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Boyd adds 6 centres to Hillview
The Hillview Group have entered into a strategic alliance with The Garden Store and Burford House Garden Store, with the intention of acquiring the businesses. Boyd J Douglas-Davies (pictured), CEO, Hillview Garden Centres, said the deal would add six new centres to their portfolio...
 The Hillview Group have entered into a strategic alliance with The Garden Store and Burford House Garden Store, with the intention of acquiring the businesses.
“This is a very exciting step for Hillview Garden Centres. I'm looking forward to working with the team at The Garden Store and developing the well established business over the next few years," said Boyd J Douglas-Davies, CEO, Hillview Garden Centres. “The Garden Store team are very enthusiastic to be working with Boyd and the team at Hillview to maximise each of the store's potential," added Marcus Eyles and Neil Stevens, Directors of Garden Store. Nadav Livni, Managing Director of The Hillview Group, said: “This is a significant step for both parties, which will give Boyd the opportunity to collaborate with Marcus, Neil and the team at Garden Store and Burford House on exciting new plans.
"This transaction is part of our long-term growth strategy for Hillview Garden Centres – to establish a portfolio of 'local champion' centres, which offer customers a retail destination experience, with an appealing product mix and friendly knowledgeable staff.” Hillview Garden Centres was established in 2011 and owns Studley Garden Centre, Warwickshire and Hilltop Garden Centre, Oxfordshire. The Garden Store has 6 centres at: - Billing, Northampton
- Charlecote, nr Stratford on Avon
- Newton Regis, Tamworth, Staffs
- Pavillion, Wolverhampton
- Studley Green, High Wycombe
- Burford House, Tenbury Wells
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See all the results and pictures
Barton Grange, Preston, were multiple winners when the Annual Inspection Awards were presented at the GCA winter conference at Blackpool on Monday. Poplars Garden Centre also picked up two awards.
The award ceremonies took place at the conference at the Hilton Blackpool Hotel where Will Armitage, Chairman of the GCA, said: “I would like to congratulate all of the winners of the awards.
"It is great to see so many people who are passionate about what they do and where they work and it is down to them that their garden centres have come out on top.” Iain Wylie, Chief Executive of the GCA, added: “Congratulations to everyone who picked up a prize during the conference, you are all very worthy winners and have worked extremely hard during the past year.” The full list of winners to be announced were: - Ruxley Rose (Garden Centre category) – Cowell’s Garden Centre
- Ruxley Rose (Destination Garden Centre category) – Van Hage Great Amwell
- Barton Grange Trophy for creativity and innovation – Bents Garden & Home
- Customer Service Award – Barton Grange, Preston
- Indoor Lifestyle Award (Garden Centre category) – Fairways Garden Centre, Ashbourne
- Indoor Lifestyle Award (Destination Garden Centre category) – Poplars Garden Centre
- GIMA Award for Excellence in Garden Product Retailing (Garden Centre category) – Planters Garden Centre, Tamworth
- GIMA Award for Excellence in Garden Product Retailing (Destination Garden Centre category and overall winner) – Barton Grange, Preston
- Dick Allen Award (Most Improved Centre) – Newbridge Garden Centre
- IFSE Award for Catering Excellence – Best Restaurant (Garden Centre Category) Poundbury Gardens
- IFSE Award for Catering Excellence – Best Restaurant (Destination Garden Centre Category) Chessington Garden Centre
- IFSE Award for Catering Excellence – Best Restaurant (Destination Garden Centre Category) Ruxley Manor Garden Centre
- Weber Outdoor Living – Best Outdoor Living Retailer (Garden Centre Category) Squires Garden Centre, Hersham
- Weber Outdoor Living – Best Outdoor Living Retailer (Destination Garden Centre Category) Poplars Garden Centre
- Environment and Community Award: Barton Grange, Preston
Earlier in the day the four GCA judges (pictured above) – Ian Boardman, Andy Campbell, Roger Crookes and Liz Hutson – showed examples of the best ideas they saw during their trips to garden centres.
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See all the pictures
Fancy dress returned to the GCA conference in a big way for the Industry Networks Beach Party on Monday evening in the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool.
Ignoring the wind and rain outside, delegates got into the swing of things with a beach theme evening.
Here's a wide selection from the evening's entertainment....
Outgoing GCA chairman Peter Burks handed over the chain of office to his successor Will Armitage on the first day of the winter conference at the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool.
