Staff at garden centres across the Wales & West region are celebrating after scooping awards during a Garden Centre Association (GCA) presentation evening at Cadbury Garden Centre last night (Thursday, July 6, 2023).

The Old Railway Line Garden Centre (above) was awarded the title of Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category and Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe (below) received the accolade in the Garden Centre (GC) category.

Peter Burks, GCA CEO, said: “Our Wales & West regional awards meeting was a huge success and I’d like to thank all those who attended. It was great to hear our GCA Inspector, Phil McCann’s feedback from his inspections of the centres. Now our members can take this vital information back with them to their centres and hand out the praise and make any changes needed too.

“A big ‘thank you’ must also go to Cadbury Garden Centre at Congresbury near Bristol. The team there were fantastic hosts for the evening.”

Phil was responsible for inspecting member garden centres in the Wales & West area across a 12-week period where he made unannounced visits.

He said: “The standard of garden centres in Wales & West is outstanding, proving that the best garden centres are clearly GCA members. From my visits, it is apparent that customers are extremely well cared for by knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff, who love the work they are doing for their local community.”

As well as it’s Garden Centre of the Year in the DGC category win, The Old Railway Line Garden Centre scooped six other awards on the night.

Finance Director, Huw Lewis from The Old Railway Line Garden Centre said: “We’re over the moon to have won against other great garden centres in the Wales & West area that are all continuing to improve every year. We could not have done this without the support and hard work of our amazing team, and we thank them for their undying commitment.”

As well as Wenvoe being named as Garden Centre of the Year in the GC category, Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe and Pugh’s Radyr also amassed many other awards on the night too.

Nicola Pugh, Director, said: “We are exceptionally proud of our team and all the hard work and dedication that they have put it. We would like to thank them all for their never-ending commitment and enthusiasm. We’re proud to be part of the GCA and our fantastic industry.”

The full results for the Wales & West region GCA area awards are as follows for the GC and DGC categories:

Garden Centre of the Year: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre (DGC) and Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe (GC)

Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

Environment and Sustainability Award sponsored by Savills: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre

The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Pugh’s Radyr

The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: joint winners The Old Railway Line Garden Centre and Pugh’s Radyr (DGC) and Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe (GC)

The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: The Old Railway Line Garden Centre (DGC) and Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe (GC)

The Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Pugh’s Radyr (DGC) and Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe (GC)

The Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Pugh’s Radyr (DGC) and Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe (GC)

Houseplants: Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock (DGC) and Pugh’s Garden Village, Wenvoe (GC)

Plantaria (Ruxley Rose): The Old Railway Line Garden Centre (DGC) and Orchard Park Garden Centre (GC).

The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres nationwide.

Through sharing information and its inspection programme the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

For further information, please visit www.gca.org.uk.

Notcutts St Albans is one of many Fordingbridge steel framed, opal 60 sheeted canopies installed across the garden centre chain of sites, designed to encompass consistent branding specifications whilst providing protective solutions to their customers as they shop around the store.

This twin span canopy spanning 468m2 allows for much needed light intrusion for the plant sales displays to thrive year-round, resulting in an increased number of customers leading to effective return on investment.

This structure was designed in-house with Fordingbridge’s team of technical design experts, with efficient installation durations for minimal disruption to the outdoor sales space on site.

Discover more Fordingbridge Garden Centre canopies at Fordingbridge.co.uk, or alternatively give them a call on 01243 554455 to discuss your canopy and walkway requirements.

Case study link: https://www.fordingbridge.co.uk/case-studies/notcutts-st-albans/

Honeyfield's, a leading provider of high-quality wild bird care, announces the launch of their new suet treat range, designed to provide wild birds with a carefully formulated, nutritious food source all year round.

Honeyfield's New Suet Range stands out due to its exceptional quality and carefully selected ingredients and is available in two different flavours. The Insect & Mealworm flavour is specially formulated with a blend of natural ingredients, including high-protein insects and dried mealworms, to help support the nutritional needs of wild birds. The Fruity Flavour offers a delectable blend of fruity goodness, enriched with essential vitamins and minerals, providing birds with an irresistible treat.

Based on customer insight, the range includes a variety of packaging formats of the suet blocks and pellets to support sales through all channels. These formats include a 300g suet block, additionally a box of 10 suet blocks, and a mixed box of blocks containing 5 of each flavour. The suet pellets come in a 550g and 3kg bag and a 12.6kg box.  

The introduction of the 12.6kg suet pellet boxes is a cost-effective solution for suet pellets, the boxes are perfect for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers looking to provide a long-lasting supply of food, promoting regular feeding, to attract and keep a wide variety of birds visiting their garden. The 12.6kg suet pellet box also minimizes the need for frequent refills. The larger quantity ensures that bird enthusiasts can keep their feeders stocked for extended periods, allowing for uninterrupted bird-watching experiences.

"At Honeyfield's, we are dedicated to sustaining wild bird populations and making sure their nutrition and health is at the forefront of all decisions,” said Emily Scruton, Brand Manager for Honeyfield's.

"Our new suet range is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality wild bird food that not only attracts wild birds but keeps them healthy and enriched at the same. With the introduction of our 12.6kg suet pellet boxes in Insect & Mealworm and Fruity Flavour, we aim to offer convenience and value to our customers, ensuring they can offer a continuous supply of suet in their garden."

Honeyfield's suet range is suitable for all seasons, providing birds with essential nutrients throughout the year. Whether attracting blue tits, robins, blackbirds, or other wild birds, Honeyfield's offers a diverse selection to meet the tastes and preferences of different species.

The new suet range from Honeyfield's will be available for purchase both instore and online from August 2023. To learn more about stocking the range, please call 01430 875853 or email   sales-support@marriagesmillers.co.uk

To learn more about Honeyfield's and their range of bird food products, please visit www.honeyfieldswildbird.co.uk

Eight brave adventurers took to the skies, soaring over the Cotswolds countryside to not only make memories but more importantly to raise money for the Greenfingers charity.

Taking on the challenge of the Greenfingers wingwalk were Phillippa Stubbs from British Garden Centres, AMES’ Lukasz Kulisa, Katy Thompson, Luke Misseldine, Sam Jarvis and Poppy Jarvis from STV International, SBM’s Lowri Walker and Hornby Whitefoot PR’s Kimberley Hornby, who together had raised over £9,000, with even more sponsorship expected to roll in over the coming days.

Climbing aboard the wings of the WWII 1940’s Boeing Stearman biplane, these intrepid voyagers swooped, turned and flew across the skies of the beautiful Cotswold countryside, with each being encouraged on by the sounds of friends and family who had come to cheerlead. 

Back for her second airborne adventure was Lowri Walker from SBM who bravely returned to not only complete the wingwalk experience once again but to also go one step further by completing the loop the loop experience! Facing speeds of up to 180mph and reaching heights of almost 3,000ft, Lowri was set to draw the day to a close with her amazing aerobatic skills, however joining in the fun was Sam Jarvis who buzzing from his first wing walk also tackled the loop the loop for an amazing double showcase of bravery!

Further boosting morale on the day was a special cheque presentation from British Garden Centres, who handed over a fantastic £22,000 to the Greenfingers charity. This money was raised during a year of fundraising throughout its 62 stores which included activities to support Garden Re-Leaf Day, plus raffles, bake sales, sponsored walks and cycles rides, and marathons.

To support the wingwalkers are the expert pilots for AeroSuperBatics which are helping fulfil this worthy cause. On arrival at RFC Rendcomb Airfield, all participants had a safety briefing before stepping into a fly suit and taking aboard the top of the historic biplane. The roar of the planes 450hp Pratt & Whitney engine, which happens to be the largest and most powerful engine operated in the UK for wingwalking, started with the propeller hitting speeds of up to 760mph. The plane dipped, zoomed, dived and turned challenging these courageous souls.

Talking on the day, Poppy Jarvis said: “Greenfingers Charity is such an amazing and deserving charity. The work they do for hospices is just incredible and so worthy, which is why I feel honoured to have been involved in raising money to help towards the amazing spaces they create. What’s more, what an incredible way to raise money by “walking the wing”. The day was a memory I will hold forever! Greenfingers, and all the other fundraisers and spectators there were so involved and supportive to all doing this adrenaline fuelled activity. It felt like a family! Thank you Greenfingers for giving me the opportunity to help make life a little better for children and their families in hospices.”

Sam Jarvis added: “I thought the wingwalk was a great opportunity to do something for a really great cause that’s going to help make a big difference to lots of people’s lives.  It was a small thing I could do that meant Greenfingers could make a big difference to many people, plus it was a day that I will never forget!”

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications at Greenfingers, said: “Every time our supporters go out there to raise funds for Greenfingers I think they couldn’t out do themselves but time and time again they do. I am endlessly in awe of everyone who takes the time to shout about Greenfingers, so taking to the skies to do so is just superb!  Thank you to everyone that participated, to those that donated and to those that helped make the day itself such an unforgettable experience. I truly couldn’t ask for a better team to support this charity”

There is still time to show your support for the 2023 Greenfingers Wingwalkers. Simply visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/wingwalk23.

