It has been another dramatic week of change for Wyevale Garden Centres with news of Head of Horticulture Tim Clapp leaving the company in October and reports of more than 20 centre managers being made redundant. Rumours of Clapp's replacement have been circulating throughout the industry but the company refused to confirm that an appointment had been made.

GTN Xtra, who broke the news of Clapp's imminent departure to a DIY chain, understands that the staff facing redundancy had to undertake a series of tests.

When asked about the redundancies a spokesman for Wyevale Garden Centres said: "As we continue the process of transforming the company, we have been working within our garden centres to invest in the development of our teams, strengthen the balance of horticultural and retail expertise, structure resources across regions and ensure the right people are in the right roles. As a result of this evolution, some garden centre managers have left the company."

As reported on Monday in GTN Xtra, the company said this about Clapp's departure: "We thank Tim for the excellent work he has done during his eight years. He leaves behind a strong horticultural buying and plant area manager team which includes a great mix of horticultural and retail experts with a passion for delivering customers high quality, beautiful plants.”

Also this week Wyevale announced it had strengthened its executive management team with the addition of Tim Patten as Multi-Channel Director.

Kevin Bradshaw, Chief Executive of Wyevale Garden Centres, said: "Wyevale Garden Centres aspires to give our customers a shopping experience that reflects the way they want to shop. Online research and commerce are playing an increasingly important role in garden product retailing and Tim’s appointment is the first step on our journey to become a truly multi-channel retailer. 

"Tim’s industry-leading expertise in developing multi-channel and e-commerce businesses will help us to bring the joy of the garden to life online as well as in our garden centres.”

Tim Patten joins Wyevale Garden Centres from Morrisons Non Food where he was the Marketing and E-Commerce Director. Tim has held a number of e-commerce, multi-channel and marketing director roles for large retail businesses including Space NK and Mothercare. He spent several years at Jack Wills where he was initially the Multi-Channel Director for the UK; he then took on a larger scope and was responsible for the international development of Jack Wills USA and Jack Wills Hong Kong’s multi-channel strategies.

Out of the hundreds of new products at Glee it was particularly pleasing that several of the Glee New Product Awards winners were really potential GTN Bestsellers Chart entrants for next year.

Westland’s Tomato Pack, a grow bag for just one tomato plant, and the GlazeLite, lightweight glazed pots, from Apta should both be Top 50 chart regulars when sales get into gear next year.

The Burgon & Ball RHS Cutting Tool range will make customer choice from a crowded sector much easier and if we published a garden centre welly chart the smart new Historic Palaces range from Briers is sure to feature towards the top.

The Wildlife World Bug and Bee Biome, with good displays and promotion, also looks set to be a bestseller in the sector next spring and could even be a great Christmas gift idea too!

If you saw other new products at Glee that are your tip for the GTN Bestsellers charts next year please let us know by email: trevor.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

GTN Bestsellers Top 50 sales volumes compared to the same week last year

• Garden Products – up 34%
• Veg 2 Gro – up 12%
• Growing Media – up 58%
• All items index – up 10%

If you would like to subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

Gardman lighting products still dominate the GTN Bestsellers Garden Products chart with four items in the Top 5, three of which are wood effect lights.

• Gardman Solar Mosaic Border Lights are also the highest re-entry in the chart at No 23.
• Sales of Bayer Path Weedkiller Ready to Use are proof that gardeners are still active as it secures the highest climber accolade, jumping 21 places.
• And Wolf-Garten Bypass Pruner and Telescopic Hegde Shear are both new entries.
• Another newcomer is Apta Floral Pot Stand (25cm). 

Nordic Garden Buildings have scooped the Glee Retailers' Choice Award for the second year running, this time clinching the title with their Veranda Summerhouse.

The Veranda Summerhouse received such praise as 'beautifully designed', 'great price point', and 'high quality build and materials'.

i2i's Matthew Mein, Glee event manager, said: “The Veranda Summerhouse is most deserving of its place on this year's Glee New Products winners list. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to cast their vote, and also thank all of those companies that entered a product into the awards. Together you have made for another exciting, and closely fought, showcase of the best the industry has to offer.”

This year's winner was selected from the 300 plus new products that were showcased within Glee's new central Hub area. Voting in the Retailers' Choice Award, in association with the HTA, was a fiercely fought competition with several products capturing the attention of Glee's garden retail audience.

