The Story
A Young Man With A Potty Passion
Welcome! My name is Thomas, though many call me Tom Pots.
I started this business at 23, totally new to Horticulture, and in that time quite a lot has changed! I never thought I'd see my pots on television, nor in some of the gardens I've gone on to visit... and if you said I'd one day be in the Young Horticulturalist of the Year Awards, I'd probably laugh!
Although there's been some challenges along the way - the fact I'm still here is down to my amazing Clients. Ladies & Gentlemen across Britain who love what I do and how I go about doing it. I think many businesses often forget how important their customers are - without you, we simply wouldn't exist - and that's why I'm always so thankful.
I'm incredibly passionate about pots - and in a wider term, ceramics in general. If I had my way, everything in my home would be made from clay. I think in a world full of synthetic materials, it's a marvel that something so natural is so overlooked. Although I cannot throw, I am very envious of those who can... More lessons required, perhaps!
In the time I've been going, I've been very fortunate to supply outdoor spaces of all shapes & sizes. From city balconies & sprawling private estates to major hotels & boutique showrooms, my pots have wound up all over > with even some heading abroad!
I'm very proud of the business I've grown from nothing and I hope that with your support I may continue for years to come.
2020
Tom's Yard first opened in an overgrown compound next to the family-business. For the next 3 years I spent my time here importing terracotta pots from Crete, dealing in garden antiques and dipping in and out of other product lines. At 23 it was a big leap into the unknown. Though from day 1 - my pots always proved popular.
As you can imagine, the start was far from easy. The pandemic didn't help and having started with a small product range on a shoe-string budget - it was a challenge. Though when I really want to do something, I don't give up.
It took a while to work, but word steadily began to spread.
2023
Fast forward 3 years and in 2023 the business took a leap forwards. Firstly, I expanded my range and began importing a new collection of quality terracotta pots from Italy.
Then I made the jump and moved into Tom's Yard 2.0. This brand-new compound on a local farm was larger, easier to access and ultimately proved far more suitable to meeting the needs of the growing business.
2024
2024 is looking to be a very exciting year. For a start, I've booked on for some major events including the Shrewsbury Flower Show and RHS Malvern... with even more specialist plant fairs dotted throughout the year.
Although the business has moved on from where it was in 2020, two aspects haven't changed > and hopefully never will. I will continue to focus on selling quality terracotta pots at competitive market rates and I will forever aim to provide my buyers with the most personal & passionate service. I won't always get it right - but, by gum, I'll try my best!
Around Work
I'm happy to say that I'm an Industry Coordinator for the YPHA - Young People in Horticulture Association. The body now holds over 700 members across Britain and is a fantastic group for bringing together and celebrating young people working in Horticulture. If you know of anyone, do get them to sign up - it's great and 2024 is looking to be an exciting year.
Through the business and my close proximity to a local garden, The Laskett Gardens, I'm a Perennial Partner. Perennial is the UK’s only charity dedicated to those who work in horticulture, and their families, when times get tough. The Gardeners’ Benevolent Institution (now Perennial) was founded in 1839 and still exists today in the aim to carry out it's mission to support all of those who work in Horticulture.
A Bit About Me
From a young age I've been raised in Herefordshire and it's a county I passionately love. The landscape and the people make it such a marvellous place to be. I'm certainly an outdoorsy person, enjoying walks with our dogs, picking wild berries and making all sorts of concoctions in glass jars stored around our cottage.
After finishing my studies at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, the 'RAU' (or even the RAC to some!), I headed back home to join the family home interiors business. Selling furniture, paints and flooring (as I had done for the past 10+ years), I've always enjoyed helping people. In fact, when I was younger I dreamed of becoming a butler.
After returning home I eventually spread my wings and went off to work with Europe's largest retailer of Decorative Antiques and Garden Ornaments. Running their main Tetbury showroom, I was immersed into the world of period and decorative antique furniture. It was here that I developed my knowledge as I assisted Private Clients, Interior Designers and Dealers from around the globe in their hunt for beautiful and authentic pieces.
Outside Work
Outside work I'm a keen reader, regularly going through books on gardening (specifically garden history). History has always been a topic that intrigues me and I'm slowly getting round to writing my first book. Watch this space!
Gardens aside, I'm an active member of Hereford Round Table. A local charity fundraising money with the aim to distribute funds around local causes. Here's the gang at our 2023 Rock The Barn fundraiser. That year we raised tens of thousands of pounds for local causes around Herefordshire. Something I'm very proud and passionate about.
Many people say that I never stop... I probably agree!
