The Garden Centre Group aim to recruit 120 apprentices
The Garden Centre Group is running the biggest horticultural apprenticeship programme in the UK, aiming to recruit 120 young trainees to become the garden centre managers of the future.
The Garden Centre Group is running the biggest horticultural apprenticeship programme in the UK, aiming to recruit 120 young trainees to become the garden centre managers of the future.
The apprentices will study for two days a month at Pershore College in Worcestershire for a level two diploma in horticulture. They will spend the rest of their time learning about garden retailing on the ground in the group’s garden centres.
Regional Apprentice Manager for Training, Ryan Simpson said: “Our horticultural apprenticeship programme is designed to identify and develop the nation’s future gardening professionals.
"It is essential that businesses provide young people with opportunities that will give them the skill and understanding for an exciting career and we look forward to welcoming our new apprentices.”
The benefits of the programme include a strong foundation in horticultural knowledge and a chance to be part of a UK-wide company, with good opportunities for career progression and chance to work as buyers and merchandisers.
Two of the apprentices will be selected to experience a week at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh. The two apprentices will spend one day working in five different departments within the gardens.
Associate Director of Horticulture (learning) Leigh Morris said: “The top two Garden Centre Group apprentices will be coming to the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh for a week’s experience.
"The vision is that they get to experience horticulture in one of the world’s leading botanical gardens. I am keen to forge closer links between commercial and botanic garden horticulture. The two apprentices will spend one day working in five different departments within the gardens and the aim is that this relationship grows.”
The apprenticeship programme features The Garden Centre Group’s award winning e-learning scheme along with Masterclass college days specially designed for the programme.Apprentices receive a wage which has been quoted as attractive compared to paying £9,000 tuition fees at university.
The Garden Centre Group is also developing an apprenticeship scheme that focuses on professional cookery, whereby apprentices will receive training from Westminster Kingsway College, a centre of excellence in hospitality and culinary arts.
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Take advantage of apprenticeship schemes, says HTA
In a bid to secure the horticultural industry with a strong future work force the HTA is encouraging its members to get involved with apprentice schemes...
In a bid to secure the horticultural industry with a strong future work force the HTA is encouraging its members to get involved with apprentice schemes.
According to a study by market research company ICM Research, former apprentices are deemed more fit for the workplace than their peers, with employers in England rating qualified apprentices as 15 per cent more employable than those with other qualifications.
As part of its pledge to increase the take up of apprenticeships the HTA is working with the National Apprenticeship Service and colleges to understand how it could support members in providing up to date facts around what an apprenticeship is, what the business benefits are and providing advice and guidance on the process for recruiting or sharing an apprentice.
Penny Evans, HTA Training and Careers Manager comments: “Our aim is to support members in encouraging young entrants into the industry and help them through the processes involved. We’ve taken on two promising young apprentices ourselves, who are proving to be valuable members of the team”.
She adds: “Right now, we are reviewing the apprentice training frameworks to see if they are fit for purpose, discussing how they may be delivered flexibly and would welcome all ideas, opinions and interest in this area.”
Garden Radio is fully behind apprenticeship schemes and took on its won apprentice Adam Coomber a month ago with a view to becoming the radio's administrator.
Further demonstrating its support, the HTA has invested in two young apprentices within its IT and Event departments. Jonathan Spalding, IT and Chloe Bye, Events, will be working full time at the HTA while also attending college once a week during the course of their 12-18 month apprenticeship.
Chloe Bye, Events apprentice, comments: “I am currently undergoing an Intermediate Marketing Apprenticeship which includes achieving a Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Marketing and an NVQ Level 2 Certificate in Marketing which I will personally base on Events. I am finding it very beneficial, interesting and I am really enjoying the whole experience.”
She adds: “Doing this apprenticeship allows me to gain both qualifications and experience, which will really help me in the future. I feel I have learnt so much in the first 2 months from being in the working environment and putting on events, but also gaining the background knowledge and technical requirements from attending college.”
Jonathan Spalding, IT apprentice, is completing an Advanced Apprenticeship for IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals for the qualification Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence for IT and Telecoms Professionals.
He comments: “I am currently enjoying my role as part of the IT department and am learning more every day which will put me in good stead for the future. The additional college work on top of my time here at the HTA helps towards developing my skills and improving my overall performance.”
