 One of Torfaen’s most popular florists has hung up her secateurs for the last time.
Susan Watkins, 66, owner of the Sunflower in Pontypool Indoor Market, has retired after 10 years in the town.
Ms Watkins, who was supported in the business by her partner James, set up Sunflower after being told by doctors she would never work again.
She said: “I had an accident and badly damaged my knee which meant I had to give up the shop I had in Griffithstown, Domingos. I was told by doctors that no one else would ever employ me and I saw the indoor market as a low risk place to try out a new business. Ten years later I have a thriving business, so it just goes to show what you can do if you put your mind to it.”
Keen not to disappoint her loyal customers, she will be handing the business over to local florist Catherine Bartle.
Ms Watkins said: “The market has been a fantastic place to work and everyone there has been so supportive over the last ten years. In Pontypool people want good quality at a reasonable price, and I have lots of lovely customers who I will really miss.
“Catherine is actually a trained florist, whereas I was self-taught, so I have no doubt that she will be able to offer a fantastic service to the people of Pontypool. The Sunflower was my baby but I know that she will feed it well.”
Mrs Bartle studied her City and Guilds in floristry in Bristol and has pledged to customers that what they love about the business will not change.
She said: “Sunflower is a well-established business with lots of loyal customers and I want to reassure them that they will continue to receive the same fantastic service they have always had. I also hope in the future to add to what we do by offering a wedding service too. Everyone is welcome to pop in and say hello and have a chat at any time.”
Councillor Alan Jones, executive member for business, tourism, leisure and culture at Torfaen council, said: “Susan and her partner James will be greatly missed by everyone in the market and in Pontypool, and we wish them well for their retirement.
“It is fantastic that this popular business will continue in the town and I am sure that everyone will offer Catherine a warm, friendly welcome.”
Mae un o werthwyr blodau mwyaf poblogaidd Torfaen wedi hongian ei siswrn tocio am y tro olaf.
Mae Susan Watkins, 66, perchennog Sunflower ym Marchnad Dan Do Pont-y-pŵl, wedi ymddeol ar ôl 10 mlynedd yn y dref.
Fe wnaeth Ms Watkins, a dderbyniodd cefnogaeth yn y busnes gan ei chymar, sefydlu Sunflower ar ôl cael gwybod gan feddygon na fyddai byth yn gweithio eto.
Dywedodd: "Cefais ddamwain a gwneud difrod difrifol i fy mhen-glin a oedd yn golygu bod rhaid i mi roi'r gorau i siop Domingos oedd gennyf yn Nhref Gruffydd. Dywedodd y meddygon wrthyf na fyddai unrhyw un arall byth yn fy nghyflogi felly gwelais y farchnad dan do fel lle isel ei risg i roi cynnig ar fusnes newydd. Deng mlynedd yn ddiweddarach mae gen i fusnes ffyniannus, felly mae'n dangos yr hyn y gallwch ei wneud os byddwch yn rhoi eich meddwl ar waith."
Awyddus i beidio â siomi ei chwsmeriaid ffyddlon, bydd hi'n trosglwyddo'r busnes i ddwylo Catherine Bartle, gwerthwr blodau lleol.
Dywedodd Ms Watkins: "Mae'r farchnad wedi bod yn lle gwych i weithio ac mae pawb yno wedi bod mor gefnogol dros y deng mlynedd diwethaf. Ym Mhont-y-pŵl mae pobl eisiau ansawdd da am bris rhesymol, ac mae gen i lawer o gwsmeriaid hyfryd y byddaf yn gweld eu heisiau.
"Mae Catherine wedi'i hyfforddi fel trefnwr blodau, tra dysgu fy hun y gwnes i, felly nid oes gennyf unrhyw amheuaeth y bydd hi'n gallu cynnig gwasanaeth gwych i bobl Pont-y-pŵl. Fy maban i oedd Sunflower, ond rwy'n gwybod y bydd hi'n ei fwydo'n dda.
"Astudiodd Mrs Bartle ar gyfer ei chymhwyster City and Guilds mewn blodeuwriaeth ym Mryste ac mae wedi addo i gwsmeriaid na fydd yr hyn y maent yn ei garu am y busnes yn newid o gwbl.
Dywedodd: "Mae Sunflower yn fusnes sydd wedi ei hen sefydlu gyda llawer o gwsmeriaid ffyddlon ac yr wyf am eu sicrhau y byddant yn parhau i dderbyn yr un gwasanaeth gwych y maen nhw wedi ei dderbyn bob amser. Rwyf hefyd yn gobeithio yn y dyfodol i ychwanegu at yr hyn yr ydym yn ei wneud drwy gynnig gwasanaeth priodas. Mae croeso i bawb alw heibio i ddweud helo a chael sgwrs ar unrhyw adeg.
"Dywedodd y Cynghorydd Alan Jones, aelod gweithredol dros fusnes, twristiaeth, hamdden a diwylliant, cyngor Torfaen: "Bydd pawb yn y farchnad yn gweld eisiau Susan a'i chymar James yn fawr iawn yn y farchnad ac ym Mhont-y-pŵl, a dymunwn yn dda iddynt ar gyfer eu hymddeoliad.
"Mae'n wych y bydd y busnes poblogaidd hwn yn parhau yn y dref, ac rwy'n siŵr y bydd pawb yn estyn croeso cynnes, cyfeillgar i Catherine."
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