Young growers ready to plant petunias
Hundreds of school pupils across Worcestershire are being invited to put their green-fingered skills to the test in a special schools' growing competition with Webbs Garden Centre at Wychbold.
In previous years more than 1,000 youngsters have signed up with their schools to take part in the competition and it is hoped to prove just as popular this year. Webbs is providing the plants, pots, compost and gardening tips for the youngsters to grow their own bright blue Petunia Easywave.
Budding gardeners will have weeks to nurture their plants to fine examples and take them to Webbs on Saturday, 16th July for judging. A winner will be chosen from each school and the school with the best overall plant will win a trophy and Webbs vouchers. The school with the most entries on the day will also win Webbs vouchers.
Webbs Executive Chairman Ed Webb said, "This year's plant is a Petunia which will show children what fantastic results can be achieved in a fairly short space of time. Everything needed for the competition - plants, pots, compost and growing guildelines - will be provided absolutely free. And with the right care and attention, the plants will reward their growers by producing beautiful blooms."
To register for the competition or for more information please contact Catherine Brooks at Webbs, Wychbold by email catherine@webbsofwychbold.co.uk There are a limited number of plants available so schools will be selected on a first come, first served basis.
Webbs students first to achieve new HTA garden retail qualification
Two employees at Webbs Garden Centres in Worcestershire who were the first to pilot the Horticultural Trades Associations (HTA) Diploma in Garden Retail have been awarded their certificates.
Carl Beiersdorf, 25, from Webbs in Wychbold and Tom Oliver, 22, from Webbs West hagley have completed the year long training diploma specific to the garden retail environment.
Unveiled by Skills Minister Lord Young at the launch of the Retail Skills Academy in London, the HTAs Diplma was set up to provide successful candidates with a nationally recognised qualification and because it is properly accredited, candidates had access to Government funding to help pay for the course.
Jayne Green, Webbs Training Officer said, "We were delighted to be at the forefront of this new diploma. It was a great opportunity for Tom and Carl and for Webbs as a whole to benefit from their learning. We hope they are the first of many at Webbs to undertake the diploma."
(added 2nd August)
Ho, ho ho! – search now on for perfect Santa
Ho, Ho, ho! – are you jolly, twinkly-eyed and love all things Christmassy? Then you may be the perfect person for this year’s Santa to bring the magic of Christmas to youngsters at Webbs Garden Centre in Wychbold.
Strawberries, ice cream and sweltering summer days are with us but already the search is on to find the ideal person for this most important of jobs. The unusual job description includes being friendly, chatty, ‘twinkly-eyed’ and loving the festive season.
Executive chairman Ed Webb said, “White hair, a beard and a large belly are not essential but a hearty laugh and jolly personality will make all the difference! Children and families love Christmas at Webbs and meeting Santa is the icing on the cake for most youngsters. It’s a magical time and our Santa needs to match the figure of their dreams and make sure they have a memorable and enchanting time. A full Santa outfit will of course be provided! ”
The award-winning garden centre welcomes thousands of visitors to meet Santa and his elves in his grotto from November in the run up to Christmas. They are now advertising for people to apply for the festive positions of Santa and elves with applications needed by the end of July.
Training and costumes will be provided and full and part time hours are available.
added 6 July, 2011
'Donate, Don't Dump Day' – Webbs helps Mary Stevens Hospice
Customers and staff at Webbs Garden Centre in West Hagley are holding a Donate, Don’t Dump Day for Mary Stevens Hospice.
The garden centre inKidderminster Road South
The garden centre in
Webbs is encouraging customers to go along to their West Hagley store on Thursday, 30th June, between 10am and 5pm and bring at least one good quality item which is no longer wanted or needed.
There will be a Webbs van in the car park ready to accept donations. These will then be taken directly to the hospice warehouse where everything will be sorted and taken into the charity's shops to be sold.
Executive Chairman Ed Webb said, "Our Donate, Don't Dump Days for our local hospices are proving very popular and are helping to improve the quality and quantity of donations to their charity shops. We are keen to help charities such as Mary Stevens to raise the much needed funds to carry out their valuable work in the community."
