RANGE REVIEW: GARDEN & WOODCARE MAKING A


DIFFERENCE


Garden centres are at the heart of their community, supporting charities and running events to engage visitors but could retailers be doing more to work with local organisations and inspire a new generation of gardeners?


local schools, including a children’s club with over 800 members which aims to inspire children to take up gardening as a hobby. He says: “It’s great to see the younger generation getting involved in gardening and how enthusiastic they are. “We set-up a growing competition


for local schools,


teaching them how to effectively grow seed potatoes awarding the school with the biggest crop ‘Growing Champion!’ “We also interacted and helped a wide variety of communities to regenerate derelict or ‘run-down’ areas of their villages or towns. It was great to see so many people get involved and enjoy gardening particularly those who had never had a go before.”


He concludes: “Cultivation A


t this year’s GCA Conference, in January, garden designer and TV presenter David Domoney


took


the stage to talk about his project Cultivation Street.


Now in its seventh year, the campaign aims to help people grow and garden together; “transforming people’s lives through the positive power of plants,” David explains. With the help of garden retailers and organisations across the country, Cultivation Street has supported thousands of adults with community gardening and children’s school gardens. “There’s an anchor of kindness within this whole project”, David says. Showcasing the experiences of the many retailers already participating in Cultivation Street, David let them explain the benefits to their business. Hillier is one garden centre


already involved with the campaign. Director Chris Francis


16 DIY WEEK 26 APRIL 2019


says: “We actively encourage our members to engage with organisations in the local community. People do see us as more than just a business where we have a relationship with local schools, nursing homes and local organisations.”


Inspiring young gardeners The Cultivation Street Ambassador scheme promotes professional garden centres who are friendly to beginner gardeners and who are helping schools and children to learn about gardening and the many health benefits of associating with plants and nature. Cultivation Street currently boasts more than 200 garden centre ambassadors and continues to promote them “as the country’s finest sources of advice for all new, young and community gardeners,” says David.


Old Railway Line events manager Mathew Lewis told delegates at the conference how the family-run garden centre runs projects with


Street has been a priority for me – I recognise the importance of supporting and giving back to the community and will continue to use my time and energy to encourage community gardening.”


Creating good will


Meanwhile, Steve Purton, from Dobbies’ Milton Keynes branch was named Cultivation Street’s Ambassador of the Year in 2018. As


Community Champion at


his Dobbies centre, he works on supporting four local schools, a hospital, three churches and a memory support group, Steven gets people growing. “Last year we had more than 1,000 children attend school tours at the centre and we also deal with the Beavers, the Cubs, you name it! The great thing is we see them come back and visit the centre. They get that bug.”


Steve is so passionate about making sure local children can access the support he provides via Cultivation Street, if a school is unable to arrange transport to the garden centre, he loads up his car


For more information on how your business can get involved with Cultivation Street, email info@cultivationstreet.com or call 01926 641997.


www.diyweek.net


with soil, seeds and plants and drives out to them instead. “If your garden centre hasn’t helped your local school or community yet, just do it,” he says. “It creates so much good will with the community and boosts morale amongst your staff. It’s amazing how many children have never been to a garden centre before, so let’s give them that opportunity.” Bents Garden Centre in has recently


Warrington


worked to support charitable organisation, Shoulder to Soldier with allotments. Ron Bent stresses that providing support like this is “a two-way thing”. He explains: “The local community supports us as well and helped us develop our business. That belonging is important to us, so it’s really about giving back”. David Domoney concludes:


Garden centres are changing the lives of their customers for the better and building relationships that will last a lifetime.”


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