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Post by andy on Jul 11, 2014 18:33:43 GMT
Story....been at the rockery for 14 years. First 10 years I had a manager who, despite being a brilliant plantsman and horticulturalist, was absolutely useless as a manager. I never got any plants I wanted, never had and new tools or machinery needed for the job and the waterfall was broken and pond badly leaking. One of my senior managers even asked if I was depressed.
Truth is, I probably was. I had a job that most people would give their right arm for and I hated it with a passion.
So 4 years ago, I was told, out of the blue, that I would have a new manager.....a career long friend and colleague whom I had the utmost respect for and who had a reputation for getting things done.
Well...what a roller coaster it's been. We've ripped out old shrubberies and replaced them with vibrant herbaceous perennials, areas of paths have been repaired, we had the waterfall up and running again, the pond has been repaired and we have a vibrant, happy group of volunteers, community payback and college staff working for me.
So imagine my horror to come in last week only for my current manager to announce that he's retiring in 18 months when he's 60. The thought of going back to my old manager...which is what will happen, is filling me with dread already.
So, ive started looking elsewhere. My first search revealed this www.crawley.gov.uk/pw/Jobs_and_Careers/Job_Vacancies/PUB222906 so ive gone for it. I might not get an interview but if I do, I might not even go for the job.
All I know is that if the manager from hell takes over again, the rockery will go down the pan faster than you can say Preston Rock garden. |
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Post by Barbara on Jul 11, 2014 18:37:06 GMT
Can't you apply for the managers job where you are Andy, maybe your friend could put a good word in for you, fingers crossed either way.
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Post by Tig on Jul 11, 2014 19:20:24 GMT
That looks like an interesting opportunity andy  I think you would be the perfect appointment as you have all the skills required and can demonstrate your enthusiasm for restoration projects and working with volunteers, etc to achieve the desired outcomes for the park whilst providing plenty of opportunities for the volunteers to expand their knowledge and get hands on experience. How would you feel leaving Preston Rock Gardens to the fate of another head gardener though after putting in so much effort? |
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Post by andy on Jul 11, 2014 19:33:47 GMT
Can't you apply for the managers job where you are Andy, maybe your friend could put a good word in for you, fingers crossed either way. Wouldn't want it, Barbara. It's office based and I much rather prefer to be on the tools.
Not sure, Tig. I've invested a lot of time....a fair bit of it in my own time, and the garden looks fab. I can just see me hitting rock bottom again |
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Post by Tig on Jul 12, 2014 0:32:03 GMT
Don't be daft! A new challenge should make you feel inspired and refreshed. We can all just plod along with the same old, same old, or we can grasp the nettle and show our mettle! Strength of character and all that. Shift your butt and motivate yourself for a change and the chance of a new chapter in your life .... or accept that the future holds the frustration of trying to make the old manager work differently, who knows he might be inspired by what has gone on in his absence!
