In This Issue
Who are the Greatest Christmas Garden Centre teams of 2025? GTN's Greatest Christmas awards are launched
Do your customers think you are The Greatest at Christmas this year?
Another two garden centres make the right ‘choice’
From Kitchen to Restaurant and Beyond with WhitCo
The Greenfingers Charity celebrates the opening of ‘The Centred Garden’ at Acorns Children’s Hospice
RocketGro release first TV advert!
Colegrave Seabrook Foundation grows stronger
HTA Market Update: Steady September for garden centres
Greenfingers’ Charity Shield returns to GCA Conference
The GIMA Awards are SOLD OUT!
RHS reaffirms peat-free commitment for its retail
Nurturing Nature and the Power of the Flower – the Garden Highlights of RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026
Blue Diamond Garden Centres’ Community Garden Competition...One Year On
Why autumn applications of Nemaslug are essential for spring slug control
Two new best-in-class leaf blowers from EGO
Get your copy of GTN Xtra
Garden centre blaze spoils 40th anniversary celebrations
First Board meeting for new HTA Non-Executive Directors
Duncan Singleton joins board of BHETA
AIPH Approves HortEx 2026 as an International Horticultural Trade Exhibition
The Great Summer Sale
Keukenhof Gardeners Plant the First Flower Bulbs
The best of last week's
Dobbies completes refurbishment of sixth store
Founder of Bernhard and Company passes away
Deco-Pak lines up standout exclusives for 2026
Corby + Fellas implements WinRetail at Everton Nurseries
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The Greenfingers Charity celebrates the opening of ‘The Centred Garden’ at Acorns Children’s Hospice

 

The Greenfingers Charity has celebrated the opening of The Centred Garden at Acorns Children’s Hospice in Walsall. This joyful, inclusive outdoor space was thoughtfully designed to offer comfort, connection, and inspiration to the children and families who spend time at the hospice.

 

Created by Vanessa and Rachel of VaRa Garden Design and brought to life by Paul Taylor Landscapes, The Centred Garden was envisioned as a safe, accessible, and stimulating environment for children of all ages and abilities. With sensory planting, interactive zones and tranquil seating areas, the garden invites play, exploration, and quiet reflection - helping families connect with one another and with nature throughout the seasons.

 

The garden’s creation was made possible through the generous support of The Hospital Saturday Fund, LOFA, Clarins, and many wonderful Greenfingers supporters - including those who participated in Garden Re-Leaf Day - as well as a number of Trusts and Foundations. Additional gifts in kind were donated by industry partners including Noma, MK Illuminations, Rolawn, Hozelock, Treadstone and Ball Colegrave, who provided vibrant Beacon Impatiens to the hospice during the summer months.

 

The Centred Garden was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Greenfingers Patron, David Domoney, joined by children who use the hospice alongside their carers. The event welcomed supporters and friends from across the horticultural industry, including Phil Hurst, Jo Charlton, Richard Jackson Roger Head, Anya Gooding along with Mark Butler and the Vitax team, Jason Eagles, members of the Kilimanjaro Trekkers fundraising team, and many others who have played a vital role in bringing the charity’s vision to life.

 

Speaking about the garden opening, Boyd Douglas Davies, Chairman at Greenfingers Charity, said: “The Centred Garden is a remarkable example of what can be achieved when compassion, creativity and collaboration are guided by a shared commitment to improving the lives of others.

 

“This beautifully designed sensory space now offers a safe, inclusive environment where children of all ages and abilities can engage with nature, explore freely, and find moments of joy and connection. As Chairman of Greenfingers Charity, I am immensely proud of what has been accomplished and deeply grateful to every supporter, donor and partner whose generosity has helped bring this very special garden to life.”

 

This latest project marked another milestone in Greenfingers Charity’s ongoing mission to design and build beautiful, therapeutic gardens for life-limited children and families in hospices across the UK, spaces where memories are made, comfort is found, and nature plays a healing role every day.

 

Find out more

For more information about Greenfingers Charity visit: www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk or email linda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk to discuss ways to support the charity at this or future events.

 

In the meantime, you can also follow all the latest updates from Greenfingers on social media - @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn, https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/ and @GreenfingersCha on Twitter.

 

To learn more about Acorns Children’s Hospice please visit www.acorns.org.uk

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