Happy Easter from The Poundbury Florist

The Poundbury Florist, Jess, used to work as the customer service manager for a big holiday company. She was the person that everyone complained to. After one particularly hard day she decided she had had enough and handed her notice in - when asked what she was going to do instead, she plucked an idea from the air and said 'I want to have a flower shop!' Jess has now been running her very gorgeous Poundbury Florist for four years.

I call to see Jess, as she is helping me with my new book (more of that in my next blog - as I shall be asking for some help from other flower lovers). It is a grim day with gusts of icy wind and rain, so I am very happy to close the door on the outside world and settle down with a cup of tea, my camera and lots of chat amongst the flowers.

Poundbury was built by Prince Charles as a model town with a varied mix of old style housing. It is a very attractive place, but I can't quite decide whether I like it or not - I shall definitely have to come back when the sun is shining. The Poundbury Florist sits in a colonnade of shops, including a wonderful cake shop and bridal store. Jess tell me that she and her boyfriend (who has also changed career, from chef to fisherman) used to live in an apartment above the local pub, but have recently moved to nearby Dorchester. It was just too easy to pop into the pub after work! Although, I wonder, how could that ever be a problem?!

I watch as Jess wraps a black zinc container with ribbon, rather like a present, and then fills the top with flowers. What a great, and simple idea - and perfect for Easter. Jess was clearly wasted on that holiday company!