Crest Garden Ltd and Desch Plantpak Ltd exchanged formal documents at Glee to confirm their joint venture aimed at revitalising the UK ‘Grow your own’ retail propagation market. 

Chris Clarke and Nick Davies were on hand at Glee for the launch of the new ‘Plantpak by Crest’ brand of propagation products. The range includes traditional Plantpak favourite retail products such as seed and gravel trays, propagators and plant pots together with several new additions including heated propagators and plant raising kits. 

Following the signing, business was brisk on the Crest Garden stand with many retailers commenting favourably on the strategy of combining the technical expertise of Desch Plantpak with the marketing and sales know how of the Crest Garden team. 

The joint venture, which applies to propagation products only, forms part of the new Crest Garden business which has the support of Westland Horticulture. Commenting on Glee 2014 Nick Davies, managing director of Crest Garden, said “The show this year really had the ‘Wow’ factor. From the moment the doors opened on Sunday right through to the close on Tuesday, the stand was very busy with retailers eager to see our new ranges and most importantly to place orders.” 

There are currently three product categories in the Crest Garden range: Kent & Stowe is a range of top end crafted garden tools, Flopro is a stylish range of watering equipment and the new Plantpak by Crest. 

Westland Horticulture has delivered 1,200 bags of top soil to a theatre, staging a play to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.

Journey’s End, hailed as one of the greatest war plays ever written, will be performed at The Octagon Theatre in Bolton throughout September and October. Originally on stage in 1928, it follows the lives of soldiers as they battle against the futility of warfare, constant fear and harsh living conditions.

The theatre were keen to emulate the intimacy and authenticity of war conditions on stage and so contacted Westland Horticulture for assistance.

Following a delivery of 1,200 bags of Westland Horticulture Top Soil last week, the theatre team have now filled 700 hessian sandbags, which will be placed around the circumference of the all-round stage. By filling sandbags with sterilised soil, rather than sand, even the scent of the set is emulative of the environment so many men regarded, however briefly, as home.

Olly Seviour, Head of Production at The Octagon Theatre, said: “The biggest issue we had with the set was sourcing a clean, safe soil that would not pose a hazard to the actors or audience. Westland’s Top Soil is a sterilised graded soil that has an accompanying data sheet to prove that it has undergone rigorous tests to ensure it poses no risk.

“The set design is very dramatic. In an effort to maintain the illusion as much as possible, walkways have been covered in wood, corrugated steel has been positioned around the upper floor balcony and, of course, there’s huge quantities or soil and sandbags. The overall effect is completely engrossing and we’re delighted with how it looks.”

Chris Glynn, Sales Representative for Westland Horticulture, said: “When we heard about the production we were really keen to get involved. The production company had sampled a variety of soils and were really keen to use our product as its sterilised and has no green waste.

“We were keen to get involved because of the connection with the First World War centenary. We were delighted to help the theatre get the top soil they required to allow the production have as authentic an atmosphere as possible.

“I think it’s safe to say that this is the first time we have delivered top soil to a theatre!”

Journey’s End is at the Octagon until Saturday 4 October 2014. Tickets are from £26.50 - £10 on 01204 520661, or at www.octagonbolton.co.uk

Environment organisation Project Maya is calling on all gardeners to pledge to be peat-free in their gardens because 94% of lowland bogs in the UK have been lost.

According to the organisation:

• UK Peatlands store more carbon than the forests of the UK, France and Germany combined.
• Peat is being consumed 200 times faster than it forms. 
• 94% of our lowland bogs in the UK have been lost.
• Every month, UK gardeners use enough peat to fill 69 Olympic swimming pools.
• Inspired by the research of Professor Mark Reed (Birmingham City University) Project Maya is asking gardeners to pledge to be peat-free in their gardens.

Project Maya say there would be an outcry if a company started excavating top-soil from your local park and selling it to gardeners. And yet most of us are silent about the excavation of peat from habitats that are just as valuable to us.

The environment organisation says:

"The UK gardener is a gift to wildlife; we are increasingly growing flowers that are perfect for pollinators, along with our own fruit and vegetables, saving the packaging, and carbon used in transportation. In fact, our gardeners make a huge positive impact for UK nature. Yet, each month UK gardeners are using enough peat to fill the equivalent of 69 Olympic swimming pools, with no idea of the damage they are causing by doing so. An average 100 litre bag of peat compost takes around 100 years to develop. In this time, a bag this size will have absorbed as much carbon dioxide as you would emit by driving from London to Birmingham and back in a petrol VW Golf.

