SEVEN staff at Rumwell Farm Shop and Café have been recognised for notching up between 10 and 25 years of long service as part of the company’s 25th anniversary celebrations this year.

Andrew Morrison, Sally Anne Howe, Chris O’Connor, Wendy Holmes, Hannah Sydenham, Helen Warren and Jess Wyatt have collectively clocked up a total of 111 years' collective service.

Anne Mitchell, joint owner of the farm shop said: "Huge congratulations and a big thank you to our magnificent seven for their ongoing commitment to our success and for the tremendous support they have and continue to provide to us, their colleagues and our customers.

“One of the seven, Andrew, has been with us for 25 years, so was here at the very start of the business.

"He originally came pea picking on the farm, then was a Saturday boy in the shop, before he did an apprenticeship and became a full-timer also in the farm shop.

"In 2021, he joined our award-winning café team.

“When Andrew worked in the shop, he always said that he’d like a new gold forklift when he’d been with us 25 years, as he used to drive the forklift when deliveries came in, so we bought him a little toy one and painted it gold.

"We’re incredibly lucky to have had his and all our other long servers support through the years. Without our wonderful team, our business wouldn’t be as successful as it is today."

Of the other employees, Sally has put in 22 years, originally looking after the free range hens before enjoying various roles in the farm shop.

General manager Chris has had a number of positions over the past 15 years, starting out as a butcher and later setting up the cake kitchen.

Wendy joined the same year as Chris and has worked in the butchery and the delicatessen counter before recently moving to the deli kitchen.

After starting as a temporary Christmas helper, Hannah has had a full time role in the deli, which she has managed, returning as assistant manager following maternity leave.

Helen started in the farm shop a decade ago and these days manages the cake making in the bakery.

Jess also has ten years' experience and is a key member of the serving team in the farm shop.

Mrs Mitchell added: "Each of our long servers have received a gift from us and a certificate to mark their commitment.

"While we’ve honoured our long servers this summer as part of our 25th anniversary celebrations, I would like to thank everyone who’s involved in making us one of the best farm shops and cafés in Somerset."