Keith Nicholson, Marketing Director for Westland said: “Early indications show Westland SafeLawn is already out-selling existing lawncare products and the feedback we’re getting from garden retailers is that it’s worth committing to.

“It’s a product which has launched an entirely new category, however its very conception is based on solid insight proving there’s an appetite for it within the marketplace. Therefore, we’ve decided to be bold with this product and up the TV spend considerably to allow it to make a real impact as we come into peak season.”

Vitax has appointed Mark Butler as its new sales manager to help drive future sales and expand into new markets.

Mark, who has almost 30 years’ industry experience, will be working alongside existing sales manager Colin Wetherley-Mein, who will be stepping down from his UK-wide role later this year to concentrate on Vitax’s key national accounts.

Mark joins Vitax from Town & Country where he has spent the past three years as national sales manager. Prior to joining the fashion retail brand, Mark spent eight years at Solus and 18 years at Sinclairs working his way up from sales rep to key account manager.

The appointment of a second sales manager is a first for Vitax, but essential to ensure a smooth transition for both customers and the existing sales team as Daniel Wilkinson, Vitax’s managing director, explains: “The success of Vitax is embedded in its sales team.  Our customers trust not just our products, but also the relationship it has with its sales representative and the company.

“Colin has worked for Vitax for over 25 years and is well-respected by all.  To ensure continuity and prepare for Colin’s change of role, we needed to appoint an individual that not only knew the industry, but also knew our customers too.  Mark’s experience speaks for itself and we are delighted to have him on board.

“Mark already has a great reputation and a wealth of sales experience.  For the next six months he will be working alongside Colin with the expectation that come September he will take full responsibility for the sales team.”

In addition to working with customers and managing the sales team, Mark will also be responsible for streamlining the existing sales system and overseeing the installation of a new online ordering system.

“It is an exciting time to join Vitax as it is has ambitious plans to grow its product range and is already investing in its online presence in preparation for that growth,” says Mark, Vitax’s new sales manager.

“Over the next six months I will be working with the reps to pinpoint areas for growth and supporting Colin as he hands over the management of the sales team so he can focus on other areas of the business.”

Colin and Mark already have a great working relationship having spent the past three years on the GIMA Council together.

Pictured (left to right): Daniel Wilkinson - Vitax's managing director, Mark Butler - Vitax's new sales manager and Colin Wetherley-Mein - Vitax sales manager.

Andy added yesterday:  "It's also a good job I don’t buy to the weather.  I did hear it was supposed to be awful today with wind and rain.  Okay, it’s not a heatwave but by 2pm we've had no rain and only a bit bit of wind.  The car park is full and it's good gardening weather.  That makes me very cheerful!"

According to GTN Bestsellers Epos data analysis the record sales over Mothers Day weekend didn’t quite equate into sales volumes for the whole week.  Plant sales volumes dropped by 8.3% with some centres reported high sales of Italian specimen plants as gifts which will partly account for the drop in volume but deliver higher turnover.  Garden Products dropped by 14.1% and Growing Media by 17.5%.

As with high value plant sales, early furniture and BBQ saleshave been reported as encouraging, contributing to further boosts in value of sales if not volume.

• Garden Products - up 7%
• Veg-2-Gro - up 31%
• Growing Media - up 9%
• All Items Index - up 1%

• Orchids moved up 16 places to No 12.
• Azaleas also make a big move up the chart, 14 places to No 23.
• Calibrachoa, Campanula, Gerbera, Argyranthemum all re-enter the chart for the first time this year.
• Fressia are the highest new entry at No 47.

Woodstock Chimes UK’s best-selling Chimes of Pluto – Bronze is tuned to a lovely pentatonic scale and acts in concert with the wind to create random patterns of wonderful music.

• Authentic and original musically tuned windchime
• Premier quality, affordable & value priced
• Created by GRAMMY® Award-winning musician Garry Kvistad
• The choice of discerning UK customers for over 30 years
• Shipping within 48 hours from our UK warehouse

As a music student in the 1970s, Garry’s curiosity about ancient worlds led him to learn about ancient music and musicians.

The musical scales he was studying could not be played on modern instruments, so he decided to build a metallophone (a xylophone-like instrument with metal bars) that could play the ancient scale of Olympos, a Greek flute player from the 7th century B.C.

