STAFF at a Somerset garden centre are celebrating this February (2010) after hearing they have been awarded a top gardening accolade.
The team at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre at Monkton Heathfield recently scooped the Garden Industy Manufacturers Association (GIMA) award at the Garden Centre Association’s (GCA) Annual Conference in Warwick.
Norma Moore, General Manager of the family-run garden centre, which is located between Bridgwater and Taunton, said: “We are delighted to receive this distinguished gardening award.”
The GIMA award rewards excellence across several product categories, including garden care products, peat and compost, garden ornaments and garden construction and landscape products.
Norma added: “It is an honour to be recognised for the service we provide to our customers. Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre is built upon strong values that instil the importance of providing gardeners with a comprehensive range of the best quality products at the best price possible.
“The award is a testament to the hard work of both the staff and management. We will endeavour to continue this effort throughout 2010.”
The GCA represents more than 150 garden centres across the country. Every member of the GCA is subject to an in-depth annual inspection by independent experts and those scoring highest in key categories are honoured at the annual GCA awards.
Ian Boardman, Senior Inspector for the GCA, said: “We were delighted to be able to present Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre with this award. It’s fantastic that Norma and the garden centre team have been recognised for all their hard work. It’s also brilliant that independent garden centres such as Monkton Elm can win against stiff competition from the larger companies.”
For more information, please drop in to Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre, which is located just off the A38 at Monkton Heathfield between Bridgwater and Taunton, or call 01823 412381.
Photograph caption: (Front, from left to right) Shop Manager at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre, Steve Searle and Pots and Furniture Assistant, Jason Thorne with (back, from left to right) Gardening Hall Buyer, Dean Wildman, General Manager of the garden centre, Norma Moore, Seasonal and Bedding Supervisor, Jane Earthy and Patio Manager, Chris Hawkins celebrate winning the GIMA award at the GCA’s Annual Conference.