Find out more

Further information regarding the Greenfingers Charity can be found at www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk. You can also join in the conversation by joining Greenfingers on social media - https://www.facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity/, @GreenfingersCha on Twitter, and @Greenfingerscharity on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

British Garden Centres has presented Greenfingers Charity, with a cheque for £22,000 following a year of fund-raising at its 62 stores across the UK.

From British Garden Centres’ popular companywide Garden Re-Leaf fundraising days, raffles, bake sales, sponsored walks and cycles to marathons, everyone at the UK’s largest family-run group got behind Greenfingers Charity this year.  Director, Philippa Stubbs was delighted to present the charity’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, Linda Petronswith a substantial cheque at the Greenfingers Wing Walk in Gloucestershire.

Established in 1999, Greenfingers is a national charity dedicated to designing and creating magical, therapeutic gardens in children’s hospices across the UK. To date, they have created almost 70  garden spaces which provide a place where life-limited children, their siblings, families and carers can enjoy the therapeutic benefits of spending time outside and being close to nature.

Phillipa’s wing walk was fuelled with adrenaline-filled excitement as she took to the skies of Gloucestershire, soaring high above the countryside aboard the wings of a Stearman bi-plane with her family watching in awe below.  She said of the experience: “The wing walking challenge was a truly exhilarating and terrifying experience all in one. There were eight of us in all from all areas in the industry and we supported each other through the day. 

“The garden retail sector brings amazing things to Greenfingers Charity and they in turn do create amazing gardens in children’s hospices across the breadth of the UK. Anything we can do to make this easier really is our pleasure and is truly humbling to do.  Every moment of relief or pleasure these gardens bring to the families who turn to  hospices in their hardest times makes these fundraising events worthwhile.”

Amy Stubbs, Development and Project Manager at British Garden Centres said: “We are proud to be supporting Greenfingers Charity, an organisation that is very close to our hearts that does such vital work. The help that Greenfingers offers to children suffering from a range of challenging conditions highlights the incredible value that magical gardens and outdoor spaces add to people’s lives and, yet again, the BGC teams across the country astounded us with the variety of fundraising feats they undertook.”

Linda Petrons of Greenfingers Charity said: “We are overwhelmed by the way Phillippa, Amy and the entire British Garden Centre team have really got behind the charity once again this year behalf of us all at Greenfingers, I would like to say a huge thank you for putting the FUN into FUNdraising and for helping us to ensure more life-limited children and their families will be able to enjoy precious time outside in Greenfingers gardens, gardens in which many precious family memories will be created.”

In anticipation of the forthcoming release of the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) on 12 July, the Horticultural Trades Association, along with members Danmar Logistics, Provender Nurseries, Greenwood Plants, and You Garden, recently conducted a comprehensive visit to the Sevington Inland Border Facility in Ashford, Kent. 

The objective of the visit was to gain a first-hand understanding of Sevington's preparedness for the planned introduction of Border Control Posts. 

They were also joined by hauliers Windhorst Ferry BV and representatives from Defra and APHA specialising in plant health and seeds inspection, import policy, and infrastructure delivery.

The HTA's visit to Sevington is part of a programme of activity on behalf of its members to ensure that the plant trade remains a top priority, emphasising the significance of the horticulture industry. The association hopes to gain reassurance that any new trade system is meticulously planned, thoroughly tested, and effectively communicated to businesses operating within the sector.

Representing over 1,500 members across the UK environmental horticulture sector, including garden centre retailers, tree and plant growers, goods manufacturers, landscapers, and service providers, the HTA plays a vital role in the industry. This dynamic sector supports nearly 700,000 jobs, contributes significantly to a national GDP of nearly £28 billion, combats climate change, and enhances the health and wellbeing of approximately 30 million gardeners in the UK.

Without a Sanitary Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU, the horticultural sector has adhered to import and export requirements outlined in the Trade & Co-operation Agreement (TCA) since 1 January 2021. The UK horticultural sector relies on imported plant material, valued at over £753 million in 2022, representing half of the total value of the UK production sector for trees, plants, seeds, and bulbs—a significant £1.58 billion per annum in 2020.

Since 2021, Plant Health controls have been effectively implemented, ensuring import inspections occur at the Place of Destination, a proven successful system for traders and nurseries. The HTA's concern lies in the readiness of Border Control Posts to handle the diverse and intricate array of imports that the horticultural sector receives from the EU.

Sally Cullimore, Technical Policy Manager at the Horticultural Trades Association, commented: “Today's visit provided an important opportunity for representatives from the whole supply chain to come together with key officials, observe the proposed processes, discuss challenges, and, most importantly, identify potential solutions. 96% of UK growers have to import some sort of plant material for their operations, so it is crucial to have an import system that works for the industry. We strongly urge that this valuable feedback from today’s visit be incorporated into the final publication of the Border Target Operating Model.

“A delay of a minimum of 12 months in introducing Border Control Posts would ensure adequate preparations are made to handle the complexities of imports in the plant trade and mean BCP operators have fully tested systems and equipment to be ready. This delay will also provide businesses ample time to make necessary preparations, including being able to become designated Control Points and access the Authorised Operator Status model. Alignment of the BTOM with other relevant legislation, such as the Windsor Framework, is also vital to facilitate growth and success within the horticultural sector. Integration of IPAFFS (the online application portal for the Import of Products, Animals, Food, and Feed System) and related border processes is crucial to streamline the import process and reduce administrative burdens associated with existing processes. We need to ensure any new technology works and is clear.”

Stuart Tickner from Provender Nurseries, said: “Yesterday’s visit was invaluable in understanding how Sevington BCP will handle our precious cargoes of plants and trees when the time comes. We have concerns over the ability of all BCPs, including Sevington, to handle full loads of mature trees and large specimens, but it appears that the facilities are willing to engage with us to find workable solutions to this issue. We are 100% committed to biosecurity in the tree and plant supply chain and urge the government not to overburden businesses with unnecessary costs and delays that only serve to harm the UK horticultural sector.”

British garden equipment manufacturer Handy has announced a raft of promotional offers across a substantial range of garden machinery ideally suited to Autumn tasks. Retailers can benefit from increased margins on hedgetrimmers, chainsaws, log splitters, leaf blowers, shredders and more.

Long days and warm weather can take its toll on gardens during the summer months, so Autumn is a busy time of year as gardeners across the nation step up and start to prepare for the dominant Winter months ahead. Having the right Autumn gardening machinery in stock is essential to meet customer needs and provide valuable sales opportunities.  

With the arrival of Autumn comes the bane of the season for many gardeners, clearing fallen leaves. To make light work of this task, garden blowers/vacuums are essential pieces of garden equipment. Handy has special offers on blowers and combined Vacuum/Blowers that also shred debris into a compostable mulch, across its Greenworks cordless, The Handy and Q Garden electric, Mccullough and Webb petrol models. There is a wide range to choose from to suit all budgets.

Autumn is also the time of year you’re most likely to hear chainsaws in the garden, as trees and light shrubs get pruned to help keep them healthy and in good shape for the months ahead. To make light work of this challenging job, Handy has a comprehensive range of chainsaws and logs splitters available.

When it comes to getting rid of all those leaves and branches after pruning back those trees and shrubs, a garden shredder is ideal. Included in Handy’s Autumn offers is The Handy Electric Impact Shredder with Box and Detachable Hopper.

Over 70 garden machinery products have been included in Handy’s new Autumn garden machinery promotion, which is available on orders placed before the end of August 2023.

For more information, visit www.handyonline.co.uk/blog/news/plan-ahead-our-autumn-promotions.

Heather Wheeler MP met with the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) and representatives from two member businesses. Laura and John Jackson from Swarkestone Nursery & Garden Centre and Darren Sanders from Garden King hosted visits to discuss the horticultural industry's key issues.

Growing media was high on the agenda as well as water security, import checks, planning issues and labour.

Laura Jackson, Director at Swarkestone Nursery & Garden Centre, said:

"We were delighted to welcome Heather Wheeler MP to our nursery & garden centre for a second time. We have worked hard on converting our plant production to peat-free and having run successful trials last year, all of our homegrown bedding, vegetable and herbaceous plants are now grown peat-free. It was nice to be able to share this progress. The anticipated ban on the commercial use of peat from 2026 will have an impact on what we import, so we need to allow time for our EU suppliers to move towards growing peat-free. There was great value in being able to discuss the intricacies of such a complex issue with Heather Wheeler MP."