Janet Jones, Fundraising Development Manager at Mary Stevens Hospice said, "We are always in need of good quality clothes and donated goods for our outlets. The success of previous Donate, Don't Dump Days that Webbs has organised are very encouraging and we appreciate their support in helping to raise much needed funds for the hospice."
added 14th June, 2011
Giant games ready for play time at Ryton Gardens
Half-term week is set to be full of fun at Ryton Gardens, near Coventry, thanks to a number of giant games set up for visitors to use as they enjoy the stunning 10 acres of organic gardens.
Mark Wilkinson, Ryton gardens Visitor Manager said, "The gardens are always fantastic, but for further fun visitors can now enjoy playing giant draughts, Jenga and Connect Four as they relax in the new games area in the heart of the gardens. With summer not far off the gardens are bursting into colour and visitors can now also enjoy two new signed routes around the gardens."
As well as games and trails, there will be plenty more to do during half term week. A hands-on activity where children decorate two cup cakes, one to eat and one to take home takes place on Tuesday 31st May and Thursday 2nd June at Ryton Gardens. There are two sessions per day from 10am - 12 noon and 2.30pm - 4.30pm and each session costs £3.50 per child.
During the half term from Saturday, 28th May to Sunday, 5th June, youngsters can also follow a fun trail around Ryton Gardens with all correct entries going into a draw to win a prize. Up to three children can enjoy Ryton Gardens free with one paying adult.
Visitors can also enjoy eating at the 100% organic restaurant which is open every day and services a mouth-watering menu of locally sourced organic and seasonal produce.
Ryton Gardens is open daily from 9am to 5pm. For further details and a free site leaflet including money off vouchers, call 02476 303517 and visit www.rytongardens.co.uk
added 18th May, 2011
Yummy cup cakes on the menu for half term
Seven year old Jack and sister Rose Baker, five, with their Dad Nick Baker from Webbs, get a taste of cup cake decorating.
The hands-on activity where children decorate two cup cakes, one to eat and one to take home, takes place on Tuesday 31st May and Thursday 2nd June at Webbs, West Hagley and Webbs, Wychbold. There are two sessions per day from 10am - 12 noon and 2.30pm - 4.30pm and each session costs £3.50 per child.
At Webbs, Wychbold, during the half term from Tuesday 31st May to Friday 3rd June youngsters can take part in a free Riverside Ramble in the grounds at Webbs with all correct trail entries going into a draw to win a prize. There will also be fair rides from 11am – 4pm, £1.50 per ride. (weather dependent)
It's also the perfect time to visit the Falconry Centre at Webbs, West Hagley, where visitors can see over 70 stunning birds of prey from around the world. Adult entry is £3.80, children £3, open Monday to Saturday, 10am - 5pm and Sunday, 11am - 5pm.
added 18 May, 2011
Webbs helps borough bloom
Redditch Borough Council's bid for glory in the forthcoming Heart of England in Bloom competition has been given a floral boost by Webbs Garden Centres.
Webbs, which has garden centres in Wychbold, West Hagley and Ryton Gardens, near Coventry, have donated 800 blue Petunia Easywave plants as well as pots and compost to the council.
Where Next Association, a Redditch charity who are supported by and have worked with the borough for 25 years, will be nurturing the petunias in their greenhouses and planting them on. The charity provides support, employment, work experience and training to people disadvantaged by learning difficulties or other special needs. Winyates allotment association will also be growing on some of the plants.
Chris Franklin, Landscape and Grounds Maintenance Officer from Redditch Borough Council said, "We are hoping the Petunias will be planted at lots of sheltered housing schemes where there are keen gardeners who can care for them throughout the summer."
He added, "We already carry out some annual planting in these schemes but we thought it would be a great idea for the tenants to use this opportunity to plant extra tubs, planters and hanging baskets. The Petunias will be planted by the tenants themselves with Where Next planting some areas in the town. We are really grateful to Webbs for supporting us in such a generous way in this year's campaign."
Redditch was awarded a Silver Gilt for its last year's Heart of England in Bloom campaign.
