Ian Thompson

I am an enthusiastic, practical self motivated person who consistently achieves the very highest standards in all aspects of work. I am hardworking, with an eye for attention to detail and pride myself on being loyal, honest & dependable. I have over forty years horticultural experience.This includes the gardening side of the industry,working in private gardens.I worked in the grounds department of Holywell Hall near Stamford.My career history demonstrates loyalty & commitment.I have a genuine interest in being involved in this important & responsible duties within the grounds/maintenance business & an ability to get on with most people.

Grounds Gardener - Holywell Hall Estate - Holywell, Stamford

(2014-11 - 2014-11)

Until present I have been made redundant as the property has been sold

Head Gardener - Holywell Hall Estate - Stamford

(1996-01 - 2008-01)

I worked briefly for Mr & Mrs Cora at their property in Wakerly maintaining mixed borders & roses gardens before they moved from the area.

• Over seeing the restorations/development & maintenance of the estate grounds & gardens over the last twenty five years
• Leading and working alongside a team of four gardeners
• Created wrought iron garden borders & maintained various borders throughout the gardens including an old English rose garden
• Also began a propagation Glasshouse grower.I've introduced many varieties of unusual snowdrops
• Designed & built an authentic Japanese garden
• Designed a lake & Winter/Summer island
• Remodelled a side Winter/Spring island
• Re-landscaped and cleaned quarry into a woodland walk & garden & part of the lower lake into a beach themed garden with Spring flowered walk
• Planning of various containers,urns,troughs etc.with Summer & Winter bedding displays
• Pruning & general maintenance of hedging,topiary,mowers,strimmers,hedge cutters,blowers etc & also carried out weeding where required
• Cutting grass to a very high standard using all types of mowers including pedestrian ride

Self-employed - Stamford Garden Centre - Stamford

(1999-01 - 1999-12)

After being asked by the owner I returned to The Stamford Garden Centre,where my roles included crop appreciation & nursery production,plant area management,maintaining plant display,ordering & buying & dealing with the public.

Gardener - Horpers Landscapes - Peterborough

(1986-01 - 1987-01)

On leaving college I worked for Horpers Landscapes in Peterborough.

Plantsman/Gardener - The Stamford Garden - Stamford

(1984-01 - 1985-01)

On leaving school I started work at The Stamford Garden, Centre.A small independently owned garden centre that sold much of its own stock & became a firm favourite with customers & local gardening public,providing quality plants & advice.This gave me a first hand knowledge of propagation & plant identification.While there I also attended a horticultural day release course at Granthorpe Agricultural/Horticultural College,achieving a City & Guilds Private I written & practical

Gardener - Mr & Mrs Hadden - Henton House Ketton

(2009-01 - 2014-01)

I worked for Mr & Mrs Hadden first at their previous property Henton House Ketton then at The Old Vicarage Ketton. The gardens consisted of traditional cottage garden borders rose garden,clematis borders shrub & herbaceous & Mrs Hadden really spent four years of out the country & during this time I was in sole charge of the gardens & grounds at both Henton House & later The Old Vicarage.

Gardener - Mr & Mrs Bell - Easton on the Hill

(2007-01 - 2014-01)

Mr & Mrs Bell employed me both at their former property The Old Vicarage Ketton where we eventually covered for The Pink Willow Book & later at their new property at Easton on the Hill,where we created a completely new garden including a parkland mixed borders & various features,This took two years for them & a team including M & Mrs Lawrencewhere worked two days per week since passing technical & gardening expertise & family one day per week at Easton on the Hill & Mrs Bell eventually left the area to be nearer family

Gardener - Mr & Mrs Hartleys - Hambleton Hall

(2004-01 - 2014-01)

I was employed by Mr & Mrs Hartleys of Hambleton Hall,at their private Market Overton residence,maintaining & adding to their large country garden with areas on different levels including a white garden, mixed borders,pool garden & kitchen garden,plus maintaining topiary work,which included various conifer visits including for the Yellow Book.I worked there 2 days per week on the technical gardening/plants main alongside their full time gardener/handyman.Here as at all of the other gardens I've maintained most of the machinery when needed

Secondary Education - General Education - Exeter C of E School, Stamford (1979-01 - 1984-01)

NCH - Amenity Horticulture - Pershore College of Horticulture (1985-01 - 1986-01)

City & Guilds Private I - Horticulture - Granthorpe Agricultural/Horticultural College