Darren Sanders, Garden Centre Manager at Garden King, commented:

"It was great to be able to host a visit from Heather Wheeler MP to discuss the key elements of our business as well as the challenges we face. As we are about to open our new extension, it was a perfect time to discuss the process of gaining planning permission and accessing materials. Water is key to the sector, and, having offered our own water-saving advice to consumers, it was hugely valuable to discuss water security with Heather and the HTA."

Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Public Affairs at the HTA, added:

"The sector faces significant challenges and requires certainty, clarity and support to enable businesses to plan. When we couple the increased watering requirements for peat-free growing with the pressing need to invest long term water security, the scale of the challenges ahead is vast. It is crucial that horticultural businesses have sufficient time and can access the support they need to invest in peat-free growing and water resilience. We welcome the opportunity to meet with stakeholders such as Heather Wheeler MP who can express these concerns in Westminster."

Commenting on her visit Heather Wheeler MP said:

"My visits to Swarkestone and Garden King were a great display of the horticulture sector in full swing. The social, environmental and economic benefits of environmental horticulture are substantial and today’s visits consolidated the need to support our gardening and horticulture sector and all those who work hard to deliver the plants and trees we need to meet climate targets."

Following the official confirmation by the Met Office of June 2023 as the hottest June on record, the Horticultural Trades Association is reaffirming its commitment to supporting its members in managing water usage as well as emphasising its key asks of policymakers in looking at water resilience measures.

There is also advice via the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) for consumers tending to newly landscaped gardens. In recognition of the collective effort required to use water responsibly, the HTA also shares valuable tips for individuals and encourages them to consult local garden centre experts for further guidance.

Enhancing Biodiversity:

• Building a Small Wildlife Pond:

Creating a wildlife pond need not be complicated or expensive. It can start with something as simple as a bowl of water, but for a more attractive option for wildlife, dig a hole (as obvious as it sounds!). An affordable option is using a small tank of tough, rigid, thick polythene that ensures a healthy pond ecosystem by resisting punctures. When selecting a location, avoid areas with overhanging trees that can cause challenges with leaf fall in autumn. Plant a variety of pond plants like watercress, greater spearwort, water mint, hornwort, Canadian pondweed, and water starwort to provide habitats and maintain water clarity. Regular maintenance, such as cutting and removing overgrown plants, is crucial for a thriving ecosystem.

• Promoting Bee Diversity:

While honeybees are renowned pollinators, it's important to appreciate the significant role of other bee species, including bumblebees (24 species) and solitary bees (nearly 250 species). To create an inviting habitat, heap soil in a sunny space or clear plants from an existing bank. Ensure the area faces south and provide nearby food sources such as spring bulbs (narcissus, tulip, hyacinth) and early wildflowers (dandelions, primroses, violets, flowering currant, fruit trees). These simple steps can encourage various bee species to thrive in your garden.

• Building Bug Hotels:

Bug hotels offer shelter and nesting opportunities for a range of beneficial insects. Instead of purchasing ready-made bug hotels, you can create your own by setting logs or old fence posts into the ground and drilling holes of varying sizes (5mm to 10mm diameter, 80mm deep) at about 1m-1.5m above ground level. Alternatively, bundles of hollow reeds or canes can serve the same purpose, providing nesting habitats for solitary bees like carpenter and mason bees, thereby contributing to garden biodiversity.

• Creating Hedgehog Habitats:

Hedgehogs play a crucial role in pest control and make charming additions to any garden. Construct a hedgehog hut in a quiet corner of your garden using sturdy materials, ensuring an entrance for the hedgehogs. Cover the framework with foliage, branches, and shrubbery to create a dark and cosy space for these nocturnal creatures. Fill the hut with leaves and shrubbery, and provide sustenance by leaving food like beetles, earwigs, worms, or meaty cat and dog food (avoid mealworms and milk).

• Hedgehog Feeding Station:

Supporting hedgehogs can be further accomplished by setting up a feeding station. Turn a plastic storage box upside down or place the lid on the box, cutting a hole approximately 10cm x 10cm in the short end and securing it with tape. Line the box with plenty of newspaper to manage any mess, and place the food at the opposite end of the hole to prevent access by foxes or cats. Secure the box with a brick to prevent movement or lid displacement.

Watering Tips

Effective watering techniques are crucial for maintaining healthy plants during hot weather. As part of the HTA's 'Get Summer Colour' social media campaign running throughout July and August, the following tips will be shared alongside other valuable advice:

• Opt for thorough watering sessions rather than frequent light watering to ensure water reaches the plant's root zone effectively while conserving water.
• If potted plants have dried out and the soil has shrunk, try plunging them in shallow trays of water for a couple of hours to help them gradually rehydrate.
• When watering and feeding hanging baskets or wall troughs, place a patio pot or planter beneath to catch excess water and feed, enabling the pot below to benefit from the runoff.

Vibrant flowers not only bring joy to gardeners but also attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. By adapting gardening techniques and creating a welcoming environment for wildlife, individuals can play a vital role in supporting the UK's environment and preserving biodiversity.

Pippa Greenwood, HTA Horticulture Manager, commented:

“We know that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of warm weather events, so we must do everything we can to help our members continue to produce and nurture the plants and trees that are so crucial to the UK’s environment but also to help the public on ways they can adapt their gardens and gardening techniques to ensure their green spaces can thrive as well as support our wildlife.”

Further guides on building ponds and attracting wildlife to gardens will be available on the Association of Professional Landscapers website in the coming weeks www.landscaper.org.uk

Perrywood Garden Centre buyers have figured highly in the Glee Buyers Power List – 1st place for Home & Gifts and Christmas, 2nd place for Food & Drink and Garden Care and Plant buyer was awarded 3rd place. Perrywood achieved 2nd place for the Overall Independent Garden Centre Buying Team of the Year!

The famous trade show takes place at the NEC, Birmingham. Contenders were nominated by other GLEE attendees and a panel of judges announced the results live at the show.

Simon Bourne, Retail Director, comments, “We are thrilled to be winners. Our buying team are extremely dedicated to keeping the garden centre fully stocked with superior quality plants, giftware, gardening essentials and seasonal products all year round.

"We are very proud of their hard work; they are a key part of our business and the unique range of products they source keep our valuable customers coming back time and time again!”

Further to a successful series of Teachers' Days and Drop-Ins, an adventure play attraction in Leeds is launching three packages for school pupils aged 6-14.

Developed by a qualified primary and outdoor educational instructor, Gemma Simpson, Duty Manager at Mission Out at Tingley Garden Centre, the packages are the Elevate, Aerial and the Terrain experience that are suitable for all primary and secondary school Key Stages, with a minimum height requirement on the High Ropes. 

The Elevate package includes access to the high ropes and bespoke team-building activities that have been designed with an educational focus; the Aerial experience includes the challenging two-tier high ropes course and the Terrain experience gives full access to the park's ground level activities.

"Our schools' packages are a great way to celebrate finishing SATs, to treat your class of 2023, to enjoy a fun-filled day of adventure to mark the end of the term, or to encourage team building at the beginning of the new school year," saidMiss Simpson.

"At Mission Out, children in all year groups can experience epic challenges and exhilarating fun in four acres of the great outdoors. We provide a highly engaging and rewarding environment that allows children to step out of their comfort zone and build confidence. Adventure play promotes resilience and team-working, and helps the children to develop problem-solving skills, whilst making epic memories."

Tom Clements, Assistant Headteacher at Roundhay School recently took a group of 250 pupils to experience Mission Out: "Thank you so much for your help prior to and during our visit. We truly appreciate how easy and simple you and your team made it for us to plan and deliver an excellent day out for our pupils.

"It was utterly brilliant to see how much fun our young people had and the freedom that they had to play and be children in a completely safe environment."

The cost of the packages,  which start at £6.95 per pupil for the Terrain package, includes coach parking, cabins for breaks and group work and certificates. For more information, please visit https://missionout.co.uk/school-visits/

Designed to appeal to families, groups and parties, Mission Out features high ropes, water activities, a jump challenge pillow, giant swings, deb-building and adventure golf among its many activities.

Tingley Garden Centre is part of the Yorkshire Garden Centres family that comprises Tong, Tingley, Otley and Bingley Garden Centres.

Dobbies has rolled out a potentially lifesaving defibrillator and CPR training programme supporting the British Heart Foundation (BHF), to help improve survival rates from cardiac arrest.  

There are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year, but less than one in ten people survive, often because those around them don’t have the skills or confidence to perform CPR.   

Now to help save more lives, Dobbies’ 4,000 team members across all 76 of its stores and its Central Support Office are being encouraged to complete RevivR – the BHF’s online tool which teaches vital CPR skills for free in just 15 minutes – and all that is needed is a mobile phone and a firm cushion to practice on. 

RevivR shows how to recognise a cardiac arrest, gives feedback on chest compressions and outlines the correct steps of using a defibrillator, giving anyone the confidence to help in the ultimate medical emergency.  

