A Bath & North East Somerset Council gardener who has dedicated more than four decades to cultivating parks across the district is being celebrated for his long service.
Gardener Bob Scammell | Photo © B&NES Council
Bob Scammell, 61, began working for the former Bath City Council in 1981 on a youth training scheme at Parade Gardens before tending to all the council’s gardens and green spaces across the district.
He currently works at the Royal Victoria Park nurseries.
Bob recently received a Long Service Award from the Mayor of Bath, Dine Romero, in recognition of his dedication.
Bob, a father of two and grandad of four, lives in the city and is a keen runner as well as a gardener.
He said: “I’ve always loved my job and working for the council, mainly because of the people I work with. We’re a team and I have great teammates.
“After 10 years at Parade Gardens, I spent five years at the Botanical Gardens and many more at all our council gardens in Bath, Keynsham, Peasedown St John and Midsomer Norton.
“We plant around 50,000 plants every year and over my 43 years I’ve seen fashions and practices change – a lot for the better.
“We only use peat-free compost, no chemicals and we do so much more with wild flowers now. I’m a big fan of No Mow May because it’s so good for pollinators – spring is my favourite time of the year.
“Members of the public are always so complimentary when the team is out working in our parks. The most common request I get is, “Can you come and do that for my garden?
“It was a real honour to meet the Mayor of Bath and to be presented with a Long Service Award. I think I’ll be ready for retirement in a couple of years’ time but it’s been a blooming marvellous career!”
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services at Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “I am so impressed by Bob’s devotion and commitment to our green spaces. His meticulous care has helped make our beautiful parks and gardens what they are today.”
Councillor Romero said: “I was delighted to have been able to give Bob a 40-year badge for continuous service with the same Bath firm, which he truly deserved.”
Seven of the council’s parks and green spaces – Sydney Gardens, Henrietta Park, Bloomfield Park, Hedgemead Park, Alexandra Park, Royal Victoria Park and Haycombe Cemetery – won coveted Green Flag Awards for excellence in 2023.
The council has supported No Mow May by leaving some areas of Sydney Gardens, Hedgemead Park, Henrietta Park and Alice Park in Bath unmown for a month and leaving some verges across the district uncut.
