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Antony Harker to launch Altico at Glee - Read GTN's August issue on-line now
Last chance to nominate the best buyers of the past eighteen months?
Come and see a stand full of new ideas at Glee!
Bill Bickerdike, one of "the gang", has died
August starts with sales uplift!
T&M for sale with up to £200m price tag say city sources
Impact of Brexit sees horticultural business export almost 40% fewer plants to EU markets so far this year
Kernock Park Plants hosts visit from South East Cornwall MP Sheryll Murray
Exciting opportunity at Creative Products
Garden centres and nurseries offer open-air atmosphere for consumers concerned about COVID
Plant sales reveal late summer colour clamour
Time to enter GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund
Summer sees furniture and BBQ sales hot up
TV gardener refreshes Wellbeing Garden at Tong
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No sign of growing media demand slowing
AIPH announces Virtual International Expo Conference on 19 October
Upturn for Wild Bird Care
Sally Morgan presents natural guide to futureproof the veg plot
The best of last week's
July 2021 sales are 28% ahead of nine-year average for the month
JBM Sales employs first rep into SW agency
New Woodlodge showroom displays latest products
Recognise importance of water for horticulture industry
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All the latest news from the world of pet products
ORGANIX – sustainable choice driving consumer demand
PetQuip reveals finalists for prestigious Industry Awards 2021
Pet firm attends premiere of PAW Patrol The Movie
Situations Vacant
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Bill Bickerdike, one of "the gang", has died
 

Bill Bickerdike, one of "the gang" of garden centre pioneers in the UK, has died aged 83.

 

He passed away peacefully last Wednesday evening at home after a short illness, with his family around him.

 

Bill's son Mark, who set up and runs Bikerdikes Garden Centre in Letchworth told GTN Xtra: "Dad and Bob were the old school, part of "the gang".  They were true pioneers and he often told me that they had no idea what they were doing but they had fun. Inflation was so high back then that any mistakes one year were worth more the next year.

 

"Sandy was built in 1972/73 solely as a garden centre, possibly the first purpose built garden centre in the UK.

 

"Dad retired at 59 when Sandy was sold for housing but he was always here when we needed him and continued to offer sound advice right the way through to the end.

 

"His motto was "Never say no... say yes to as much as you can" and he certainly lived life to the full, sailing the Atlantic after retiring and skiing through untill he was 80."

 

Bill's funeral will be at 10:30 on Friday 27th August,at St Swithun's Church, Sandy, Bedfordshire. SG19 1AQ

 

According to Debbie Bickerdike's facebook post, Bill requested a colourful funeral with no black ties.


Debbie has also shared a video from 3 years ago on his 80th birthday, so you can all enjoy his zest for life and how to live life to the full! Listen to his lovely comments at the end of the video. https://www.facebook.com/debbie.bickerdike.3

 

 

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Teresa Williams
One of life’s true gentlemen. Always a positive uplifting experience to be in his company with Julia alongside. We enjoyed many joyful occasions over the years with Bill and Julia. Heaven will be reverberating with the sound of Bill and Bobs laughter. May his beautiful Soul Rest In Peace.