linda clark - the spotted dog flower co
My name is Linda and I have been working full time growing and selling flowers
since 2014. Prior to this I worked in the constrution industry for many years,
initially in administration and marketing, followed 12 years as PA to the
Chairman, through the highs and lows building roads and sewage systems! Then a
move into the IT department managing the teams installating IT and telecoms on
big construction sites and a lot less exciting stuff resulting in spending far
too much time on Doncaster railway station. Time for a change!! Joining the
fledgling organisation Flowers from the Farm (FFTF) in 2012 when members
numbered around 50, led to becoming co-ordinator for the East Midlands region in
2015 and Co-Chair for a two year fixed term 2018-20. Since I joined FFTF has
grown to nearly 1000 members championing local grown flowers. My business
increased from selling a few bunches of flowers a week to supplying flowers and
floristry for weddings, funerals and in 2020 a big expansion in selling flowers
to the general public, followed by a return to farmers’ markets in 2021 where
from March to September you will find The Spotted Dog at Brigg, Lincoln and
Saxilby. My flowers are grown with the environment in mind. The poly tunnel is
unheated, the greenhouse uses electric for only two months of the year, the
flowers pesticide free and tonnes of compost are supplied from our own horses
and livestock every year, supplemented by bulk green waste. Flowers are supplied
wrapped in kraft paper or re-useable vases or buckets depending on volume
supplied! I use primarily British flowers, either grown by myself or sourced
from other growers, locally in Lincolnshire and Cornwall early/late season. On
very rare occasions I will use carefully sourced imported flowers if needed for
the work being undertaken although more and more customers are requesting “only
British” and are happy to work with the seasons. Media mentions have included
BBC Radio 4 Open Country with Helen Mark on her programme ‘Inspired by Flowers
in Lincolnshire’, Radio 4 ‘Farming Today’ during British Flowers Week, Radio
Newark with Girls About Town, BBC television for RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018
when I was filmed cutting flowers to ready to transport to London for use in the
Flowers from the Farm exhibit when the amazing team won a gold medal. There have
also been articles in My Weekly Magazine, Flower Arranger magazine, The
Gainsborough Standard, The Lincoln Business Journal and in 2020 The Daily
Telegraph in an article about the flower industry during the Covid pandemic. In
2021 I was delighted to welcome Lizzie Musham from BBC Radio Lincolnshire for a
field walk ahead of FFTF Flower Farmers Big Weekend and we met up again in
November when she joined one of our wreath making workshops at The Cross Keys
Stow and made a wreath live on air! I’m passionate about promoting natural
funeral flowers suitable for green burial grounds, never use floral foam and in
2020 became an associate member of the Association of Green Funeral Directors.
My wedding flowers have appeared on Love My Dress and Rock My Wedding blogs and
I undertake weddings only within a 50 mile radius of my home.
