Duo rewarded for total of 80 years of service

Two members of the team from Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford have been rewarded this month after notching up 80 years of service between them at the UK’s leading commercial grower (June 2024).

Tractor Driver, Russell Crump, who joined aged 16, has marked 50 years of service with the company this year, while Crop Protection Supervisor, Paul Luntley has celebrated 30 years.

Wyevale Nurseries’ Chairman, Heather Williamson, whose grandfather started the company 94 years ago, explains: “Russell was given a Gold Medal for 50 years and Paul a Bronze Medal for 30 years’ service. These awards were presented at the Three Counties Show in Malvern on June 14 by the Three Counties Agricultural Society, to recognise the loyalty and longevity this duo have demonstrated.

“I’m so delighted for them. I’d like to congratulate Russell and Paul on their momentous milestones but also to thank them for their steadfast support, hard work and dedication to us, their work mates and our customers across all those years.

“They are motivated, reliable, committed individuals who are a real asset to our team. We’re delighted to have celebrated their achievements with them in such a lovely way.

“Russell started with us as an enthusiastic teenager and almost immediately became a tractor driver, involved in the lifting of the rose crop field at our King’s Acre site, although we don’t grow roses any longer.

“His tractor driving skills have developed down the years working across different departments. He developed his skills as an all-round tractor driver and for many years has been responsible for all cultivation, hedge cutting and maintenance across the farmland within our Tree Division.

“During his initial period in the Tree Division based at Stretton Court Farm, Russell was an assistant to the farm manager growing and harvesting arable crops. As our Tree Division expanded, occupying a significantly increased acreage across the farm, Russell’s knowledge of the land and his skills as an operator became invaluable.

“He was also prepared to invest personally in a tractor fleet of his own, which he rented to the business enabling us to expand and develop further.

“He currently has four tractors on permanent hire and is still one of the most capable operators. These days most of his winters are occupied operating a tractor mounted crane, picking up and loading root-balled trees for orders that are then delivered nationwide.

“Russell has always been an exemplary employee, totally reliable and fully committed to the success of our tree business, for which we will always be extremely grateful.”