The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has just announced that CEO, Carol Paris, will be leaving the organisation at the end of April. Carol has served the HTA for seven years in total, as Vice President, President and CEO.

During her tenure as CEO the HTA has restructured to improve member services, acquired and moved to a new Headquarters and restructured the investment portfolio to reduce the risk and volatility of exposure to the stock market.

The HTA has collaborated with many other organisations and was a founding partner of the government Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable, raising the profile of ornamental horticulture in the political sphere.

Carol comments, “I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to serve the HTA. I am confident that as there is now an established senior team in place and a new HQ, it is time for me to move on to new challenges.”

HTA President, Adam Wigglesworth, commented, “My thanks go to Carol for her many years of enthusiasm and commitment to the HTA. We wish her much success in the future. The strong team Carol leaves at the HTA are ready and determined to continue driving membership satisfaction, benefits and promoting the garden industry.”

• Garden Products - up 10%
• Veg-2-Gro - up 1%
• Growing Media - up 11%
• All Items Index - down 17%

Woof woof! Me again… all four legs working and raring to go. But where does your old faithful Newshound start scratching?

Enough of Trump (there are other snooker players) and Brexit (which means what, precisely?), there must be far juicier bones to chew on, if only one could find the right trail…

Hang on, what’s this? A hastily scribbled Post-it from ’im upstairs suggesting one should be pointing one’s tracker kit northwards in the region of Liverpool and Edinburgh.

Liverpool…home of the Premier League’s current top goal scorers… but I guess the boss isn’t sending me to watch football. Merseyside also happens to be the home turf of B&M, those very cheap (or should one say ‘best value’) and just as cheerful discounters who have opened more stores in the past year than I’ve had hot dinners. (Sorry, boss, but you forgot the tripe again).

And Edinburgh? That’s where Dobbies the garden centre chain lives, under shiny new management, now including the not-so-new Mr N Marshall (of whom more later), who in the past week was installed as the CEO to replace John Cleland.

So what have they got to do with each other? Well, here’s a clue. A certain Knight of the Realm who once ran Tesco, which once owned Dobbies, is now chairman of B&M (tee-hee, it’s Leahy!). And the word on the street is that the buyers from Dobbies and B&M have been working closely together of late. Coincidence, that, wouldn’t you say?

Now, it could be, of course, that they just like taking coffee together. But I have a teeny weeny hunch they might be more than just café society pals.

Let’s see…Dobbies needs to be able to compete with the big boys at Wyevale GCs, who operate more than four times as many garden centres and enjoy the extra buying clout that goes with them.  Meanwhile, B&M, whose revenues sailed past £2 billion a year ago, operates from 533 UK stores, having opened at least 34 in the past year (one loses count) and signalled an ambition to get to 850 in not too many years from now.

Now that carries the kind of buying clout Dobbies could make use of, not to mention the two massive distribution centres in which B&M might have a spare sq.m or two right now.

And Sir Terry Leahy, with his intimate knowledge of both parties, may well have seen how mutual benefits could be engineered.

If B&M also intends to make more of the gardening business in its stores, then staying close to Dobbies could be quite useful (no, make that very useful).

A Dobbies presence in B&M stores where there is not a Dobbies garden centre nearby? A few useful percentage points on the margin for Dobbies when buying core brands?

Who knows…I don’t, you don’t….but a resurgent Mr Marshall might be thinking about the possibilities.

Mr M, you will recall, was in the queue for Homebase before the Bunnings acquisition. It’s well-known that he is itching to get back to mainstream garden centre action, having had to let go of The Garden Centre Group (Wyevale ) when Terra Firma flashed the cash.

Sir Terry likes Dobbies (it was he who persuaded Tesco to buy them), and Mr M will quickly grow to love them, I’m sure. If they were to get their heads together, 'Sir Terry meets M' could be a double-act worth wagging my tail for…

For now, though, a lie-down beckons….woof woof!

