PARTNER BIOGRAPHIES

 

 

BARRIE BLAND

In 1976 Barrie left Bishop Luffa School to pursue a career in farming. He went on to serve a two year apprenticeship, the first year on an arable farm, and the second on a mixed farm. Over this period he attended Brinsbury College on a day release.

From 1978 to 1979 Barrie was a full time student at Plumpton College qualifying with a National Certificate in Agriculture.

On leaving college he worked on various farms as a self employed Agricultural Contractor and before finishing this period he managed a 400 acre farm until the time the owner retired. With his forthcoming wedding, Barrie first took a job as Assistant Herdsman and tractor driver in Surrey, and later moved to Hampshire        as a Head Herdsman with a 150 cow milking herd.

 

Barrie Bland

 
In 1989 Barrie joined his father at S.P.R. Centre, later to become a partner. His excellent all round practical experience in all sections of farming has provided invaluable, not just to S.P.R, but also to the company's ever increasing custom. When Barrie first joined S.P.R. Centre, they kept and bred from a small flock of sheep,        a few cows and pigs as well as having  the largest Utility Poultry Bred in Flock in the South of England.

 

DAVID M. BLAND

Educated at Bishop Luffa School, he left in 1980 with A levels in Economics         and Geography. David then worked on a Kibbutz, farming for twelve months,       then for  a further six months, where he gained experience working with most livestock including poultry as well as fruit picking. After obtaining this general all round experience, David was first employed at   S.P.R. Centre making poultry houses, where he took part in the design and erection of our large free range units The Ranger Series.

As the business grew, David became more responsible for the ordering and supervision side of the new, and fast expanding pet food sales, and it's ancillary divisions. Now like his brother Barrie, David has become a full partner and taken charge of the firms financial department from his father.

 

 

David M. Bland

 

DEBRA SYME

After leaving Bishop Luffa School in 1976, Debra went on to Worthing Art College and attended the Foundation Studies Course for a year covering subjects in design, photography and pottery.

Debra then moved into the retail trade in 1978, working in a small department store in Chichester, and then for a DIY company in Portsmouth in 1981. In 1985, Debra joined Knight and Lee (part of the John Lewis Partnership) in their Southsea branch where she worked on the Gift and Garden Furniture/ Xmas Departments. Whilst there, Debra attended many training courses on behalf of the company, including Window and Department Display.

 

Debra Syme

Debra joined Allders Department Store in Portsmouth in 1992, working for a Belgian Chocolate Concession until they left the store in 1998. Following this, Debra's job at Allders then became more involved, where she was required to work in all the departments within the store, covering staff off sick, or on holiday.                    Her flexibility also included working in their Customer Service Department, where she learned valuable computer skills.

Debra left Allders in March 2002 to join her father and brothers in S.P.R, bringing with her over 20 years of retail and office experience. She has since been made a partner in this ever thriving business. Debra has also recently featured on the B.B.C. appearing on the television programs Country File and Car Booty  giving advice on purchasing chickens and poultry housing.

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S.P.R. CENTRE

Greenfields Farm,  Fontwell Ave,  Eastergate,

Chichester,  West Sussex.  PO20 3RU

Tel: 01243 542815    Fax: 01243 544662

© S.P.R. Centre 2010