Guernsey Press

Grow celebrates 35 years by recognising long-standing crew

by Zoe Fitch zfitch@guernseypress.com

Published
Left to right, Grow Ltd chairman Mark Dunster, with long-standing crew members Simon Ozanne and Patrick Le Tissier, and the Bailiff Sir Richard Collas. (Picture by Ben Fiore)

GROW Ltd celebrates its 35th birthday this year and there have been a lot of changes since it began.

Guernsey’s Rural Occupational Workshop, the first of its kind in the Channel Islands, was founded by the Guernsey Society for the Mentally Handicapped (now Guernsey Mencap LBG) and officially opened by the then Bailiff, Sir Charles Frossard, on 14 July 1984.

It seeks to provide training and a sheltered work environment in horticulture for people with a learning disability.

At a special celebration to honour two long-standing crew members on Saturday, the Bailiff Sir Richard Collas said it was a wonderful achievement to celebrate during the charity’s 35th year.

‘I know you do so much good work for the island here at Grow and the many plants you have on display add to the beauty of Guernsey which I know lots of people appreciate,’ he said.

‘This is an exciting time for Grow with some ambitious plans in the pipeline and such great care is taken over what you do so I wish you even more success for the next 35 years and beyond.’

Mark Dunster took on the role of chairman at the start of this year after the previous chairman, Patrick Palmer, retired following several years with the charity.

Mr Dunster’s aim is to carry on the good work at Grow but also push towards the next stage to cater for the next generation of crew.

‘We have reached the stage now where we want to expand what’s available.

‘The greenhouses are coming to the end of their lives, some of our facilities need improving so we can help more people – even double the number of crew members we have.’

Without Grow, islanders with learning and social difficulties have limited workplace opportunities and training in a safe environment.

‘They don’t just learn about growing, they’re here in the day being physically and mentally active, interacting with people, learning new skills. This is a real benefit to the island and I am honoured to be involved,’ he said.

The charity has big plans to expand and develop the site and although discussions are still ongoing, Mr Dunster hoped local people and businesses would help out with the financials when the time comes.

‘We are a social enterprise business and I hope the planning committee recognises that we just want to carry on doing what we do but better.

‘It would be a great shame if our desire to help people was thwarted by complications in the planning department.’

He added: ‘I hope islanders take the time to come and look at what we have on offer here – it’s five times bigger and better inside than the already impressive selection of flowers and produce you can see from the road.’