Technical Production Manager (ref:DS8828)

Location:

• Responsible for the production of a deliverable weekly prioritized crop job list. - Pruning, tying etc.
• Responsible and accountable for the production of an effective and deliverable biological control program for P&D.
• Responsible and accountable for the production and delivery of an effective integrated program to effectively control and manage the pest, disease and weed found on the nursery.
• Accountable for ensuring that all crops grown on the nursery are able to achieve their optimum by the effective use of growing media, nutritional and environmental management.
• Accountable for the production of and delivery of growing facility maintenance and development plans and schedules.
• Accountable for the transparent purchasing of plant material to make sure that the production plan and budget are met. Ensuring that Plant Purchasing meets company policies and that product delivered meets published quality standards.
• Maintain the Plants Tree and Passfields databases. Tree records all the cultural activities done to a plant during the season, plus all relevant spray information. Passfields stores all the crop plans and potting information and needs to be continuously updated.
• Accountable for production and delivery of the nursery yearly and long term crop production plan.
• Accountable and responsible for NPD.
• Accountable for the maintenance and development of systems and keeping of appropriate records to maintain company accreditations and policies.
• Accountable and responsible for the management of pesticide product information sheets and for compliance with all other COSHH requirements.
• Accountable for the production and delivery of budgets for labour, pots, trays and compost and all other consumable products.
• To proactively participate and engage in the daily review of productivity on the nursery.
• Accountable for the delivery of company KPI's in relation to crop quality, grade out, timing, NPD and production profitability.
• Accountable and responsible for Health & Safety on both sites.

To apply for this role click here

Department Head | Gardening Sundries (ref:DS9120)

Location: West Sussex
Salary: Excellent
Date: 24 Feb
Job Type: Full-Time
Duration: Permanent

Our client is one of the UK's largest Garden Centre Groups, with 19 centres throughout the UK. They hold a profitable, prominent position within the garden centre industry priding themselves on an inspirational approach to retailing which gives them a creative point of difference in the market. Their centres and restaurants offer style and innovation in an aspirational environment which encourages loyalty and satisfaction from customers.

This West Sussex based centre started life over 30 years ago. Boasting a multi-award winning plant area and a wide range of gardening products, fertilisers, tools, seeds and chemicals, it has become one of the largest, most successful garden centres in the South of England.

The centre is due for a major redevelopment shortly which will see it expand significantly and will include a fully refurbished garden sundries department so there has never been a better time to join this growing team!

As a Department Head, you will be responsible for running the department and managing a team, and experience of this within a retail environment is essential. You can make a real difference from day one as you will be involved in driving sales, creating stunning and inspirational visual displays, managing stock levels, and motivating and developing your team.

You will gain a real sense of ownership over your department as you drive sales and profitability by maximising space productivity, replenishment, and merchandising. The customer is the focus of everything our client does, so you will ensure that they always receive an exceptional level of service.

To be the ideal candidate you will have experience of working in a fast-paced retail environment at a management or supervisory level. You will be a great communicator with an ability to inspire your team. You will have a great eye for detail with a creative edge to ensure high retail standards are consistently maintained in terms of product placement and presentation.

As well as a rewarding career with potential for career development, you can expect a competitive salary, attractive staff discount and paid holidays.

If this sounds like you then we would love to hear from you.

To apply for this role click here

• Proven sales experience in the retail or wholesale horticultural trade.
• Sound horticultural plant knowledge preferably with qualifications up to NVQ Level 2.
• Highly motivated with a strong work ethic.
• Numeracy and accuracy along with strong verbal and written communication skills is paramount.

Nursery Crop Protection / Spraying Supervisor (ref:DS9132)

• PA1 and PA6a
• Proven and extensive plant protection application knowledge and experience.
• Practical horticultural knowledge and experience.
• High level of pest and disease identification expertise required.

