Capel Manor student Sian receives GCA Trust award

Our Trust recently (July, 2015) handed out its annual award for Exceptional Plant Knowledge.

This year’s recipient was Capel Manor College student Sian Davis who received her award from Carol Paris, Chief Executive of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), on our behalf at the college’s award ceremony event.

Sue Allen, our Trust Chairman said: “We were delighted to give our annual award to Sian and would also like to thank Carol for being there to present the certificate and prize of £100 on our behalf. 

“This is one of several annual awards made by our Trust to students at our leading horticulture colleges. In addition the Trust also supports students of horticulture by making grants on an annual basis to help with course fees and other costs. 

“To add to this, this year also sees the launch of our new initiative to encourage young or potential management team members within garden centres to visit centres in Europe for up to two weeks. Information about this scheme, which is called the Dick Allen Travel Award, and the other grants available through the Trust can be found on our website www.gca.org.uk.”

Sian has just completed her course at Capel Manor College.

She said: “I was delighted to have won this award for plant identification.

“I would like to say a huge ‘thank you’ to all at the GCA Trust for sponsoring this award. As an adult learner returning to studying, it was really great to receive an award in recognition of all the hard work I have put in. I am now really looking forward to starting my career in horticulture.”

Ruxley Rose garden centre finalists announced

We have announced today (July 27, 2015) the names of the finalist garden centres in our re-vamped Ruxley Rose competition.

Instead of asking for entries this year, the garden centres with the top scores in the spring bedding and hardy nursery stock categories from our spring inspections have now been put through for autumn judging.

Nationally the top 10 centres in both the Garden Centre and Destination Garden Centre categories, 20 in all, will be revisited in September. 

Here are our N. East and N. West regional winners

Our North East and North West regional members picked up awards during a presentation evening yesterday (Friday, July 24) at Bents Garden & Home.

In the North East Cowell’s Garden Centre was named Best Garden Centre and Langlands Garden Centre – Shiptonthorpe picked up Best Destination Garden Centre. Burleydam Garden Centre scooped Best Garden Centre and Barton Grange received Best Destination Garden Centre in the North West.

We have had a week packed full of regional awards meetings and the North East/North West presentation evening was a great way to top it all off.

Wales & West winners receive awards

The Old Railway Line Garden Centre scooped the most awards during our Wales & West regional awards evening yesterday (Thursday, July 23, 2015) at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre.

The Old Railway Line Garden Centre scooped seven awards including Best Garden Centre (GC) while Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre scooped Best Destination Garden Centre (DGC).

The Old Railway Line Garden Centre is really making waves in Wales while Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre is waving the flag for the South West. Huge congratulations go to both as they are very deserving winners. 

South Thames area winners revealed

The winners of our South Thames regional awards were revealed during a presentation evening yesterday (Wednesday, July 22, 2015) at Haskins Garden Centre.

Squires Garden Centre – Hersham took home the title of Best Garden Centre (GC) and Haskins Roundstone Garden Centre was presented with the award for Best Destination Garden Centre (DGC).

We’re mid-way through our week of regional awards meetings and things are going swimmingly. Everyone has had a fantastic time and it’s great to see all the garden centres’ hard work being rewarded. 

Award winners announced for Midlands area

Our members yesterday (Tuesday, July 21, 2015) received awards for the Midlands region at a presentation hosted by Stratford Garden Centre.

Planters Garden Centre – Bretby was awarded Best Garden Centre and Webbs of Wychbold scooped Best Destination Garden Centre.

Our second regional awards evening of the week was a huge success and it was great to see all of the lucky winners receiving their prizes. It is a testament to all of the hard work and effort they put in.

North Thames winners announced

We’re thrilled to have unveiled our winners for the North Thames region during a presentation at Perrywood Garden Centre & Nurseries last night (July 20, 2015).

The title of Best Garden Centre (GC) went to Sunshine Garden Centre and Burston Rose & Garden Centre took home the award for Best Destination Garden Centre (DGC).

We’d like to say a huge congratulations to all of our members who took home awards during the first regional awards meeting. A massive ‘thank you’ also goes to Perrywood Garden Centre & Nurseries for hosting such a fantastic evening. 

Sales of outdoor plants jumped in June

SALES of outdoor plants at our member garden centres across the country were on the up during June (2015) according to our Barometer of Trade (BoT) results.

Sales rose 15.42% compared to the same time last year (2014).

Iain Wylie, our Chief Executive, explained: “It’s great to see core categories, such as outdoor plants, soaring and we have the Great British weather to thank for it after staying unusually dry and warm. 

Liz steps down from inspector role with us

Our inspector Liz Hutson is standing down from her role this year – with her final official engagement for us at our annual conference next year (2016).

Liz, who started inspecting member garden centres in 2012, has taken the decision to concentrate more on the training and consultancy part of her business.

Our Chief Executive, Iain Wylie, says: “We’re really sorry to see Liz go but completely understand her decision and wish her all the very best with her exciting, new venture. She has been a pleasure to work with. 

Regional award meetings announced

Our member garden centres will be able to find out how they’ve have fared in this year’s annual inspections at regional award meetings taking place across the country this month (July, 2015).

The meetings will take place on July 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 and teams are invited to attend the event in their area and take along as many staff as they wish.

During the annual meetings inspectors for each area will announce their findings, highlighting best practice and new ideas and will also reveal the category winners.

The first regional award meeting for the North Thames area will take place at Perrywood Garden Centre & Nurseries in Inworth, Tiptree on Monday, July 20 from 3.30pm with inspector Liz Hutson presenting her findings.

Stratford Garden Centre in Clifford Chambers, Stratford-Upon-Avon, will host the Midlands regional award meeting on Tuesday, July 21 from 5pm. The inspector announcing the results will be Ian Boardman.