The news that Cindy and Sarah were retiring from Sunflower Nursery broke through a solitary Facebook post earlier this year.
The post heralding the dawning of a new era and the ending of over two decades of the glorious institution of the Cindy Edwards and Sarah Swift Sunflower years. The post announced the news in an emotional tone inviting anyone who knew the dynamic duo to relive their stories and to gather together in a voice of united respect to the well loved pair. The post grew with the addition of comments from a host of voices, voices of people whose lives had been touched or enriched by the work of this wonderful pair of human beings. It was a delight to read people’s reminisces, the outpouring of emotion so humbling to witness, there was no question that these two amazing ladies (and their wonderful staff) had well and truly left a mark on this community; their legacy…. generations of happy, confident and satisfied parents and children.
Cindy and Sarah bought Sunflower Nursery from its founder Helen Mercer back in 1994. The pair had been employed there, Sarah for longer than Cindy but the duo had hit it off from day one and although the prospect of running a business together was daunting they leaped at the opportunity. They describe how they made the decision initially committing to a five year plan. 22 years later, sitting in The Garden Cafe over a coffee, the duo, still the very best of friends laugh at their naivete. Little did they know all those years ago just how much a part of their lives their new venture was to become, all of their time, passion and energy invested into the extended family of their beloved Nursery. ‘Extended family’ a good choice of description for the world that they created in this wonderful two storey building in the heart of Frome town.
They tell me that they have never had a falling out in their 22 years being friends and business partners, they’ve been through so much together, bringing up their own families, in the early days dashing off on their own school run at the end of the nursery day. In all their years they have had more than 1,200 young children in their care. To put that into perspective that is a group of children the size of the intake of Frome College.
The initial Facebook post about the departure of Cindy and Sarah from Sunflower also raised the question as to who would be taking over. Initial trepidation was met with assurances from others on the thread that the pair would never just sell the school to just anybody and there was no question that they would have carefully vetted the new owner. They of course were right, the new owner Rachael Emmett has made the transition seamless and Sarah says that one parent described the new management as being ‘no different’ which makes her very happy indeed. You don’t spend 22 years building something as special as Sunflower up to then walk away without an afterthought.
Sarah now retired, informs us that just today she has applied for her CRB clearance so that she can continue to accompany children on school trips, Cindy talks of plans to perhaps continue working with small groups of children with additional special needs. They both also talk about how they still collect autumn leaves, greetings cards and bottle tops and then wonder what they will do with them! I guess once its in the blood its in the blood…at least that’s the case when it is your absolute passion or vocation as it has been for over two decades for both women.
I feel truly blessed to have crossed paths with Cindy and Sarah and I’m sure there are many more among us who feel the same…. I’m sure you’ll all share in wishing much joy and happiness to them for they surely deserve both in abundance.
