GCA Westland ‘Rising Stars’ workshop opens for ninth year
Squire’s Garden Centre in Badshot Lea was privileged to host this year?s Garden Centre Association (GCA) ?Rising Stars? workshop.
The GCA Westland Rising Stars programme aims to develop talent within the horticultural industry, and it is now in its ninth year.
Eighteen representatives from garden centres across the South were chosen to attend, and four of these were employees from Squire?s Garden Centres ? Chris Carpenter, Lisa Collingbourne, Alex Cawley and Lana Wright.
Former GCA inspector Ian Boardman ran the workshop which gives candidates masterclasses on various topics. Industry expert Peter Seabrook, who writes for Amateur Gardening and The Sun, and was a former TV presenter on Gardener?s World and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, was also there to impart his wealth of horticultural knowledge to the candidates.
The 10 best candidates will be shortlisted for further challenges, culminating in the announcement of the overall national winner at the GCA Conference next January.
Sarah Squire, Squire?s deputy chairman, said: ?We are so pleased to have four representatives from Squire?s on this workshop.
?Over the years a number of our colleagues have performed really well on the ?Rising Stars? programme with several of our participants going onto senior roles within our organisation, including becoming garden centre managers.
?We are delighted to support this initiative which inspires, trains and enthuses the next generation of garden centre talent.?