Webbs Executive Chairman Ed Webb said, "We are sponsors of Heart of England in Bloom and look forward to seeing some fantastic displays throughout the area. We are happy to help Redditch in their bid to make the borough an even more attractive place to live, with plenty of colour and planting."
added 18 May, 2011
Dogs for the Disabled
Customers to Webbs Garden Centre at Wychbold will have the chance to meet members of a life-transforming charity.
Volunteers from Dogs for the Disabled - which creates exceptional partnerships between people living with disability and specially trained dogs - will be on hand on Saturday and Sunday 21st and 22nd May from 11am to 4pm.
Customers can meet the puppy socialisers and the dogs they are training as well as disabled people with their assistance dogs from the Bromsgrove and Droitwich area.
Last year generous Webbs customers donated over £600 at a similar event which was enough to buy a puppy to train for the charity.
Alan Chater, fundraising volunteer from Dogs for the Disabled said, "The collection days we have held at Webbs have proved to be some of our most successful events, thanks to the generosity of customers. It's great news to be welcomed along again and we would be thrilled to have another record breaking day."
Executive Chairman Ed Webb said, "As a long-established local family firm we strive to support our local community as much as we can and are looking forward to the visit by Dogs for the Disabled."
added 4th May, 2011
'Donate, Don't Dump Day' - Webbs helps Acorns Hospice
Customers and staff at Webbs Garden Centre in Wychbold are holding a Donate, Don’t Dump Day for Acorns Children’s Hospice.
Webbs is encouraging customers and staff to come along to the award winning Wychbold store on Thursday, 19th May, between 10am and 5pm and bring at least one good quality item which is no longer wanted or needed.
There will be a Webbs van in the car park ready to accept donations. These will then be taken directly to Acorns Hospice warehouse where everything will be sorted and taken into the charity’s shops to be sold.
Similar events at Webbs for St Richard’s Hospice, Primrose Hospice and KEMP Hospice have proved very successful.
Executive Chairman Ed Webb said, “The idea of the day is to improve the quality and quantity of donations to charity shops and this is a great way for our customers to help Acorns raise much needed funds for their caring work.”
He added, “I’m sure lots of people have just the right items tucked away at home. It’s a great opportunity to de-clutter and raise money for charity. Of course, if anyone wants to bring in more than one item, they will be very welcome to do so.”
Carole Crowe, community fundraiser for Acorns for the Three Counties said, “Our shops are a significant source of income in helping raise the £8m plus needed to run our hospices 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. They rely on quality donations to keep well stocked and the Donate, Don’t Dump Days like the one at Webbs prove hugely successful in giving a boost to our fundraising.”
Carole Crowe, community fundraiser for Acorns for the Three Counties said, “Our shops are a significant source of income in helping raise the £8m plus needed to run our hospices 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. They rely on quality donations to keep well stocked and the Donate, Don’t Dump Days like the one at Webbs prove hugely successful in giving a boost to our fundraising.”
added 4th May, 2011
Last call for garden calendar photos
Keen photographers have just a few weeks left to enter their pictures into the annual Webbs calendar competition in aid of local hospices.
Webbs, which has garden centres in Wychbold, West Hagley and
More than 1,550 images were entered from 338 photographers into last year's competition, which judges then had to whittle down to the final 12, depicting each month of the year.
Webbs will produce a calendar for 2012 from original photographs in aid of the firm’s chosen charities, St Richard's, Primrose, Kemp, Mary Stevens and Acorns Hospices in Worcestershire. Webbs’ judges are again searching for wonderful photographs of flowers, gardens, garden scenes, flora & fauna.
The competition is open to everyone, amateur or enthusiast, young or old, so get snapping! Entry forms are available in-store at Wychbold; West Hagley and
The deadline for entries is Monday, 6th June with judging taking place in July. The calendar will go on sale in the autumn.
Executive Chairman Ed Webb said:” With the incredible snow and ice we have had and the fantastic early spring sunshine, I’m sure we will have some wonderful scenes entered into the competition.”