The retailer has also committed to registering all of its 77 defibrillators, one in each store and Central Support Office, on The Circuit2, the national defibrillator network, which connects defibrillators to NHS ambulance services across the UK. This ensures in those crucial moments after a cardiac arrest, they can be accessed quickly to help save lives. 

Paul Green, Head of People Experience, at Dobbies, said: “We are proud to be working with the British Heart Foundation on this important initiative, which we hope will help save lives. We want to enable all our team to learn CPR and to know how simple defibrillators are to use. We are committed to creating a safe environment for our customers and our team, and I am proud to celebrate this landmark moment for our stores.” 

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: “A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time and it could happen to someone you love. Knowing what to do in those vital moments could mean the difference between life and death. We want to thank Dobbies for their support and for working with us to make sure even more people have the skills they need to save a life.” 

To find out more about RevivR visit: https://www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/how-to-save-a-life/how-to-do-cpr/learn-cpr-in-15-minutes  

Visit TheCircuit.UK for more information or to register your defibrillator.   

The sun might be high in the sky but for many retailers Christmas is starting to sneak into view again. One brand that is helping retailers optimise festive sales is Premium Christmas Trees.

The supplier has continued to innovate to help retailers meet customer needs, bring to market even more sustainable tree options, plus sales support to help stores to personalise their retail offering. Here the PCT team share details of their 2023 offering.

Slimmer Trees follow trends

In recent years there has been a significant shift towards trees that meet the needs of modern living, especially as ethical consumerism becomes more widely appreciated by UK shoppers. With real trees being celebrated for their environmental benefits when compared to artificial plastic-rich trees, a new generation of real tree cheerleaders has been born. But gone are the days of one-size-fits all. Urban dwellers, apartment living, and even multiple-tree homes have generated an increase in demand for Nordmann slimline trees. Not only has PCT responded to this demand by being the first to introduce the Nordmann Slimline back in 2016, but it has set the benchmark for how slimline trees should best look aesthetically and how they should perform within the retail environment and also within the home.

A great choice for first-time purchasers of real trees, or those where space is at a premium, the Slimline Nordmann is 30% narrower than its namesake thanks to the specialist attention that is required to produce these trees – every tree is hand pruned several times a year from year four before being allowed to fill out in their last growing year. Those retailers that have taken the time to tell this story, supported by Premium Christmas Trees’ video and dedicated point of sale, have been able to successfully charge a premium for these unique trees and meet the needs of an ever changing and growing customer base.   Those retailers that order the trial pallet (30 x 5ft 60 x 6ft) almost always report that they are the first to sell out and significantly increase their order of them in subsequent years.

Elsewhere in the range, Premium Christmas Trees is placing more emphasis on its Silver (Korean) Fir and Fraser Fir trees. 

The Fraser Fir has been around in the UK for some time and is loved for its narrow, full shape and wonderful fragrance. Premium Christmas Trees source its Fraser Firs specifically from a remote part of Scotland that is hard to access with machinery, but the ground is perfect for growing this variety, meaning they require very little human intervention in the growing process.

The Korean Fir (sometimes called a silver fir for the end consumer), by comparison, is a more recent arrival in the UK but is already making a name for itself. The tree’s popularity is due to its full shape, lovely scent and its ability to suit smaller spaces. Korean Firs also enjoy a softer needle and very strong needle retention, making them great for those making their first foray into living trees in the home. The inclusion of cones and a blueish colouring to the underside of branches, coupled with an extremely careful growing and handling process, are also helping to increase the popularity of this tree amongst the Instagram generation.  Premium Christmas Trees predicts a bright future for Korean Firs in the UK in coming years and is urging retailers to get ahead of the curve now to ensure they are offering something different.  

Christmas and the cost of living

Whilst inflation may be easing, the cost-of-living crisis isn’t over and for many that means cutting their cloth more efficiently this Christmas. But cost efficiencies don’t have to mean missing out as PCT’s Cost-of-Living Tree proves. Available in a 165cm – 240cm height range and priced at only £12.95. What’s more, they provide a great option for retailers who want to continue offering the real tree experience to their customers who may not feel able to stretch to a premium tree – a great example of responsible and considered retailing.

The most organic Christmas tree

As consumers ask for more and more sustainable solutions, PCT has been working tirelessly to find a solution. The result of this effort is bringing back the Lodge Pole Pine – pruned by hand into a slimmer tree than in years gone by. Grown without herbicides or fertiliser, this new introduction is considered by the team at PCT as being as close to a truly organic Christmas tree as it is possible to be. First introduced to the UK in 1855, the Lodge Pine offers remarkable tolerance to poor soil, meaning it will flourish almost anywhere. Resistant to winter cold, spring frost, exposure, air pollution and internal warm, dry condition, it is also one of the hardiest trees available.  And even more – it has the best needle retention of any tree. Available from 5-8ft and available with a minimum order quantity of just 25.

Personalised care instructions

Launched in 2022 to great success, the 2023 festive season will see PCT return with even more personalised care information. These tailored A5 leaflets – which include bespoke retailer details when the minimum order quantity is reached – are the ideal way to educate consumers on the ‘story’ behind their tree, whilst increasing confidence at the point of sale.

Each A5 leaflet features information that speaks to the consumer, including details on the provenance of their selected tree and complete care instructions. Armed with this information, many of last season’s festive shoppers were secure in the knowledge that their purchasing decision had minimal environmental impact. This in turn helped to strengthen the retailer’s position as an environmentally responsible seller – a win/win for all involved.

Find out more

For more information regarding Premium Christmas Trees’ 2023 offering, please visit www.premiumchristmastrees.com or call the team on 01257 793748 to discuss your tree requirements. There is also a dedicated team of sales experts who can be in touch or come to visit retailers nationwide.

Fraser Fir Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gv5SArYx8Q

Slimline Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQIhTQpEGic&t=11s

Pot Grown Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWd3skuSl5g&t=3s

BBC Gardeners’ World Live drew to a close with 90,000 visitors flocking to the NEC in Birmingham. Keen gardeners from across the UK enjoyed more than 30 inspiring Show Gardens and Beautiful Borders, the ever-spectacular Floral Marquee, summer gardening advice from BBC Gardeners’ World TV presenters and Magazine editors, leading plant experts, designers and gardening influencers, plant and garden shopping, food, drink and entertainment.

The Show’s Gold award winning headline show garden, A Garden Fit for a King, designed by Paul Stone to mark HM The King’s Coronation and celebrate his sustainable gardening principles, will live on. Species of plants used in the garden which are suitable for pollinators and butterflies will be donated to The Prince’s Foundation.

Paul Stone said: “The King’s love of gardening and his message to trust in nature is without question, so it’s a privilege that so much of this very special garden will form part of The Prince’s Foundation legacy. I felt the biggest tribute I could give in celebration of the Coronation was to credit the King’s specific contribution to the renovation of the Highgrove Gardens and the resulting impact on the gardening community.”

Emily Cherrington, director of The Prince's Foundation, said: "Alongside delivery of our education and training programmes, The Prince's Foundation's raison d'etre is to manage beautiful and inspirational places to visit for the local community and visitors from further afield. We are so grateful to the team at BBC Gardeners' World Live for their generous donation that will undoubtedly add greatly to the biodiversity and variety of plantlife that is so important to the expert gardens teams at each of these locations.”

Following the presentation of headline awards for Best Show Garden (Newson Health Menopause Garden), Best Construction Landscaper (Liz Earle Beauty Co.’s Botanical Show Garden), Best Beautiful Border (Claire Morrell) and the Peter Seabrook Award for Best New Plant at BBC Gardeners’ World Live (Rose Peter’s Persica, Wharton’s Roses), further awards were announced on the final day of the show. Winner of the Show Garden People’s Choice Award was The Secret Homestead, an edible show garden designed by Lucy Hutchings (@shegrowsveg). The Cure Leukaemia Beth’s Sunflower Garden was given a Special Award for Community Endeavour.

The Visitors’ Choice for Best New Plant at BBC Gardeners’ World Live was Trollius Full Moon, introduced by Allensmore Nurseries and bred by Syngenta. Visitors were enchanted by its beautiful, large, cup-shaped cream-coloured semi-double blooms on tall stems emerging from clumps of mid-green leaves. Breeders from around the world took part in the new Hot Off The Potting Bench feature, and with some amazing plants to choose from, the vote was very close. Runners up for Visitors' Choice were Rose Peter's Persica (Whartons Roses), Hydrangea serrata Euphoria Pink (bred in Japan by Osco Garden Bv, introduced by Thompson & Morgan), Sunflower Red Desire (Burpee Seeds) and Nemesia Melody Morello Ice (Kerley & Co/Hayloft).

Winners of the Health for Life School Wheelbarrow Competition were Somerville Primary School (Primary), Victoria School (Secondary), and Fordbridge Primary School (People’s Choice), with all schools located in Birmingham. Best APL Avenue Competition Garden was Path of Renewal designed by David Negus (The 3D Gardener), a show garden featuring reclaimed industrial materials.

