Doreen’s 33 years at Three Bridges station end in tears (of happiness)

Doreen Simson has been the Florist at Three Bridges Railway station for the past 33 years. Tomorrow she retires, today, her friends at Southern said goodbye and presented her with a beautiful cut crystal vase.

The retail areas at Three Bridges railway station are in for a major revamp with the old units to be demolished to make way for ultra-modern retail facilities.

Doreen has been the florist at the station since 1979 and has decided that the change to the station is the right time to retire. Doreen, much beloved by commuters and station staff alike was presented with a stunning cut crystal vase as a thank you by Paul Wyborn who was station manager for seven of Doreen’s 33 years at the station, accompanied by some of the station staff.

On receiving her gift, Doreen said: “This is a lovely surprise. It’s been an absolute joy to work at Three Bridges and all the staff and my commuters have been super friends – I will miss them all.”

Doreen began her career as a florist when she left school in 1952 and every year ever since, she has given away 200 red roses to commuters in London and at Three Bridges on St Georges day. She has so many memories, but when asked for her most memorable, she told of chasing after ‘customers’ who had stolen flowers from her stall – on one occasion, she even chased one chap onto a train to get her flowers back!

Paul Wyborn said: “We all love Doreen, she has been there every day in all weathers and always has a smile on her face. We will miss her very much.”

Doreen added: “Another thing I’ll miss is all the gossip, mind you, I used to her a lot of gossip from other people, not much passed my lips though!”

Doreen’s last day at the station will be on Friday 10th August.