To apply for this role click here

• Gardman Ice Orb Mini was the highest new entry at No 4.
• Premier Decorations Coloured Led Pull Light & Bulb is the highest re-entry at No 11.
• Apta Veronica Standard Pot 11cm is the highest climber, jumping 23 places to No 13.

• Parsley gains the crown for the most popular herb, up 20 places to No 6, selling more units than Suttons Beetroot Boltardy seeds.
• Thompson & Morgan Courgette Defender F1 Hybrid was the highest re-entry at No 10.
• Suttons Tomato Sungold F1 was the highest new entry at No 44.
• Taylors Onion Sets Red Baron moved up to the top spot.

• Scotts Levington Ericaceous Compost (20 litres) was the highest re-entry at No 23.
• Scotts Levington John Innes No2 (25 litres) was the highest climber, moving up 19 places to No 31.
• Durstons Manor Farm Multipurpose (50 litres) was the highest new entry.

• Anemone and Pansy were the other movers in the Top 10, moving up to Nos 4 and 5 in the chart.
• Convallaria are the highest re-entry this week at No 32.
• Pulmonaria and Tillandsia are new entries at the foot of the chart.

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 printed newsletter.

As the year goes on we give sales volume comparisons with 2014 as well as 2015 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £195.00 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 01733 775700, e-mail karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk or buy on-line using this link.

Highlights of the GTN Garden Products Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Garden Plants Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Veg-2-Gro Bestsellers chart for this week are here

Highlights of the GTN Growing Media Bestsellers chart for this week are here

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.

Garden Centres, suppliers and many others have pledged their support for Garden Re-Leaf Day this year.  Here’s a summary of what’s happening:

Garden Centres and others

Adrian Hall is holding a Vintage Tea Party; Aylett’s Garden Centre is planning a‘Mad Hatter Day’ with guest speaker Pippa Greenwood who will be demonstrating Haxnicks’ products, thanks to sponsorship from Tildenet; Bents are holding a garden themed raffle; British Garden Centres, Hornsea store will be cycling 600 miles in-store; Chessington Garden Centre will be donating a percentage from the sale of drinks, pots and gardening sets; At Cleeve Nursery, Bristol - Alan Down’s private and stock plant collection of Hellebores will be on view.  Coletta and Tyson Garden Centre near Hull will be hosting a Dr Seuss themed fundraiser; Fairweather Garden Centre in Beaulieu has a raffle, helped by suppliers Woodlodge and Rockingham who have donated products, with a green cake sale raising further funds; Haskins Garden Centres has launched their spring raffle, drawing winners on the day, with additional fundraising coming from cake sales.  The raffles have been on display since the beginning of the week, across all stores, and is already generating a large amount of interest from customers according to the team; in Langlands Garden Centres in Whinmoor, Loxely and Shiptonthorpe – staff will be showing their support for Greenfingers by going green, selling green buns and holding a special plant pot tombola; at Longacres, Bagshot - Will and the team are planning three full days of fundraising to inspire their customers to get involved and part with their cash; Millbrook Garden Centre, Crowborough, has it’s big Spring Launch, 17th-19th March in aid of Greenfingers, and will involve several events; including a coffee & cake morning, an amazing animal world experience where children can handle hedgehogs and chameleons, planting demonstrations, raffles, and many more family activities; Monkton Elm is holding a raffle;  Old Railway Line, Brecon is holding a raffle and fundraising activities throughout the day, followed by its popular curry and quiz night, hosted by owner Mark Cleary; Perrywood Garden Centre, Tiptree, will once again be hosting a quiz night as well as collecting loose change and hosting other fundraising activities throughout the day; Paradise Park, Newhaven, will be selling specially decorated cakes and later in the day, holding a gardening themed quiz; Pondkeeper will be supplying various pond equipment items towards a special raffle being held at their shop in Billingham; Rolawn staff have pledged supplier support with a fairground themed event on Garden Re-Leaf Day to raise money for Greenfingers; Squire’s Garden Centre in Hersham will be delighting gardeners at their newly refurbished Café Bar.  Visitors will be able to enjoy a gardener’s afternoon tea hosted by Colin Squire as they are entertained with live music from guitarist John Canham, famous for playing with Seal and Tracy Ullman; Ross Garden Centre and Thetford Garden Centre are the latest to pledge Garden Re-Leaf day support, with fundraising activities to be announced soon; Whitehall Garden Centre is holding a raffle.