One visitor was so impressed by one of the Association of Professional Landscapers’ competition show gardens in APL Avenue that they bought it! Designed by Joshua Fenton from Fenton Gardens in Kent, the SubAqua garden featured a seating area suspended above a large pond. Several of the show gardens and Beautiful Borders are also being relocated to new homes with charities and community organisations, including Cornwall Hospice Care (Fontana Garden), the Wildlife Trust centre at Parkridge (Urban Oasis), Birmingham Hospice (Where there’s a willow) and Rookery Gardens mental health service (Wander and Wonder).     

Rachel Poletti-Gadd, Portfolio Director - Gardening Division at Immediate Live, organisers of BBC Gardeners’ World Events, said: “It’s been fantastic to be back at the NEC for BBC Gardeners’ World Live again this year with a show that was packed with inspiration, achievable ideas, and plants a-plenty. We love seeing the joy on peoples’ faces as they explore the show, and were particularly excited to launch some exciting new features this year, like the Hot Off the Potting Bench new plants display in the Floral Marquee, the Peter Seabrook Award for Best New Plant, the We Grow Stage, Tool Shed Talks, and expanded House Plant Hub. We continue to plan exciting new elements every year and look forward to welcoming visitors back again in 2024.”       

BBC Gardeners’ World Live returns to the NEC on 13 – 16 June 2024. The BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair, in association with English Heritage, takes place at Audley End House and Gardens in Essex from 1 – 3 September 2023. The BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair returns to Beaulieu in Hampshire on 3 – 5 May 2024.  

Tickets available for the BBC Gardeners’ World Autumn Fair are available at www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com. Transaction fee applies.

Offering multiple benefits for both retailers and consumers, Deco-Pak’s Country Bond, self-bonding gravel is a true gamechanger.

Here the team explain more:

Benefits for Retailers

High Sales Volume and Margin Potential: Country Bond self-binding gravel exhibits exceptional durability, making it a highly sought-after product among landscapers and homeowners. Its popularity can translate into high sales volume and increased profit margins for hard-landscaping retailers. The range is also available in Bulk bags for larger projects.

Attractive Full-Colour Packaging: Deco-Pak places a strong emphasis on packaging design, ensuring that the Country Bond range is presented in visually appealing, informative, and professional packaging. The attractive packaging helps to catch the attention of customers, encourage sales, and enhance the overall brand image.

Benefits for Consumers

Easy to Install and Maintain: Country Bond self-binding gravel is simple to lay, allowing homeowners and landscapers to create beautiful pathways, driveways, or decorative garden features with ease. Its self-binding properties reduce the need for extensive maintenance, saving consumers time and effort.

Pet-Friendly: The gravel is safe and pet-friendly, making it ideal for households with furry companions. It provides a comfortable surface for pets to walk on, and its self-binding nature minimises the risk of loose gravel causing discomfort or injury.

Eco-Friendly with No Preservatives or Chemicals: Deco-Pak is committed to sustainability, and the Country Bond self-binding gravel aligns with this ethos. It is free from preservatives or harmful chemicals, ensuring a safe and eco-friendly option for consumers who prioritize environmental responsibility.

Transformative Characteristics: Country Bond self-binding gravel can completely transform outdoor spaces, adding beauty, functionality, and a natural aesthetic appeal. The gravel comes in four colour options, allowing consumers to choose tones that seamlessly blend with their surroundings, creating visually pleasing landscapes.

By stocking Deco-Pak's Country Bond self-binding gravel, garden centres and retailers can offer their customers a durable, low-maintenance, and environmentally friendly solution for their landscaping projects. The product's transformative characteristics, coupled with its attractive packaging, make it an appealing choice for consumers seeking high-quality and reliable options for their outdoor spaces.

Find out more

To find out more about how Deco-Pak is shaping the future of gardening sustainably please visit www.deco-pak.co.uk or call 01422 204 394.

Following another successful annual Glee exhibition, the team at Primeur is busy prepping orders for the 2024 season with its two latest product introductions leading the way. Here the team shines a light on its newest innovations, including new Tierra Verde planters and the revolutionary Rubber Play Mat.

An evolution of Primeur’s already popular product offering, these new introductions are set to ignite new sales opportunities for retailers, with the Rubber Mat Tiles increasing cross-category opportunities within recreational and child-play products; an opportunity that very few landscaping products can boast. Like all Primeur products, these new kids on the block utilise recycled rubber crumb to create products that offer multiple benefits including unrivalled durability, longevity and UV and frost resistance to name but a few.

Recycled rubber for the win

Primeur’s brand new rubber tiles – available in two designs: Rubber Tiles (50 x 50 x 2.5cm) and Playspace Tiles (1m x 1m x 1cm) - have been launched into the market in three stylish colourways - grey, green and red - making them versatile and perfect for any spot in the garden that needs an attractive splash of safety, style or comfort.

Offering unlimited amounts of usage, these fantastic products are suitable for indoor and outdoor projects.  Perfect for use around the garden to support outdoor leisure activities as well as functional flooring for sheds and garages, these tiles really come into their own when you consider their role within recreational activities, especially where children are in play.  A spongy and non-slip surface make these perfect for use around children’s play equipment to minimise injuries to boisterous little ones.

The role that Primeur’s new rubber tiles has to play within recreational activities offers new cross-sales prospects within the garden retail setting, as they can sit alongside other outside play products including play sand, paddling pools and activity sets.

In fact, the multiple benefits that Primeur’s new-for-2024 Rubber Tiles offers helped the team to scoop yet another industry award, with the Glee New Product ‘Landscaping’ Award joining the company’s trophy cabinet this summer.

Planting new profit opportunities

Primeur’s Tierra Verde self-watering planter offering is what set the company on a journey of discovery upon its launch to the UK garden retail market in 2019.  Since then, the team has designed multiple new designs, each driven by the latest trends and consumer needs. The 2024 season looks to be no different as three new styles join the line-up, with one – Cello (33cm) - combining two of the bestselling designs into one ultimate planter full of texture and sleek, contemporary lines.

Elsewhere a new Barrel design offers rustic style combined with the benefit of modern material innovation, whilst the Alto’s simple curves will fit in both traditional and modern gardens and homes.

Like the Rubber Tiles, the new Tierra Verde planters caught the eye of the Glee New Product judges, with the range gaining shortlisted status within the Growing Containers category at this year’s edition of Glee 2023.

Jenny Douthwaite, Director at Primeur said: “A lot of time and energy goes into creating our new products so to receive such a positive reaction from retailers upon first seeing them is always heartening. Glee 2023 was a positive show for us, with our order book already filling up and our customers poised for delivery in early 2024. Having the opportunity to showcase our latest merchandising and point of sale solutions was also a hugely worthwhile exercise and I know this has offered real value to our customers, new and old.”

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Horticultural Trades Association Director of Public Affairs, Jennifer Pheasey, gave evidence to the House of Lords Inquiry into the development of horticulture.

The year-long Special Inquiry is a chance for the voice, value, and profile of environmental horticulture to be properly recognised in Parliament.

Today’s two evidence sessions focused on growing media, soil, trade, and biosecurity, with Jennifer contributing to the latter two issues.

Jennifer Pheasey, HTA Director of Public Affairs, commented: “This evidence session was extremely timely given the publication of the final Target Operating Model expected shortly. With such a high proportion of businesses importing plants or products in our sector and long-established international relationships, ensuring our goods can travel smoothly and seamlessly is a top priority.

"We remain hugely concerned that without the detail, time, and tested infrastructure in place, the border changes will be hugely disruptive, causing further costs and challenges in an already difficult climate. Being able to discuss these issues and tangible actions that can be taken to improve UK implementation of CITES rules and ambitions to evolve and be leading in biosecurity shows the breadth of expertise and knowledge needed to operate in UK horticulture.

"The committee is well placed to bring together these issues and their impacts and make recommendations on how government and policymakers can work together and with industry to ensure we can remain competitive and grow.”

Earlier in the year, HTA Chairman James Barnes also gave evidence focusing on the value and contribution of the sector to the UK economy, environment, biodiversity, and scope to boost all these benefits if the right conditions are set, and levers pulled.

The HTA’s commitment to supporting the committee’s work has included meeting HTA members at the Garden Press Event, the Chelsea Flower Show, briefings, and a private evidence session. HTA has also submitted written evidence to the Committee and worked with partners through the Environmental Horticulture Roundtable Group to further deliver contributions to the Inquiry.

Martin Chaplin has joined one of the UK’s leading commercial nurseries as a Purchaser.

In his new position at Wyevale Nurseries in Hereford Martin will be supporting, driving and assessing purchasing processes, and bridging communication and support across departments.

