worked in propagation. It was a privilege to work with the Bloom family and Laurence in a world renouned company and our lives are richer for it. My sincere condolences go out to all his family and friends.

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