Being an ecologically minded recent college graduate on a tight budget, Garry found the materials for his metallophone at a landfill—it was made from the aluminium tubes of a discarded lawn chair.

Garry’s metallophone experiment was so successful, he had the idea to cut and tune aluminium tubes to create windchimes, and Woodstock Chimes was born!

In addition to his work at Woodstock Chimes, Garry is a professional musician. Pictured right: Garry with his adapted lawn chair.

He has been performing and recording with the ensemble Steve Reich and Musicians since 1980 and is one of the 18 musicians to win a GRAMMY® Award for the 1998 recording of Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians.

In 2002 Garry joined NEXUS, the internationally renowned chamber music ensemble based in Canada. Called “the high priests of the percussion world” by the New York Times, NEXUS is considered to be one of the premier percussion ensembles in the world today.

See all the Woodstock Chimes UK products here

http://www.woodstock-chimes.co.uk

White Pebble International
Unit 2, Plot 11, Terminus Road
Chichester PO198 TX UK
Tel +44(0)1243 780501
Fax +44(0)1243 839332
info@whitepebbleint.com

New for 2017! The popular Chimes of Pluto in a new Evergreen finish!

EGO Power Plus presented their 2017 range of petrol free mowers and other garden machinery tools to the UK gardening press last week and are now looking for ethusiastic garden centres to add to their sales network.

Peter Melrose, President EMEA, told the assembled journalists: "Since our launch in 2015 in the UK we've learned that the early adopters of this technology are older gardeners who love the push button ease of use.  This group of "engaged enthusiats" appreciate the liftetime cost benefit over a 2 to 3 year period and when you combine that with the green credentials of EGO and cordless machines with excellent performance they are ideal for sales through garden centres."

EGO actually launched in the US in 2014 and since then their machines have carried out 12 million hours of grass cutting saving 6 million litres of petrol.  Their factory in China has a "Blue Roof" to generate power and a ground source heating system that saves 1 million kWh of electricity annually, while their dedicated R&D facility includes a 7,000 sq m Green Roof system.

The key to the success and performance of EGO tools is the battery technology.  Their patented Arc Lithium 56V batteries include Keep Cool technology, intelligent power control, fast recharge and they are all exterior mounted which means they stay cool to deliver longer lasting power.

The machines work well too.  GTN Xtra tested the mowers, the multi tool system and the backpack blower during the press day and they all performed at least as well as equivalent petrol machines from a power perspective but much quieter and with little or no vibration.  The new multi tool system was particularly impressive and given gardeners love of other mutli tool systems could be a great seller in garden centres.  Next year EGO will also be introducing a consumer version of their backpack power unit which would be a huge benefit in areas of the country where gardeners have miles of hedges to cut or to be shared by users of an allotment society.

If any garden centres would like to find out more about EGO Power Tools they should contact Peter Melrose via: peter.melrose@egopowerplus.eu  or visit: www.egopowerplus.com

Here are more details about the EGO range.

THE ONE TOOL FOR EVERY REVOLTIONARY GARDENERS’ ARMOURY

Until now battery powered multi-tools have always been a jack of all trades but master of none. This has all changed now thanks to the brand new offering from EGO Power+, the industry’s leading cordless specialist and the first manufacturer to deliver petrol performance in a battery operated tool, courtesy of its ground-breaking battery technology.

With a single power head and five powerful tool attachments, that can be changed quickly and easily, the new EGO Power+ multi-tool is packed with innovation. It pushes the boundaries of cordless battery performance, making it the one tool that every gardener needs to have in their armoury.

Delivering the power of petrol minus the petrol, the EGO Power+ multi-tool utilises EGO’s 56 volt lithium-ion battery, which is the industry’s highest energy capacity battery. The multi-tool features extreme technology inside EGO’s lithium-ion batteries that deliver the cutting-edge performance required to transform the entire garden.

From tackling hedges with the 160cm hedgetrimmer with 12 lockable cutting angles, to attacking thick undergrowth with the 30cm brush cutter with a three-sided reversible blade, the EGO Power+ multi-tool is designed to help breeze through a variety of jobs without the noise, fuss and fumes of petrol. It also features a 38cm line trimmer, with EGO’s new rapid reload bump head to speed up replacing the line; a 25cm pole saw with a hook for pulling and cutting down loose branches; and a lawn edging tool with an adjustable depth wheel. There is also the option for an additional carbon fibre, lightweight extension pole offering a further 75cm to reach new heights.