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Post by Jilly on Jul 12, 2014 10:31:33 GMT
Well at least you've got 18 months to sort something out andy, it was good of your current manager to give you a heads up, can you be absolutely sure that you'll get stuck with the old manager again though, I know that Preston Rock Gardens has got some really good publicity recently with all the stuff you've been doing, I know B&H council aren't exactly well run but surely they wouldn't want to go back to the way things were. The Crawley job sounds right up your street though & you've certainly got enough evidence of your qualifications. It probably wouldn't make any difference if you were an employee but we work as sub contractors to both councils & I know which one I'd rather be working for & it's not that long a commute to Crawley  |
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Post by Geranium on Jul 13, 2014 5:07:00 GMT
That job sounds ideal, andy, and I wish you lots of luck! |
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Post by Auricula on Jul 13, 2014 11:36:22 GMT
Good luck Andy, |
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Post by andy on Jul 13, 2014 15:31:02 GMT
Don't be daft! A new challenge should make you feel inspired and refreshed. We can all just plod along with the same old, same old, or we can grasp the nettle and show our mettle! Strength of character and all that. Shift your butt and motivate yourself for a change and the chance of a new chapter in your life .... or accept that the future holds the frustration of trying to make the old manager work differently, who knows he might be inspired by what has gone on in his absence! You're quite right, Tig and i appreciate all your comments. My current manager has suggested i do the same thing...he has given me the Intropeneurs 10 commandments and there's several on there that ring very true 1. Come to work each day willing to be fired. 2. Circumvent any orders aimed at stopping your dream. 3. Do any job needed to make your project work, regardless of your job description. 4. Find people to help you. 5. Follow your intuition about the people you choose, and work only with the best. 6. Work underground as long as you can – publicity triggers the corporate immune system. 7. Never bet on a race unless you are running in it. 8. Remember it is easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission. 9. Be true to your goals, but be realistic about the ways to achieve them. 10. Honour your sponsors. The thought of having this new manager back is absolutely terrifying me. I do a lot of work outside of work hours including replying to work related emails (even though it's my own private email and computer), answering phone calls, sometimes quite late at night....again on my personal mobile which i pay for, creating orders and plant lists for work on the computer which are emailed to work for ordering, popping in at weekends in my own time to top up the pond or do some watering and lots more. The new manager will want this stopped as i often take a few hours off here and there to compensate and he doesn't like it as it's slightly outside the norm. I might go for the interview if i get one, it'll be good experience. my only concern is that im not getting any younger....im 47 at the moment (48 next month) and will be nearly 50 when the boss goes. Chances are i'll be past 50 when i can see what the manager will be like towards me and that's not great for starting a new job. |
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Post by Rosefriend on Jul 13, 2014 17:00:19 GMT
I have been thinking about your post ever since you started the thread and I agree with all the opinions really but one thing that is sticking out like a sore thumb for me is the fact that you are going to make yourself ill if you carry on like this.
I have enjoyed looking through all the pics from the Preston Rock Garden and I love hearing what you have done, thanks so much for always taking the time to share with us...
However Andy, now is the time to think about yourself, your health, your future and above all how you want to spend the rest of your life...
You are getting yourself worked up about this man coming back 18 months before it is going to happen...who knows he could possibly have done a 180deg turnaround but even so you will always be and feel uneasy, wondering what is going to happen next...
Andy, look at Preston Rock Garden with pride as a wonderful stage in your life, certainly the last few years where you could really be the exceptional gardener that you are, go back occasionally and tut tut or smile at the things that have happened....but now is the time for you to go forwards...
You have so many ideas and life is really too short to mourn for the past - get out there, pull your shoulders back and show the world that you can, once again, have some wonderful ideas and make a garden that people just love to see...you can you know...!!
You can also stay and get a stomach ulcer, depression, a heart attack or the galloping whatsists...nay Andy - it is your choice, and as long as you have a choice then the world is good, but make the right choice Andy - get out there and make your mark....
RF
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Post by Jasmine on Jul 13, 2014 19:18:51 GMT
Well Rosefriend said it all. Very good luck andy. A new job/direction is a really good idea. You can plod on and plod on but we've all got to work so bl&@dy long now we've got to be doing something we really, really love - it's part of who we are and generally something we are very, very good at so go out there and tell any prospective employee that! Go for it - you've turned Preston Garden round with your drive. You can do that anywhere you choose to go! |
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Post by Geranium on Jul 14, 2014 4:55:40 GMT
When you get called for your interview, andy take along some photos of the rock garden and any other projects you've been involved in - they say it all about your success and expertise and your prospective employers can't help but be impressed! |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 14, 2014 11:30:55 GMT
andy I've been reading your thread and the replies and everything has already been said. Regardless of how old you are, it's important to be doing something that gives you some kind of job satisfaction. You've made Preston Rock Gardens such a smashing place to visit and I'm sure you could turn around any area if you're let get on with it. I hope you get your interview, they'd be very lucky to have you. If you don't then it's their loss and something else will come along for you. At least you have 18months to look around and see what's out there. Above all, try not to be making yourself ill worrying about it all. Look after yourself and let us know how you get on.
