West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has today praised ambitious plans which will see a family run business aim for significant growth next year.

The MP met with Charles and Stephanie James, of Frank P Matthews to learn about their successful business based on the banks of the river Teme on the outskirts of Tenbury Wells.

The company provides almost all the trees grown for the country’s nurseries and over a million trees are nurtured in the company’s 450 acres of land in the Teme Valley.

As well as supplying tress to nurseries, the company has a successful shop and is expanding to include mail order deliveries.

Harriett was visiting the company to see a field of cherry trees which are being grown for the Japanese embassy as gifts to local communities across the country to celebrate their strong relationship with the UK.

Harriett said:

“Frank P Matthews is renowned across the land for its excellent trees and has been at the heart of our national initiative to plant more trees to improve our environment.

“It is one of the largest employers in Tenbury Wells and as a family run business, the team clearly has its roots in the heart of the town.

“It was a pleasure to come and hear about the company’s plan for growth and I enjoyed taking a tour of the fields to see all the different varieties of trees which are grown along the beautiful river Teme.”

Charles James added:

“It was an absolute pleasure to host Harriett for a tour of the nursery. She was extremely engaging and enthusiastic about our wide range of trees and the work we’re doing with the local community.”

Photo:At Frank P Matthews’ cherry tree field with Stephanie James, Harriett Baldwin MP and Charles James.