He added: "The calendar is always very popular and we give each of the hospices hundreds of copies for them to use for fundraising. We are hoping to repeat the previous years’ successes and create a beautiful calendar which will also benefit our local hospices. ”
The 12 winning entrants will each receive Webbs Gift Vouchers worth £30 and 12 copies of the calendar to give to friends and family.
To enter pick up a form from Webbs or visit the website www.webbsdirect.co.uk for more information.
added 4th May, 2011
Pupils bench mark on biodiversity
Pupils from 14 local schools are taking up the green challenge to decorate a garden bench on a biodiversity theme, ready to go on display at the Malvern Spring Gardening Show in May.
The wooden benches have been generously donated by Webbs Garden Centres and pupils are busy coming up with their designs.
The schools' project is part of a bid by the Show organisers to drive home the biodiversity message this year in an attempt to encourage British gardeners to do their bit for the greater good of the planet.
For the first time ever, the Malvern Spring Gardening show (12 - 15 May) is dedicating its entire theatre programme to the subject of conserving the natural environment and will be showing green fingered visitors how small changes in the way they garden can make a significant impact on local, and ultimately global, diversity.
Sharon Gilbert, Press & PR Manager for the Showground said, " We are very grateful to Webbs for donating the benches to the schools so they can get pupils directly involved in this exciting biodiversity theme. We hope it will help the youngsters and their families think about doing their bit to preserve and create habitats, plant native species, compost waste, garden organically and dig ponds. It might be small scale but it all contributes to the global effort and events like ours must get behind the initiative, keep up the momentum and promote the message to as many people as possible."
Webbs Executive Chairman, Ed Webb, said, "We are very keen to spread the green growing and habitat message to schools and are delighted to support the Malvern Spring Show in this way. We are looking forward to seeing the finished decorated benches which I'm sure wil show great artistic talent and thoughtfulness on the theme."
Schools taking up the bench decorating challenge include: Great Malvern Primary School, Bowbrook House School, Peopleton; Balcarras School, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham; Bredenbury Primary School, Bromyard; Wychbold First School; Meadows First School, Bromsgrove; St Richard's Primary School, Bromyard, Castlemorton Primary School, Malvern; Gotherington Primary School, Cheltenham; Kings Hawford, Worcester; Offmore Park Primary School, Kidderminster; Ashperton Primary School, Herefordshire; Whitbourne Primary School, and Upton-on-Severn Primary School.
Seed giveaway to encourage Grow Your Own
Thousands of tomato seeds will be given away this spring to help gardeners get the growing season off to the right start.
Webbs Garden Centre in Wychbold is holding a Grow Your Own weekend on Saturday and Sunday 26th and 27th March.
To encourage people to get growing Webbs will be giving away 3,000 packs of Sutton Gardener's Delight tomato seeds to customers on a first come, first served basis. Visitors can collect the seeds from Reception before going to the Plant House to discover more about Grow Your Own.
The event will include advice and demonstrations by gardening guru Frank Hardy from 11am - 4pm who will show visitors how easy it is to grow in planters and tubs as well as vegetable plots so everyone can have a go no matter how small their space.
There will also be a free children's seed sowing activity and a vegetable themed Riverside Ramble quiz for youngsters. Families can also pick up inspiration from the mini vegetable gardens on show at Webbs.
Webbs Executive Chairman Ed Webb said, " This time of year is exciting for every gardener and we want to help them ensure their growing season gets off to a good start. There is so much interest now in growing your own veg and we are sure our customers will find the weekend a great inspiration. There's nothing better than growing and eating your own tasty and healthy food."
Mums can enjoy an extra special treat with free entry to the ten acres of stunning organic demonstration gardens at Ryton Gardens on Saturday, 2nd and Sunday, 3rd April.
There are more than 30 individual gardens in the beautifully landscaped grounds which are under the care of leading organic growing charity Garden Organic.
Among the seasonal highlights Mums can enjoy are the daffodil display in the orchard, the bee-favourite pulmonaria and the early fruit blossom.
They can also admire the outdoor sculpture exhibition named 'Potential' by Coventry artist Victoria Redgrave. 'Potential' is an exhibition of new work incorporating the elements and poetry in sewn word. Set into the woodland, craftsmen's trees and biodynamic areas of Ryton Gardens, the works will be situated in such a way for visitors to discover and ponder.