EGO’s intelligent battery is designed like no other, giving the user all the power to get the job done, whilst freeing users from musculoskeletal and hearing problems caused by exposure to vibrations and petrol fumes. All EGO batteries are interchangeable across the entire EGO range and featured the brand’s ground-breaking patented Arc-Lithium design and “Keep Cool” cell technology.

The power head of the tool is £199

Then each attachment is:

• Edger                    £99
• Pole pruner         £119
• Brush cutter       £79.99
• Line trimmer       £79.99
• Hedge trimmer  £169
• Extension pole   £79.99

Also available as sets:

•  The power head, line trimmer, brushcutter and shoulder strap    £229
•  The power head, line trimmer, brushcutter, hedgetrimmer and pole saw, with shoulder strap                     £469

BE PART OF EGO’S RELENTLESS GARDEN TAKEOVER AND BE THE ENVY OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD

Lawnmowers from EGO Power+ will be the source of intrigue and envy among neighbourhoods, when the quiet machines start up and breeze through mowing the lawn.

The stylish mowers are not only the best in product design but also feature ground-breaking battery technology from the cordless equipment specialist.

EGO Power+ lawnmowers are powered by EGO’s intelligent lithium-ion battery which is designed like no other, making it the industry’s highest energy capacity in a hand held battery, giving the user all the power to get the job done. All EGO batteries are interchangeable across the entire EGO range and featured the brand’s ground-breaking patented Arc-Lithium design and Keep Cool™ cell technology.

EGO Power+, the only brand with a 56-volt battery on the market, has extended its revolutionary range of lithium-ion powered lawnmowers, and with it has developed the features within the range, helping the brand to conquer the market and silence its competitors, whilst delivering products that power through gardening tasks until the job is done.

Two new innovative, stylish and powerful mowers, the LM2024E and the LM2024E-SP, have been added to the line-up. Both have a steel deck and a 50” cutting width. They boast a new feature to the EGO range of the brushless motor that offers greater efficiency, durability and power.  Packed with intelligent power, the LM2024E has a 700W motor, and the LM2024E-SP has 1000W to power the self-propelled function, even in the toughest grass conditions.

These models join the four other mowers in the EGO range, all of which are able to be compactly folded for vertical storage in seconds. This is aided on these new models by the addition of new aluminium handles that offer improved ergonomics, sturdier storage and easier grass box emptying. EGO mowers range from 49cm to 52cm and are available with either a steel or poly deck, as well as push or self-propelled.

EGO’s European marketing director, Steve Roskell, commented: “Since the inception of EGO, we have re-written the powered garden products rule book and our latest product developments further that. As innovators in the sector we are constantly developing our range and the two new mowers have new features, such as the brushless motor and the aluminium handles, that help gardeners maintain their lawns without the hassle associated with petrol machines.”

Unlike many competitors’ cordless systems, the EGO Power+ system has the power to match petrol without the noise, fuss or fumes; silencing many cordless sceptics and proving that battery power is the new way forward in the garden power sector.

• LM2001E             £519      including 4Ah battery and rapid charger
• LM2011E             £519      including 5Ah battery and rapid charger
• LM2102E-SP       £729      including 7.5Ah battery and rapid charger
• LM2014E-SP       £629      including 6Ah battery and rapid charger
• LM2024E             £599      including 6Ah battery and rapid charger
• LM2024E-SP       £679      including 6Ah battery and rapid charger

RELENTLESS STRIMMING POWER BREAKS NEW GROUND

Packed with innovation and industry leading technology that surpasses all others, line trimmers from EGO Power+ offer optimal balance, consistent trimming and relentless power.

EGO has introduced three new line trimmers to its power revolution, bringing the total in the range to five models – one of which has brushcutter capabilities too.

The new ST1500E-F, BC1500E-F and BC3800E have been innovatively designed with the user in mind. They utilise EGO’s unrivalled battery technology, exceptional growth and extensive R&D facilities to create products that are the best in their field. The result? These strimmers feature the new rapid reload, free rotating bump feed cap which allows for quick and easy line refilling that enables perfect line winding every time, and eradicates wasted time spent replacing line when you could be strimming.

The line trimmers deliver petrol matching power without all the downsides and keep operating (with less noise, fuss and fumes) until the job is complete. This is courtesy of EGO’s ground-breaking battery design and patented Arc-Lithium technology that is the brain power behind the EGO range.

