Reverend Simon Tarlton, the Curate at St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye, recently visited the Ross branch of the Mothers’ Union to tell them about Phocas, a horticultural project, based in Lea, that he hopes will have a positive impact to people’s lives.

Before training for the priesthood, Simon had worked in the City as a ship broker but was made redundant. He decided he really wanted to be a gardener and so took a degree in horticulture and became the Head Gardener at Weston Hall.

His main interest was in growing cut flowers. Pre the 1970s, the UK was 85%-90% self-sufficient in cut flowers but with the spike in the oil price many growers went out of business. However in the Netherlands the government stepped in and subsidised the fuel for their growers. British growers couldn’t compete and now we rely on imports mainly from Africa, but with today’s interest on the provenance of our goods there is a market for British flowers.

Simon wanted to share his passion for gardening which put him back on the ‘straight and narrow’ after a difficult time in his life, and so he decided to launch ‘Phocas’.

Phocas was a third century Christian who was murdered for his faith, he is remembered as the patron saint of gardeners and farmers.

Having found an allotment in Lea, and battling with bureaucracy, Simon has at last been able to work with people who have had difficulties in their lives, particularly those who have been left behind by society, by helping them to build skills through horticulture. There is a 12 month programme and now the scheme has been validated by Pershore College.

As well as growing flowers for local florists, farmers’ markets and the general public, Phocas will also provide a bespoke growing service for special events, especially weddings.

This business is not a charity but a social enterprise for sustainable futures. It is inspired by faith, God is in the work and each day begins and ends with prayer in Lea Church.

Simon’s talk was inspiring and there were many questions from the group. There is a clear link with his work and one of the objects of the Mothers’ Union which is ‘to help those whose lives have met with adversity.’