"Peat is used in compost because it’s cheap, light, retains moisture and stores nutrients. But we don’t need to use it. Most amateur gardeners wouldn’t notice a difference in the performance of peat versus peat-free composts, but switching to peat-free would make a significant difference to our peatlands. And like the switch to low-energy lightbulbs (accompanied by the same initial concerns over poor product performance), if we don’t start buying peat-free composts voluntarily, they may be banned. Already, the Government has set a target to phase out the use of peat by amateur gardeners in England by 2020. They are monitoring peat use and will be reviewing progress next year to see if “additional policy measures are necessary.

"Peatlands are a vast green lung that provides unique places for recreation and habitats for some of our most threatened wildlife, whilst absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. An area of healthy peatland the size of a rugby pitch can absorb the equivalent of 4 return trips from London-Edinburgh by car every year. That’s approximately four times more efficient at carbon absorption than a forest. Yet, just 6% of our peatlands remain - 6000 hectares! We need to act now to protect them!"

Prof Reed, whose research on peatlands inspired the Peat-Free Pledge, said: "For me, peatlands are a fascinating place to think about our relationship with nature. So many of us overlook peatlands as bleak, featureless and inhospitable places, without realising that we all depend on them for the water we drink and for regulating our global climate. Most of us don't even notice the internationally important species and habitats we're trudging through when we go hill walking."

The campaign has already attracted wide support from organisations such as:

• The John Muir Trust
• The Scottish Wildlife Trust,
• The IUCNs Peatland Programme,
• Plantlife
• Climate Revolution
• Birmingham City University, where Prof. Reed is based. 

Individual supporters pledging to go peat-free range from television celebrities to CEOs of major environmental organisations. Including:

• Designer and environmental activist Vivienne Westwood DBE
• Naturalist, author and broadcaster Simon King OBE
• BAFTA award winning television producer Stephen Moss
• Director of the Eden Project Gordon Seabright
• CEO of Plantlife Marian Spain
• CEO of the Soil Association Helen Browning OBE

Speaking about the campaign, Dr. Olly Watts, the RSPB’s peat-free campaigner said: "The RSPB has encouraged gardeners to go peat-free for many years – our bogs are wonderful places with amazing wildlife. It’s a tragic irony that they are drained and dug up for gardening, especially now there are good alternatives widely available."

UK gardeners make a significant contribution to improving the environment for nature, and by going peat-free they can do even more. Our peatlands are a beautiful and incredibly valuable resource. Let’s keep them and our gardens beautiful. For more information, and to take the pledge head to www.mayaproject.org/peat-free-pledge.

Business has been at full speed for Garland Products since adding the Worth Gardening brand to its product portfolio in 2012, and the same can be said for its success on the car race track. A Spire GT3, sponsored by Garland Products has just won the Disklok RGB championship 2014, resulting in its driver Matt Higginson retaining the title he won last season. 

The RGB Championship is open to two-seater cars built to road-going specification, and the heats are held at various motor race circuits in England and Wales each year.

Commenting on the race success, operations director for Garland Products, Tony Dedman said: “It is great news to learn of Matt’s success again this year and it is the ‘icing on the cake’ for Garland Products. 

"We have just exhibited our new ranges at two major international shows, spoga+gafa in Cologne and Glee in Birmingham, and both exhibitions have yielded many orders for our winning line-up of new products lines.  Among the fifty new products that have been added for the 2014/2015 season is an autumn lawn care range that includes Aqua brush boot cleaner, extra large and Jumbo kneelers, kneeling frames and a full range of thermometers.

“We intend to maintain this positive momentum and to provide the best service to our growing customer base, and to this end have commissioned a new modern warehouse facility in time for the new season.” 

Family-owned Garland Products Group is one of the UK’s fastest growing suppliers to the garden industry. 

So keen were staff at Suffolk seedsman Mr Fothergill's to have the chance to soak its executive directors with cold water, they recently raised more than £100 for Macmillan Cancer Support in an ice bucket challenge. 

Tickets were raffled at £1 each, with the names of the five lucky winners drawn on the day of what has become this summer's fashionable fundraiser.

After their drenching, the directors – John Fothergill, David Carey, Tim Jeffries, Jeremy Sharp and Ed Yeldham – nominated the company's managers to be the next recipients of the water in what has become the customary manner. 