The ST1500E-F has a large 38cm cutting swathe, variable speed options and lightweight aluminium shaft with an adjustable loop handle for maximum user comfort, balance and control. Alternatively, the BC1500E-F, also 38cm, has all the power and extreme capabilities of its stable-mate but with a solid steel drive shaft. On top of this, it has a bike handle for enhanced durability and prowess – giving users the freedom to work comfortably anywhere, with the added bonus of being exhaust and emission free.

Designed to perform and built to last, the third new model, the BC3800E adds brushcutting capabilities to the EGO line up. The EGO Power+ brushcutter powers through thick, dense brush with complete ease. The 38cm model boasts a three-sided brushcutter blade that conquers tough undergrowth. There is also a harness to assist with control and balance whilst using the tool, along with adjustable handles for greater comfort and more compact storage.

For the ultimate in power and performance, the BC3800E can be used with the EGO Power+ backpack battery to offer up to eight hours of usage on just one charge! Now that’s power beyond belief! EGO’s intelligent battery is designed like no other, making it the industry’s highest energy capacity battery, giving the user all the power to get the job done. All EGO batteries are interchangeable across the entire EGO range and featured the brand’s ground-breaking patented Arc-Lithium design and “Keep Cool” cell technology.

With a powerful and efficient brushless motor that improves both performance and run time, EGO line trimmers have all the power to get the job done.

• ST1210E               £119 excluding battery and charger,  £219 as a kit including a 2Ah battery and standard charger
• ST1300E               £139 excluding battery and charger
• ST1500E               £189 excluding battery and charger
• ST1500E-F           £199 excluding battery and charger
• BC1500E              £199 excluding battery and charger
• BC1500E-F          £219 excluding battery and charger
• BC3800E              £299 excluding battery and charger

For more information visit www.egopowerplus.co.uk.

Early reports indicate that the Greenfingers Garden Re-Leaf Day 2017 will be a record breaker in terms of industry participation, sponsorship and for the grand total raised since 2012 – now standing at an incredible half a million pounds.

One hundred walkers - the most fundraisers for any single Garden Re-Leaf Day event - took part in this year’s sponsored walk through Cambridgeshire, which was sponsored by Scotsdales, GTN, LOFA, Outback, Briers, Cadix UK Ltd, GIMA, Kelkay, Town & Country’s Mark Butler, Hozelock, SBM Life Science, Youngs Coaches and Quinton Edwards.  The event has so far raised £25,000 - smashing last year’s total of £9,000.

Special thanks go to Scotsdales, who fielded a team of walkers and fund-raised in-store, raising more than £1,000 for the Greenfingers charity. They are now busy planning their 24 hour Plant-athon which takes later this month.

Thanks, too, to Garden Re-Leaf newcomer Mr Fothergill’s, who have so far raised over £3,986 from the walk and the company’s ‘Go Green’ event held at their base in Suffolk.

Bayer Garden’s new owners, SBM Life Science, jumped in to support Garden Re-Leaf for the first time, raising £2,180.53 from office collections and walk sponsors – they generously sponsored medals, donated items for the goody bags as well as two welcome refreshment stations along the route.

The Garden Store Gallopers (Boyd Douglas-Davies and his team) raised £3,003. Cadix UK raised £2,221 AND sponsored a support car.

Greenfingers’ head of fundraising and communications, Linda Petrons, said: “This year’s Garden Re-Leaf walk was a record breaker that boosted publicity for Greenfingers Charity like never before.  I know it was a real challenge for many of those that took part, and with many giving up their valuable time, travelling and organising overnight stays, it really was an incredible effort and on behalf of Greenfingers I must say we are so very grateful to you all.”

Elsewhere, garden centres raise more than £20k… and the total is still rising.

