At garden king we know how important the staff are in making your trip a fun and productive one, so I have selected a fine group of people who have the knowledge and personality to brighten your garden. Just be careful you don't get lorraine talking too much as she will have your Facebook details quicker than you can say superpokin!

Me, Darren - Aka Garden Centre Manager

I'm not always dressed as Superman as my picture may suggest, only when this rabble I have working for me steps out of line and I need a little extra power to sort them out. When not in my outfit I'm nomally in the office Snoozing, I mean 'doing some paperwork' or if the suns shining I'll probably be outside trying to top my tan up, for a man who can fly up in the Stratosphere I never seem to go brown. I love American Chocolate, I'm after a mini Hershey store here at Garden King, if there is any chocolate you want but cannot find, let me know and I will try to get it imported for you. I also love my Penguins so if you come in around Christmas time you will think you have stumbled across Happy Feet Studios.

Now a bit more about my staff........

Mandy - Plant Area Supervisor

Mandy is my number two, if I'm busy sunning myself up when you come in, Mandy will always be there to help you out. She is often found in the Potting Shed, we try not to let her out too much, if she's not in there you will probably find her with one of her Fairies or Goblins (not the weekend staff) the stone ones that we seem to have everywhere. She loves them and I just let her order them to keep her quiet. She is also a big fan of My Chemical Romance (who? I hear you saying) well I don’t know either, just nod along when she starts rambling on about them. Well now all the bad points over with Mandy does have a great knowledge about plants and has her own allotment, so if you want to know anything about growing something, just ask her.

Chris - Furniture, Gift and Christmas Sales Expert

Chris runs Garden kings, Furniture, homeware and Christmas departments, she a very busy lady but gets to jet off all over Europe sourcing the most fantastic Christmas baubles, last year she was put up in a castle on a lake, she tells me it was hard work, but I don’t believe it. Chris has just had a makeover, well her gift and furniture section have, so make sure you come and see her and tell her you like her new fittings.

Sadie - Head Till Chick

You will most likely find Sadie on the till when you come in, ready to greet you with a smiley face, with a love of Westlife, boyzone, take that, well any men really, she will pass on her smile to you. Sadie has just learned how to use Ebay so don’t stand around the tills for too long or she will be listing you! Half her house, her husband and kids have already been sold off!

Lorraine (you'll find me on Facebook) Worthington

Lorraine will often be found talking & chatting away to Sadie on the till, until I come up and they pretend to be busy! She is currently trying to get all your email addresses so I can mail you directly with my offers but don’t be surprised if she searches you out on facebook and starts poking you.

Sarah (in charge of Cards) Beecham

If you don’t happen to see Sarah on the till when you come in, she will probably be found looking after her cards in the gift section. Whatever you do, do not go near the ‘make your own cards’ section that we have because she will drag you in and force decoupage on you! If like me card making seems a little like to much hard work, then we have a great range of ready made ones, just buy one of those but don’t tell Sarah I told you so.

Stuart (eye candy for the ladies)

After being told by Sadie we never had enough male talent working for us, I scoured the streets looking for a new man, I found Stuart, she said he’s no Brad Pitt but you wouldn’t kick him out of bed. I you want to take a look for yourself, he will normally be building something or lifting something into someone’s car, Lorraine Buys a bag of gravel everyday just so he can help her carry it.

Wayne - Compost Boy

Wayne looks after all the dirty stuff at garden king, he loves his compost so much I think he bathes in it on his days off. Ask him anything about dirt and he will be able to tell you. This year he has found a great organic compost for all the environmentally friendly gardeners. One last thing don’t mention Wayne’s old Volkswagen because when he gets started you will never shut him up. (Plus the thing never starts and is falling to bits!) Don’t tell him I said that though!

Alan and Terry - Delivery Drivers

Alan and his mate Terry are the friendly face of the Garden King delivery service, they love tea and cake so make sure you have a pot ready for when they get there. No delivery is too big or small (although Terry will probably moan about it anyway). When not delivering they like to make fantastic structures like the castle we had last Christmas, this year they're planning a gingerbread house, just think of all the tea they will need for a pastry that big!

Here's the van that Alan and Terry will turn up in with your delivery?

Cyril - Chief Sweeper Upper

Cyril has been at the garden centre since time began, he’s now 86 and still going strong. Cyril loves to sweep up, make cakes and tell dirty jokes, not always in that order! A word of warning don’t ask him about his skybox, that’s all I'm saying!

Jackie

Jackie runs our coach trips. After having to listen to Jackie moan about her books not balancing I came up with a cunning plan to get her out my office, so I can go back to sleep. Give her a coach and tell her to go on holiday. All she has to do is pick a great place to go and fill the bus up with people. She’s getting a little too good at it though, because I now have to pay her to go on her holidays 12 times a year! Make sure you click on our coach list page to view her up coming trips.

Scott, Ashley, Neil and Jodie - The Weekend Terrors!

All these ‘students’ I do use the term lightly come to 'work' at Garden King over the weekend to fund their sitting around all day lifestyles. Scott is often in no fit state to work and has to be sent home, Ashley is new so I have not found out about him yet, Neil needs the money for his protein shakes – he’s trying to build himself up at the minute, imagine an 18 year old Mr Muscle and you won't go far wrong and Jodie, she's new too, but needs the money for band camp! I do hope we haven’t got an American Pie girl here!!

Well you have now read all about the rabble, I hope I haven’t scared you off too much!! They are a great bunch really, see you soon Darren