In This Issue
Boyd adds 6 centres to Hillview
Barton Grange are multiple winners in GCA Annual Inspection Awards
Fun and frolics at the Industry Networks Beach Party
Handing over the chairman's chain of office to Will Armitage
Inspirational talks from Dr Steve Peters and Marcus Child
GCA rising stars give brilliant presentations to conference
Millbrook's Sue Allen steps down from GCA committee after 20 years
Bents and Castle Gardens win GCA Christmas Competition
£9,600 raised as Pansies beat Cabbages in 4th Annual Greenfingers Challenge Cup
Martin Cowell gets 'mummyfied' as Pansies pull back to level pegging in The Greenfingers Challenge
And so it came down to the final event in The Greenfingers Challenge... a boat race drinking contest
Jude Law, David Tennant and other stars present the Garden Re-Leaf Day quiz for 2014
More pictures of Garden Centre Christmas displays than have ever been published before
Bestsellers Top 50 charts every week
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£9,600 raised as Pansies beat Cabbages in 4th Annual Greenfingers Challenge Cup
Greenfingers Challenge 2014 before and after 32.jpg

A staggering £9,600 was raised on the eve of the Garden Centre Association Winter Conference at Blackpool when a team of garden centres (Pansies) beat a side made up of suppliers (Cabbages) in the 4th Annual Greenfingers Challenge Cup.

The event, made up of a series of fun events followed by fish-and-chips and bingo, was the curtain-raiser for the two-day conference, with all the proceeds going the industry's charity, Greenfingers.

And it was the Pansies team captained by Guy Topping, from Barton Grange Garden Centre, which snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, winning by 20 points to 15, after being 15-5 behind at one stage and needing to win all of the final three games (5 points was awarded for each event victory).

"We were staring defeat in the face but my team reacted in the best possible way by refusing to give up," said Guy, whose team retained the trophy after last year's win. "I'm very proud of the team because everyone contributed to this victory."

Defeated Cabbages captain Danny Adamson, from Sinclairs, who helped to organise the events with Guy, said: "I'm disappointed with result, particularly as we were so far in front but we've had a great day.

"We've received the best support ever from sponsorship and also people turning up to take part. It has been brilliant."

It had been hoped to hold the Annual Greenfingers Challenge Cup on Blackpool beach opposite the Hilton Hotel, where the GCA conference is taking place but a combination of high tides and bad weather forced the activities in doors.

The first event - a relay race - did take place outside as competitors braced the biting wind to run up and down the promenade.

The proceeds from the day were handed over by Danny and Guy to Deborah Skillicorn, charity director of Greenfingers, who said: "It has been a fantastic day. The amount of money from this one event is outstanding, simply incredible. 

"The money will be used to help build two gardens in 2014 at children's hospices in Essex and Yorkshire. I would like to personally thank the organisers, the sponsors and everyone for taking part."
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Greenfingers Challenge 2014 before and after 37.jpg
Greenfingers Challenge 2014 before and after 37.jpg
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