Emma Lamb and Sam Clark who were frequent by the GCA Trust to attend the International Garden Centre Association ( IGCA ) Congress have report back about their experiences .
Barton Grange Garden Centre ’s Emma and Sam , who play for Cowell ’s Garden Centre , were picked for the Trust ’s Dick Allen Scholarship Award Scheme and joined more than 220 delegates in Windsor in September .
Emma Lamb , who works in Senior sale in the outside plant country at Barton Grange Garden Centre , suppose : “ I would like to say ‘ thank you ’ to The Dick Allen Scholarship Fund for present me a shop place on the IGCA Windsor Congress , a truly insightful and inspirational experience .
“ The Congress exceeded all expectations from the start with every mean solar day brimming with new ideas shared and connecting the industry on a worldwide level . This is something truly unique and I am delighted I had the opportunity to contribute to this . Coming back from congress I make a mother wit of community within the garden centre sphere , allow me a fresh chopine to make experience and share personal ideas with industry leaders .
“ proceed onwards from the trip , within Barton Grange , I have taken thought and inspirations from center visit and count into way in which we can land our centre and the surroundings we create in the future tense to be at the forefront of the new era of garden centres .
“ For me a highlight of the congress was visit the fresh open up RHS Wisley Centre and ascertain how architecturally and visually dissimilar their conception of a garden centre is . This excited me to the possibilities of where the industry is going . I am aroused for my progression now going forward and the IGCA has by all odds given me a new vision . ”
The two delegates select by the trustees were from northern centres , so they had the opportunity not only to encounter more than 220 similar - minded professional person from around the human beings , but also to gossip inwardness in the London and South east regions during the six days of the congress .
“ As part of the interactional group they started the workweek with a sojourn to the newfangled retail development at The Coal Drops Yard , Kings Cross , where press clipping - edge retailers are showing the way forward in a unique and exciting way . From then on delegate were inspired not only by visit to garden centres but also by presentation by the British GCA review squad and by John Lewis , followed by trips to nearby John Lewis memory .
“ RHS Wisley , Kew Gardens and Hatfield House feature British horticulture at its best . ”
Delegates also bask a river cruise on the Thames complete with a stop - off at the London Eye .
Sam Clark , who works as a Plant Area Supervisor at Cowell ’s Garden Centre , state : “ I had the most awe-inspiring experience on the IGCA Windsor tripper , it was truly eye opening night to see some of the country ’s leading centres in the South east , the substructure and layout coupled with laconic clear signage was what I ’ll personally be hold from the visits .
“ The priceless networking and sharing of thought and ideas was also judgement boggling , some of the social media used by other center has already been implement back at Cowell ’s with our rare houseplant plant release date and new collector ’s corner .
“ All in all I ’d just make out to say a huge ‘ thank you ’ for being gift such a wonderful chance to further myself and Cowell ’s , it ’s always bully to approach things with a invigorated position and the workweek has certainly transfer my mindset . ”
Sam began working at Cowell ’s Garden Centre in 2008 on the checkouts and travel on to work in the plant area .
Martin Cowell , Director at Cowell ’s Garden Centre , say : “ We were delighted that Sam was offered a place at this year ’s IGCA Congress in Windsor by the GCA Trust . He has return from the congress burst with raw ideas and full of inspiration following visits to some wonderful garden centres and gardens . I also have no doubt that the contacts Sam has made at the group discussion will be invaluable to him as he pass on within our industry . ”
Emma joined Barton Grange Garden Centre in 2017 .
Will Clark , Plant Area Manager at Barton Grange Garden Centre , said : “ Emma really has come back with a boot ! She has brought passion and exuberance to a whole raw level , which has altogether refreshed me and the squad .
“ She has come back with pot of terrific ideas and made mess of fresh striking . She has already made a name for herself in the horticultural world . Truly amazing ! I am very gallant of Emma ’s achievements and very thankful to The Dick Allen Fund for throw her this fantastic opportunity . I feel her self-assurance has originate jump and bounds . I ’m now very frantic to watch Emma ’s progression here at Barton Grange . ”
The Trust is now inviting donation to fund delegate to future congresses , include the next one in South Africa in October , 2020 .
Anyone concerned should get hold of Iain Wylie , GCA ’s Chief Executive on 01244 952170 or visitwww.gca.org.ukfor more details .
Sue impart : “ Now that this annual initiative is firmly establish and has show to be a immense success for the patronize delegate and their employer , I can confirm that the Trust is already looking ahead to iterate this in 2020 and beyond .
“ Each year I am delighted to see how quickly our choose recipient make firm friends within the group and guarantee they gain every chance to help their personal development . The time value of this singular opportunity can not be overestimate .
“ As I echo every year , I am surprised how few GCA member companies volunteer a promising phallus of staff the chance to be selected . I can only desire that after the 2020 GCA conference in January , when that class ’s software are invited , the GCA Trust will be overwhelmed by the answer . ”
For those who wish to enter for next yr ’s award , there will be an declaration at the GCA Conference in January 2020 tempt applications programme .
