Reading about the closure of 106 Church Road, Hove (The Argus, February 19), reminded me of my first day there.

It was 1943. I was only 14 and straight from school. My first job was to stack carrots and I find it difficult to enjoy eating them to this day.

As some of the staff were having to do war work, I was offered to train as the florist. This was more to my liking and I stayed for seven-and-a-half years.

We had to learn a new skill when Canadian soldiers were billeted in the streets nearby. They wooed the local girls with a corsage demanding orchids - not always easy to find in wartime. This started my lifelong fascination for them.

I met a handsome policeman while working there, who became my husband. Alas, he is no longer with us. I would like to wish 106 Church Road all the best for the future and get back to my hobby, growing orchids.

-June E Champion, (Miss Rose at Heather's), Grosvenor Road, Seaford