For further information on how you can benefit form apprentice schemes or to register your interest in this area, please contact Penny Evans, HTA Training and Careers Manager on 0118 9303132 or email penny.evans@the-hta.org.uk
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There's light at the end of the tunnel
Does this week’s GTN Bestsellers All Products index really indicate there is light at the end of the tunnel? Sales volumes were just ahead of our prediction, keeping us on course for an aggregate volume sales performance of plus 3% on last year by the end of May...
Does this week’s GTN Bestsellers All Products index really indicate there is light at the end of the tunnel? Sales volumes were just ahead of our prediction, keeping us on course for an aggregate volume sales performance of plus 3% on last year by the end of May.
With news that Gardman founder Paris Nater has taken a majority stake in Smart Solar, it seems appropriate that garden lighting is the star performer in our charts as the weather improves.
 Gardeners may not be quite ready to buy plant food, pest controls or growing media but they are happy to buy some tea light holders or solar lights for their garden.
This year there are six garden lighting products in the GTN Bestsellers Top 50 Garden Products chart, treble the number in either of the two previous years. And sales volumes are also treble those of last year (it was the second Easter week but not good weather) and double those of 2011.
If you want to light up your sales make sure you are getting your garden lighting products in high traffic hotspots – and get those single solar post lights on sale at the tills! Who knows, further growth in garden lighting could push us even further up on last year by the end of May!
GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year (which was the second Easter week but the weather was poor):
- Garden Products – down 8%
- Veg-2-Gro – down 10%
- Growing Media – down 19%
- All items index – down 4%
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£1.5 million Dobbies Garden World in Edinburgh re-opens
Scotland’s newest and largest garden centre destination – Dobbies Garden World, Melville, on the outskirts of Edinburgh – had its grand re-opening yesterday (Friday)...
Scotland’s newest and largest garden centre destination – Dobbies Garden World, Melville, on the outskirts of Edinburgh – had its grand re-opening yesterday (Friday)...
With over £1.5m investment, the revamped flagship garden centre will bring a horticultural centre of excellence to Edinburgh and the Lothians with a brand new Retail Village offering a total of 13 concessions within the outdoor space. The development has also helped to create around 50 employment opportunities in the area.
The new ‘shopping village’ features leading retail brands to complement the extensive range of goods and services offered by Dobbies including Lakeland, Edinburgh Woolen Mill and Tog 24.
Built with natural construction materials such as timber frame, the new structures have been developed in line with Dobbies’ eco-friendly commitments. A new covered walkway in the plant area will provide shelter for both plants and customers.
Dobbies chief executive James Barnes said: “It’s hard to believe that Dobbies, Edinburgh started out as a humble nursery in Lasswade over 75 years ago. We’ve undoubtedly come a long way in 80 years!
“Over 1 million visitors cross our doors per year and we expect a significant increase with our enhanced new offering. Our aim is to create an exceptional home and garden shopping experience in a family friendly, relaxed environment. We have therefore taken a great deal of care with our planning and investment to ensure we get it right, so that people from all over Edinburgh and the Lothians can have a great day out.
"Championing our role as expert horticulturalists since 1865, our new offering combines an outstanding range of quality plant and gardening equipment with a stylish destination for today’s consumer. We’re looking forward to welcoming both loyal and new customers to the all improved Dobbies, Edinburgh, in less than two weeks’ time and would urge everyone to come along and enjoy the opening celebrations."
The company’s UK headquarters have been located adjacent to the Melville garden centre since the store was originally constructed in 1975.
Dobbies Melville currently offers more than 10,000 plants, shrubs and trees and includes extensive outdoor areas and a specialist aquatics department within an attractive landscaped environment.
It also houses a Farm Foodhall offering locally-grown produce from Edinburgh and the Lothians, as well as the largest restaurant in the UK. While the top-quality 600-seater restaurant, serves freshly-prepared meals and home baking.
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Gardeners start to get active outdoors
The first sign that gardeners are finally thinking of outdoor activity rather than indoors comes at the top of the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart where Yeoman Ratchet Secateurs have re-entered, jumping straight in at No 1 and replacing Fito Drip Feeder for Orchids...
The first sign that gardeners are finally thinking of outdoor activity rather than indoors comes at the top of the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart where Yeoman Ratchet Secateurs have re-entered, jumping straight in at No 1 and replacing Fito Drip Feeder for Orchids.