The HTA will be supporting Garden Re-Leaf Day at the APL Awards which takes place on 17^th March.

Plant-athons – 17 centres and counting

Hillview Garden Centres 11 garden stores running a Mega Plant-athon, with the aim of each planting 101 pots, that’s 1,111 in total, and then trying to see who can sell them in the shortest amount of time! 

Orchard Park, who held its first successful Garden Re-Leaf Day in 2016, is pushing itself further this year with the 24 hour Plant-athon challenge. 50% of Plant-athon sales will go to Greenfingers, and support for planting materials has been pledged by Scotts Miracle Gro, Woodlodge and Tom Chambers; Klondyke – Byrkley Park in Burton upon Trent are hosting their second 24 hour Plant-athon with Bob Hewitt and team taking on the challenge and getting customers involved, encouraging them to help design customised arrangements.

Klondyke - Houghton Hall in Carlisle will also be taking on the 24 hour Plant-athon challenge this Garden Re-Leaf Day and will aim to create hundreds of beautifully planted pots, some custom made to order for customers; Klondyke - Mayfield Hall in Kelso will join their sister stores, looking to plant continuously for 24 hours, encouraging customers to pick their brains for planting tips throughout and encouraging bespoke pot orders from customers; Alton Garden Centre in Wickford – Director, and Greenfingers Charity Ambassador, Andy Bunker is once again supporting the 24 Hour Plant-athon challenge when he’ll not only be planting pots, he’ll be inspiring a new generation to get planting as he welcomes children from Woodham Ley Primary School for a grand tour and garden workshop; as well as being major sponsors of the Garden Re-Leaf Day Walk, Scotsdales Garden Centre & Nursery will also be holding their very own Garden Re-Leaf 24 hour plant-athon (in April).

Floramedia have again donated specially designed plant labels for the Plant-athons.

The Garden Re-Leaf Day Walk

99 walkers from across the gardening industry and beyond have signed up for this year’s walk. As well as individuals, teams from Briers, Cadix, Gardman, GIMA, Deco-Pak, Kelkay, Westland, Crest Garden, SBM Life Science, Mr Fothergill's, Vitax, Simon Quinton Smith, GTN, Hornby Whitefoot, Frosts Garden Centre, Elho, Great British Cards, Glee, Kew Green Hotels, Scotsdales and their PR Agency, Scomac, Abacus Cards, Decco and Hillview have all registered.

The main sponsor this year is Scotsdales who, as well as providing refreshments for the walkers, a marquee and support staff, have been instrumental in securing support from their suppliers and local contacts.  Other sponsors include Hozelock, Kelkay and GTN. SBM Life Science have really pushed the boat out fielding walking teams, sponsoring medals, water stations and donating items for goody bags. They will also be holding a fundraiser at their office in Cambridge. They have embargoed staff holiday on 17^th March to ensure the entire work force can get involved. Outback have donated the barbecue and LOFA have kindly agreed to sponsor the refreshments at the finish point.  Town & Country’s Mark Butler will be helping on the day and Cadix and Quinton Edwards will be providing support vehicles.  Briers have sponsored two nights’ accommodation in Cambridge, helping to save travel and time costs.  

QVC

With thanks to Richard Jackson, QVC and it’s gardening suppliers will be supporting Garden Re-Leaf Day again this year with two dedicated shows on Saturday 18^th and Sunday 19^th March. 

http://www.gardenreleaf.co.uk/

"On Friday, hundreds of you will host quizzes, garden tours, cake sales, Plant-athons and post #gluvies - all in celebration of Garden Re-Leaf Day 2017.

