Regional focus
North, Scotland and N Ireland New garden centre Ballymena,NIreland
Creative Gardens is opening a new £2m garden centre in Galgorm, Ballymena, Northern Ireland, in 2014. The business was founded by the Gass family 30 years ago and employs 100 people at two locations – in Donaghadee and Bushmills. Diana Gass who runs the family business with her two sons and daughter said, ‘We are delighted to have the opportunity to open a garden centre in such a beautiful setting and we will do our best to enhance and add to the atmosphere in Galgorm. We are proud to be a Northern Irish company employing local people and sourcing local products where possible.’ Diana continued, ‘I’d like to thank Paul Pleydell of
Creative Gardens’ new garden centre opens next year in Galgorm, Ballymena
Bents has long been committed to reducing the amount of waste it sends to landfill and the most recent figures show that it has already achieved its 100% target in the recycling of combined recyclables (mixed packaging, plastics, paper, card, wood, metals, etc) and is well on track, with a figure of 98%, with general mixed waste recycling. Matthew Bent, MD of Bents Garden &
Home, says, ‘This is a fantastic result and a demonstration of what can be achieved when everyone works towards a common
Pleydell Smithyman and Gilbert Evans’ Mike Gilbert who, from the outset, have played an important part in the design and negotiations.’
Success for Bents’ recycling scheme
goal. We are always aiming for 100% and our colleagues have worked hard to review processes and research new opportunities for improvement, all of which are reflected in this impressive recycling figure.’ All plastic plant pots with the Bents’
logo can be returned for recycling and customers are encouraged to do this by receiving 50p off the purchase of their next hardy plant. All compost and green waste from Bents’ growing nurseries is also recycled and used for soil improvement, mulching or as planting material.
Road trip for Martin Cowell
celebrate his 40th birthday. Most people complete the ride, supported in 14 days. The charity provides free therapy to
Martin Cowell of Cowells GC is cycling from John O’ Groats to Land’s End in aid of the Heel & Toe childrens’ charity. Starting on 28 June, he aims to complete the ride unsupported in eight days, in time to
HTA Regional account managers provide the main point of contact for members, spending 80% of their time visiting member businesses to find out their needs and inform them about the many products and services available to them as a benefit of their membership.
children with cerebral palsy, dyspraxia and other movement conditions. ‘As a family, we have accessed and benefited from free therapy,’ says Martin, ‘and I would now like to try and give something back in return.’
_If you would like to sponsor Martin on his epic cycle ride, please visit
www.justgiving.com/geordiejogle HTA Account managers
National Martin Simmons t 07738 801584 @msimmonsHTA e
martin.simmons@
the-hta.org.uk
SouthWest Andy Whelan t 07850 721429 @andywhelanHTA e
andrew.whelan@the-hta.org.uk
London, South East Phil Tremayne t 07808 775175 @philtremayne e
phil.tremayne@
the-hta.org.uk
Gordale Nurseries’ Joyce Nicholson
A co-founder of Gordale Nurseries, which was a joint Gold winner of DIY Week’s Garden Retailer of the Year Award last year, has died. Joyce Nicholson, who set up the business in Burton, South Wirral, with her late husband Harold, was 89. The couple established Gordale in 1948
as one of the first garden centres in Britain. Today it is run by their son Peter and his wife Jill. Joyce remained active in the business until her mid-80s. ‘She will be missed by everyone,’ said
daughter-in-law Jill. Introducing…
Andrew Dunkley
North, including Scotland and Northern Ireland
t 07540 126463 @AndyDunkleyHTA e
Andrew.Dunkley@the-hta.org.uk
HTAnewsI June 2013 I
www.the-hta.org.uk 13
Founder of award- winning Gordale dies
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