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 he 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.

In 1989 Barrie joined his father at SPR later to become a partner. His excellent all round practical experience in all sections of farming has provided invaluable, not only to SPR but to it's ever increasing custom. At the time when Barrie joined SPR we kept and bred from a small flock of sheep, a few beef 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, left in 1980 with A levels in Economics and Geography. He worked on a Kibbutz farming for twelve months, then a further six months gaining experience with most livestock including poultry as well as fruit picking. Obtaining a good general all round experience.

David was first employed at SPR making Poultry Houses, taking part in the design and erection of our large Free Range Units, the Ranger Series.

As the business grew he became more responsible for the running and ordering side of the new and fast increasing Pet Feed and it's Ancillary Division. Now like his brother Barrie, he is a full partner and has taken charge of the firms financial department from his father.

DEBRA SYME

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

She went into the retail trade in 1978 and worked in a small department store in Chichester. She then left to work for a DIY company in Portsmouth in 1981, doing office and shop work. In 1985 she joined the John Lewis Partnership in their Southsea branch, Knight and Lee. There she worked on the Gift and Garden Furniture/ Xmas Departments. Whilst there Debra attended many traing courses with the company including one in Window & Department Display.

Debra joined Allders Department Store in Portsmouth in 1992, working for a Belgian Chocolate Concession until they left the store in 1998. She then worked for Allders as a Floater, which involved working in all departments within the store covering staff off sick or on holiday. This also included the Customer Service Department where she learned valuable computer skills.

Debra left in March 2002 to join her father and brothers in SPR, bring with her over 20 years of retail and office experience. She has since been made a partner in an ever thriving business.