WHEN local fruit and vegetable grower Robert Hale decided to retire this year, he had no idea the effect this would have on the daughter of farmers’ market regulars Roger and Liz Styan.

Robert had supplied Styan Family Produce with all manner of goods for a number of years, from his Longdon Hill Nursery in Evesham – especially a wide variety of tomatoes.

When he chose to stop growing the veg, Mr and Mrs Styan had to start to grow their own tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, alongside the vegetables and selection of plums they had been growing for years.

This meant their daughter Kathryn, away at university, had to give up something very personal – space in her bedroom at the family home. The Styans needed somewhere to grow their tomato seedlings during the winter months, so they would be ready to plant out in their greenhouse come the spring.

Mrs Styan said: “We had 2,000 seedlings in her room at one point.

They’ve now all been moved to our ancient garden greenhouse – which needed a complete overhaul and repair before we could use it.

“We have it heated but with the warm weather this spring, we haven’t needed to turn the heating on that much.

“We’re very excited about our tomatoes, some of which are ready now. We have cocktail, cherry, classic and mini plum. This season’s new potatoes and cucumbers are also ready.”

You will find the Styan Family Produce stall at today’s farmers’ market in Victoria Square, Droitwich, from 9am until 2pm, and again at tomorrow’s market in Angel Place, Worcester, from 9am until 3pm. Next weekend’s market is in High Street, Bromsgrove, from 9am until 5pm, on Saturday, June 11.