This week the task of decorating a display Christmas tree was set for a team from GIMA who auctioned their time as part of a Greenfingers charity raffle during this summer’s GIMA Golf Day.
The highest bidder was Allison Novell and her son Josh, owners of Polhill Garden Centre in Kent, where Dan Banning, Head of Retail, gave Vicky Nuttall, GIMA Director; Jenny Douthwaite, President and Kate Ebbens, Vice President, hints and tricks of the trade during their briefing. He stressed the importance to creating depth by arranging lights far into the boughs of the tree and using decorations in groups of three for maximum effect.
They set about with vim and vigour even though neither Vicky, Jenny or Kate had decorated a display tree in the past. “It’s a definite skill’, said Vicky, “and it makes you appreciate how much time and effort goes into decorating trees for Christmas displays.”
Several hours, 150 baubles and 4000 lights later, the tree looked magnificent. “I didn’t know it was so technical,” said Kate. Jenny was unaware just how many decorations the tree would need. “I’m clearly not buying enough lights for my tree at home!” she said.
Dan said he appreciated the time and effort given by the GIMA team which contributed to the store’s Christmas offering. Already 80% has been completed and the aim is to have all the displays finished for the half term school holidays in October.
The final total raised for Greenfingers during the Golf Day will be unveiled at the GIMA Awards on 19thOctober.
