10 hours Ago
In 1990 Clive Collins, then 27, was working up a pine tree when he accidentally cut the rope which was keeping him secure with his chainsaw. He fell 30ft to the ground. It was in hospital that Clive decided he wanted to grow Christmas trees.
With a diploma in forestry from the Scottish School of Forestry, Clive said that “forestry was my passion” but “when I broke my back, I realised that wasn’t being realistic”. Armed with a bank loan, Clive purchased Catsfield Farm near Battle. He said: “I’m paralysed so I thought it would be a good way of making a living and I could make it all accessible.
Clive describes the farm as family and socially orientated (Image: Supplied) “I was incredibly naïve when I started – I didn’t have a clue. I didn’t understand business or PR. The real turning point was when I met Adrian Morgan, a Christmas tree specialist, in 1997 who gave me advice.
Before then I’d been thinking my ideas were best.” Although Clive started out selling wholesale, on Adrian’s advice he changed to retail. Clive uses hand-controlled and accessible machines which help him around the farm.
He said: “It can be complicated and challenging. At the start when I wasn’t well, I made a commitment to do something every day in my business. That’s my mantra.
” Clive uses a Segway wheelchair to get around the farm (Image: Supplied) The 27-acre farm is home to 16,000 trees which take around seven to nine years to grow to full height. One of the family orientated farm’s “unique selling points” is its “choose and cut” service which allows people to choose their tree in the field and have it cut when ready. Along with his partner Emma and two people who come and help at the farm two to three days a week, Clive works all year round.
Thirty people help “on and off” at the farm, particularly during the festive season, and for many it is their first job. Clive said: “We encourage young labour. We also have lots of people who have various challenges in life working on the farm.
I’m keen on encouraging people from different backgrounds and lifestyles. We’re a socially orientated business and have always raised money for local charities.”.