The 47-year-old, who comes from Croston in Lancashire, explains: “Joining Wyevale Nurseries is very exciting; its history, reputation and brand values place the company very highly in the industry. It feels like a sleeping giant and it’s exhilarating to be welcomed in and be part of its future ambitions.”

Martin has held purchasing roles in horticulture for many years and joins Wyevale Nurseries with a wealth of knowledge of growers and suppliers across Europe.

Commercial Sales Director, Ian Wright says: “We’re delighted to welcome Martin to Wyevale Nurseries. He will strengthen our team tremendously and help us to achieve our company vision of being a recognised leader in the horticultural industry. 

“Purchasing is a vital component of supply into the landscape sector. Martin will be a huge asset during what is a challenging period in our development. There’s plenty to contend with such as market consolidation, import legislation and restrictions, as well as our need to go completely peat free in the future and to continue with and reinforce our already exemplary biosecurity initiatives.”

Martin has previously worked as a Garden & DIY QVC Buyer and as an Ideal Shopping Direct Senior Buyer in its Leisure Department. He also volunteered for the Good Sam Project through Covid and created a Men’s Shed Mental Health Project in Croston.

He is no stranger to the horticultural industry having started his working life, aged 14, collecting trolleys at weekends at Auldene Nurseries. He was then supported through his training and Business & European Studies course by the garden centre too.

In his spare time, Martin likes walking his dog Kimmer, who is a Cavchon (Cavalier Bishon) and also assists and volunteers for many community charities in his village.

He adds: “I’m a board member for an umbrella charity for our village, Croston Together, and a volunteer and committee member for Croston in Bloom. Our village was actually featured in the BBC Two TV series about Britain in Bloom, which was very exciting.

“I am a founder and committee member of Croston Men’s Shed and a Croston Sports Club committee member too, which keeps me very busy, especially as we’re currently working on funding for redevelopment. Outside my commitments with all these charities, I have a large family of eight nieces and a nephew, who I enjoy spending time with.”

Wyevale Nurseries’ product selection is envied across the industry and the talented team regularly introduces new, award-winning plant varieties.

Its main business is to supply garden centres, landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters and landowners with a comprehensive array of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants.

For further details about Wyevale Nurseries, which is based in Hereford, please call 01432 845 200 or visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk.

The RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival took place this week, and members of the Association of Professional Landscapers and Horticultural Trades Association once again wowed the crowds and judges with their impressive gardens and displays.

The APL had their own stand at the show entitled ‘The Devil’s in the Detail’ which is a fully interactive experience for the public, where the visitor got the chance to look at two near-identical gardens, but one will have 6 common issues or faults that can be found in some landscape projects. Their task was to spot them, and then they’ll find out how they can be avoided.

The APL stand is designed by Artform, with the build supported by David Strows, Bushy Business, Hardwood Landscapes, Garden House Design, Cherry Carmen, Form Plants, Humblebee Gardeners, CED, Landscape Plus, Composite Prime, Steintec, Oase, Weatherit Ltd, Millboard, Bury Hill Top Soil and Growing Revolution.

Elsewhere at the show visitors can take a look at the award-winning gardens built by APL members:

• Frogheath Landscapes – Wildlife Trust Renters Relief won Best in Category (Get Started garden) and a Gold award.
• The Landform Mental Wealth garden, built and sponsored by Landform Consultants won the Best Construction Award and a Gold award.
• Acacia Gardens The Inghams Working with Nature won a Silver award.

Among the feature gardens is the RHS Iconic Horticultural Hero Garden – built by Landform Consultants, Landscape Associates and ACO APL Associate built the RHS Resilient Garden and The Garden Landscapers built The RHS Wildlife Garden.

For further details about the APL’s involvement at the show visit: https://www.landscaper.org.uk/apl-shows/hampton-court-2023

HTA members in the Floral Marquee include Burncoose Nurseries, Peter Beales Roses and Fryers Roses (part of the Blue Diamond group) who all won Silver-Gilt medals.

For more information on the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Festival and to view the full list of award winners visit https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-hampton-court-palace-garden-festival/awards

Destination Garden Centre of the Year went to Ruxley Manor (above) and the Garden Centre of the Year Award was presented to Coolings Wych Cross (below) at the South Thames GCA region during a presentation evening yesterday (Tuesday, July 4, 2023) at Castle Gardens in Dorset.

Dwayne Ross, Managing Director at Coolings said: “This is an amazing achievement for the whole team. Being such a plant-based business, we are delighted to have been recognised.”

Andrew Evans Managing Director at Ruxley Manor Garden Centre said: “This is a fantastic win for Ruxley Manor and we’re absolutely delighted to have won. We would like to thank the entire team for their continued hard work and commitment that made this win possible.”

The full results for the South Thames region GCA area awards are as follows for the GC and DGC categories:

Garden Centre of the Year: Ruxley Manor Garden Centre (DGC) and Coolings Wych Cross (GC)

Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service: Coolings Nurseries

Environment and Sustainability Award sponsored by Savills: Millbrook Garden Company, Gravesend

The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity: Ruxley Manor Garden Centre

The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Thompson Plants and Garden Welling

The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: Ruxley Manor Garden Centre (DGC) and Knights Plant Centre, Betchworth (GC)

The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Stewarts Garden Centre, Christchurch (DGC) and Squires Garden Centre, Woking (GC)

The Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Ruxley Manor Garden Centre (DGC) and Knights Plant Centre, Betchworth (GC)

The Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Garsons Garden Centre, Esher (DGC) and Canterbury Garden Centre (GC) 

Houseplants: Ransoms Garden Centre (DGC) and Knights Plant Centre, Betchworth (GC)

Best Planteria (Ruxley Rose): Joint DGC winners are Coolings Nurseries and Newbridge Nurseries (DGC) and Thompson Plants and Garden Welling (GC).

Peter Burks, CEO at the GCA, said: “Our first regional awards meeting of the year was a great success and it was fantastic to see 102 attendees all actively engaged in the presentations and taking down lots of notes to share with the rest of their teams afterwards.

“I’d like to congratulate all our very worthy winners and give a big ‘thank you’ to everyone at Castle Gardens in Sherborne, which is part of The Gardens Group, for being such wonderful hosts and to Gordon Emslie for inspecting the centres and presenting his findings in such an engaging way. Also, this year we’re delighted to announce that we’ve introduced a new award for houseplants too.

“We also did a Best Planteria award on the night and will do the same at every award event this summer, as although the top 10 highest scorers get a second visit to determine who wins the overall Ruxley Rose competition, which is announced at our conference in January, the area winners haven’t been recognised in previous years.”

Gordon Emslie inspected 57 garden centres in the region within a 12-week period.  He said: “The overall operational consistency witnessed, along with excellent retail standards, was fantastic. You can visibly see centres using the inspection process to develop their businesses. The result was that more than 70% of centres achieved the ‘highly commended’ award for scoring 75% or over. Overall great centres, delivering excellent customer service and being inspirational and creative for shoppers.”

The GCA represents more than 200 garden centres nationwide and helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability through sharing information and its inspection programme.

For further information, please visit www.gca.org.uk.

Members of the Garden Centre Association in the Midlands region are celebrating after receiving awards during a presentation evening this week (Wednesday, July 5, 2023) at Gates Garden Centre.

The title of Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category was awarded to Webbs of Wychbold (above) and the Garden Centre (GC) category award went to Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne.

Peter Burks, CEO at the GCA, said: “Our second regional awards meeting of the summer was a great success. We’d like to say a huge ‘congratulations’ to all of our winners, they all thoroughly deserve the recognition and are a testament to us. We’re also very grateful to the team at Gates Garden Centre in Leicestershire for hosting our event this time around. They were marvellous hosts!

“On behalf of all the attendees we’d like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to our inspector, Phil McCann, for visiting each centre and providing extensive feedback on what he found. This really was invaluable to our members and is one of the main benefits of our membership.

“New for 2023, we’ve introduced an award for houseplants. We also did a Best Planteria award on the night and will do the same at every award event this summer, as although the top 10 highest scorers get a second visit to determine who wins the overall Ruxley Rose competition, which is announced at our conference in January, the area winners haven’t been recognised in previous years.”

Phil conducted surprise visits to centres across a 12-week period.

The full results for the Midlands region GCA area awards are as follows for the GC and DGC categories:

Garden Centre of the Year: Webbs of Wychbold (DGC) and Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne (GC)

Customer Service Award for Best Customer Service: Gates Garden Centre

Environment and Sustainability Award sponsored by Savills: Planters Garden Centre, Tamworth

The Barton Grange Trophy for Commercial Innovation and Creativity: Webbs of Wychbold

The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Stratford Garden Centre

The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: Webbs of Wychbold (DGC) and Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne (GC)

The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Planters Garden Centre, Tamworth (DGC) and Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne (GC)

The Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Gates Garden Centre (DGC) and Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne (GC)

The Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: East Bridgford Garden Centre (DGC) and Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne (GC)

Houseplants: Webbs of Wychbold (DGC) and Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne (GC)

Best Planteria (Ruxley Rose): Pacific Nurseries (DGC) and Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne (GC).

