Annabel Watts - Head Gardener, Mustead Wood - was working as a secretary/PA in London for 25 years when, in 2002 she decided to stop commuting and look for a local part time job without so much responsibility.

Looking through the Surrey Advertiser in February 2002, there was nothing of interest under the heading SECRETARIAL but her eye was drawn to a small ad under HORTICULTURE which said:

‘Part time gardener required. No experience necessary.’

Annabel rang the local number and she was invited for an interview at Munstead Wood that afternoon. Four days later she was reporting for work.

She considers the first 11 years as her apprenticeship and 13 years ago she was appointed head gardener.

The short advert Annabel answered 24 years ago has completely changed her life!