It’s one of the best-known gardens in Suffolk – and now one of the unsung heroes behind Helmingham Hall’s stunning grounds has been honoured for his 61 years of work.
Roy Balaam started work at Helmingham Hall as a 14-year-old schoolboy and has been there ever since.
As head gardener he works with Lady Xa Tollemache who has created one of the best-loved gardens in the country – and has gone on to become a highly-regarded landscape gardener in her own right.
Lady Tollemache was quick to pass on the credit: “Roy has taught me just about everything I know about gardening. I’m delighted he’s got this recognition,” she said.
Mr Balaam’s father was a worker at the Helmingham estate, and was asked to help out while he was still at school,
He said: “The late Lord Tollemache came to see my father to ask if I could help out around my school work. In those days you used to work on Saturday mornings and then there were the holidays as well.
“I started working then and then just carried on, I’ve been working there ever since.
“I do like the work but it can be quite hard at times – but it’s worth it when you look at the garden. I’ve been working closely with Lady Tollemache over the years.”
He lives at a lodge on the Helmingham estate with his wife Alison – and now works part-time at the garden now he is 75 – although he joked his family sometimes wishes he was still full-time.
Although Mr Balaam was the longest-serving employee to be recognised, two others had also completed 60 years of work on the land in Suffolk.
Ted Cooper has worked for ERJ Webber farms at Great Whelnetham, near Bury St Edmunds, for 60 years – and Paul Cocking has been a game keeper in the Blyth Valley area for the same length of time.
The awards were presented by this year’s Suffolk Show president, the Earl of Ivegh.
The full list of long-service awards:
Roy Balaam, Helmingham Hall: 61 years.
Paul Cocking, nominated by Uggeshall Hall Farms: 60 years.
Ted Cooper, ERJ Webber, Great Whelnetham: 60 years.
Stephen Barker, P Adams and Sons, Felixstowe: 50 years.
Derrick Gray, P Adams and Sons, Felixstowe: 50 years.
Gregory Collett, A Tibbenham and Son, Weybread near Diss: 45 years.
Raymond Page, George Tanner (Shalford) Ltd, Shalford near Braintree: 40 years.
Steven Brown, A Johnson and Son, Bury St Edmunds: 40 years.
Brian Cullum, Westrope Farming Ltd, Loudham near Woodbridge: 38 years.
John Tunaley, nominated by Westrope Farming Ltd, Loudham: 38 years.
Matthew Wilding, David Hodge Farms, Cockfield near Bury St Edmunds: 33 years.
David Huggins, PE and JEM Saunders, Redlingfield near Eye; 30 years.
Gerald Magennis, Elveden Farms Ltd, Elveden: 30 years.
Valerie Staff, Euston Estate and Farms, Euston: 30 years.
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