Now that gardens are beginning to take shape after the long and hard winter, lighting up borders and patios is also on consumers’ minds. There are two items in the Top 10 – Gardman Ice Orb Solar Light at No 3 and Smart Solar Butterfly/Dragonfly Silhouette Stake Light at No 4.
The highest new entry is Premier Decorations Bottle Tea Light Holder 22cm, which has entered the chart at No 10.
Tomato growing is showing signs of activity, so it’s no surprise that Scotts Levington Tomorite, pictured right, has moved up six places to No 6.
And work on lawns has started in earnest, reflected in increases in sales of the following lawn care items:
- Westland Lawn Feed Weed and Moss Killer – 165 sq m at No 12 and 400 sq m at No 18.
- Westland Lawn & Turf Dressing re-enters the chart at No 20.
- Scotts Evergreen Complete Spreader Pack, 100 sq m finds itself at No 24.
Despite Fito Drip Feeder losing its No 1 spot, orchid products are still selling well. Ironically, Gardman Orchid Drip Feeders, pack of 4, is the highest climber in the chart, moving up 16 places to No 31. And Growth Technology’s Orchid Myst, pictured right, climbs to No 8.
Propagation is another activity in full swing, and Gardman have seen their pack of 20 Pricking out Pots re-enter the chart at No 17.
See the full GTN Garden Products Bestsellers Chart here. Subscribers Only
To Subscribe to the full GTN Bestsellers Weekly Charts for only £120.00 per year click here
WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts can seriously improve your business. Only subscribe if you want to invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.
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Glee is calling on start-up businesses and innovators to reserve their space at the show’s exciting Innovators Zone in September...
Designed to help nurture valuable grass-roots product development and one-off design ideas, the Innovators Zone scheme will be exclusively available to small-scale manufacturers and those with prototype or pre-entry level designs.
 For a low-cost, one-off fee, entrepreneurs will receive a ready-to-use 4 sq m shell-scheme booth, a high profile location within the show, plus ongoing marketing support from Glee’s marketing and PR teams in the lead up to, and during, the exhibition.
Glee event manager Matthew Mein said the aim of the Innovators Zone was to bridge the gap between market-ready new product launches from established companies – such as those highlighted within Glee’s dedicated new product showcases – and pre-commercial product ideas.
He said: “Launched in 2009 the Innovators Zone has helped over 100 companies to take their first tentative steps into the industry, with many going on to achieve phenomenal success.
"Our aim is to benefit both the entrepreneurs taking part, and decision makers from across the industry who are looking for brand new commercial opportunities.
“Perhaps an inventor has something they have put together in their shed, or they’ve got a great new idea but they don’t know how to get it to market or get it exposed.
"Glee’s Innovators Zone could provide the stepping stone into the industry that they have been looking for.
"With thousands of buyers and influencers visiting the show each year participants will have an unrivalled platform to achieve their goals – whether that means meeting suppliers or manufacturers, finding an agent or distributor, attracting the retailer’s eye or sourcing investment.”
Matthew added: “In order to maximise the opportunity afforded by the Innovators Zone we are offering an all-inclusive, entry level package to all participants. We appreciate that at this stage of their product development a trade event may be an expense they could not otherwise afford.”
Glee takes place on September 15-17 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information visit www.gleebirmingham.com or call 0203 033 2197.
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Loyal worker Maurice celebrates 50 years at Frosts
Frosts Garden Centre had a rare opportunity to award an employee with a 50-year Royal Horticultural Society Certificate and badge for his devout time with the business...
Frosts Garden Centre had a rare opportunity to award an employee with a 50-year Royal Horticultural Society Certificate and badge for his devout time with the business...
Maurice Rust, who has become a well-known face with the local community, joined Frosts Garden Centre in Woburn Sands on 8 April 1963 at the tender age of just 16, and has worked for 50 years continuously at the popular family garden centre.
When Maurice first joined the business he had a very different role to the one he holds today, with his first job requiring him to fuel the boilers to keep the glasshouses heated. Since then, Maurice has developed an outstanding knowledge of plants and gardening, and has helped thousands to make the most out of their gardens.
He has also played an important part in developing Frosts Gardening Club, and in recent years has pioneered an initiative to encourage young people to take an active interest in growing plants and vegetables through Growing Gardeners, which has over 1,000 members.
As Frosts Horticultural specialist Maurice also visits homes and schools in the local community to offer first-hand advice on how to improve their gardens, and has become a well known face to many in Woburn Sands, often referred to as ‘Mr Frost’.