"To drum up support we like to think of Garden Re-Leaf Day as a great way to kick start that all important early spring buzz in garden centres – but what does your support really mean to our small but impactful national charity?

"First of all, I must take this opportunity to thank you all so much for registering to take part in this year’s event.  We have once again been overwhelmed by the generosity of those who have signed up to support Garden Re-Leaf Day, which is the main fundraising day for our ‘A Million Moments’ campaign, aiming to raise £1m to benefit more than 5,000 individuals that would benefit from our hospice gardens.

"Whether you have taken part before or are joining in for the first time - you are all helping to give the gift of a garden - a sanctuary, a playground, a place to reflect and remember - to life-limited children and their families who rely on hospice care.

"By supporting Garden Re-Leaf Day, you are helping Greenfingers make a real difference to families that face the unbearable each and every day.  Forced apart by circumstance, having to spend time with their child in a hospice when they would much rather a normal life together under the same roof, something most of us take for granted.

"With the funds that you raise through Garden Re-Leaf Day, we can’t solve these issues – but, like the hospices themselves, we are able to make things that much easier for patients and their families.

"With at least five more new children’s hospice gardens currently in the planning, build or design stages, the money you raise is being put to work as we speak.  We’re currently on site at Keech Hospice Care (Luton) and Helen House (Oxford), as well as planning new gardens at Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice (Maidenhead), Grace House (Sunderland), Robin House on the banks of Loch Lomond and St Andrew’s Hospice (Grimbsy), with more waiting in the wings for our help.

"It is only due to the generosity of you, our supporters that we can continue our work creating magical, inspiring and therapeutic gardens - so thank you so very much for being part of Garden Re-Leaf Day and for helping Greenfingers Charity continue to its work with children’s hospices."

Find out more

Linda Petrons is Head of Fundraising and Communications at Greenfingers, and can be contacted by emailinglinda@greenfingerscharity.org.uk or calling the Greenfingers office on 01494 674749.  If you still need to register your event you can fill in the simple form available on line at www.gardenreleaf.co.uk/register-an-event.

All of the money raised from Garden Re-Leaf Day fundraising this year will once again go towards Greenfingers’ ‘A Million Moments Appeal’.  Greenfingers aims to raise £1 million under the banner of the A Million Moments appeal over three years to enable at least 5,000 children who spend time in hospices, and their families, to enjoy spending precious time together outdoors. 

It’s just two days until the gardening industry bursts into combined promotional activity by celebrating Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day on Friday 17th March 2017.

The event was created to start the gardening season with a huge bang so that garden centres, growers, suppliers and trade associations could all benefit from the combined publicity efforts and to benefit our favourite gardening charity.

In 2016 Greenfingers Charity benefited by more than £140,000 - the most successful Garden Re-Leaf Day ever. This year Garden Re-Leaf is set to break that record again thanks to a great variety of FUNdraising ideas.

There are lots of ways to get involved so take a read through the stories in this e-mail newsletter to whet your appetite.

On Garden Re-Leaf Day - Friday 17^th March 2017 - the third annual Garden Re-Leaf walk will take place in Cambridge.   A record breaking 100 plus walkers are taking part, looking to rake in over £10,000 for Greenfingers Charity and spread awareness for the garden industry’s main fundraising day.

Walkers this year will choose from two routes – 10 or 20 miles – taking in the sights of Jesus college and Cambridge University botanical gardens, with a special detour for those with dogs.  Both routes start at Scotsdales Horningsea at 10am, and finish at Scotsdales Great Shelford

Supporters

The main sponsors of the walk are Scotsdales, who as well as hosting the start and finish of the fundraiser, and entering a team of walkers to take part, will also be staging some fundraising of their own at the finish line.  Top Milton Keynes ladies rower Heidi Towse will be rowing the full 20 mile route throughout the day, fundraising in front of customers with the aid of a static rowing machine in the Great Shelford store.

