Alex Dickson of Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, will next month celebrate an incredible 49 years’ service at Dobbies.
Starting on 5 July 1976, Alex’s first job at the Edinburgh store was sweeping the floor and he’s since worked across several departments becoming one of the store’s most beloved and enduring figures. From building greenhouses, driving forklifts and tractors, working as a horti sales assistant, handyman and even a stint working for the company in Surrey, he’s been one of the garden centre’s longest serving colleagues.
Born in Newtongrange, the 65-year-old has four children ranging from 40 to 10 years old. A keen gardener himself, Alex’s gardening knowledge is just one of the reasons colleagues and customers love Alex so much. Learning on the job, Alex grew his own bedding plants at home, is an expert at growing roses and dahlias and every type of vegetable, and at one point had 152 varieties of potatoes in his garden.
One of Alex most important roles in his almost 50 years’ service at Dobbies has been building Santa’s Grotto. He’s been involved in creating 46 Santa’s Grottos and has even been Santa on occasion.
Alex said: “There is never a dull day working at Dobbies. I love being surrounded by plants every day, it brings me so much joy and is definitely one of the reasons I’ve stayed so long. I have seen many spring and summer seasons with Dobbies and this year has been one of my favourites yet, the sunshine brings out the best in not only the plants but also the customers.”
Alex is a very familiar face around the store and has a number of loyal customers who ask for his advice every time they visit.
John Gillespie, who has known Alex since he taught at the school Alex attended said, “Alex is an asset to the store. It’s such an achievement to be there for so long, he and Dobbies are obviously a match made in heaven.”
This year, Dobbies’ is celebrating 160 years of helping British gardeners to grow. Dobbies was founded as a local seed merchant in 1865 and now has stores in every nation across the UK.
