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My name is Paul Fletcher, and I am the Head Gardener at Richmond Villages Letcombe Regis.

I first starting gardening after working 25 years in factories and wanted a career change that would get me outside, and gardening seemed the way forward.

My sister worked at Richmond villages Letcombe Regis and suggested I called them as there was a gardening assistants job going. After nearly 7 years and gaining my RHS qualification’s I have never looked back. I think what got me hooked was the different emotions that gardening brings, be it a smell that reminds you of a special event or a flower that was a loved one’s favourite. The other gardeners Bev, Lucy and Louise all feel the same - that the gardens are a very personal thing to us and the residents so tending the beds feels like a hobby not a chore.

At our village we have over 100 small beds around the apartments that we tend to and larger beds at the main building, bowling green and tearoom that are a mix of formal and cottage gardening.

We also have 2 wildflower meadows that are full of natural colour, plants and wildlife, a lake and pond full of fish that is very popular just to sit around.

The beds are a mix of herbaceous and perennials to provide colour throughout the year and we have just started a new planting regime of adding more colour to all the beds by adding annuals and bulbs. We have grown Lupins and Salvias from cutting and seeds as they are a great way to brighten an area up for just the cost of some compost and a little time.

Every summer we take part in the open garden event along with the rest of Letcombe village and the grounds are open to the public. It’s great to see like minded people enjoying each other’s gardens and talk tips and ideas. When talking to residents and visitors everyone says the same thing, that gardening is a great way to stay fit as there is always something to be doing around the gardens no matter what your fitness level, and a great excuse to meet new people.

Some of the residents have a raised bed that they grow vegetables in, and others like to tend their own front or back garden. To be honest, I have learnt as much about gardening working with them as I have from official training. Every day is a school day in the garden, every season brings change to the plants, be it in colour, scent or shape, so no bed stays the same for too long and each season brings its own challenges.

To me that’s the best thing about my job, you don’t have time to get bored, but you always have time to enjoy the result.