Liz Pinker, who has been working at Jemini Flowers in the Covered Market for about 40 years, is busier than ever.
Throughout that time she has worked at the various different units the store has occupied in the historic market.
With Platinum Jubilee celebrations approaching at the start of next month, Ms Pinker knows the shop’s flowers will be selling well.
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She said: “Customers will be coming in and buying flowers for their homes for the Jubilee weekend - I think we are going to be very busy.
“We have been putting up lots of bunting and flags in the Covered Market and lots of traders are going to take part in a window decorating competition.
“I think most traders are going to get involved and they will have their windows decorated by May 28.
“People will be buying flowers for their homes or they will want to take flowers with them if they are visiting friends for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.”
Ms Pinker, who lives in Kirtlington, neat Kidlington, said she enjoyed working with other traders on various projects in the market.
She added: “Right now I think the market is looking up - it does have a good vibe after Covid.”
Ms Pinker always takes every opportunity she can to work with other traders on joint market projects.
Along with iScream’s Graham MacDonald, and The Garden’s manager Ellie she has helped to bring together the traders on their most successful Easter Egg Hunt ever.
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More recently Ms Pinker has been working with The Garden of Oxford, and The Woolhound to help coordinate the market’s Platinum Jubilee activities, which include a Spot the Corgi market competition for young families.
She is already getting into the Jubilee spirit herself planning her entry in to the inter-market trader jubilee shop window display competition. When she is not busy with her role as shop manager for Jemini Flowers, she volunteers on community projects at home.
“It keeps me busy but I love doing it,” she added.
Her role as a volunteer includes work for Dance 10 Theatre School as Community Leader where she’s responsible for all the fundraising. She also volunteers for Kirtlington Youth Club as secretary and volunteer helper, Kirtlington Village Hall as a committee member, and she also helps to organise Kirtlington Fete.
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After working for Jemini for about 40 years, Ms Pinker has got to know customers well and they appreciate her service with a smile and sense of humour. Preparations for the Platinum Jubilee window display are well under way and a vintage Union Jack has been found. The vintage flag belonged to her grandmother, who used to own a pub and this flag has been in their family since the 1950s. It was last used during the 1977 Silver Jubilee celebrations.
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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF
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