On Saturday, 2nd April, youngsters can join the Children's Mother's Day Potting Workshop. This hands-on activity from 10am - 4pm will see children potting seasonal plants into a basket to take home as a gift for mum.
Staff are on hand to guide youngsters through the planting so they can learn from the experience while having fun. Tickets are £4.50 per child to include all plants and materials. As part of the month long ‘Potential’ exhibition Victoria Redgrave will host a one-off live performance of poems on Saturday, 2 April at 12.30pm, suitable for all ages.
The award-winning organic restaurant will be open from 9am to 5pm.
Youngsters go plant potty for Mother's Day
Justin Burton from Droitwich is ready for the Children's Mother's Day Potting Workshop at Webbs,
Garden Centres in Wychbold and West Hagley on Saturday, 2nd April.
The Potting Workshops always prove a big hit and once again children can join this hands-on activity from 11am - 5pm potting seasonal plants into a basket to take home as a gift for mum.
Webbs staff are on hand to guide youngsters through the planting so they can learn from the experience while having fun. Tickets are £4.50 per child to include all plants and materials.
Webbs puts bounce into spring for Acorns youngsters
A giant cuddly bunny will help bring a smile to the faces of youngsters at Acorns Children’s Hospice 
in Worcester, thanks to Webbs Garden Centre in Wychbold.
Executive Chairman Ed Webb handed over the huge furry toy at the hospice in Bath Road, Worcester. The bonny bunny will be up for grabs as a raffle prize at the forthcoming Spring Fayre being held at the hospice on Saturday, 2nd April from 2 - 5pm.
Webbs has supported Acorns as a company Charity of the Year since 2003. Over the last eight years Webbs has donated over £90,000 towards Worcestershire hospices fundraising coffers, including Acorns.
Carole Crowe, Community Fundraising Manager said, "It costs over £6m to ensure we are here for our children and families. As a charity we rely on voluntary donations for over 70% of our income so really appreciate the ongoing support of companies such as Webbs to help us make a difference."
Jason has high hopes of boosting hospice coffers
Keen runner Jason Osborne from Droitwich will be putting on his trainers for his first ever challenge event and hopes to raise £6,000 for hospice care.
The 39-year-old will be taking part in the Bupa Great Manchester 10k Run on Sunday, 15 May
. Jason, who has worked at Webbs Garden Centres for 20 years in Wychbold, West Hagley and Ryton Gardens, Coventry, has chosen to support the firms charities of the year - St Richard's, Acorns, Kemp, Primrose and Mary Stevens Hospices in Worcestershire. He also hopes to raise £1,000 for Myton Hospice in Warwickshire.
. Jason, who has worked at Webbs Garden Centres for 20 years in Wychbold, West Hagley and Ryton Gardens, Coventry, has chosen to support the firms charities of the year - St Richard's, Acorns, Kemp, Primrose and Mary Stevens Hospices in Worcestershire. He also hopes to raise £1,000 for Myton Hospice in Warwickshire. Jason said, "I have run for exercise for years but have never run competitively or in an event. I'm supporting the hospices because I have enormous admiration for the amazing care they provide." As well as the prospect of raising money for the hospices, Jason is looking forward to some competitive rivarly with his brother Danny, who is also signed up for the run.
Jason explained, " We are incredibly close but very competitive sothis event is turning into one of our brotherly competitions which will no doubt spur us both on. He has the advantage of being ten years younger than me and isn't letting the opportunity to keep reminding me pass him by!
As well as looking forward to the Finish Line, I'm most looking forward to knowing I've raised a decent amount of money for each of the hospices and how it will help their care."
Over the last eight years Webbs has donated over £90,000 towards Worcestershire hospices' fundraising coffers.
'Donate, Don't Dump Day' - Webbs helps Primrose Hospice
Customers and staff at Webbs Garden Centre in Wychbold are holding a Donate, Don’t Dump Day for Primrose Hospice.
The award-winning garden centre has taken inspiration from the popular BBC 2 television Mary Queen of Charity Shops programme. Similar events for local hospices last year were a great success.
