R. J. (Jimmy) Wells was the son of a village
Blacksmith living on the Wiltshire / Berkshire border and he attended
school at Fairford Gloucester. He spent much time assisting his father
doing a variety of jobs in the forge, but the hours were long 6.30am to
9.00pm. As the smithy was in the centre of the village there was always
people around.
On leaving school at the age of 15 Jim went to work for Sir Ernest Wills
at “Littlecote House” one of a team of 24 gardeners, the house was
totally self-sufficient providing fruit, vegetables and fresh flowers
all the year round. After 2 years Jim left to become a footman for
author E.V. Lucas, with whom he learnt the finer intricacies of being a
“Gentleman’s Man” and was also given one driving lesson before being
asked to take Madam into town. On leaving E. V.’s employment he was
given a two week Rolls Royce Chauffer / Valet course in London. Jim had
several short term jobs before moving to Newbury to work for a race
horse owner, where he met his wife Mary who was housekeeper/cook. His
job here was chauffer and he would drive his boss to race courses all
over the country in his Rolls Royce, staying in only the best hotels,
and driving over 1000 miles most weeks, the record being 1650 miles.
When the Rolls became due for replacement Jim was given a free hand in
choosing the new car from Park Ward in London. At the age of 28 Jim was
advised that his eyesight was too poor for driving, a very sad day for
him, it was then that he and his wife moved to Pennorth near Brecon and
started a small Market Garden on land belonging to his brother in law.
He gained a “City and Guilds” in Floristry. Working long hours 7 days a
week he added one new glass house after another building up his
business, during the war suppling the army with large amounts of fresh
produce. In 1949 he opened a “Fruiterer and Florist shop in Brecon, He
employed 10 people and involved him travelling to Cardiff 4 times a week
before work to collect fresh produce for the shop. He took part in the
“Interflora” national scheme.
Jimmy’s reputation rapidly grew, he provided the flowers and decorated
Brecon Railway station for the Queen’s visit to open the 200th Brecon
Agricultural Show in 1955, re-using them later that day at Llandovery
Railway station. He also judged prestigious events such as The Jersey
Battle of the Flowers, a regular judge at The Royal Welsh Show, and many
smaller local shows. He was a very popular man in his village and loved
by all his customers. His most proud moment was when he was requested to
do all the flower arrangements for the visit of Pope John Paul II to
Ireland in 1979.
Jimmy Wells’s very various life was covered in a full page article in
the Brecon and Radnor Express, such was his presence in the town and
local area. His life was tainted with sadness, his only daughter Audrey
died tragically at the age of 18 in 1951, and his wife pre-deceased by
12 years. Jim was an active “Elder” in Pennorth Chapel, where he would
occasionally take the Service, and his Harvest and Christmas displays in
the Chapel were legendary.