industry news Westland partners with the British Trust for Ornithology
As a key partner in the supply of bird care products to garden centres, Westland has said it is committed to driving the sector and educating the public. And to further this, the company has announced a new partnership and has joined forces with the British Trust for Ornithology (The BTO) as part of an ongoing strategy to bring education and quality to the sector. The new partnership will re-invigorate the existing relationship that the BTO had with Gardman (which Westland acquired in 2018) and set it on a new path. The partnership will enable Westland’s retail partners to be able to access BTO data as well as using the charity’s considerable knowledge and expertise to inspire consumers, educate staff and engage
through social media. The BTO and Westland will also create new standards in bird care products, ensuring rigour in testing and design. A key aim of the partnership is to boost education around birds and bird care, whilst also delivering a greater understanding of the role that wild bird feeding has in the 24 million gardens across the UK. To deliver this there will be a series of events and activities taking place throughout the year and the BTO will be providing educational content. A highlight of which will be an event in October which will be the launch platform for the substantial piece of vital research. For this, the two organisations will be uniting to conduct the largest ever survey of gardens, wild birds and the importance of local gardens on wildlife. The
survey results will provide valuable insight and aid future product developments, as well as increasing knowledge of how gardens are used, both now and in the future. Further information about the partnership will be released to garden centres throughout the pre-season sales period.
Chelsea success for Hillier and Greenfingers Hillier director of property and fifth
Hillier has extended its incredible world record, winning a 74th consecutive gold medal at this years’ RHS Chelsea Flower Show, whilst Greenfingers had a hugely successful debut, with plenty of publicity around its garden, which earned a silver-gilt.
Hillier’s latest accolade maintains the company’s status as the most successful exhibitor in Chelsea history. The gold medal- winning ‘The Stihl Hillier Garden’ was designed by Lilly Gomm, who made her Chelsea debut with the exhibit. It also marks her first RHS gold medal, having previously taken home a silver-gilt for her garden at Hampton Court in 2018.
Understandably Hillier and Ms Gomm were delighted with the win, particularly as she told DIY Week on press day: “Everyone has been talking about the risk this year where we are taking the garden in a different direction, with Hillier using a new, young designer, and the desire to maintain Hillier’s gold-winning streak.” But, despite the pressure, the risk paid off, RHS judges were impressed by the floral exhibit, which features thousands of beautiful plants complemented by a unique and striking water feature designed by Ms Gomm.
GCU June 2019
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generation family member, George Hillier said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have received yet another gold medal. We get asked if we get complacent about getting gold – if anything it’s the opposite. Each year, nerves and anticipation seem to run higher than ever. Thankfully we have a fantastic team and are incredibly fortunate to be working with our new designer, Lilly. Everyone at Hillier works so hard all year round to make Chelsea happen and this is a truly wonderful recognition of that.” Amongst a number of celebrity and Royal visitors to the garden throughout press day, was Dame Judi Dench who was presented with a new variety of elm tree that is resistant to Dutch Elm disease. She will attend a ceremony to plant that sapling, along with 19 other elm trees, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire as part of a campaign to re-introduce the much-missed tree variety to the English countryside. Meanwhile, Greenfingers charity made its Chelsea debut this year and was awarded a
silver-gilt medal. The striking show garden was designed and built by Kate Gould Gardens and funded by a private donor, with a view of using the world-famous flower show as a platform to raise awareness of the charity. The brief for the garden was to provide a peaceful and uplifting space for life- limited children, their families and carers to spend time playing, relaxing or reflecting, and key parts of the exhibit being sent straight to the garden at Richard House Children’s Hospice once the show closes. Greenfingers trustee and Hillview Garden
Centres CEO Boyd Douglas-Davies told DIY week he was absolutely delihted with the amount of publicity the garden had received, with charity patrons Imelda Staunton and Jim Carter on stand on press day with four-year old Myles – a frequent visitor to Richard House Children’s Hospice – testing out the garden. A number of other famous faces were
spotted on the garden throughout the day but, most notable, was a visit by Her Royal Majesty the Queen during her walk round the show.
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