Webbs are encouraging customers and staff to come along to the garden centre in Wychbold on Thursday, 24th March, between 10am and 5pm and bring at least one good quality item which is no longer wanted or needed.
There will be a Webbs van in the car park where you can leave your donations. These will then be taken directly to Primrose Hospice warehouse where everything will be sorted and taken into the charity’s shops to be sold.
Executive Chairman Ed Webb said, "The aim of 'Donate, Don't Dump Day' is to improve the quality and quantity of donations to charity shops. This will help charities such as Primrose to raise the much needed funds to carry out their invaluable work in the community."
He added, "Our Donate, Don’t Dump Days last year was very busy and a great success for the hospices involved. I’m sure lots of our customers and staff have just the right items tucked away at home. It’s a great opportunity to de-clutter and raise money for charity. Of course, if anyone wants to bring in more than one item, they will be very welcome to do so. "
John Done, Primrose Shops’ Co-ordinator said "We were very pleased with all the great items which were donated last year and they made a big difference to the shop takings for the week. We are hoping that Webbs customers will be just as thoughtful this year to make the day a success again."
Good green fun for half term
The holiday fun runs from Monday, 21st to Friday, 25th February from 9am to 5pm. Up to 3 children can have free entry with one paying adult. (Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times)
Ryton Gardens was voted the ‘Best Garden’ in the Central region by readers of the BBC Gardeners’ World magazine last year. Thousands of people voted in the awards, and Webbs Garden Centres, who run the shop and restaurant at Ryton Gardens also won 'Best Afternoon Tea' in the region.
Mark Wilkinson, Visitor Manager said, "The winter trail takes children around the gardens, where they have to read a poem, find a clue and complete the trail to be entered into a prize draw. The gardens, which are starting to come alive with spring bulbs, are open daily and the bonus is that 3 children get in free with every paying adult."
Webbs go wild for half term fun
Encounters with exotic creatures and fun magic shows are just some of the activities waiting to greet youngsters at Webbs Garden Centre in Wychbold this half term. Crowds of children are expected to flock to the award-winning garden centre near Droitwich for the free credit-crunch busting activities from Monday, 21st February until Friday 25th February.
In Animal Encounters, exotic creatures such as meerkats, skunks and an armadillo will be entrancing youngsters. They are brought along by Trevor Hill, who proved a great hit with visitors with his falconry displays and reindeer at Webbs.
The free daily half hour shows take place at 2pm, 2.45pm and 3.30pm. They are most suited to three to eight year olds. The shows are as follows: Monday, 21st Music Mayhem with Professor Pepperpot; Tuesday 22nd Animal Encounters; Wednesday 23rd Magic Mayhem with Professor Pepperpot; Thursday 24th Animal Encounters and Friday 25th Circus Mayhem with Professor Pepperpot.
For outdoor fun, younsters can embark on a path of discovery through the Riverside Gardens at Webbs. The free trail is open from 10am to 5pm. Face painting and fair rides are available at a small charge.
Ed Webb, Executive Chairman, said, "Our school holiday activities are hugely popular and I'm sure the exciting shows will go down a treat. There is masses to do and see here to keep everyone entertained, all without splashing out lots of cash."
Get snapping for calendar!
Keen photographers are being urged to get snapping ready to enter the annual Webbs calendar competition in aid of local hospices.
Webbs, which has garden centres in Wychbold, Droitwich spa; West Hagley and Ryton Gardens near Coventry, is launching the photo competition for the seventh year running after it proves such a continuing hit with customers.
More than 1,550 images were entered from 338 photographers into last year's competition, which judges then had to whittle down to the final 12, depicting each month of the year.
Webbs is planning to produce a calendar for 2012 from original photographs in aid of the firm's chosen charities, St Richard's, Primrose, Kemp, Mary Stevens and Acorns Hospices in Worcestershire. Webbs' judges are again searching for wonderful photographs of flowers, gardens, garden scenes, flora and fauna.
The competition is open to everyone, amateur or enthusiast, so get snapping! Entry forms available in store at Wychbold, West Hagley and Ryton Gardens or from this website.