This week, Maurice was presented with the award by members of the Frost family, James Frost, Jeremy Frost and Adrian Frost.
Managing Director James Frost said: “Maurice has been undoubtedly made a huge contribution to the company over the years and we owe him a great debt of gratitude for his loyal service and friendship. I would like to thank him wholeheartedly from all of us at Frosts.”
To find out more visit www.frostsgroup.co.uk
Below: some pictures of Maurice and Frosts Garden Centre from the past 50 years to the present day.
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Suttons’ grafted plants dominate the GTN Bestsellers Veg-2-Gro chart this week, holding on to the top six places, three of which are tomato varieties.
Tomato Elegance holds on to top spot for another week while F1 Lizzano is the highest re-entry at No 3 and Juanita is at No 4.
Another grafted tomato from Suttons is this week’s highest climber. Tomatoberry has jumped 37 places to No 8. Other popular varieties include Cupido and Belriccio.
Taylors have six onion sets in the Top 20, headed by Red Baron at No 5. Stuttgarter moves up to No 9 while Sturon, Stur BC 20, Hercules F1 and Centurion F1 have all seen increases in sales.
There are some notable re-entries:
- Unwins Seed Potatoes Maris Piper (No 19).
- KinderGarden Strawberry Elan (No 22).
In a normal spring the next two weeks are the peaks for Veg-2-Gro products – this year it could be a week or two later. Are you ready with everything they might need?
See the full GTN Veg 2 Gro Bestsellers Chart here. Subscribers Only
To Subscribe to the full GTN Bestsellers Weekly Charts for only £120.00 per year click here
WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts can seriously improve your business. Only subscribe if you want to invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.
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North Devon garden centre relocation gets go-ahead
Plans to relocate of St John’s Garden Centre at Barnstaple to a new out of town green field site were approved by North Devon Council’s planning committee today...
Plans for the relocation of St John’s Garden Centre at Barnstaple to a new out of town green field site were approved by North Devon Council’s planning committee today. Wholesale re-location of this kind is rare in the garden centre industry, the last example being Barton Grange, who moved their Preston centre five miles north to a state-of-the-art development at Brock in 2008. The Oliver family, who own St John’s, have had to wait five years to bring their master plan to fruition on a new, larger site at Roundswell between Barnstaple and Bideford. The approved development is a 6,475 sq.m. complex with a retail garden centre, restaurant, classroom and exhibition space and a ‘farmers’ market’ area, with 173 car parking spaces. The popular Jungleland attraction will be included. The project could create another 40 jobs. Planning approval was deferred while an environmental, highways issues and other legislative issues were resolved Council planning officers had recommended approval subject to an agreement to contribute funding towards local infrastructure. They said the pressure on the green field site would be outweighed by extra employment and economic benefits. They added that an agreed package of Devon County Council highway improvement works at nearby Roundswell roundabout will help to make the crossing of the A39 by pedestrians and cyclists an easier journey.
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Westland drives consumer demand with new-look website
Westland has revamped its website to provide an enhanced customer experience through the addition of new web tools, increased functionality and informative content...
Westland, has unveiled its new-look website for the 2013 season.
The site, which can be found at www.gardenhealth.com, has been revamped to provide an enhanced customer experience through the addition of new web tools, increased functionality and informative content.
The new-look site, is designed to help gardeners of all levels to get more from their garden with a host of new features. Headlining the new content is the weekly feature ‘In the Garden This Week’, which provides topical features, simple advice and jobs for the week for consumers and trade customers.
Over the Garden Fence helps gardeners share experience, hints and tips while the Get More section offers everything from competitions to product exclusives. In addition, visitors to the website can access more than 100 handy ‘how to’ guides featuring simple step-by-step instructions.
Keith Nicholson, Director of Westland Horticulture, said: “Gardens are to be enjoyed by homeowners with all levels of gardening expertise. Our new site encourages all garden owners, from new to experienced, to get more enjoyment from their green space, whether growing vegetables, potting up a container or creating a new border.
“The launch of our new-look website further bolsters our drive to boost participation and forms part of our ongoing strategy to reinforce our new brand identity and positioning, which is underpinned by our vision – ‘there is more life in the Westland’.”
The website will be also be supported through a raft of national and specialist press campaigns throughout this year’s key gardening season. Key lines set to feature on the nation’s TV screens include Peckish, Aftercut, Gro-Sure and Resolva.