For further information, visit www.gca.org.uk.

Klondyke won the Garden Centre categories in both North East and North West regions.

Garden Centre Association (GCA) members across the North East and North West had plenty to cheer about yesterday (Wednesday, July 5) after picking up a bevvy of awards during a presentation at Tingley Garden Centre.

The North East’s Garden Centre of the Year in the Destination Garden Centre (DGC) category was Cowell’s Garden Centre (above) with Klondyke Beverley Garden Centre in the Garden Centre (GC) category. In the North West, Bents Garden and Home, below, (DGC) and Klondyke Wilmslow Garden Centre (GC) received the accolades.

Peter Burks, CEO at the GCA, said: “It was great to see so many members and their teams in attendance at our regional awards meeting this year. They were really paying close attention to our inspector, Colin Farquahar’s feedback and listening to what he had to say. Now is the optimum time for our members to take his comments on board, relay them to the rest of their teams, to accentuate all the positives and work on any changes that may be needed too. Thank you also to Tingley Garden Centre for hosting us too. It was great to visit the garden centre and meet the team.”

Colin visited member garden centres in the North East and North West across a 12-week period to reach his findings.

He said: “The operational standards within the centres in the North East and North West during this year’s inspection window was truly outstanding with teams ensuring that customers received the best service possible. It was evident from the inspections that winning the coveted awards was a motivating factor for many to go above and beyond on a daily basis, it was a pleasure to inspect in this environment.”

The full results for the North East and North West region GCA area awards are as follows for the GC and DGC categories:

North East

Garden Centre of the Year: Cowell’s Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Beverley Garden Centre (GC)

Best Customer Service: Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre

Environment and Sustainability Award sponsored by Savills: Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre

The Barton Grange Trophy for Innovation and Creativity: Cowell’s Garden Centre

The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: British Garden Centres, Arcadia

The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: Tong Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Beverley Garden Centre (GC)

The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre (DGC) and Moss and Moor (GC)

The Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Klondyke Stokesley Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Garforth Garden Centre (GC)

The Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Tong Garden Centre (DGC) and Moss and Moor (GC)

Houseplants: Cowell’s Garden Centre (DGC) and joint GCs Klondyke Garforth Garden Centre and Klondyke Beverley Garden Centre (GC)

Plantaria (Ruxley Rose): Cowell’s Garden Centre (DGC) and Langlands Garden Centre, Leeds (GC)

North West

Garden Centre of the Year: Bents Garden and Home (DGC) and Klondyke Wilmslow Garden Centre (GC)

Best Customer Service: Fron Goch Garden Centre

Environment and Sustainability Award sponsored by Savills: Bents Garden and Home

The Barton Grange Trophy for Innovation and Creativity: Bents Garden and Home

The Dick Allen Award for Most Improved Centre: Klondyke Houghton Hall Garden Centre

The Award for Catering Excellence for Best Garden Centre Restaurant: Bents Garden and Home (DGC) and joint GC winners Klondyke Holland Arms Garden Centre, Klondyke Brookside Garden Centre and Klondyke Lady Green Garden Centre (GC)

The GIMA Award for Best Garden Products Retailer: Joint DGC winners Bents Garden and Home and Barton Grange Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Astbury Meadow Garden Centre (GC)

The Indoor Lifestyle Award for Best Indoor Lifestyle Retailer: Gordale Garden Centre (DGC) and RHS Bridgewater Plant Centre and Shop (GC)

The Outdoor Living Award for Best Outdoor Living Retailer: Bents Garden and Home (DGC) and Klondyke Astbury Meadow Garden Centre (GC)

Houseplants: Hayes Garden Centre (DGC) and RHS Bridgewater Plant Centre and Shop (GC)

Plantaria (Ruxley Rose): Fron Goch Garden Centre (DGC) and Klondyke Lady Green Garden Centre (GC).

For further information, please visit www.gca.org.uk.

Exhibitors and visitors agreed that the three-day Glee extravaganza at the NEC Birmingham had been a hugely successful event. As the exhibition closed on three busy days of activity, show director Matthew Mein spoke to GTN’s Trevor Pfeiffer and reflected on another memorable Glee.

“It's been an absolutely jam packed three days of so much good stuff going on. I’ll try and cover it off in this brief interview, but I'll probably miss bits out. Looking at the hall, we had over 400 exhibitors in this year with 183 new exhibitors at the show this year. There's been more for buyers to see in terms of newness, so that's going to really help the journey. I have met buyers that were here for three solid days walking the aisles because there was so much to get through.

“The other highlights for me were the Atrium and the not just the Green Heart and the benches there, but how we also built out the area with the Talent Store, having the outdoor plant area and houseplant pop up stores were great. Looking at the students that took part from the GCA members, that was a real highlight, how they've nurtured their projects along from January in the freezing cold to where we are now in extreme heat of build and fab effort from all.

“Talent Store should now be an intrinsic part of the event. It's about nurturing the next talent, giving them that opportunity to shine away from the store and take those learnings back in store after they've delivered something live at the show. You can see how proud each of those students were that took part in both stores on Tuesday.

“Then the other thing the other highlight was outside having the fire grill and chill space on the on the space outside the atrium. That created a real kind of theatre festival feeling. All the pizzas and steaks cooking outside, great smells, but great theatre out there as well. So that really added, I think for me to the whole depth of the show.

“I joined some of the New Product Awards sessions to look in and it was great fun looking at the, the passion that each of those suppliers had about their products. Probing questions back from the judges, but I think that really identified some brilliant winners across different businesses and new businesses which for me makes it the highlight of the show. 

“Visitors had lots of opportunity to find new products at Glee, not just in the new product area. We don't always get to see all the new products there, which can be frustrating at times, but actually the whole show just had thousands.  Thousands of new ideas that they could take back to their stores to sell to their customers. Seeing that is really rewarding. And some of the buyer feedback, people that, were here three days, but also just the ideas that they're getting and how they come away from Glee and how they think about their ranging, their planning post Glee. These next 4 to 8 weeks will be a really good opportunity to do that and start thinking about which suppliers they want to take forward in terms of their ordering for next year.”

Speaking of next year, Matthew closed with the dates for Glee 2024: “On the 25th to 27th of June. So that date line at the end of June. I think that's a really important thing, the quality of buyers that have come to the show over the last three days has been brilliant. So that's something that we want to develop going forward and continue the growth of attracting more and more buyers to that new timeline.”

Ground-breaking new garden and pet products have been confirmed as the winners of the coveted Glee New Product Awards 2023, run in association with GTN. The Overall Best Glee New Product went to Westland Unwins for its Kent & Stowe Surecut Loppers & Shears.

The winning products were chosen by an expert panel of judges representing independent and multiple retailers, consumer gardening media and trade media.

After initial judging of the new products entered, the judges selected finalists in each category. Then those finalists had the opportunity to meet the judges, answer questions and make a pitch to be chosen as the winner.

The results:

Wild Bird Care and Wildlife Products

Winner: Peckish Natural Balance Coco-Not Wild Bird Feeders – Westland Unwins

Pet Products

Winner: Pet Bed Topper – The Wheat Bag Company

DIY Products

Winner: Racan Premium Anti-Rodent Sealant (RACARSM) – Lodi UK

Landscaping

Winner: Rubber Play Space Tiles – Primeur Ltd

Retail Services & Experiences

Winner: Indoor Gardening Essentials Merchandising Solutions (G.E.M.S) – Westland Unwins

Gifts, body and bath, Christmas, greeting cards, toys and games 

Winner: Playpress Vets Mini Playset – Playpress Toys

Homewares, clothing and fashion accessories 

Winner: Recycled Bottle Scarf – Art on Scarves

Leisure & Entertaining

Winner: Firestorm Phoenix Pellet Patio Heater – Pinnacle Agri Products Ltd

Tools & Machinery

Winner: Kent & Stowe Surecut Loppers & Shears – Westland Unwins

Garden Decoration

Winner: Gemini Solar Wall Light pk of 2 – The Solar Centre

Growing Containers

Winners: Cottage Garden 12L Beehive Planter – EP Barrus Ltd 

EcoMade Indoor Hemp Planters – Woodlodge Products

Growing Accessories

Winner: ClipGlove Warm 'n' Waterproof – Treadstone Products

Growing Materials

Winner: Coco & Coir Houseplant Compost – Southern Trident Limited

Plants Seeds & Bulbs

Winners: Nymphya Purple Fantasy – Anglo Aquatic

Petunia Tumbelina Nicola – Colegrave Seabrook Foundation/Kerley & Co

Glee Sustainable Product Award

Winner:  EcoMade Indoor Hemp Planters – Woodlodge Products

Best of British Award

Winner:  Firestorm Phoenix Pellet Patio Heater – Pinnacle Agri Products Ltd

Overall Glee New Product 2023

Winner: Kent & Stowe Surecut Loppers & Shears – Westland Unwins

The Judges were: Mel Livingstone (Fron Goch Garden Centre), Andy Bunker (Alton Garden Centre), Ian Hodgson (Garden News), Nicci Gow (Retired Garden Centre Owner), Elliott Kirby (RHS Retail), Lilidh Matthews (Online Buying Consultant), Roger Crookes (Pughs Garden Centre), Pat Flynn (Retired Trade Association Manager of PetQuip), Tom Grinnall (Blue Diamond), Bryn Saysall (Blue Diamond), Boyd Douglas-Davies (Industry Consultant).

