Mattbonsai

Hi all, Although it appears to have been very quiet in the world of my bonlinesai friends, it has been rather different for me .

I was working at a herbaceous plant nursery last year, but early this year, I applied for, and was offered a job at The Eden Project in Cornwall, working on the 'behind the scenes' nursery. I was immensely happy with this catch, fairly good moneys in one of the top horticultural establishments in the world, it came with a room to rent, so I didn't have to spend all my moneys on renting a room in one of the biggest tourist hotspots in the UK.

I handed my notice in at the 'nursery' I was working at, and worked the months notice. On the last day of work however, when I asked about buying the plants for my RHS Tatton Park Flower Show Garden from them, the deranged owner refused to sell me any, knowing full well that some of the varieties are quite hard to come by elsewhere, apparently 'The nursery' doesnt want my business, as I am not a team player because I went for an interview and didn't tell my employer (I'm pretty certain this happens EVERYWHERE). The owner, then proceeded to insult me, swear at me, threaten me, and demand that I leave his property, after giving back as good as I got, I obliged. Unbenown to me, that the psychopath had more sinister things planned.

A few days before I was due to start at Eden, I recieve a phone call from the personnel department, saying that there has been a problem with my references (which as far as I was concerned they had had for at least a month), and could I go down to discuss it. With The Eden Project being 300 miles away from where I live, I had to pack up all of my belongings into the car, as as far as I was aware, I would be moving into the room and starting the job, 3 days after the 'meeting'. Ater the 'meeting', which was basically, the personnel manager saying they dont believe me that my references (which they wouldnt let me see at the time), were wrong, and probably written by the wrong person (which one of them was). I was sent back home after being told they will contact the other references which I gave them, and that me starting work was put on hold, I travelled the 300 miles home again.

On the day I was due to start orgininally, I recieve a phone call from the personnel 'manager', and she informs me that they have decided to withdraw the offer of employment due to unsatisfactory references, I tried to explain to her the situation that she is trying to leave me in, no job, no good references, and a lot of bills to pay, in the middle of the worst recession in living memory, to be honest, she couldn't care less! And she point blank refused to let me see the references so I could see where it went wrong.

After months of letters going back and forth, I finally got the references out of her (by going through the directors, and bringing up the Data Protection Act, and the rights I have under it). And find out, that although my first reference is neutral (and was given by the wrong person), my second from the 'nursery' manager was really positive, But, the positive comments were crossed out, and a very negative comment put in the margin, making it clear to all, that after our arguement, the owner from the 'nursery', telephoned The Eden Project, and withdrew the managers positive reference, and submitted his own, decietfull damming one! An act, that if proven, is highly illegal, but without sufficient evidence and The Eden Project denying that it happened, there isn't much I can do! And I can not afford to get a lawyer to take on the case, with the risk that it might fall through! No Win No Fee, lawyers wont touch the case!

So now I am where I am, After having the dream job ripped from my grasp, I decided to set up my own business, and I am now a self employed gardener, working around Cheshire, I have an RHS Tatton Garden under my belt, and last month, I entered and got down to the final 20 in the country, or the BBC's Young Gardener of The Year, so at some point I should in theory get a bit of air time on the BBC !

My bonsai are all doing brilliantly, even with the neglect they have been recieving, after working all day in someone elses garden, it takes an awful lot of will power to go out and work in your own! They've survived the abuse of the puppy, who has decided that it's funny to drag a 2 foot tall Taxodium around the garden, stripping its roots of all the compost and leaving a muddy bonsai compost track around the lawn and into the bushes!

So thats pretty much my year this year. Not much fun, the ever present anger that a mentally deficient person can destroy someones life just like that, but the ever exciting position of working for yourself, and doing what you want, when you want!

Hope you've all had a better one.

Cheers

-Matt-

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shrimpy

Hey Matt
Don't let the ba----ds drag you down.
If you can make it self employed in the current economic climate you will be great when things pick up and you will be your own boss (the best boss you can have)
I was setup by one of my team members who wanted my job at the end of May last year (so I can understand the feelings you have had and are probably still having). She still puts the knife in when she can but like you I have no proof that would stand up in a court.
Since all this happened I have been self employed gardening, mowing lawns etc things are still tight but they are improving.
The real disappointing part of all this is the reaction of the other work mates some of whom I had worked with for more than 14 years.
Give em hell Matt

Shrimpy

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If a man is alone working on his Bonsai and he speaks and there is no women to hear him.
is he still wrong ???

Never ever believe anything, Until it has been officially denied:

JLDoggett

Hey youngun, you are learning life's nastiness at a early age, take notes and try not to repeat them on other...

Welcome to the world of self-employment. It has great downfalls, but even better rewards! Best wishes in your new endevers and keep us posted on what happens as you grow in it.

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"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and wrong....because sometime in your life you will have been all of these"

And I further resolve to click on an ad, each time I visit, to help support the site and to be welcoming to lurking guests when you join! After all, you're already here.

Pup

As they say young Matt shari happens, but so does Karma and he will get his.

As it does to all shari heads.

Enjoy what you do, and smile when you see the Bastards it really gives them the sharis.

Best of luck Matt.

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G, day I live in western Australia I have been trying for the last 20+ years with some success to grow Bonsai. I am a perpetual learner and an advanced beginner

Mattbonsai

Cheers guys, I will keep going with my work, and in a couple of years I'll do another RHS Garden, and showing my success will hopefully be the best revenge available

Cheers again

-Matt-

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JLDoggett

Success is always the best revenge!

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"Resolve to be tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant with the weak and wrong....because sometime in your life you will have been all of these"

And I further resolve to click on an ad, each time I visit, to help support the site and to be welcoming to lurking guests when you join! After all, you're already here.

Phil

And as the old adage goes; "Revenge is a dish best served cold".

Hang in there Matt.

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Please, always keep in mind that the typewritten word does not always convey what you wish to say, and to always treat others as you would have them treat you. Think twice-submit once.
I started out with nothing....and still have most of it.
"Its hell out there, give them hell back." ~ Prowler/Victor Gray 12/31/1943 - 11/24/2008