Other key features of the new website include:
- Increased compatibility for mobile devices and tablets
- Creation of a dedicated Stockist Finder section
- New product features for 2013
- Product of the Week focuses, including newly launched ranges such as the award-winning Aftercut Even-Flo Spreader, Gro-Sure and Resolva
- Ask the Expert question and answer forum Inspirational garden images Useful trade resources including downloadable product images, safety data sheets and product labels
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Waitrose Garden Centre - picture exclusive
Pictures of the Waitrose Garden Centre, Newbury...
Waitrose is the latest supermarket to have a go at gardening retailing outside one of it's supermarkets. Here's GTN's picture of the "Garden Centre" at Waitrose Newbury.
Will they suceed where Tescos, Morrisons and Asda have all had mixed performances in recent years? Sainsburys have a colourful in-store merchandised area for day-to-day gardening products but are not venturing into plants outside stores just yet.
On thing that's certain, these outside supermarket "Garden Centres" will be increasing the visibility and access to gardening and plants. With limited ranges there is therefore plenty of opportunity for getting those newly interested customers into your garden centres. Has anyone bought the advertising hordings close to a supermarket with an outside garden store to promote their centre?
Let us know your views of supermarkets getting in on the garden retailing act. Use the comments link below or e-mail trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk.
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Rob Scott, the owner of Hare Hatch Sheeplands Garden Centre near Reading fears his business could be forced to close because of a planning dispute with the local council.
More than 100 jobs are at risk after negotiations to settle an enforcement notice broke down, with the fate of the site now resting on an appeal in four weeks’ time.
 The garden centre offered to demolish some buildings to address some of the 15 breaches of planning permission raised by Wokingham Borough Council.
“It appears they are trying to drive us out of business and we don’t know why," said Rob Scott.
“The council has suspended the negotiations that were taking place and told us they intend to concentrate their resources on the enforcement notice appeal on May 14.”
In October, the council gave the garden centre 18 months to rectify planning breaches for expanding into green belt land.
Mr Scott added: “The council has been saying one thing in public, but is doing the complete opposite by breaking off negotiations.
“This reaction comes as a bitter disappointment to us because for a long while we believed the council were truly committed to finding a constructive solution.”
He added the planning crisis has been compounded by the garden industry’s worst spring in memory.
Mr Scott said: “Councillor Baker [executive member for highways and planning] has gone on record as saying ‘The last thing we want to see is for the centre to go out of business,’ but that’s precisely what they are doing by their refusal to continue negotiations.
“If we lose the appeal next month Sheeplands will no longer be viable as a business and we will be forced to close. That means 102 people will be out of work and customers from throughout the area will have fewer shopping options.”
A council spokeswoman said: “Protection of the green belt is of paramount importance. Any relaxation not considered to be absolutely exceptional circumstances would encourage many others to try and build on the green belt.
“The decision on what are exceptional circumstances is a difficult one to define and who better than an appeal inspector to decide whether this is exceptional circumstances or not?
“We were approached by Hare Hatch Sheeplands about either withdrawing the enforcement notice or postponing the enforcement appeal inquiry to allow further negotiations.
"However, given the appeal has already been postponed twice, that the breaches are serious, and the lack of meaningful progress so far, it would not be right to postpone the inquiry again. We did not take this view lightly and did so with advice from our barrister."
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Win compost worth £6,000
Garden centres that participated in this year’s Garden Re-Leaf Day in March have until 31st May to enter the Westland Challenge competition, which offers retailers the chance win Westland Gro-Sure All-Purpose Compost worth £6,000...
Garden centres that participated in this year’s Garden Re-Leaf Day in March have until 31st May to enter the Westland Challenge competition, which offers retailers the chance win Westland Gro-Sure All-Purpose Compost worth £6,000.
Please find attached information and entry form for the challenge !
Westland challenge entry form 2013 V1
GCA members invited to big peat debate
Garden Centre Association members are being invited to attend a meeting in June to discuss peat...