Glee went Floral Thursday today in support of Greenfingers Charity. The event, supported by Garden Trade News, saw exhibitors and visitors to Glee joining in the fun by wearing an array of floral clothing throughout the day.

All those taking part were asked to support the charity by buying a raffle ticket which was entered into a prize draw to win fabulous prizes.

The winners of The Greatest Floral Thursday Team Awards who received awards on stage were:

Evergreen Garden Care – Keeping up the standards set by them since the first Floral Thursday at Glee in 2019.

WHM Petcare (Marriages) - Colourful sunflower co-ordination including this summers must have accessory - a floral bucket hat.

Sipcam - Bespoke brightly coloured shirts with branding included.

AMES - The biggest co-ordinated floral team at Glee 2023, with great Floral Thursday graphics on the back of branded polos, and for entering into the fun of the day with a Man City style "Posnan".

Also announced was The Greatest Sustainable Floral team Award, which went to Zest, for re-using the same shirts as last year!

A total of £2,130 was raised for Greenfingers on Thursday at Glee.

And, the World Record for people at Glee wearing floral attire on the same day was definitely broken too!

Every week GTN receives and analyses epos data from a number of UK garden centres to produce the GTN Bestsellers charts and weekly bestsellers sales tips.

The full charts which provide useful insight into product sales peaks, new trends and new link sales opportunities are published in the weekly GTN Xtra newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2018 as well as 2019 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most up-to-date gardening sales analysis that has already helped many UK garden centres increase their sales.  To subscribe call 07973 504214, e-mail karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts seriously improve the business of our subscribers.  Invest 15 minutes each week in improving your sales using the GTN Bestsellers charts and your turnover and customer satisfaction will improve too.

Get the GTN Bestsellers charts in full every week in the GTN Bestsellers newsletters for only £145.00.

GTN Bestsellers is the only industry source of weekly garden centre sales information, collating Epos data from centres with an aggregate turnover in excess of £100m.

Use the weekly Garden Products and Growing Media Top 50 sales volumes charts to plan your hotspot and other promotions and ensure you have the right products in stock to satisfy the needs of your customers.

For further information contact karen@pottingshedpress.co.uk or call 07973504214.

Buy your subscription today and start receiving the GTN Bestsellers charts this week.

Pre-register to be in with a chance to win one of five outdoor living products. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Andy Clarke and Matt Tebbutt

Summer is a season that is all about fun and enjoyment, and what better way to embrace it than by attending events that allow you to mingle, network, and make new friends. 

Solex 23 is the leading trade show in garden furniture, outdoor living, and barbecues, and they are hosting an evening event on Tuesday 11th July that promises to be a night of excitement, entertainment, and connection. The event is set to be one of their best, offering guests the chance to network with other visitors and exhibitors while enjoying music, a free bar, tasting some delicious food, and mingling with celebrities.

The Fire Food and Outdoor Living evening event is designed specifically for you to network, socialize and create genuine connections with like-minded professionals in the outdoor retail industry. This year's event theme is all about outdoor summer living, so expect a lively atmosphere. Attendees at the event will be interested in the latest outdoor furniture designs, barbecues, and garden accessories for their businesses.

If you wish to attend the Fire Food & Outdoor Living Evening email gina@lofa.com

Solex is thrilled to announce Top chef and TV presenter Matt Tebbutt along with broadcaster Jules Hudson from Escape to the Country, will be special guests at the SOLEX Fire, Food & Outdoor Living evening, hosted by BBQ magazine, at Birmingham’s NEC next month.

The duo will join Andy Clarke, one of the most exciting voices in the food and drink industry, to mix with exhibitors and guests and also judge the BBQ Hero competition, being run by BBQ magazine.

Matt Tebbutt is best known for presenting BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and its sister show Best Bites on BBC2. Matt also co-hosts Channel 4's Food Unwrapped which lifts the lid on how the food we eat, from all round the world, is produced.

He has written several cookbooks, the latest of which is Weekend, featuring plenty of BBQ and outdoor cooking. Matt had a restaurant in Monmouthshire for 14 years and now runs a cookery school and hosting kitchen.

Matt loves to cook outside over fire. “When you cook with fire, it’s a totally different skill and mindset to indoor cooking. I am really looking forward to SOLEX. It should be a lot of fun, showcasing all that is great about fire, food and outdoor living.”

Jules Hudson, an author, and archaeologist, presents the popular BBC series Escape to the Country, helping families find their pastoral paradise. He also presents Channel 5’s This Week on the Farm and Cash in the Attic.

“One of the great joys of any rural experience is access to open fire. The fire is nature’s TV,” said Jules.

The evening, with drinks pairings from Powder Monkey Brewing Co (beer), Tidal Rum (spirits) and BeefSteak Club (wine), will be hosted by broadcaster and TV producer Andy Clarke, drinks expert on ITV’s Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh. 

Clarke’s producer credits include BBC’s Saturday Kitchen Live, Great Cookbook Challenge with Jamie Oliver for Channel 4, James Martin’s French Adventure and American Adventure and responsibility for all food and drink on ITV’s Gordon, Gino & Fred: Road Trip. Clarke will be hosting alongside Ian Jones (BEM) chef, farmer, and events guru.

The Fire, Food & Outdoor Living evening (Tuesday July 11^th) will include a BBQ Hero competition, run by BBQ magazine and the opportunity for a selection of cooks to test their live-fire cooking skills.

“It is going to be a fantastic evening of entertainment, education and inspiration. I’m really looking forward to chatting to Matt and Jules, as well as tasting some great food and drink,” said Andy Clarke.

If you wish to attend the Fire Food & Outdoor Living Evening email gina@lofa.com

The outdoor cooking zone at Birmingham’s NEC will feature fire brands such as Bramblecrest, Broil-King, Char-Broil, Charlie Oven, DeliVita (with Pacific Lifestyle), Gardeco, GrillStream (part of LeisureGrow), Kamado Joe, Kettler, Norfolk Grills, Cook King & Ooni Pizza Ovens (with Norfolk Leisure Lifestyle) and Outback International.

The three-day Celebration of Summer event from SOLEX (Summer Outdoor Living Exhibition) brings together the most prestigious luxury outdoor brands, giving quality buyers and visitors an opportunity to explore what’s new in both retail and contract markets. 

"This leading event, organized by the Leisure & Outdoor Furniture Association (LOFA), provides a platform for key industry buyers to explore innovative designs, discover new products, and explore retail and contract market solutions all in one place. SOLEX delivers a friendly and relaxed atmosphere while maintaining a professional focus," commented Gina Hinde, Solex Event Director.

“Through this dynamic event, business professionals and buyers can foster valuable relationships in this vibrant industry while previewing the hot trends for shop floors in Spring/Summer 2024.”

There are distinct product lines at SOLEX to elevate your outdoor living experience. The line-up includes garden furniture and shading solutions; barbecues to entertain with confidence; garden decoration ideas to enhance outdoor aesthetics; leisure buildings for additional space.  Outdoor spas and heating options for cooler evenings, and outside entertainment.

If you wish to attend the Fire Food & Outdoor Living Evening email gina@lofa.com

SOLEX takes place at the NEC Birmingham from Monday 10 July – Wednesday 12 July. 

www.solexexhibition.com

GTN July 2023 SOLEX 2023 Preview. In this issue: Welcome to Solex 2023, Horticultures' voice at the Houses of Parliament, Plants take centre stage at the National Plant Show, Colour and Cushions in Cologne at spoga + gafa, AMES Celebrate the art of possible, New and imaginative at BBC GW Live, SOLEX 2023 Exhibitor News: Firepits UK, Tramontina, HEX Living, LeisureGrow, Cheeky Charlie, Pagoda, Lifestyle, Char-Broil, LifestyleGarden, Extreme Lounging, Minster Stylish Living, Garden Furniture Global, Dansons, Bramblecrest, RotoSpa, Innovators International, Daro, Glencrest, Pacific, Kettler, New sales concepts from LifestyleGarden, Zest win again at GIMA Charity Golf Day, Creative merchandising for plants – GTN Planteria, Talking to Government and New Plants – HTA Column.