Will Armitage said it was an honour to become chairman and he outlined his three key objectives for his two-year reign:
- Increase regional activity within the GCA
- Grow the association's e-learning initiative GCA Grow
- Strengthen links and relationships with other organisations within the industry.
Julian Winfield, of Haskins, was confirmed as chairman elect.
Inspirational talks from Dr Steve Peters and Marcus Child
Delegates attending the first day of the GCA conference at the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool, were given inspirational talks from two of the country's leading motivational speakers – Dr Steve Peters (above) and Marcus Child (below)...
Delegates attending the first day of the GCA conference at the Hilton Hotel, Blackpool, were given inspirational talks from two of the country's leading motivational speakers – Dr Steve Peters and Marcus Child.
Steve Peters is a consultant psychiatrist, bestselling author and head of sports psychology for UK Athletics. In addition to his extraordinary success with British cycling, he has worked on 12 other Olympic disciplines as well as Premoert League football, English rugby and world snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Marcus has had a remarkable and uplifting impact on the people and the results of many well-known businesses during the past 10 years. His commitment to individual and organisational development began with a Post Graduate Certificate in Education, awarded with distinction at Cambridge University. He now specialises in enabling corporate change through people and revealed how to make a positive difference and get the most from your team.
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GCA rising stars George Bishop, from Squires Woking, and Will Michieli, from Monkton Elm, received a tremendous ovation from the GCA conference when they spoke about their experiences in the Westland-backed programme.
George and Will were judged as joint winners of the Rising Stars initiative, with sponsors Westland's Keith Nicholson saying: "They gave two of the best presentations at conference. Both are exceptional examples of what the Rising Stars programme is trying to achieve."
Because Westland were so impressed with both George and Will, the company presented the pair with two tickets each to this year's Chelsea Flower Show.
Keith (below) said the scheme was designed to help attract and develop the best talent in the industry, and because of the success of the latest programme, Westland would be continuing their sponsorship in 2014.
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Millbrook's Sue Allen, who has been a member of the GCA committee on and off for 20 years, has stepped down from the GCA committee and said the time is right for younger members like her daughter Tammy Woodhouse to steer the association in future.
"Joining the GCA was the best thing we ever did," said Sue. "I've made so many friends and learned so much over the years.
"The GCA were amazing when I lost my husband Dick 16 years ago. People were really kind and supportive, and they helped me to face the world again.
"Tammy has taken over the business at Millbrook and she's as enthusiastic as I am about the GCA. I believe the more you put into the industry the more you get out of it, and being a member of the GCA is so important."
Sue addressed conference on Monday, speaking about the GCA Trust and its aims: to help students complete their studies in retail or horticulture. She introduced Lionel Smith, who was granted funding by the Trust to help him take a PhD at the University of Reading.
Lionel outlined how his studies had helped him to create grass free lawns made up of plants, which can be mown and walked on, and were great for wildlife and during drought-like conditions. He argued it was taking horticulture in a different direction, and thanked the Trust for allowing him to complete his studies.
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Peter Burks carried out the final judging for the GCA Christmas Competition and he announced Bents Garden & Home and Castle Gardens as the winners.
Bents Home & Garden won the over £4million garden centre category and
Castle Gardens the under £4million garden centre category.
£9,600 raised as Pansies beat Cabbages in 4th Annual Greenfingers Challenge Cup
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...
See all the pictures
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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Martin Cowell and Sam Jones had the honour of being 'mummyfied' in toilet paper as the Pansies team drew level in the penultimate game of the Greenfingers Challenge Cup.
Each team had to produce a mummy by wrapping up a person in the toilet paper – Martin Cowell for Pansies and Sam Jones, of Sinclairs, for Cabbages. It was a close run thing but the judges gave the Pansies team victory by a whisker.
The event called Mummy was sponsored by Raglan and Woodlodge.
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The ale drinkers of the Pansies showed the Cabbages how to down a pint with captain Guy Topping sinking the final glass to clinch overall victory for his team.
Yes the final competition called Boat Race and sponsored by Hozelock and Sinclair, was a drinking contest where selected team members took it in turns to drink a pint of beer in the fastest time possible.
In essence, it was a no contest as the drinkers from Pansies showed how to down a pint in one go. For some on the Pansies team it took literally a few seconds.
