Menswear manager Kevin moves to pastures new with gardening service

MENSWEAR shop manager Kevin Curry has moved on to pastures new to set up his own gardening business.

Kevin ran Osbornes in Lymington High Street for 28 years, but last week he handed over the reins to Isle of Wight father and son Mark and Charlie Turpin to pursue his life-long love of gardening.

Under the name Kevin the Gardener, he has 30 clients already since putting an advert in the A&T around a month ago.

“From an early age I have had an interest in plants,” he said. “I remember following my dad around the garden helping and planting seeds in the greenhouse, progressing to having my own allotment for the past 18 years.”

Kevin, who lives in Lymington, also volunteered for the National Trust, and is soon to embark on a Royal Horticultural Society Level 3 qualification.

His customers live mainly in the New Milton, Barton, Tiptoe and Hordle areas, but Kevin will cover up to Highcliffe and the Lymington area as far as Beaulieu.

“I do general garden maintenance,” he said. “Anything from weeding to pruning and mowing the lawn.

“Some of my clients are older and, while they take great pride in their gardens and get real joy from spending time in them, they are not always able physically to maintain them in the way they once were.”

Referring to his time at Osbornes, Kevin added: “It’s going to be a big change - I have been very lucky over the years to get to know our customers and I will miss them, but it’s a now or never moment.

“And there’s nothing like being out in the fresh air – it makes you feel better physically and mentally – I know it’s a cliché but it’s true.”

To contact Kevin, call 07847 516739 or email kevinthegardener@icloud.com.