Garden Centre Association members are being invited to attend a meeting in June to discuss peat.At the meeting, which takes place on June 13 at William Sinclair in Ellesmere Port, member garden centres will discuss the use of peat and development of alternative products. Peter Burks, Chairman of the GCA, explained: “At our annual conference in January many members mentioned they would be keen to meet and have a big discussion about peat. “There is on-going debate around the use of peat and development of peat alternatives and we’ll be asking people to share their views with us. All member garden centres are invited. “We hope as many people as possible will put the date in their diary as we think this is a really important discussion to have.” Government guidelines produced in 2012 stated that from 2015 local authorities are not allowed to use peat in their parks or gardens. In 2020 peat will be banned for amateur gardeners. Peter added: “The implications that these regulations will have on the horticultural industry are huge and people have mixed views. We want to have a forum where people can discuss their thoughts and hear others opinions too. “Any garden centres that aren’t currently a member but would like to join and attend the debate can call us on 0118 930 8918 to find out more.” The GCA represents nearly 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. The GCA peat debate will take place at William Sinclair on New Bridge Road in Ellesmere Port on Thursday, June 13 at 2pm. There will be lunch for attendees from 1pm. For further information call 0118 930 8918 or visit www.gca.org.uk
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Expect sales to double
As gardening activity finally gets into gear, the the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart indicates that we are just about to enter the big sales weeks when volumes will double if not more...
As gardening activity finally gets into gear, the the GTN Bestsellers Growing Media chart indicates that we are just about to enter the big sales weeks when volumes will double if not more.
Have you got enough stock easily positioned for customers to buy? Are your staff fully trained to increase growing media sales and add other linked sales?
Whilst we may have seven or eight weeks left of good plant selling time it’s the next four to five weeks that are crucial for growing media sales.
See the full GTN Growing Media Bestsellers Chart here. Subscribers Only
To Subscribe to the full GTN Bestsellers Weekly Charts for only £120.00 per year click here
WARNING the GTN Bestsellers Charts can seriously improve your business. Only subscribe if you want to invest 15 minutes each week in improving your turnover and customer satisfaction.
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Jez Stamp, currently working with the BBC Gardeners’ World production team, has been crowned Young Horticulturist of the Year by the Institure of Horticulture. He wins the £2000 Percy Thrower Travel Bursary, provided by the Shropshire Horticultural Society.
 At the Grand Final in the Liverpool University Ness Botanic Gardens, Jez said: "It was an excellent competition that highlights all the exciting opportunities that horticulture has to offer as a career. Plants are my passion. I have thrown myself in 100% and am proud to have won this competition. My travel bursary will give me a chance to continue my studies of woody plants and I will be looking at Western China and Taiwan as possible locations."
The contestants from the Institute’s eight branches battled it out in front of an audience of 100 supporters from across the industry, including the national competition sponsors; Bryony Cooper representing the Shropshire Horticultural Society, Peter Hunt from MorePeople and Ruth Ashfield from the Horticultural Development Council.
All contestants won cash prizes, a year’s free membership of the Institute of Horticulture and a copy of a new book entitled: The Genus Betula, a Taxonomic Revision of Birches by Kenneth Ashburner & Hugh A McAllister.
The competition, now in its 24th year, has seen nearly 2000 students from across Britain and Ireland taking part in local heats and regional finals over recent months. For the lucky eight contestants it was a hard slog to reach the Grand Final, having answered 45 questions in the heats, as well as upwards of 40 questions across every aspect of horticulture in their regional finals. They also had to cope with tough equipment, plant and pest and disease identification rounds to secure their places in Saturday’s Grand Final.
Leigh Morris FI Hort, President, Institute of Horticulture said: “The Young Horticulturist of the Year competition is, in my view, one of the most important things the Institute of Horticulture (IoH) does. I’ve been involved with YHoY since the late 1980s as a competitor, finalist, heat organizer, Quiz Master and now as President supporting the event and smiling in the presentation photos!
"It was wonderful for me to be at the Grand Final to support and encourage these young horticulturists and huge thanks from the Institute go to all our sponsors, both regional and national. As I said to Jez at the end of the Grand Final “with a £2000 travel bursary, the world is definitely his oyster” and I am certain he’ll be a fantastic ambassador for the YHoY competition and the IoH. Well done Jez!”
