Grow Ltd opens its doors as it strives for new training centre

GROW LTD’S annual open day had a special significance on Saturday.

Grow Ltd’s Stuart Smale giving a group a tour during the open day. (Pictures by Sophie Rabey, 29501393)

The organisation, which helps those with disabilities, is aiming to build an enhanced training centre, for which £1.5m. will be needed by October to enable work to begin.

The centre would be built at another location for which negotiations were ongoing with three entities.

‘Today is a way of not only raising funds but of showing people what we do and introducing them to our sponsored attendees which we know as crew members,’ said manager Eddie Higgins.

Julie Hyde, left, a chef lecturer at the College of FE, buying from Grow’s Carol Brehaut. (29501391)

The new centre is expected to cost £2.5m. to £3m. It will provide training in hospitality and retail as well as the existing horticultural aspect.

Chef lecturer at the Guernsey College of Further Education, Julie Hyde, 61, said she was a regular visitor to the premises in La Route des Coutanchez.

‘The quality of the plants here is excellent and there is always a good variety,’ she said.

‘The advice they give is fantastic from the best place to put the plants to how to look after them. The staff are friendly and they always remember your name.’

Ted and Angie Bartie, retired, said they too often went to Grow Ltd.

Angie and Ted Bartie were looking for fuchsias and tomato plants. (29501395)

‘I wanted a couple of fuchsias today and Ted wanted to look for tomatoes,’ said Mrs Bartie.

‘It’s for a good local cause and there’s always a lovely selection of plants.’

Nell Broome, 64, agreed. She said the plants were always of good quality.

‘I know some of the people who work here and they went out of their way to tell me about the open day so I thought I’d come and support it,’ she said.

There are currently eight full-time and two part-time members of staff at Grow Ltd.

Mr Higgins said the open day was timed to coincide with when they had the greatest amount of stock.

The staff and volunteers at Grow's open day. (29501389)

Previous events had attracted up to 500 people. Past open days had been shared with charities such as ActionAid and the GSPCA. For the past four or five years that has not happened because it has become so popular but Mr Higgins said they would consider sharing days again.

He was grateful to neighbours who helped by providing extra parking for the day.