Solex organisers LOFA (the Leisure and Outdoor Furniture Association), and Outback will also be providing a special barbecue at the finish line to inspire hungry walkers!

Kelkay and Garden Trade News are sponsoring the T-shirts being worn by participants, which will feature logos from the other 2017 sponsors.

Briers will be issuing a free pair of Greenfingers gloves to every participant, to help aid awareness for the day as everyone takes to Twitter and Instagram with their #Gluvies photos.

Cadix are sponsoring one of the support vehicles that will weave between various points of the route, helping where needed.

SBM Life Sciences are sponsoring the medals – a first for any Garden Re-Leaf Day event – as well as manning one of the water stations.

Hozelock are sponsoring goodie bags.

Quinton Edwards – the garden industry property specialists are supplying a driver and car to support the Greenfingers team.

Greenfingers Head of Fundraising, Linda Petrons, said: “The Garden Re-Leaf walk, especially with the two separate routes we’re running this year, can cost a lot of time and money in terms of organising and logistics. Getting T-shirts made, refreshments and support vehicles for example all cost money - so we are of course humbled by the generosity from all of our supporters this year.”

The list of walkers include

Jackie Eades                     Briers 

Charlotte Prentice          Briers 

Matt Jackson                    Briers 

Mandy James                   Briers 

Sharmini Martin              Briers 

Tristan Sissons                 Briers 

Lolly Lee                            The Orangery 

Kate Ebbens                     Cadix 

Heather Black                  Cadix 

Danni Faulkner                Cadix 

Peter Guinness                Cadix 

Alison Hawker                 Cadix 

Rebecca Hawker             Cadix 

Robert Montano             Cadix 

Caroline Smith                 Cadix 

Doug Hill                           Cadix 

Jason Perrins                    Gardman 

Gemma King                     Gardman 

Vicky Nuttall                    GIMA 

Craig Hall                           Deco-Pak 

Richard Pyrah                   Kelkay 

Al Shepherd                      Kelkay 

John Ducker                     Kelkay 

Simon McArdle                Westlands

Tom Clamp                        Westlands (+20 walkers TBC)

Natalie Searle                  Crest Garden

Kim Huynh                        Crest Garden

Darren Brown                  SBM Life-Sciences

Lisa Barrow                       SBM Life-Sciences

Tim Jeffries                       Mr Fothergill's 

David Carey                      Mr Fothergill's 

Ian Cross                           Mr Fothergill's 

Alison Roberts                 Mr Fothergill's 

Alison Mulvaney             Mr Fothergill's 

Richard Keegan                Mr Fothergill's 

Samantha Broadway      Mr Fothergill's 

Ralph Fitter                      Vitax 

Simon Quinton Smith    Quinton Edwards

Trevor & Karen Pfeiffer   GTN

Kimberley Hornby          Hornby Whitefoot

Heidi Towse                      Frosts Garden Centre 

David Nicholson              Elho 

Craig Keyworth                Elho 

Adam Last                         Elho 

Louise Haskins                 Elho 

Bobby Fisher                    Elho 

Chris Houfe                       Great British Cards

Alyson Haywood             Alyson Haywood

Matthew Mein                Ascential (Glee)

Fernanda Pinto                Ascential (Glee)

Boyd Douglas Davies     Greenfingers Trustee 

20 Walkers TBC                Kew Green Hotels

Nicholas Clarkson           Scotsdales

Jennifer Ferro                   Scotsdales

Shelagh Ward                  Scotsdales

Peter Jackson                   Scotsdales

Jane Lawler                      Jane Lawler Assocs

Paul Steane                      Scomac

Linda Petrons, Head of Fundraising at Greenfingers Charity added: “The walk is open to absolutely anyone, whether you’re working in or alongside the garden industry as the list demonstrates.  It’s a great opportunity to raise funds, excellent for team building and a good way to spend time with colleagues and acquaintances away from the office.”