The finalists, from across the eight Institute of Horticulture branches were:
- 1st place - Jez Stamp - BBC Gardeners World, representing the South East Branch;
- 2nd place - Chris Parsons - Gardener, Manfield, County Durham, representing the Northern Branch;
- 3rd place - Lucy Baker - Wyken Hall, Suffolk, representing the Eastern Branch;
- 4th place - Mark Flahive - Self-employed landscaper, representing the Ireland Branch;
- 5th place - Sara Perzley - Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, representing the Scotland Branch;
- 6th place - Matthew Hussey - Sparsholt College, representing the South West Branch;
- 7th place - Owen Groves - Pershore College representing the West Midlands and South Wales Branch;
- 8th place - Alex Tranmer - National Trust, representing the North West and North Wales Branch
Last year’s winner, Douglas Mackay, is due to take up his £2000 Travel Bursary later this year. On his return he will produce a report about his trip which will be published in a future volume of the Institute’s quarterly Journal, The Horticulturist.
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GIMA have launched their awards for 2013 and are now urging companies to submit their entries.
In total there are eight product categories, three marketing and two special achievement awards.
The eight product awards are:
- Garden Care
- Garden Tools, Machinery and Implements
- Outdoor Leisure, Garden Structures & Features
- Plants, Seeds and Bulbs
- Garden Landscaping
- Garden Retail Related Products
- Pet Care, Aquatics and Wild Bird Care Products
The GIMA Sword of Excellence is presented to the best of the winners from the eight product categories above.
The marketing categories are:
- Best Point of Sale Material
- Best Consumer Product Packaging (consumer packs only)
- Best Marketing Communication Award
Special achievement awards:
- Export Achievement Award (sponsored by Gardenex)
- Supplier of the Year Award (sponsored by The Garden Centre Association)
 Roundup Gel was a multi-award winner at the GIMA Awards 2012, and capped an amazing year for the bestselling product. Gary Philpotts said: “These Awards are impressive because they are judged by your trade customers and peers – you can’t get a better endorsement than that.
"The Gel product has just been amazing and the awards it picked up were just amazing. As a result we received tremendous coverage in the media, giving Roundup Gel even more great exposure. It was good to know the trade appreciated and understood what we were trying to do with this product.”
 Solus Garden & Leisure won the Supplier of the Year category at the GIMA Awards in 2012. “It gave everyone, from our drivers to the office staff, a massive boost,” said Nick Davies.
“Winning the award was a combined team effort, and it is something we’re very proud of. We have used the accolade in a lot of our sales and marketing material because we felt it was important, and we wanted to tell people about it.”
The GIMA Awards will take place at a gala dinner on July 18 at The Queens in Leeds,
To enter for the awards click here or use the button (GIMA Awards Ad) on the front page.
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One of weirdest springs in living memory
Gardeners are experiencing one of the weirdest springs in living memory, say the organisers of Scotland's largest horticultural show...
Gardeners are experiencing one of the weirdest springs in living memory, say the organisers of Scotland's largest horticultural show.
George Anderson, a director of Gardening Scotland 2013, the annual flower show that takes place from May 31 to June 2 at The Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, says: “For the first time that most people will be able to remember, those plants that depend on soil warmth are going to start appearing at the same time as those that flower according to day length and the result is set to be some of the strangest flowering combinations that most of us will ever have seen.”
The gardening broadcaster said that to have snowdrops still in flower in mid April when leaves had only just started appearing on the hawthorn was almost unheard of.
“But it will only take a few days of good weather to get everything flourishing all at once and then spring will be spectacular.”
A similar spike in activity has already been seen in ticket sales for the gardening show itself.
Show organiser Martin Dare said: “When the weather picked up earlier this week we sold 800 tickets in just a matter of days when we would have expected to sell just a quarter of that number. There is a huge pent-up demand amongst gardeners to get out and start gardening and we are seeing that reflected in our numbers.”
Around 40,000 visitors and 400 exhibitors are set to take part in Gardening Scotland 2013, which is the biggest plant fayre in the country.
Also this year there will be show gardens, appearances by celebrity gardeners and the RHS Garden Theatre where experts will be giving advice on a whole range of gardening problems including how to cope with unpredictable weather conditions.
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Gardman founder Paris Natar has acquired a majority stake in Smart Solar Ltd for an undisclosed sum, the company announced yesterday. Natar has been running garden products businesses since 1982, when he set up PAN Products, followed by Gardman. In 2008, he sold Gardman to Barclays Private Equity in a deal worth £85m. “Smart Solar is a great company,” he said today. “It has a strong and very committed management team that has navigated this long recession effectively and profitably. Having concluded that early retirement was not my cup of tea, I made an approach to see if Smart Solar might be interested in working with me....and they were!” Jonathan Stobart, chief executive of Smart Solar, which he set up in 2003, said: “We are very pleased that Paris has chosen to invest in us and join the team as chairman. He brings a wealth of industry-specific experience and I am confident he will add significant value to our already vibrant and rapidly expanding business.” Smart Solar Ltd has been acquired through a holding company formed for the purpose, SGP Holdings (UK) Ltd, with Natar and Stobart as the sole shareholders. Natar said: “I have the highest regard for Jonathan and the sterling work he has done since founding Smart Solar ten years ago. I very much look forward to working with him and his team in the years ahead.” They said their message to the garden industry was: “Watch this space!”