• Klondyke’s plant-athons are expected to raise over £8000
• Adrian Hall’s vintage tea party with raffle raised £320.00
• Aylett Garden Centre’s mad hatter day with Pippa Greenwood raised £918.20
• Alan Down’s hellebore tour at Cleeve Nursery raised £433
• Haskins raised a whopping £3,000
• Holiday Inn Colchester’s quiz night raised over £400
• Longacres raffles, food tastings and special offers raised a total of £2,566
• Millbrook Garden Centres spring launch raised £2,438
• Old Railway Line Garden Centre’s quiz and curry night raised £618
• Perrywood’s quiz night raised £1,155
• Orchard Park Garden Centre has beaten its target of £500
• Hillview are still to report the fund-raising from their megathons
• Andy Bunker and the team at Alton Garden Centre staged a Plant-athon that has so far raised over £500

Other garden centres and businesses staging events include:

• British Garden centres (static push bike)
• Chessington Garden Centre (drinks, pots and gardening sets sales)
• Coletta and Tyson Garden Centre
• Fairweather Garden Centre
• Ross Garden Store
• Langlands Garden Centres
• Paradise Park (daytime events and a quiz night)
• Rolawn’s (miniature spring fair and product promotion)
• Squire’s Garden Centre, Hersham (afternoon tea)
• Whitehall Garden Centres
• HTA (fundraising at the APL Awards)
• Deco-Pak (play pit sand promotion)

QVC and its gardening experts once again gave Garden Re-Leaf Day a huge boost.  Hosted by Greenfingers founder president and presenter Richard Jackson, two special shows on Saturday 18th March and Sunday 19th March helped to raise a magnificent £37,000. Suppliers including Richard Jackson’s Garden, Hayloft Plants, De Jaeger, Plants2Gardens, Thompson & Morgan and Mont Rose of Guernsey all generously donated profits to Greenfingers.  BBC Radio Cambridge held a special Garden Re-Leaf show on the 15th March, promoting the walk and the event in general, with local TV reporters appearing at Scotsdales alongside the local media.

Orchard Park’s 24hr Plant-athon event (left) was also involved in the first ever live stream on Facebook with additional vlogs, one of which was a record breaker for the Garden Re-Leaf page, reaching 714 people with 106 engagements.  Over on Twitter, the number of individuals who saw the #gardenreleaf hashtag was an incredible 100 times that of the year before, with 267,490 reached during the week of the event.  Gardening celebrities supported Garden Re-Leaf Day too; Greenfingers patron Ann-Marie Powell, David Domoney, Richard Jackson and Michael Perry all helped to drive social activity amongst their followers.

Linda adds: “We are delighted that once again that so many garden centres, suppliers and organisations took part this year.  It isn’t always easy to put on events like these, but we hope that the business benefits of getting involved in Garden Re-Leaf Day have been realised by all those who took part and that, coupled with raising money to make a difference to life-limited children, and their families who spend time in hospices will be reason enough to see everyone return next year for more fun and FUNdraising.”

Date for your diary: Garden Re-Leaf Day 2018 will be on Friday16th March

World-class competitors from the Strongman circuit, including Game of Thrones star Thor Bjornsson, prepared for yesterday’s ‘Europe’s Strongest Man’ competition with the help of leading commercial nursery business Johnsons of Whixley.

Bjornsson, who rose to fame after appearing as ‘The Mountain’ in the hit fantasy drama, and who is also a two-time Europe’s Strongest Man winner, was joined by former World Deadlift Champion Benedikt Magnusson and ex-World Champion Bill Kazmeier.

Bjornsson and Magnusson trained for the Car Lift event on site at Johnsons’ North Yorkshire base, while Kazmeier, who is now a part of the broadcasting team for the competition, conducted interviews with the pair as part of the build-up to the event, which took place at Leeds’ First Direct Arena on Saturday (1 April).

Johnsons offered to host the session, having provided storage and training facilities for the ‘Giants Live’ Strongman circuit for more than five years.

The business’s directors are keen followers of the sport and group managing director Graham Richardson says it was a pleasure to host the athletes.  “Thor and Benny are elite athletes who compete on the global stage,” he said. “It’s always a privilege to witness their incredible displays of strength at such close quarters, and often, visitors to the site are far more interested in the plethora of Strongman equipment on display.

Former World’s Strongest Man competitor and Giants Live director Darren Sadler said: “The site at Johnsons provides the perfect environment for training sessions, and we are grateful to Graham for hosting us in the lead-up to this event.

“While they were here, the guys enjoyed gaining an insight into the work Johnsons does, and the sheer scale of the operation here. It’s a wonderful setting and we were all made to feel at home during our stay.”

A short video of the day’s activities can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/uIF0ouhHi8s 

Writtle University College has been crowned the 2017 ‘Young Gardeners of the Year,’ announced in line with the launch of the Ideal Home Show sponsored by Zoopla.