If you would like to register to take part in the walk or provide additional sponsorship contact Linda in the Fundraising Team by email - linda@greenfingerscharity.org.ukor call the Greenfingers office on 01494 674749.  Alternatively, fill in the simple form available on line at www.gardenreleaf.co.uk/gardenreleafwalk2017 and sign up today!

All of the money raised from the walk and many other Garden Re-Leaf Day events this year will once again go towards Greenfingers’ ‘A Million Moments Appeal’.  Greenfingers aims to raise £1 million under the banner of the A Million Moments appeal over three years to enable at least 5,000 children who spend time in hospices, and their families, to enjoy spending precious time together outdoors.  

Feeling fit?  Then take part in Greenfingers Charity’s Garden Re-Leaf Day Walk which this year is being held in Cambridge thanks to the sponsorship of Scotsdales Garden Centre. 

As we write this 102 industry friends are now signed up for 20-mile walk, including Garden Re-Leaf Day founder, Boyd Douglas Davies who is dusting down his walking shoes. 

Boyd will be joined by Greenfingers Ambassadors Trevor Pfeiffer, Simon Quinton Smith, and Vicky Nuttall, along with teams from Scotsdales, Glee, Briers, Westland, Cadix, Elho, SBM Life Sciences, Mr Fothergill’s, Kelkay, Gardman, Glee, Great British Cards, Deco-Pak and many others walking the 20 mile challenge.

The 20 mile route runs between Scotsdales garden centres at Horningsea to the north of Cambridge via the cambridgeshire fens (that means flat!) and the River Cam via the centre of Cambridge passing through Jesus College and the famous Botanical Gardens to Scotsdales at Great Shelford in the south of the city.  (Buses, kindly provided by a local company, will take the walkers to the start from the Great Shelford centre so you don't have to worry about getting back to your car at the end.)

Thanks to LOFA and Outback, walkers (and runners!) will be able to enjoy a barbecue at the finish point.

An extra to this year’s Industry walk is that Heidi Towse from Frosts Garden Centres will be rowing the distance on a static machine at Scotsdales. Will Heidi reach the finish line before the walkers?  Would anyone like to challenge her

The walk is a great opportunity to see the sites of Cambridge, network with industry friends and at the same time raise money for Greenfingers Charity. 

To register for the event complete the form using this link and get your walking shoes ready for action in two days time.

Here's some pictures from the last two Great Garden Re-Leaf Day 20 mile walks.  Come and join us for a great day of FUNdraising.

After helping with support duties last year, GTN's Trevor and Karen Pfeiffer vowed to do The Great Garden Re-Leaf Day walk in full in 2017, so Labradoodles Olly & Floyd thought they’d better join in to pull them towards the finish as the miles clock up and their feet and legs are hurting.

Olly & Floyd are brother Labradoodles who love walking and getting dirty so they are really looking forward to the 20 mile walk from Scotsdales Garden Centre in Horningsea to Scotsdales Garden centre in Shelford Cambridge.

It’s a shame they won’t be able to walk through Jesus College garden or The Cambridge Botanic Gardens, but there is a special route around the outside of the gardens that Karen and Trevor can run around the to make sure we don’t lose any time.

We’re looking forward to meeting all the fellow walkers – both 2 legged and 4, and making lots of friends as we walk through Cambridge on March 17th.

Please sponsor us, or Trevor and Karen if you must, using our Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/OllyandFloyd. 

We really do want to raise as much money as possible to help create another Greenfingers garden at a children’s hospice.  Then we can go and visit that too and meet some of the wonderful children, parents and carers who gain so much benefit from spending time outside in a Greenfingers garden, which has been magically designed and created to help them.

Woof woof.

Olly and Floyd