John Fothergill commented it was good to see staff undertaking their duty with such relish and enthusiasm!

Wyevale Nurseries based in Hereford is looking for a full-time Sales Executive within the Amenity Sales Department to join its team and is struggling to find a suitable applicant.

Adam Dunnett, Sales and Marketing Director at Wyevale Nurseries, said: “Ideally we would want to take someone on with amenity sales experience but as this type of person seems to be rare we would certainly consider someone without direct sales experience but who was/has been involved in the commercial amenity sector, maybe as a buyer or estimator.

“The amenity sales sector accounts for 70% of our business and this is an incredibly important appointment for us and is therefore really frustrating that so far we haven’t found a suitable candidate. We have been searching since May and would love to hear from anyone who thinks this position is well suited to them.

“We had a high calibre of people applying to take on a garden centre sales role this spring and wondered if the lack of interest in amenity is something to do with the perception people have as we are possibly seen as more retail orientated when the truth is the opposite or is it a general industry issue? I do know that several other amenity nurseries have really struggled to find sales people recently.

“We are looking for someone who ideally has sales experience, is a great communicator, negotiator and team player. They will need to work well under pressure and to deadlines and be self-motivated.”

The job will include preparing quotes and tenders, managing contracts won, liaising with production, buyers and supply chains to ensure the customers’ expectations are exceeded. The appointed person will also have to visit customers and trade shows.

The salary will depend on experience and other benefits are also included such as a company car and fuel costs. 

For an application form for the position, please email adam@wyevale-nurseries.co.uk.

Wyevale Nurseries is one of the largest family-run wholesale nurseries in the UK. It was established in 1928 by Harry Williamson, a horticulturist and entrepreneur. It became the company it is today under the leadership of his son, Peter, who sadly passed away in 2011.

The Williamsons’ saw the opportunity to sell their product to an undeveloped retail market, creating one of the first garden centres, followed by a chain. In 1987, the retail side needed to expand and the 19 garden centres were sold as a PLC.

The family then turned its focus to Wyevale Nurseries Ltd. It continues to be a family-run business with ownership and joint chairmanship currently being held by the third generation, Heather and Simeon Williamson, with plans for the fourth generation to takeover in the future.

Wyevale Nurseries has a significant product range and is regularly introducing new plants. It offers a large variety of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants to garden centres, landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters and landowners.

Our client is a leading UK retailer looking to appoint an experienced horticulture Buyer to contribute to the garden plant 3 year plan.  

With a horticultural/plant science background, you will have expert live product knowledge and an understanding of the plant types consumers wish to buy to help decorate their homes and landscape their gardens.  

You will have experience in product development by analysing and translating consumer trends and have strong supplier relationships to follow through on this NPD process.  

Having financial responsibility for each product category, you will be accountable for the sales budget and subsequent forecasts.  

Stakeholder management will be key as you plan customer focussed and profitable range plans.  

You will have strong buying skills, a strategic outlook and be a natural influencer/motivator. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic and customer focussed company where you will be able to make a large impact across the organisation through your well researched promotional plans.     

Please call 01780 480530 and speak to Gillian Muir or apply with your CV quoting reference #6607 to info@morepeople.co.uk

Our client is an award winning mailorder / e-commerce business who have a high and longstanding reputation of providing the amateur gardener with outstanding varieties of fruit and vegetables. They are currently seeking a top buyer who can buy, range plan and category manage. Someone who is retail commercial aware and can build on their current success and continue to stimulate growth in the 'Grow your own' sector. 

The ideal candidate will have considerable experience within the e-commerce and or retail buying. Have experience within the live plants and horticultural sector and preferable at chain or supermarket level. Must be a superb team leader who can lead from the front.

Please call Dianne Saunders on 07929 013910 or apply with your CV quoting reference 6536 to info@morepeople.co.uk

A buyer is being sought to join the seasonal team at this leading UK retailer's Head Office.  

Responsible for various garden and leisure products, you will be responsible for contributing to the category strategies by working closely with the supply base and Merchandising teams to deliver on the sales budget.  

A quick thinker and with an eye for innovative development, you will be instrumental in determining the category promotional plans by interpreting the customer insight data with the Marketing team.  

A dynamic and strong negotiator, you will build strong relationships with suppliers as you set and agree trading terms.  