Each competing college was given a 5.5m x 4m plot to design a front garden demonstrating an understanding of harmony and sustainability. The gardens inspired visitors to the Ideal Home Show with clever ideas to try at home.

The annual awards, which are organised by TV gardener David Domoney (right) in association with the Prince's Foundation for Building Community, offer students an opportunity to showcase their work and celebrate the best of sustainable British gardening. The competition, now in its seventh year, has given more than 500 students the opportunity to create show gardens before they even leave the college gates.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, voiced his support for the competing colleges. "This competition is a great opportunity for talented young people to use their ’green fingers’ to design a garden thousands of visitors will enjoy,” he said, wishing contestants good luck in the contest. “It could also be the start of a fantastic career in landscaping and design. In London our much-loved green spaces boost the environment, improve air quality and enhance our neighbourhoods.”

The winning garden showed homeowners all that can be achieved with a front garden, giving pleasure to their visitors and brightening up the local community. It created a walkway that takes visitors away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, providing a beautiful, stress-free environment before they walk through the door.

Writtle University College was awarded Gold and Best in Show, Capel Manor College awarded Gold, Chichester College awarded Silver Gilt,  Shuttleworth College and Pershore College awarded Silver and Askham Bryan College awarded Bronze.



Above: the students line up at the Ideal Home Show with ITV's 'Love Your Garden'  presenters Frances Tophill and David Domoney.

Judges included Simon Sadinsky, head of education at The Prince's Foundation; Raoul Curtis-Machin, director of horticulture at the HTA; Andrew Gill, president of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture; Adrienne Wild, grower and garden writer, and Tim Jeffries, commercial director at Mr Fothergill’s Seeds.

The competition echoed the work of David Domoney, the competition’s organiser, on the Cultivation Street Community Gardening campaign. Domoney said: ”These young garden designers and landscape stars of the future are encouraged to use sustainable practices, which they will confidently pass on through generations. The careful planning, hard work and effort that goes into each of the show gardens is truly inspiring, and Writtle University College's garden highlighted to the public just what can be achieved in a small front garden."

The Ideal Home Show runs until 9 April at London Olympia.

Zest 4 Leisure has announced that Cancer Research UK is its new chosen charity for 2017.

Following the announcement, Managing Director Steve Morgan along with 23 other employees will be taking part in the 26 mile Manchester Marathon this Sunday.

Louise Aubrey, Cancer Research UK’sSenior Local Fundraising Manager said: “We are absolutely delighted that Steve and the team have decided to attempt such a great challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

“They have done lots of preparation and we’re sure they’re going to have an amazing experience. We can’t thank them enough for all of their support and want to wish them all the very best for this Sunday.”

As a growing company Zest 4 Leisure is committed to employee fitness and long-term well-being as well as supporting the community and raising money for charity. The Manchester Marathon is the ideal opportunity to do both as they have a goal to train for and CRUK is their new chosen charity for 2017.
The company have been supporting their marathon runners with a fitness plan that includes weekly personal training sessions and extra training during work time.

Louise added: “Cancer Research UK has made enormous progress in the fight against cancer and continues to do so. However, we have only been able to do this thanks to the dedication and commitment of our volunteers and supporters without whom we would not be able to fund our vital research.”

Managing Director, Steve Morgan said: “There are so many people in our society that are living with or are effected in some way by this disease and everyone within our company feels privileged to be able to help this charity in the fight against cancer.

We’ve all trained tremendously hard and I hope our efforts at Manchester Marathon will encourage others to get involved by donating or raising funds for Cancer Research UK, enabling it to continue investing in its vital research, treatment and support that effects so many.”

Continuing to take part in events is very important for the company following the success of previous years when as a group they raised over £15,000.00 for The Alzheimer’s Society and over £6,000 last year for Meningitis Now, in memory of one of their own.

You can help the P&A Group in their fundraising efforts on their JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/P-A-Group-and-Zest4Leisure

• The growing and husbandry of the bedding plant lines.
• Working within a team to ensure production targets are met.
• Daily monitoring for pests and diseases and taking action when needed.
• Be involved in all aspects of production from potting to despatch.
• Supervision of staff in busy periods.
• Ensuring that quality control procedures are adhered to.