The deadline for entries is mid June with judging taking place in July. The calendar will go on sale in the autumn.
Executive chairman Ed Webb said, "with the incredible snow and ice we have had already this year, I'm sure we will have some fantastic winter scenes entered into the competition. We want everyone to get snapping for the next few months or look for a photo they have taken which they think would look marvellous in print."
He added, TThe calendar is always very popular and we give each of the hospices hundreds of copies for them to use for fundraising. We are hoping to repeat the previous years' successes and create a beautiful calendar which will also benefit our local hospices."
The 12 winning entrants will each receive Webbs Gift Vouchers worth £30 and 12 copies of the calendar to give to friends and family.
Triumph for Plant Advisor
A Worcestershire mum has turned redundancy to triumph through her love of garden design.
Linda Carless-James, who works at Webbs Garden Centre in Wychbold, was made redundant from the banking sector but decided to use the time to train in something she was passionate about - gardening and art.
Linda, from Kidderminster, said, "As a 40-something mum of three teenage sons, this was a daunting prospect. But I have always had a love of gardening and art, therefore it seemed ideal to pursue a career in garden design."
In September 2008 she bagan and HNC Garden Design Course at Pershore Horticultural College and to help her studies Linda started working at the award-winning Webbs, Wychbold. Last year Linda was awarded her HNC in Garden Design with a Distinction.
Now her perseverance has paid off and Linda has won a competition run by the Cottage Garden Society to design an exhibition garden for the RHS Malvern Spring Show 2011.
She has also launched her own website www.lcjgardendesigns.com and designs from home whilst remaining at Webbs as a Plant Advisor.
Linda explained, "It's essential to keep up to date with the current trends and horticultural advances which working at Webbs affords me. I was thrilled to win the competition and will work with the Cottage Garden Society to bring my design to life at the Malvern Show this May.
"In the maintime I am continuing my studies at Pershore on the RHS programme. I have not regretted for a second my new career, who knows where it may lead! The joy about gardening is that there is always something new to learn."
Go potato potty at Webbs spud event
The event, on Saturday 5th and Sunday, 6th February, is being championed by the award-winning garden centre which hopes to get more of us growing our own portion of the average 500* potatoes we consume each year.
Lovers are being urged to give their valentine a beautiful red rose - Love Never Dies - and help their local hospices at the same time.
The red rose was named in a competition last year which was organised by Webbs Garden Centres to be sold in aid of Kemp Hospice in Kidderminster and Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge.
Webbs is donating £1 from the £7.99 purchase price of each of the newly named roses sold this year to be split between the hospices.
Webbs Executive Chairman, Ed Webb, said, " What better way to show your loved one how much you will always care than giving them this beautiful red rose. Rather than cut flowers, which don't last long, the Love Never Dies rose can be planted so will remind you of your love year after year."
The rose is now on sale at Webbs, Wychbold and Webbs, West Hagley and is also available online at www.webbsdirect.co.uk
Webbs Houseplant Dept is best in UK
Delighted staff at Webbs, in Wychbold, are celebrating success after their Houseplant Department has come out top in the UK.
The family-owned firm was the highest scoring in the UK after rigorous inspection by The Garden Centre Association (GCA), the organisation representing the best garden retailers in Britain.
Judges took into account the range, quality and presentation of the plants and how they are marketed. Webbs is also the GCA Best Garden Centre in the Midlands.
The number one choice of houseplants by customers at Webbs are orchids, with Phalaenopsisis as the best seller. Cyclamen and Poinsettia follow in the top three favourites. Webbs sells thousands of other plants, especially in mixed arrangements for Mother's Day, Easter and Christmas. Foliage are more unusual plants such as bonsai, cacti and insect-eating plants are also popular.
Executive Chairman Ed Webb said the firm is honoured to come out tops. "Plants are at the heart of Webbs and we strive to give our customers top quality, well presented plants which they can enjoy in their homes or give as lovely presents."
Webbs beat around 160 other garden retailers to score the highest. Each year, every GCA garden centre member goes through a very stringent standards audit where independent inspectors arrive unannounced and judge all aspects of their business.