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Post by andy on Jul 16, 2014 18:40:32 GMT
Got an interview next thurs, 24th July  |
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Post by Geranium on Jul 17, 2014 5:15:45 GMT
Of course you have - that's great, andy.  Start collecting those photos! |
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Post by Rosefriend on Jul 17, 2014 5:44:42 GMT
Got an interview next thurs, 24th July Well done you - now go for it andy !!! RF |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 17, 2014 6:22:50 GMT
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Post by Jilly on Jul 17, 2014 7:20:41 GMT
Well done andy  good luck. |
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Post by Barbara on Jul 17, 2014 8:38:18 GMT
Fingers crossed for you.
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Post by Auricula on Jul 17, 2014 9:53:16 GMT
Good luck Andy, hope all goes well  |
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Post by Tig on Jul 17, 2014 11:30:25 GMT
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Post by andy on Jul 17, 2014 17:24:15 GMT
Thank you all so much for your advice, encouragement and motivation on this.
Had a long chat with my manager today about the interview, the situation in general, the pros and cons etc etc. We then went for a walk round the Rockery, as we do every week, we discussed what spring bulbs are going where, how we're going to get an area watered, what herbaceous are we going to be planting in the gaps and generally saying how nice everything looked.
He then said he would never stand in my way if i wanted to leave for a better career and wished me good luck at the interview.
I replied "how the bloody hell am i supposed to leave all this?"
So, ive come home and turned the interview down.
Now for the plant list from hell !!!!!!!!!!
Thank you again everyone, i do value your opinions
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Post by maggy on Jul 17, 2014 17:50:43 GMT
Oh dear andy what did you have to lose if you hadnt been successful ? if I was your Mum I would be ticking you off now  even if some-one more qualified ! and I dont mean in the garden expert way I mean these wiz kids that have university deg; !! you would still have the same job as you have now! what you need is a bucket full of confidence anything else you have in wagon loads. Good luck whatever you decide. |
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Post by Chuckles on Jul 17, 2014 18:10:51 GMT
Oh dear andy what a mess I can totally understand your predicament...... Boss you found difficult to work with, job you began to hate but you now love, opportunity to move on bla bla bla. On the plus side if this guy does come back, better the devil you know  and you can prepare yourself to be ready for him. Maybe you should of gone for the interview though if only for the experience. Good luck |
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Post by Geranium on Jul 18, 2014 5:27:15 GMT
Oh andy. There we all were, cheering you on, and I do believe you would have walked it, but it's your decision. Move on from that one, now. |
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Post by Jilly on Jul 18, 2014 7:23:46 GMT
I think you'd have walked it too, but still looking on the bright side, you've got 18 months left with a supportive boss to get a plan in place. Also a lot can happen in that time, it's always possible the old boss that you dread might just leave too. You've done such great work publicising the rock gardens & I would carry on pushing that as much as possible. The one thing all these little jobs works hate is bad publicity, so if you think you're going to get your funding cut, make sure you've got the public (especially the locals) on your side.
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Post by Auricula on Jul 18, 2014 9:22:00 GMT
Andy!!  what are you like?? Still, you have decided and you know what's right for you. Make contingency plans, don't get stressed and who knows........ a lot can happen in 18months. Good luck |
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Post by theinsidegardener on Jul 21, 2014 15:24:14 GMT
Well I am only catching up now but andy I think that although you'd likely have walked the interview and gotten the job there is a reason for everything. Your heart is obviously in the Rock Garden, and as RF said 18mths is a long time, who knows what will happen in that time, that manager might be somewhere else entirely. |
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I think you would be the perfect appointment as you have all the skills required and can demonstrate your enthusiasm for restoration projects and working with volunteers, etc to achieve the desired outcomes for the park whilst providing plenty of opportunities for the volunteers to expand their knowledge and get hands on experience.
) - approach it with the mentality of "I can do this job with my eyes closed, but, it will be their loss if they can't see that"
even if some-one more qualified ! and I dont mean in the garden expert way I mean these wiz kids that have university deg; !! you would still have the same job as you have now! what you need is a bucket full of confidence 
