Our Team

“Without our Staff we cannot have a successful business and only the most highly motivated staff will offer the superior levels of service our customers have a right to expect from us.” Extract from Dunscar’s Five Core Values Statement

We now employ nearly 30 staff and are continually seeking exceptional people to grow our expanding business. If you are interested in working here then please check our Recruitment pages for details of vacancies and the application procedure.

The Plantarea and Nursery

The Nursery and Outdoor Plant Areas are managed by Dan Connor and his small staff of plant enthusiasts. Dan joined us in 2004 as a Plant Sales Assistant but, having demonstrated his passion for plants and gained a horticultural qualification with us, he was promoted to manage the department in 2008. He is now in charge of nurturing carefully about 22,000 plants of over 400 varieties and has been a great success in answering listeners’ gardening questions live on BBC Radio Lancashire. In his spare time Dan is a keen collector of Himalayan plants and has a masochistic penchant for climbing steep hills as quickly as he can on his cycle.

James Parkinson, Plantarea & Nursery Assistant
James joined us in March 2013 after 6 years working on the plantareas of a local garden centre and more recently another 6 years at Barton Grange Garden Centre.  He is in his last year of study for a part time degree in horticulture at Myerscough College and in his spare time enjoys snowboarding.

 

 

 

 

The Garden Centre Shop

Georgina Burrows, Assistant Manager & Country Clothing Supervisor
Georgina joined us in 2008 having spent a year working for one of our rivals. She quickly proved herself to achieve rapid promotion to Assistant Retail Sales Manager and is another of our talented visual merchandisers. A horse owner herself, Georgina is thus well placed to advise on the best choice of equestrian wear and as well as supervising the country clothing department, she is responsible for the interior plants and floristry, giftware and interior furnishings areas.

 

Christine Langton, Customer Service & Reception
Chris is Tarleton born and bred and joined us in 2009 after working for several years on the family farm growing vegetables.  Passionate about customer service, she has completed our trade association’s Diploma in Garden Retail is and is usually the one on hand to give customers a cheery welcome at the main tills and reception.  Chris enjoys walking, gardening and cooking in her spare time.

 

 

Nicola Collier, Business Support

Nicola joined us as an apprentice in October 2012.  As part of the Apprenticeship she is studying for an NVQ2 in Business Administration.  As our resident “IT Geek” Nicola supports the management and staff in all matters technical, including our telephone, till and stock control systems.  She also looks after our internet sales site, www.hilaryclare.com.  Nicola enjoys baking and reading.

 

 

Vicki Williamson, Customer Service Assistant & Reception

Vicki  spent the past 9 years working in a DIY store in Ormskirk before joining us in March 2013 as a back up to Chris Langton on the main tills and reception.  She enjoys cooking, walking and interior design.  With further training and experience we hope she will take responsibility for the Cook Shop.

 

 

 

Simon Bond, Weekend Assistant

Simon Bond joined us in early 2012 and is currently studying to become a Maths teacher at Edge Hill University.  As well as updating the Hilary Clare website, Simon is a keen photographer.  Simon also plays the drums and is currently Treasurer of the Hesketh Bank Allotments and Leisure Gardeners Association.

 

 

 

Ellen Williams, Weekend Assistant

 

Ellen joined us in February 2013.  During the week she is studying for her A Levels at Cardinal Newman College.  Like so many of our new staff, she enjoys baking.  Our afternoon tea promises to be more civilised!

 

 

Christian Smith, Weekend Assistant and Deliveries

Christian is a student at Myerscough College studying Horticulture.  He joined us in February 2013.  As well as gardening and horticulture, Christian enjoys a wide range of outdoor activities including snowboarding.

 

 

 

James Pimlott, Weekend Assistant

James is now in his 3rd year at Sheffield University where he is studying Mechanical Engineering.  He is a keen footballer, plays golf and the guitar and is a member of the Hesketh Bank Silver Band.  James joined us in February 2009.

 

 

 

 

The Garden Café & Restaurant

Sue Steadman, Catering Manageress
Sue Steadman is in charge of our catering facilities in the Garden Café. Sue worked in a variety of catering establishments before joining our team in 2005. She is an enthusiastic visitor to the Lake District and Scotland, a keen equestrian and regularly conducts market research on other tea rooms and garden centres on our behalf.

 


Lisa Williams, Catering Supervisor
Lisa is responsible for the catering operations in the absence of the manageress, Sue. She joined us in 2010 after managing a tea room in Liverpool city centre. Lisa’s hobbies include music, films and computing.

 

 

 

Jenny Parker, Catering Assistant

Jenny worked here as  a catering supervisor for 4 years until August 2007 but in March 2013 returned to her former team in the Garden Café as part of the plan to expand the department this year.  Jenny likes reading and walking her dogs.

 

 

 

Edna Blackham, Catering Assistant

Edna first started work in the old Tea Room in September 2003 and is thus one of our longest serving members of staff.  Prior to joining our team she held a variety of roles including work in a local bedding nursery and a care home.

 

 

 

 

Linda Crompton, Catering Assistant

Linda is originally from Essex and joined us from another catering establishment in October 2010.  Prior to that she had several years’ experience in soft furnishings and outside catering.  Linda enjoys gardening, reading and embroidery.

 

 

 

 

Carol Stanford, Catering Assistant

Carol first started working for us in November 2007 before leaving in May 2010 to work for her local church.  However, like so many of our staff she returned and has been with us this time since January 2011.  Carol is a skilled baker and produces the majority of the home baked cakes on offer in the Garden Café.  She enjoys reading, gardening and puzzles.

 

 

 

Tracey Radcliffe, Catering Assistant

Tracey has been with us since November 2003 having previously taking time out to have a family and working in the NHS.  She is very active in the Girl Guiding movement and a keen baker and gardener.  Tracey is one of our top barristas so her cappuccinos and lattés are worth trying.

 

 

 

 

Leacy Marsden, Catering Assistant

As our oldest member of staff, Leacy keeps everyone in the catering department in order.  She has worked for us for more years than we can count, starting life in the old Tea Room and now takes charge of our pot wash area and clearing tables.  Leacy spends her free time looking after her great grand daughter and helping her husband on the farm, occasionally supplying us with some superb onions.

 

 

Christine Dawson, Weekend Catering Assistant

Chris is studying for a degree in Sport at Edge Hill University.  She has been with us since September 2011 and in her spare time enjoys painting, keeping fit, sport and walking her dog.

 

 

 

Emily Ball, Weekend Catering Assistant

Emily joined us in January 2013.  She is currently studying for a degree in Contemporary Applied Arts at the University of Cumbria in Carlisle.  Emily is a Cub Scout leader and enjoys cooking and baking.

 

 

 

Rachel Goulding, Weekend Catering Assistant

Rachel is currently studying Law at Liverpool University.  She started working for us in June 2010.  Rachel enjoys football and drama and once appeared in a play at the Olivier Theatre in London.

 

Administration

Liz Giles, Administrator

Liz is the only one of our staff to work “behind the scenes”.  She looks after our accounts, personnel administration, payroll and customer data. Before joining us in February 2007 she worked in the Cotswolds as the PA to the Sales Director of a company importing and distributing cars in the UK.  Liz enjoys gardening, walking and travelling.