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Jude Law, David Tennant and other stars present the Garden Re-Leaf Day quiz for 2014
Hollywood star Jude Law and Dr Who actor David Tennant (pictured) have joined the growing list of household-name celebrities to support Garden Re-Leaf Day’s popular Gardening Quiz, by recording a round of questions. The brain-teasing audio quiz is available as a customer event opportunity to any garden centre taking part in the annual fund-raising day in March...
Hollywood star Jude Law and Dr Who actor David Tennant have joined the growing list of household-name celebrities to support Garden Re-Leaf Day’s popular Gardening Quiz, by recording a round of questions. The brain-teasing audio quiz is available as a customer event opportunity to any garden centre taking part in the annual fund-raising day in March. The two stars join Skyfall’s ‘Miss Moneypenny’, actress Naomie Harris – currently on cinema screens as Winnie Mandela in Long Walk to Freedom – in presenting a section of the questions. EastEnders cast members Danny Dyer (new Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter) and Patsy Palmer (fiery market trader Bianca Butcher) have also lent their familiar voices to the quiz, in addition to a round recorded by impressionist Alistair McGowan – in the vocal style of celebrities John Humphrys, David Mitchell, Matt Baker, Dara Ó Briain and Stephen Fry.   
David Tennant, Naomie Harris and Alistair McGowan have agreed to support Garden Re-Leaf Day’s popular Gardening Quiz.
The quiz – which includes both general knowledge and gardening rounds – can be ordered by all retailers, suppliers and other organisations participating in Garden Re-Leaf Day; with funds raised going towards its chosen charity, Greenfingers. The production of the quiz and accompanying CDs are being provided by Garden Radio, as part of its support for Garden Re-Leaf Day.
The quiz is also a ready-made opportunity to boost customer footfall, as Garden Re-Leaf Day’s founder and Hillview Garden Centre CEO Boyd Douglas-Davies explains: “We’re enormously grateful that so many mainstream stars have supported this year’s Garden Re-Leaf Day quiz – it will be more popular than ever! It’s a simple way for retailers both to take part in Garden Re-Leaf, and attract scores of customers in-store at the start of the spring gardening season. You can make the event even more effective by running other sales promotions, refreshments and fund-raisers alongside. The organiser’s pack costs just £100 and is available by calling 01993 871456 or emailing pat@gca.org.uk” Garden centres and suppliers across the UK are expected to take part in the third annual Garden Re-Leaf Day, held on Friday 14 March 2014 and across the weekend. Participants – who can run any number of nationally-coordinated or local fund-raising initiatives – are being urged to register their involvement as soon as possible by emailing the organising team at info@gardenreleaf.co.uk with an overview of your planned activities. Your location and events will then be added to the Garden Re-Leaf Day website: www.gardenreleaf.co.uk. As in its first two years, Garden Re-Leaf Day’s nominated charity in 2014 is Greenfingers; the nationwide charity dedicated to building gardens in children’s hospices around the UK. Since 2012 Garden Re-Leaf Day participants have raised more than £116,000 for the cause; enabling several life-enhancing hospice gardens to be created. In December it was announced that garden centres taking part in Garden Re-Leaf Day can also win a ‘money-can’t buy’, footfall-boosting visit to their garden centre by popular ITV gardener David Domoney on Sunday 16 March 2014 (the Sunday immediately after Garden Re-Leaf Day). David is offering a series of 30-minute expert talks on that date to the garden centre that wins Garden Re-Leaf Day’s new, free to enter ‘Gardening Date with David’ competition – which has a closing date of Friday 7 February 2014. Any garden retailer registering their participation in Garden Re-Leaf Day by 7 February is eligible to enter. To register for Garden Re-Leaf Day and enter the ‘Gardening Date with David’ competition, email info@gardenreleaf.co.uk by 7 February with your garden centre details, also stating in 200 words or less, how you would make the most of David’s visit on 16 March as part of Garden Re-Leaf Day. The best idea wins him. TV presenter and gardening journalist Richard Jackson, an active supporter of both Greenfingers and Garden Re-Leaf Day, confirmed: “The quiz and David Domoney competition are both fantastic, easy ways of taking part in Garden Re-Leaf Day this year; benefiting both your business and the Greenfingers charity. Everyone wins, so let’s make this a record-breaking year!”
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Martin Cowell and Sam Jones had the honour of being 'mummyfied' in toilet paper as the Pansies team drew level in the penultimate game of the Greenfingers Challenge Cup...
