BROTHERLY LOVE ENRICHES TEAM AT GROWING SHEPHERD HUT COMPANY

HARRY Long, the managing director of South West business Greendown Shepherd Huts, has enriched his work force by offering an apprenticeship to his younger brother Dan.

The pair are now working side by side after 35-year-old Dan, due to a heart problem, had to give up his previous role as a tree surgeon. 

“I loved my previous job however I was having problems with my heart which has an irregular rhythm and it became unsafe for me to be working at height and I was considered too high risk,” Dan said. 

“I didn’t want to sit around doing nothing so I asked Harry if I could help out and now I’m working within the workshop and I love it. I know I’m going to be a more ‘mature’ apprentice however I’m very excited to be embracing this new opportunity.” 

Dan is the youngest of seven brothers and Harry, who is a year older, started Greendown Shepherd Huts six years ago and didn’t think about one of his siblings joining him, though is brother-in-law Jordan is already a director of the company. 

Harry said: “Dan has proved that he has a passion and an aptitude for creating our shepherd huts so it made sense that he should become our latest apprentice! Age is no barrier, we value any new team member who understands our ethics, values and attention to detail.” 

Dan, who lives with his family in Corsham, Wiltshire will be training with Bristol-based provider Didac Ltd and taking a Level 2 qualification as a wood products manufacture operative. 

He’s the latest recruit to a team of 15 who now operate from a purpose-built site and workshop at Zeal Green Business Park near Keynsham, Bristol. 

Greendown Shepherd Huts are going into their seventh year and production is projected to increase to two luxury huts per week. The company makes shepherd huts mainly for the business-to-business market such as boutique hotels, holiday lets, glamping sites, farmers looking to diversify or other tourism enterprises. As each hut is handmade, prices start from £39,945 per hut though leasing options are available. 

The company has already supplied huts to many commercial operators throughout the UK including the Chatsworth Estate and Forbes of Kingennie. For more information about the business visit https://www.greendownshepherdhuts.co.uk