1. How long have you worked in the pea industry?
I have been involved with vining peas for around 25 years, although I have only been responsible for taking the crop from sowing to harvest for the last 10 years.
2. How did you start?
I have always been fascinated with peas and as a boy I used to cycle to fields to watch the harvest take place. I joined my current employer in 2010 and an aspect of this role was the management of the vining pea crop.
3. What does a typical day look like for you?
During the pea season, I would usually aim to be in the field for 5am to oversee the shift change and discuss the plan for the day with the Operations Manager.
During the morning I would inspect some of the pea crop to check on maturity and this would help drive our harvest program. During late morning I would receive sample results from our QA Operative which also helped to drive the harvest program.
In the afternoon’s we receive a delivery summary which details our performance from the previous 24 hour period, these need to be checked to ensure that quality specifications are being met. During the early evening I would head back to the fields and catch up with the operations manager to discuss the days progress and again see the shift change over.
4. Which three people would you invite to your dream dinner party and why?
- Winston Churchill – A great leader and an inspiration to society.
- Brian Johnson CBE – For his knowledge and wit regarding cricket.
- Barnes Wallis – For his vision, perseverance and engineering knowledge in the design of the bouncing bomb.
5. What is your second favourite vegetable? (Obviously peas take the top spot!)
Broccoli.