• Good technical horticultural experience and training.
• Hands-on growing skills in the ornamental sector and in particular pack and pot bedding.
• A forward thinking outlook with a background within a busy nursery.
• Spraying certificates PA1 & PA6 desirable.

To apply for this role click here

• Will be to manage the Plant Department of this well established store, ensuring plant stock is in tip top condition and merchandised to a high standard.
• Liaise with the Seasonal and Hardy Plant Managers and Supervisors on managing supplies, merchandising and promotions.
• Assisting customers when necessary and ensuring that customer services are kept to a very high standard.

• Excellent plant knowledge and a great background in horticultural retailing is a must for this role.
• Good standard of formal horticultural training.
• Excellent visual merchandising and retailing skills.
• Be a team player with the ability to offer superb customer service.
• Experience of supervising and managing a team of staff is also essential. 

• Will be to manage the Plant Department of this Flagship Store - ensuring plant stock is in tip top condition and merchandised to a high standard.
• Liaise with the Seasonal and Hardy Plant Managers and Supervisors on managing supplies, merchandising and promotions.
• Assisting customers when necessary and ensuring that customer services are kept to a very high standard.

• Excellent plant knowledge and a great background in horticultural retailing is a must for this role.
• Good standard of formal horticultural training.
• Excellent visual merchandising and retailing skills.
• Be a team player with the ability to offer superb customer service.
• Experience of supervising and managing a team of staff is also essential.

Plantarea Supervior / Manager (ref:DS9190)

• A proven track record in the industry along with good management and supervisory skills.
• Excellent plant knowledge and a good background in horticultural retailing is a must for this role as they offer over 3 acres of quality plants from their own nursery as well as choice plants sourced from a variety of other suppliers.

To apply for this role click here

• Smart Solar Crystal Glass Stake Light was the highest climber, jumping 24 places to No 13.
• Gardman Nickel Solar Marker Light was the highest re-entry at No 22.
• Apta Verona Standard Pot 15cm was the highest new entry at No 27.

To subscribe to GTN Bestsellers email karen.pfeiffer@tgcmc.co.uk

• Tomato Shirley 8cm and Tomato Gardeners Delight 8cm filled the No 2 and 3 places.
• Quantil Tomato Beefmaster 8cm was the highest climber, jumping 30 places to No 17.
• Farplants Rosemary Common was the highest re-entry at No 18.

The roll-call of speakers taking part in the GrowQuip 2017 Conference, dinner and industry showcase is taking shape and major sponsors have announced their support of the event.

GrowQuip is the cross-industry commercial horticultural conference focusing on the key issues facing growers of fruit, vegetables, salads and ornamentals, and will take place at the conveniently located four-star Stratford Manor Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire from 1 to 2 November 2017.

The subsidised, all inclusive package for delegates of £265 plus VAT includes entrance to the full day’s programme of distinguished speakers,  access to the industry showcase,  lunch, dinner with an after dinner speaker, overnight accommodation at Stratford Manor Hotel, and breakfast plus refreshments during the event.

There will be ample opportunity for delegates to visit the industry showcase and network with fellow growers and suppliers during the conference and at the reception and dinner.

The GrowQuip event encompasses a themed conference programme --Equip yourself for success-- which will bring together the best brains in commercial horticulture to provide growers with help in overcoming some of the common challenges they face in the day to day running of their businesses and inspiration from an international line-up of speakers.

Amanda Sizer Barrett MBE, Director General of the Federation of Garden & Leisure Manufacturers, will be opening the conference and introducing the speakers. A taster of the calibre of the speaker line-up includes:

Markus Kobelt of Lubera, Switzerland  and Felicidad Fernandez of East Malling Research will deliver a joint presentation, illustrating how countries can work together to produce new varieties which benefit the grower community and the industry.  

George Beach, Managing Director of Mudwalls Farms Ltd, will tell delegates how he has transformed  his multi-generational family business into a modern, branded retail and catering supplier of local fruit and vegetables. Jack Ward, Chief Executive of the British Growers Association will give an overview of how Brexit is affecting the grower community to date.

Additional influential industry figures will be confirming their participation shortly.

This year’s event is held in association with Bulrush Horticulture and headline sponsors to date include XL Horticulture, Hortifeeds, Vitax and MorePeople.

Attendees at the 2016 event were complimentary about the whole event:

“I found the event incredibly useful, informative and motivating; the speakers were excellent”, confirms Andy Merrick of Farplants Ltd.