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Advertising signs at centre of planning row
Advertising signs already erected at the entrance to a garden centre in Parkgate will be considered by an inspector after permission was refused...
Advertising signs already erected at the entrance to a garden centre in Parkgate will be considered by an inspector after permission was refused.
Applicant Russell Brooks told borough planners he was seeking retrospective consent for the two non illuminated hoardings either side of the entrance to Marsh Nurseries, Boathouse Lane, Parkgate near the Parkgate Conservation Area.
Conservation officers described the size of the boards as ‘considerable’ and did not support the application.
There were no objections from the highway authority or Neston Town Council but planners suggested the effect on visual amenity was a key issue.
They felt they were unduly large and unsympathetic to the character of the surrounding area.
There were also concerns they would set an unwelcome precedent if other local businesses were allowed to follow suit.
There would be a harmful effect on the visual amenity of the adjacent conservation area where a higher standard of design might reasonably be expected.
Consent was refused and Mr Brooks has appealed, insisting he has the backing of the Parkgate Society, the mayor of Neston, several local councillors and numerous members of the public.
Mr Brooks argues the black and white colour scheme is entirely in keeping with the conservation area and the design is fairly traditional in appearance.
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Gardman have appointed former Hozelock MD Bernard Shannon, as sales director. He joins the board this month to drive an ambitious commercial plan designed to develop strong partnerships with customers. “The past year has been incredibly challenging for most in the industry, and Gardman has risen to the challenge,” Shannon said. “I’m really looking forward to working with the team to build an industry-leading programme that will help our retail partners trade their way profitably through the season.” Before Hozelock, Shannon spent several years as sales director at Energizer Inc. with responsibility for the Energizer batteries and Wilkinson Sword brands. He will report to the Gardman Group chairman Jonathan Halford, who said: “Bernard brings a wealth of highly relevant experience and he already knows our customers, which gives him a huge head start. With the support of the dedicated sales team at Gardman, I am confident that Bernard will successfully drive our plans forward."
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Garden centre receives funding to help reduce its waste
The Old Railway Garden Centre in Powys has received funding from a government-backed organisation to help reduce its waste going to landfill in the area...
The Old Railway Garden Centre in Powys has received funding from a government-backed organisation to help reduce its waste going to landfill in the area.
The Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) Cymru has granted funding to pay for an assessment of waste produced by the centre’s Railway Restaurant.
Katie Cleary, Shop Manager at The Old Railway Line Garden Centre, which is located at Three Cocks near Hay-on-Wye, said: “We believe looking after the environment is extremely important so we are looking forward to working with WRAP Cymru to minimise the waste we create and reduce the amount sent to landfill.
“A management consultant will be visiting our restaurant to assess how much waste we produce. They will then put their findings into a report for us with recommendations on how we can reduce the amount and make cost effective savings.”
The Welsh Government has set a target to achieve zero waste by 2050 and every business participating in the WRAP Cymru project will contribute to the achievement of this target.
WRAP Cymru works with businesses and individuals to help them reap the benefits of reducing the amount of waste they produce and recycle more. It provides grants of up to £50,000 plus consultancy worth up to £10,000 for hospitality, tourism and food businesses that want to prevent waste and cut their costs.
Huw Lloyd, Business Account Manager at WRAP Cymru, said: “It is great news that The Old Railway Line Garden Centre is one of the first businesses to benefit from this support. We look forward to working with the garden centre to identify ways to reduce its waste.
“Every tonne of food waste costs a business £1,800, so there are potentially big savings to be made. Cutting waste isn’t just about being green, it can deliver real business benefits too.”
The garden centre currently recycles food, glass, plastic and cardboard in recycling bins. It also has an extensive system in place that was installed to remove any grease from the pipes leaving the kitchen area.
The grease is then taken away by one of the garden centre’s customers with a duty of care waste transfer note and is re-used as fuel.
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