You will have a passion for retail and the ability to work on short, medium and long term plans.  

You will be joining a very dynamic and multi-channel retailer as they continually strive to develop and deliver their product offerings to their well researched consumer base.   

Please call 01780 480530 and speak to Gillian Muir or apply with your CV, quoting reference #6600 to info@morepeople.co.uk

Our client is an award winning mailorder / e-commerce business who have a high and longstanding reputation of providing the amateur gardener with outstanding varieties of fruit and vegetables.

They are currently seeking a Junior Buyer to form part of their buying team. Ideally someone from a good horticultural background who is keen and driven and can work within this fast paced business that buys seeds, onion sets, live-plants and garden sundries for a catalogue driven market. 

The ideal candidate will have 2-3 years post college experience within a retail or commercial horticultural business. Experience of buying is desirable but not essential. Good IT and communication skills.

Please call Dianne Saunders on 07929 013910 or apply with your CV quoting reference 6537 to info@morepeople.co.uk

UK agent, Barry Scott has won the Elho Agent of the Year Award for selling the most Elho pots out of the whole Elho European sales force.

He received his award and a Montblanc pen for having such excellent pot sales in Scotland, including supplying to The Greatest Awards Top of the Pots winners Brechin Castle Garden Centre and Highly Commended Silverbirch Garden Centre.

Garden retailers throughout the UK are being given the opportunity to inspire their customers and boost conifer sales during National Conifer Week, organised by the HTA and the British Conifer Group, which will run between 27 September and 5 October 2014.

At this time of year,  attention turns to the changing colours of autumn ,with  conifers play a big part in the garden giving year round colour when other leaves have fallen.  This makes these hardy evergreens also the perfect choice for the Horticultural Trades Associaton’s (HTA)Plant of the Month for October, championed by Olympic rower Alex Gregory MBE

With nearly a third of Britons having a conifer in their garden, these plants are visually stunning and can transform a garden into something quite magnificent. They are a wonderful way of adding colour and shape to your outdoor space especially as many conifers change colour throughout the year.  With several hundred varieties of conifers available in the UK in different colours, heights and shapes, there is one to suit every type of garden and they look just as good in a container on a patio or balcony as they do in a more spacious setting.

Not only do they add height and texture to a garden, conifers can provide scent and taste to indulge in.  Varieties such as the Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata 'Atrovirens') release a citrus and pineapple scent when their leaves are rubbed.   ‘Cupressus Wilma’ is ideal for growing in large pots and containers or planted outside near doors and windows where the lemon scent can be enjoyed when brushing against the foliage.

Another variety of conifer, the juniper (Juniperus communis ) comes in a huge range of sizes and shapes from upright tall specimens to ground cover. Not only are they stunning to look at, the berries are used in flavouring gin.

The diversity of form, texture, and colour is unmatched by any other group of plants in the garden. They can be used as single specimens to spectacular effect, or combined to contrast with other plants such as deciduous trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses. The dwarf and miniature varieties are extremely suitable for alpine, scree, and trough gardens.

Being hardy, easy to care for and long-lasting, conifers are the ideal choice for the inexperienced gardener looking for a low maintenance but high impact plant. 

And someone who understands all about high impact is conifer lover, Alex Gregory MBE, Team GB Olympic Gold Medal Rower.  “Conifers have always been a part of my life. From the early days of climbing in their branches, to the family pilgrimage we took to the Californian giant redwoods” says Alex.  “There's something fascinating about the variety of sizes, colours and shapes conifers provide, they really are a feast for the senses.  Every garden should have at least one conifer!”

National Conifer Week point of sale materials (posters and bedcards) and images can be downloaded from www.the-hta.org.uk/ncw

Taylors Onion Sets Electric have rejoined Radar, Senshhyu Yellow and Troy in the Top 10 of the GTN Bestsellers Veg-2-Gro chart, while Garlic Marco remains in the No 1 spot.

• Other re-entries include Quantil Corn Salad and Chard (Rainbow Mix).
• Green Manure is back on the shopping list with Suttons Intercrop Mix the highest new entry and Thompson & Morgan Phacelia returning to the chart.
• Taylors Bulbs Mushroom Kit has also had a good sales week. 

With final preparations underway, this year’s lunch! trade show – kicking off at 10am on Tuesday 23^rd September at the Business Design Centre, London – looks set for another record turnout.

