In This Issue
Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Peacocks up for sale
#FloralFriday for Greenfingers celebrated at the end of Glee week
Hozelock’s Micro Reel gets a makeover
Grow your card sales the easy way ...
Woodlodge’s Root Indoor portfolio to grow for 2021 as consumers transform their homes into design-led sanctuaries
2020 - a year of impact, overcoming challenges, delivering recovery and growth
A moment in time for Durston Garden Products
Baytree celebrates 50 years
Glee New Product Award winners, hosted by GTN
Begonia ‘Sweet SpiceTM Bounty’ royalties donated for horticultural scholarships 
Zest 4 Leisure wins Best New Product 2020 at Glee Gathering
Festive florals – how retailers can maximise sales of poinsettia this Christmas season
Introducing Dobbies’ brand new range of sustainable houseplants
The Greener Gardening Company to support Perennial
Resilience and positivity in the face of adversity
New merchandiser offer from Primus
Vegetable & Seed Growing Kit is a winning idea for 2021
Zest 4 Leisure win three new product showcase awards and best overall product at Glee 2020
Primeur win Glee New Product Award 
Ivyline creates custom showroom PLUS launches over 300 new products
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Gardening a lifesaver in lockdown
One million families fell in love with gardening during lockdown thanks to Flymo
Smart Garden Products keeps on growing!
Dobbies reopen soft plays with safety measures in place
Sustainability Wins the Day - Four Oaks Retail Product of the Year Award 2020
Squire’s appoint new Health, Safety & Facilities Manager
The best of last week's
Perrywood plan for major re-development at Sudbury
Garden centre wins national family business award
Smart Garden donates £50,000 to Greenfingers Charity
Yorkshire nursery invests £1m in new gardencentre
Steve Harper leaves the Greener Gardening Company
Get your own copy of GTN Xtra
Garden Centre Photo Tours
Haskins Snowhill re-opens after £15m re-vamp
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
Buy your subscription to the GTN Bestsellers printed weekly newsletter
All the latest news from the world of pet products
HOWND wins Best New Pet Product at Glee Gathering
Top dog trainer issues warning: 'Up to 3 million dogs at risk of Separation Anxiety' as owners return to work
Raw food brand introduces new way of shopping for pets
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2020 - a year of impact, overcoming challenges, delivering recovery and growth
 

The resilience and agility of the horticulture sector have seen businesses from across the industry survive the extraordinary circumstances of 2020. 

 

This remarkable achievement was recognised at the AGM of the Horticultural Trades Association on Wednesday (September 16) as chairman James Barnes reassured members of the organisation’s commitment to representing the interests of growers, retailers and landscapers at the highest level with Government and in the media. 

 

Presenting the HTA Annual Review to members, he said: “It seems a little strange talking now about 2019 results when we have all lived through such extraordinary times since - the conclusions of which a yet still to be played out. What I would like to say is how agile and resilient as an industry we have been. The innovation, the ingenuity, the effort - that people and businesses have created has been wonderful.” 

  

Looking to the future, he explained that the association remains committed to raising the profile of horticulture as a growth industry and championing the need for clarity on topics such as plant health and trade as a post-Brexit world draws nearer. 

  

“We believe plant health will remain a dominant issue for our industry. In many ways it is something that rightly unites us all whether grower, retailer or landscaper,” he said.  

  

At the meeting, held virtually for the first time, the President, Boyd Douglas-Davis thanked all those associated with the organisation for their hard work in testing times. 

 

“I’m immensely proud and privileged to have been able to serve the Association during the last year. It has certainly not been the year I was promised!” he said. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved - The HTA Board, Council and Committees – who have given their time to and incredible knowledge for the benefit of the whole industry.” 

 

The meeting also saw the election of Brett Avery as Vice President ratified. Responding to his appointment, Brett said: “I’m very honoured and humbled to have been nominated and now appointed Vice President. This year has demonstrated the value and support the HTA can offer its members and I’m really looking forward to working with the HTA team and Board and playing a part in representing all members throughout this period of great change– I can’t wait to get going!” 

 

Members from across the sector who attended the AGM also voted to ratify the appointments of Ken White, Vicky Nuttall and Jane Lawler as Directors of the Board; to ratify the re-appointment of Simon Fraser as Director and to review other Director appointments as appropriate.  

 

They also received the finance reports and annual review.  A proposal not to increase HTA subscriptions for 2021, due to the impact of Covid-19 on the industry, was accepted and a new banding structure designed to reduce the range of the higher turnover bands and better reflect changes in business size within the sector was adopted. 
 
The President provided a report on activity by the HTA Benevolent Fund during the year and encouraged all to help raise awareness of this valuable and underused resource which is available to HTA members and their staff. 

  

The minutes of the AGM will be available to members on the HTA website in due course. 

 

Read more about how the HTA made this year one of impact in the HTA Annual Review 2020 at hta.org.uk/about.html 

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