Two local growers are celebrating the first birthday of their pick you own flower farm this week.

Abbey Farm Flowers was set up by Amy Ralph and Emma Hughes in April 2021 on a totally empty site in the middle of Abbotsbury, near the old Children's farm site. Despite not starting until the spring, they had a very busy summer of pick your own flower visitors, wedding flowers, workshops, open days and even a hen party. They started supplying bouquets to Ducks Farm Shop and Rise Bakery, as well as supplying local florists.

Amy said: "It has been a brilliant first year – beyond our expectations. We knew pick your own would be fun, but we hadn't realised how much the public would love it. We get whole families coming down, often several times during the summer, and they love the total time-out of slowly filling a vase in the sunshine, surrounded by the ruins and the duck pond."

They have several events planned this year, including an Easter egg hunt, an open garden event with neighbouring gardens, Flowers From The Farm's Big Weekend and a photographic competition. They have started selling locally grown bunches in Groves Nurseries, and have plans for more flowers, especially dahlias, which were a pick your own favourite last season. They also hope to work with Dorset Wildlife Trust to manage their wildflower meadow this season.

Emma said: "We've had such a warm welcome from the village, it's been lovely. Lots of neighbours have become friends, and Abbotsbury is a lively village with lots of garden and artisan businesses, so we've slotted in well."

With the growing awareness of the environmental impact of cut flowers, British flowers continue to go from strength to strength, and Abbey Farm Flowers is looking forward to introducing more people to the variety, freshness and character of British flowers.

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