Renowned for attracting key buyers and decision-makers from across the retailing, hospitality and catering sectors, over 6,000 visitors are expected to attend. Many of the country’s biggest names are set to feature, including Costa Coffee, John Lewis and Tesco.

Having sold out all available exhibiting space at its three-floor venue, lunch! 2014 will feature an unprecedented 300 exhibiting companies. Buyers looking to refresh and expand their lunchtime offerings will find plenty of fresh new product ideas from some of the world’s most innovative manufacturers and suppliers of food, drink, catering equipment and technology.

Aside from the wealth of new launches being unveiled at the show, this year’s visitors will also be the first to see the results of the show’s annual Innovation Challenge Awards. The popular show feature, designed to showcase the best food-to-go innovations over the last 12 months, lets visiting buyers decide the final shortlist. Votes for favourite new innovations are cast on the opening day and the products with the most votes before 4pm on 23^rd September will be invited to pitch their innovations live to a panel of industry judges the following day.

Other highlights of the show include the Working lunch! Theatre and the British Smoothie Championships.

lunch! is free to attend for pre-registered trade visitors and relevant press representatives only. 

Advance registration closes when the show opens at 10am on Tuesday 23 September (after which a £20 door charge may apply). 

To register for a free trade pass to lunch!, taking place on 23-24 September at the Business Design Centre in London, please visit www.lunchshow.co.uk and quote priority code PR (direct link: http://www.eventdata.co.uk/Visitor/Lunch.aspx?TrackingCode=PR).

Sales of growing media are significantly up on last week, and noticeably higher than the same period in 2012 and 2013, according to GTN Bestsellers data.

• One of the best performers is the new entry of Arthur Bowers Bulb Compost (20 litres).
• Another newcomer to the Bestsellers Growing Media chart is Westland Gro-Sure All Purpose Compost (50 litres).
• Westland Soil Conditioner (60 litres) has also performed well to return to the chart.

Home and garden marketing specialist, Brookes & Co has been commissioned to work on marketing and PR projects for Grange, the decorative garden structures and fencing expert. 

The agency will be working to drive business for the Telford-based garden company by working on key marketing projects and managing PR in the builders’ merchant, multiple retail and garden centre sectors.

Brookes & Co specialises in working with companies in the home and garden industries including Vital Earth, Hamilton Acorn and the Bradley Collection. 

It provides a range of services, including market research, digital marketing, PR, social media, direct marketing, promotions, brand development, NPD and sales support. 

Managing director, Kate Newton said: “The company is going from strength to strength by specialising in the home and garden enhancement markets and I am delighted that we are now working with one of the leading brands in garden improvement and fencing.”

Richard Bennett, sales and marketing manager of Grange, added: “Brookes & Co has extensive experience in our market and we look forward to working together on our plans for the 2015 season and beyond.”

Brookes & Co is based in Uttoxeter just off the A50 between Stoke and Derby.

Wyevale Nurseries has announced it is from this month onwards able to offer trees and hedging to its customers all year round.

People can purchase field and container grown trees and hedging from the company, which is based in Hereford and is one of the UK’s leading nurseries, whenever they require them.

Adam Dunnett, Sales and Marketing Director, explained: “Earlier this year we re-organised from three companies into one to offer customers a ‘one-stop-shop’. This has meant we have also been able to make improvements for our customers. One of these improvements has been that we can now provide trees and hedging all year round.

“We have always offered a very comprehensive range of bare root hedging transplants from November to April and are one of the market leaders in this sector. However, we found customers were increasingly asking for pot grown hedging throughout the summer, so we took the decision to grow a range of three and five litre container grown plants.

“Our aim is to produce the highest quality available as customers want a hedge that establishes quickly and successfully so starting with a top quality plant is fundamental to this.

“Our hedging range is primarily aimed at the amenity sector, but with the move towards native varieties and planting for wildlife we have seen a significant increase in requests for potted hedging from our retail customers. As a result of this we are looking to double production next year to meet customer demand.”

Wyevale Nurseries’ field and container grown trees are grown on more than 350 acres and there are more than 70 varieties to choose from.

Rootball and bare rooted trees are available from November until April. This is then complimented by its container grown range, which starts at 15 litres and goes up to 300 litres.

Per year Wyevale Nurseries grows approximately 8,500 container grown trees and more than 125,000 field grown trees with girths ranging from six centimetres (cm) up to 25cm.

