Matt Horan, Gardener for South Hams District Council
Where do you work?
Most days you can find me, bright and early, in the Royal Avenue Gardens. I also do some work at Manor Gardens, out at the castle and at the top of town.
What do you do in the Royal Avenue Gardens?
I make sure the area stays clean, tidy and pretty! This time of year there is a lot of leaf cleaning and cutting back shrubs ready for spring.
Is it easy to work in such a public place?
Yes and no! Summer can pose a bit of a problem when there are so many visitors, but you soon learn to work around them. I like to see it busy with people sat on the nicely mown grass and commenting on the displays, it feels like it’s all been worthwhile. No one has yet invited me to join their picnic though! The only thing that does get to me is when parents let their children run across the flowerbeds, that is disheartening.
Do you find people want to chat?
Yes, we have our ‘regulars’. It’s always nice to see them and say “hi”. Some want to have a full-blown chat, which can be hard when you have a busy day of jobs. Others just want to ask a question. I get asked ‘where is the nearest toilet’ a lot!
What’s new in the gardens?
We now have a Japanese Garden with a lovely wooden bridge. It’s on the river-side, under the trees. It took us 5 weeks to create and is proving quite popular.
What is your biggest achievement?
I think it has to be the 2013 floral ship. It is 2.4 metres long and made up of over two thousand plants. The frame was created elsewhere and we helped to plant it. I hadn’t ever done anything like that before and was very pleased with it. It still gets a lot of attention. It also won an award at the Tatton Park Flower Show.
What is the worst bit about your job?
The day after any of the town’s big events. There can be a lot of tidying up after the Music Festival and the Regatta.
How did you get into gardening?
When I was 16, I saw an advert in the paper for an apprenticeship. So I went to Bicton College and got my qualifications. I then got a job with a local landscaping company and developed my horticultural skills, it was then that a job came up at the council.
What would you be doing if you hadn’t taken the gardening path in life?
I would have liked to work on the steam railway, maybe an engine driver!
Do you have a hearty breakfast to set you up for the day?
Just Weetabix! I eat quite a bit during the day though, I bring my packed lunch and plenty of snacks which I either eat on one of the park benches or in the van if it’s raining.
Where do you live?
Paignton
What do you get up to at the weekend?
My two children love the steam train so we do that quite a bit. Or we will be out walking, or on our bikes.
What is your ideal holiday, no expense spared?
Probably a big American adventure.
First published By The Dart March 2016 issue
