Time out for top topiary man (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)
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Time out for Cotswold Estates and Gardens Ltd's top topiary man
1:00pm Tuesday 18th September 2012 in News By Laura Shack
Cotswold Estates and Gardens Ltd's longest serving employee Keith Stevens enjoys his retirement with a bit more gardening at his Stratton home
A SEASONED gardener whose talent for topiary has graced hundreds of Cotswold homes has retired after 47 years of service.
Keith Stevens, from Stratton, joined Cirencester-based Cotswold Estates and Gardens Ltd when the company was first established by Joe Watson in 1965.
From when he started as an enthusiastic 18-year-old, Keith quickly accumulated a wealth of gardening knowledge and soon became well known by customers for his specialist skills in topiary.
Along with creating many impressive private gardens across the Cotswolds, Keith and his team’s ‘Garden of Celebration’ won an RHS Silver Medal at the Malvern Spring Gardening Show in 2006.
Cotswold Estates and Gardens Ltd, which is now owned by Joe Watson junior, recently paid tribute to Keith as their longest serving employee by presenting him with a photo book featuring many of the gardens he worked on over the years.
Further retirement gifts included a pair of inscribed Whichford Pottery planters, planted with topiary box spirals, and a Leatherman multi tool knife.
Joe Watson said Keith's expertise and professionalism would be greatly missed.
"The quality and expertise of Keith's work over the years provided the foundation for the good reputation the company enjoys today," Mr Watson said.