Adam added: “We have also developed a range of tree varieties, which aren’t widely grown but are suitable for our amenity customers’ needs.

“For example, the Acer Platanoides ‘Columnare’ is well-suited for commercial landscape planting as it is vigorous, but also narrow and more upright. The Sorbus ‘Blackberry’ is a strong grower and a tough, drought resistant tree, which is ideal for planting in difficult conditions.

“For a list of all the trees in the range, please email info@wyevalenurseries.co.uk.”

Wyevale Nurseries is planning to launch its first full amenity catalogue, which will include information and prices on all of the plants it can supply, at the end of September. People will be able to request a catalogue by emailing the address above.

Wyevale Nurseries is one of the largest family-run wholesale nurseries in the UK. It was established in 1928 by Harry Williamson, a horticulturist and entrepreneur. It became the company it is today under the leadership of his son, Peter, who sadly passed away in 2011.

The Williamsons’ saw the opportunity to sell their product to an undeveloped retail market, creating one of the first garden centres, followed by a chain. In 1987, the retail side needed to expand and the 19 garden centres were sold as a PLC.

The family then turned its focus to Wyevale Nurseries Ltd. It continues to be a family-run business with ownership and joint chairmanship currently being held by the third generation, Heather and Simeon Williamson, with plans for the fourth generation to takeover in the future.

Wyevale Nurseries has a significant product range and is regularly introducing new plants. It offers a large variety of trees, shrubs, hedging, herbaceous and specimen plants to garden centres, landscape contractors, local authorities, foresters and landowners.

For further details about Wyevale Nurseries, which is based in Hereford, please call 01432 845 200 or visit www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk

Stuart Clancy, a Norfolk district councillor and former general manager of Taverham Garden Centre, is being investigated by police on suspicion of fraud and false accounting.

Mr Clancy, a Conservative councillor at Broadland District Council, was arrested earlier this week.

He is deputy leader of the council and economic development portfolio holder, and also the Norfolk County councillor for Taverham.

A spokesman for Norfolk police said that he had been bailed until the beginning of November.

A spokesman for Broadland district council said: “This investigation is not connected in any way with council activities. In the circumstances, there is no reason we know of that would require a councillor to cease council-related work or responsibilities. We are aware that there is a police investigation in progress and while it is being carried out it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

The Garden Industry Manufacturers’ Association has launched its recent, A©ID-commissioned, overview and guide to Intellectual Property, coinciding with the legislation changes that will take place in October...   

Written by Dids Macdonald from ACID, the 12-page publication will highlight important aspects which manufacturers and suppliers need to know about protecting their intellectual property, and how the changes to legislation may impact upon existing IP strategies. Additionally, the guide will outline key aspects such as what to do if you find that your product has been copied, and the associated risks if accused of copying. GIMA members will be able to access the report completely free of charge, whilst non-members can access a copy for a nominal fee.   

GIMA Director Vicky Nuttall said: “The protection and understanding of intellectual property is something that all manufacturers should place high on their agenda.  With the forthcoming legislative changes just around the corner, it is vital that manufacturers are aware of the impact these may have on their business. With the help of A©ID we have been able to develop a quick-reference guide; one that businesses can keep at hand to ensure that they stay up-to-date.”

Dids Macdonald, CEO of Anti Copying inDesign (ACID,) said: “I look forward to establishing stronger ties with this fantastic sector which has seen positive growth through design-led pioneers. IP compliance, best practice and ethics are increasingly becoming core requirements in CSR.”

Coming into force on October 1, the current Intellectual Property Act will introduce a number of legislative changes. Full details of these changes will be included in the new GIMA/ A©ID guide, however highlights include:

• Criminal provisions for internationally registered design infringements
• Individual company directors will now be held accountable if prosecuted for any IP infringements
• Design ownership will be made clearer to encourage trade in design tangible assets and reduce costs for business
• A design rights opinion service will be introduced, with the aim of enabling more IP disputes to be settled without resorting to expensive and/or time consuming litigation
• Allows the UK to share information on unpublished patent applications to help clear existing application backlogs, and speed up clearance times at other patent offices

To register interest in receiving a (electronic) copy of the new IP guidelines contact GIMA by calling 01959 564947 or emailing info@gima.org.uk

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 2012 as well as 2013 to allow your teams to see variations over a three year period.

Access is by subscription only.  For £145.00 per year you and your team can have access to the most upto 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 Veg-2-Gro Products 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.