 “I thought GrowQuip  was great; really good speakers!”, confirms Guy Moreton from one of the sponsors of the event,  MorePeople.

 “We more than recouped the cost of attending by the contacts we had made by the evening” reports Hortifeeds, another sponsor and showcase participant.  

 At November 2017’s event, as well as participating in a stimulating conference programme and networking with a wide range of industry colleagues and fellow growers, delegates will also be able to enjoy all the attractions of the area, which boasts William Shakespeare’s home town of Stratford-upon-Avon five minutes’ from the hotel, giving the opportunity to tour the Bard’s birthplace, pay respects at his grave at Holy Trinity Church or simply explore the beautiful Warwickshire town he called home.  Delegates who choose to relax instead will be able to use the hotel’s luxury leisure facilities, including its Health Club with indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room and spa offering a wide range of luxurious treatments.

Allied to the conference programme is an industry showcase, where conference attendees will be able to view the latest products and services available to commercial growers from major suppliers to horticulture. 

The first day culminates in a networking dinner with an intriguing and amusing after-dinner speaker  who has delighted countless audiences with his career experiences – certainly not to be missed!

CHA Chairman Pat Flynn comments:  “We were delighted with the feedback from the first edition of GrowQuip. This year’s event is a must-attend,  cross-industry commercial horticultural conference which provides ideas, diversity and possibly solutions which may  come from a different growing sector to your own – equipping you for success, equipping you for the future.”

The two day conference and dinner package, including accommodation with breakfast and lunch, is  £265+VAT and industry showcase participation starts at £369+VAT. CHA members receive a 10% discount on delegate packages or industry showcase bookings.  Further sponsorship packages are also available on request.

Wyevale Nurseries has loaned the WellChild charity a selection of plants for a Spring into Gardening event at the Royal Agricultural University later this week (6 April).

WellChild is a national children’s charity that helps to get seriously ill children out of hospital and home to their families wherever possible.

 The plants on loan include Camellia japonica rosa, Pittosporum Tenuifolium ‘Elizabeth’, Polemonium ‘Heaven Scent’, Anemone ‘Bordeaux’, Allium hollandicum ‘Purple Sensation’ and a number of Hellebores.

The event will be chaired by TV presenter and producer Camilla Bassett-Smith. Attendees will learn the tricks of the trade with live demonstrations from green-fingered garden designers, Caroline Tatham and Kate Durr. There will also be an illustrated talk from Chelsea gold-medallist, Olivia Kirk.

Pictured: Adrian Hoare, garden design & domestic landscape sales manager at Wyevale Nurseries, with a camellia, which is being loaned to the WellChild fundraising event.

• Westland Multipurpose (50 litres) +20% Extra Free was the highest re-entry at No 2.
• Westland New Horizon Multi-Purpose Compost (50 litres) was the highest climber, moving up 21 places to No 22.
• Westland Plant Protection Bark (90 litres) was the highest new entry at No 37.

Due to the continued growth of the premium LifestyleGarden brand, and the successful expansion into the garden centre and independent retail sector over the past few years, ScanCom UK have found and moved into their new Head Office, Showroom and Distribution Centre in Essex.

“In order to add additional support to our main showrooms in Las Vegas, Vietnam and Palma, Mallorca, we now have a dedicated LifestyleGarden showroom and Distribution Centre in the UK," said Paul Cohen, Sales Director.

"The success and growth of LifestyleGarden in UK over the last three seasons has confirmed the requirement for this facility, in order to showcase the full range of products as the range expands and develops.

"A big thank you has to go to the full UK Team who have worked solidly for the past four months in order to prepare the showroom in time for the official launch of our 2018 range, and to be ready for the upcoming meetings."

The showroom is now complete. With the addition of the full, brand new ranges for the 2018 season.

“We are delighted to announce the launch of our New 2018 collection and will be inviting our customers along to see the array of new designs and colours our design team have created," said Eddie Kriese, Key Account Manager, LifestyleGarden.

"Once again Scancom, a leading manufacturer, has delivered a collection that combines ethically sourced materials with forward thinking designs along with its state of the art production techniques strengthening Scancom’s position at the forefront of the industry."

ScanCom House, Wollaston Way, Burnt Mills Ind Estate, Basildon, Essex SS13 1DJ.

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.