Exciting times ahead

As we enter a new year, we would like to take the opportunity to reflect on a few of the memories of 2013 and what we can expect in 2014...


One of the abiding images of 2013 was of the wonderful summer we experienced. For gardeners across Somerset, the warmth and plentiful sunshine helped produce some of the best displays of flowers we have seen for many years. Good weather somehow has a knack of lifting peoples’ spirits and giving homes of all sizes a ‘new outside’ living area that can be enjoyed late into the summer evenings. Outside living wouldn’t be complete with a summer BBQ and the sizzling sounds and smells of food cooked over an open flame. For many, the BBQ season expended well into the mild winter months.

At the garden centre we also held a number of events to celebrate traditional family events including Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and many pet handling days, which enabled children of all sizes to meet creatures they would ordinarily not be exposed to on a daily basis. Our classic car show again attracted some wonderful machines and provided enthusiasts both young and old with the opportunity to get close to the action. We also continued to support many of our local schools and charities with fund raising events and ‘plant a tree’ initiatives to help ensure our local community has the best chance of a future filled with wonderful trees.

As we say goodbye to 2013, we also can reflect on the festive season and Christmas Day and the time spent with family and friends. In the run up to Christmas it was as ever just wonderful to see the joy that Father Christmas is able to bring to little children. It our fast moving and ever changing world, increasingly filled with computer games and technology, it is amazing to see one of the oldest traditions still be high up on the list special moments. For those who did have to queue we thank you for your patience.

Looking forward to 2014 we will be starting to work on the building of our new restaurant which forms a big part of the future vision of Monkton Elm. There will be lots of activity around the garden centre with all the enablement works commencing in January. The building of the main restaurant which will be situated at the top of the plant area (near the current children’s playground) will commence in July after the busy spring season. Our building schedule is designed to cause as little disruption to the garden centre as possible, but there will inevitably be some inconvenience. We hope to have the main building complete by the end of 2014 and to start operating in early 2015. We are very excited about the future and being able to continue to provide good wholesome food in a welcoming and relaxing environment.

Although we are all very excited about this development and the next stage of our future, we are determined to ensure we don’t forget that we are still a family run independent garden centre with plants at the core of our business. Our staff are knowledgeable, friendly and helpful and very much an integral part of the success of the business today. As we enter 2014 we will continue to work as a team with the objective of ensuring all customers of all ages enjoy their experience at Monkton Elm and are happy to share their experience with friends and family.

Mike Lind - MD