The Nursery took on the role of advising the Rhyl in Bloom Committee and in providing the plants, planters and mossed baskets that can now be seen across the town.

Northop Nurseries became involved with the project at the request of MP Chris Ruane, they have since met with the committee providing guidance through the planning and development, helping to identify areas that needed specialist attention.

The Nursery’s operations were fully supported by students on the Entry to Horticulture qualification at Northop College, who aided in the growing and nurturing of bedding, patio, pot plants and coastal shrubs that were produced for the Rhyl in Bloom project.

Rhyl in Bloom Committee Treasurer, Eric C. Black MBE commented: “I would like to thank Northop Nurseries and the students from Northop College for the help with plant selection and advice, which has proved successful. I hope our association will continue into the future”.

Northop Nurseries Sales Supervisor, Alex Woodward said: “All of the staff at Northop Nurseries and the Northop College students, who have been involved in this project, are extremely proud of this huge success. It has been a pleasure working alongside other local businesses as part of a wider project to regenerate the town. We are looking forward to next year”.

The wholesale plant nursery based at the Northop College site, won the Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council summer bedding contract at the beginning of the year.  The operation, which is now complete, has seen the nursery produce over 115,000 plants for the contract which covered the 200 flower beds in the council’s region.

The contract was fully supported by the Northop College, Entry to Horticulture course, with students assisting the Northop Nurseries team in plant preparation and care during the initial growth stages and also in the distribution stages of the operation.

Dave Barkley, Street Scene Operations Manager at Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council said: “Northop Nurseries have provided all of Knowsley MBC’s 2011 summer bedding plants. Northop have supplied over 115,000 bedding plants this season in over 50 varieties which have been planted in Knowlsey’s 200 flower beds, this has logistically been a challenging piece of work for the borough and the staff at Northop Nurseries.

“The team have provided an excellent service both in terms of quality and their flexibility to deliver the plants in accordance with the specific requirements of our bedding programme”.   

Alex Woodward, Northop Nurseries Sales Supervisor said: “This has been a challenging but fantastic project to work on.  The flower beds in Knowsley look wonderful; they are certainly something that the Northop College students should be proud of working on”.

The staff and students have used their skills to ensure another year of success for Holywell Town Council. Northop Nurseries Manager Ian Lea said: “I am very proud of all the hard work the students and staff of Northop Nurseries have shown in putting together another award winning display. There is a lot of skill involved in creating the baskets and planters that are made to Northop Nurseries precise specification.”

The Wales in Bloom Foundation is committed to fostering Civic Pride, Environmental Responsibility and to encourage improvement to the quality of life through Community Involvement. The Competition is open to Cities, Towns and Villages in addition to Hotels, Caravan Parks and Commercial or Retail businesses.

Wales in Bloom aims to make Wales environmentally friendly by eliminating Graffiti, Dog Fouling, Fly Posting and to promote Sustainable Planting, Floral Displays and making Wales a more beautiful place to live and visit.

Colin Pierce, Holywell Town Clerk said: “The Council once again wishes to express its appreciation to Northop Nurseries and the team for the excellent service they have provided this year and in previous years with the provision of floral displays in the town.”

Holywell also achieved a joint win with Mold in Flintshire County Council’s Environmental Competition in the Best Kept Town Centre Category for a community with a population over 5,000.

Colin added: “The consistent high standards received from Northop Nurseries have played an important part in the Council’s continued successes.”

For more information please contact Claire Nicholson or Nicola Williams on 01244 831531 ext 4108.

Northop Nurseries, provided by Deeside College, played host to the reception and nursery classes and spent the afternoon with the children answering their questions and showing them around the Nursery. The children, aged between three and five wanted to gain information on the plant nursery business and they asked Ian Lea, Nursery Manager inquisitive questions like ‘why do you use compost?’ and ‘how often do you give the plants a drink?’

Sian Wynn from Ysgol Owen Jones arranged the visit to Northop Nurseries to gain inspiration for the children. They will be going back to the school to grow their own plants which they will sell in their ‘garden centre’. The aim of the project is to allow the children to play the parts of garden centre staff which will encourage their communication through role playing. Sian Wynn said ‘The children had a great afternoon and asked many questions; we feel at Ysgol Owen Jones that preparing for the world of work and entrepreneurialism is a key aspect of our learning. We have very good links with Northop Nurseries, Deeside College and are always looking for ways to strengthen this. We have been working hard to develop our outdoor area and older children will be growing their own flowers and vegetables.’

Following the question and answer session the children then went onto carrying out some practical activities which saw them all get their hands dirty. They took great pleasure in planting their lettuce and cress seeds and potting up some marigolds which will become their first stock to sell.

Ian Lea, Northop Nurseries manager said, ‘It has been a highly enjoyable afternoon seeing the enthusiasm shown by the children and their delight in planting their own pots to take back to school. I’m sure that their school project will be highly successful and we are glad to offer our support to the local primary school.’

For further information, please contact Nicola Williams or Vicky Barwis on 01244 834531.

Lead by Floristry tutor, Jenny Wallis, the students spent the morning decorating the glasshouse with wreaths, baubles and a Christmas tree whilst other students made hyacinth bowls, window troughs and Christmas baskets. The event gave the students increased commercial experience which along with the pictorial evidence that they took away will aid in them completing the commercial module on their course.

Ian Lea, Northop Nurseries Manager said “This has been an excellent opportunity for the floristry students to gain experience of working with a commercial business, from the briefing stage to the transformation of the glasshouse and the design and construction of planters. I’m sure that all our visitors on Friday for our Christmas Launch will be equally impressed by their creations. We would like to thank them for all their hard work.”

Northop Nurseries supplies to them all!!

See the article here: http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/news/76832/flintshire-town-wins-wales-in-bloom-prize-for-second-year-running.aspx

Northop Nurseries attended a Sustainability Event at Deeside College on the 1st July 2009. Staff put together this wonderful display for the event.

It was a great opportunity for Northop Nurseries to work alongside staff from Deeside College and help contribute towards making the event a success.

Northop Nurseries supplies to them all!!

See the article here: http://www.eveningleader.co.uk/news/76832/flintshire-town-wins-wales-in-bloom-prize-for-second-year-running.aspx