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News Archive
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NOVEMBER 2011

ARCH wins Green Apple Environment award!

As usual, there has been plenty going on at ARCH over the last month. Unfortunately, we have had to close the Plant & Aquatic Centre at the end of October. However, some of you may remember that we have won a National Green Apple Environmental Award, for our various “In Bloom” projects which has involved all areas of the community. We have been to the House of Commons to collect it and are proud to say that we have won “GOLD” in the Community Category – can’t get much better than that! We were totally shocked but thrilled at the same time. Thank you to everyone who has been involved with this, your support is very much appreciated.

Please do remember, that whilst the Plant Centre has now closed we are still in contact with our suppliers and are happy to obtain and deliver plants, composts, pond plants and pond accessories etc as we have always done, to ARCH Gardening customers.

Tool Amnesty: ARCH have teamed up with the Stevenage Furniture Recycling Scheme - www.stevenagefrs.org.uk – so if they are offered any garden related equipment, that they would normally refuse, we shall be able to take this and distribute it throughout the area. Just recently we have been able to donate 2 oak saplings, a shed and a greenhouse to 3 different groups. So don’t forget, should you have any unwanted garden equipment, we would happily ensure that they are used in the community on various projects.

In Bloom 2012: Work has already started on the planning for Stevenage, Hitchin & Letchworth in Bloom for next year. We shall be entering the 3 towns into the RHS “Anglia in Bloom” competition, as well. So next year is already looking busy and that’s before the Olympics and Queen’s Jubilee!

If you can help ARCH Community Group in any way, either as a volunteer to help with admin, fundraising, sponsorship or anything that we haven’t thought of yet, then please call Steve or myself on 01438 233554 for further information.

OCTOBER 2011

ARCH COMMUNITY GROUP
“Flowers, Bees, Butterflies, Trees”

NATWEST AWARD

The Community Group have been successful in applying for a NatWest CommunityForce award. To help us win up to £6000, please vote online for the ARCH Community Group project on: natwest.com/communityforce.

INBLOOM

Both the Stevenage in Bloom and Hitchin/Letchworth in Bloom presentation evenings are being held this month. All the finalists are invited to the evening to see who has won. You can check the local press for details of all the winners.

SEPTEMBER 2011

ARCH COMMUNITY GROUP
“Flowers, Bees, Butterflies, Trees”

Thank you for all your good wishes and congratulations received after the announcement of our environmental award, it is much appreciated. I shall keep you updated on any more news as it arrives.

We have finished the judging of “In Bloom” and are busy arranging the presentation evenings for the winners of Stevenage, Hitchin & Letchworth in Bloom. Do you know anyone that entered?

Don’t forget our ongoing Tool Amnesty: If you have had a spring clean of your garden shed or garage and have any unwanted hand tools, we would happily take them and ensure that they are used in the community on our various projects.

AUGUST 2011

ARCH wins Green Apple Award!

Read article in Horticulture week

ARCH based in Gosmore and Stevenage has won a Green Apple Environment Award in the national campaign to find Britain’s greenest companies, councils and communities, for their In Bloom competition for Stevenage, Hitchin and Letchworth.
They competed against more than 500 other nominations and will be presented with their Green Apple Award at a glittering presentation ceremony in the House of Commons on November 14th.
As a result of this success they have been invited to have their winning paper published in The Green Book, the leading international work reference on environmental best practice, so that others around the world can follow their example and learn from their experience.
They will also be considered to represent their country in the European Business Awards for the environment.
The Green Apple Awards began in 1994 and has become established as the country’s major recognition for environmental endeavour among companies, councils, communities and countries.
The awards are organised by The Green Organisation, an independent, non-political, non-activist, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising and promoting environmental best practice.
Judges for the Green Apple Awards are drawn from the Environment Agency, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the Chartered Institution for Wastes Management and other independent bodies.
If you would like to find out more about the work that ARCH are doing please contact Steve on 01462 420 598

News from Utility Warehouse, a sponsor of ARCH Community Group

“2 HOT OFFERS FOR JULY” Save money on your utility bills with one easy phone call and at the same time raise money for ARCH Community Group.

Call 0800 131 300 quoting reference no. E98461.

You can also visit www.utilitywarehouse.co.uk/E98461, for further information.

July 2011

IN BLOOM - LAST CHANCE!!

This month is the last opportunity to enter Stevenage, Letchworth & Hitchin “In Bloom 2011”. Whether it is your garden or you want to nominate a neighbour, a community garden or business, do get your applications in.

May/June 2011

TOOL AMNESTY
Please don’t forget our ongoing Tool Amnesty: If you have had a spring clean of your garden shed or garage and have any unwanted hand tools, we would happily take them and ensure that they are used in the community on our various projects.
If you have any spare gardening tools please contact me.

Date for your diary: Sunday June 19th – Wildwatch Day in Stevenage Town Centre Gardens.
We will be joining forces with Stevenage Council to bring you this free event to learn about the wildlife around us, including wildflowers, bat, bees and of course, ponds.

SAVE MONEY AND HELP A CHARITY!!
Save money on your utility bills with one easy phone call and at the same time raise money for ARCH Community Group. Call 0800 131 300 quoting reference no. E98461.
You can also visit www.utilitywarehouse.co.uk/E98461, or further information.

APRIL 2011 - ARCH COMMUNITY - **NOW LAUNCHED!!**

Our "In Bloom" launch was on Saturday 26th March, at The Wymondley Community garden.

Thank you to all of you that attended. The entry forms for Stevenage, Letchworth & Hitchin in Bloom are available from the Plant Centre.

Tool Amnesty: With the large number of groups that we are getting involved with, i.e. schools and community gardens, there always seems to be a shortage of basic tools. So if you have had a spring clean of your garden shed or garage and have any unwanted hand tools, we would happily take them and ensure that they are used in the community on these projects.

If you feel you would like to help ARCH Community Group in any way, either as a volunteer to help with admin, fundraising, sponsorship or anything that we haven’t thought of yet, then please call Steve or myself on 01462 420598 for further information.

For further information about ARCH Community please email me.

RAISING FUNDS FOR PRINCE’S TRUST - GOLF DAY
www.princes-trust.org.uk

Friday 10th September
The Prince’s Trust is holding a Golf Day to raise funds and teams of 4 are invited to play for the Charity Golf Trophy: Coffee/Tea/Bacon Roll on arrival / Shotgun - 18 hole Stableford / Putting Competition/Nearest the Pin/Longest Drive / Buffet Supper/Raffle/Prize Giving.
If you know of anyone that would like to take part please contact me.

EXCITING NEWS!!!! for 2010

As many of you know, ARCH has been supporting Stevenage in Bloom for a number of years, with ARCH Plant & Aquatic Centre co-ordinating the event last year. Due to the success of the campaign, ARCH Plant & Aquatic Centre will again be running Stevenage in Bloom, but also Hitchin in Bloom and Letchworth in Bloom! Look out for the logos below and get ready to support your local area.

Made in Hertfordshire Crafts Event March 2010

The “Made in Hertfordshire” Craft event held at ARCH Plant & Aquatic Centre on 21st March was a great success, with over £300 being raised for the Prince’s Trust. So, “Thank You” to those of you who supported the event.

Arch Gardening - Runner up FSB award - June 2009

Finalist in the FSB awards - Investors in Training

click here for further information

APC

arch plant

Arch Plant Centre is unveiled!! - April 2009

After weeks of hard work Steve and Caroline opened their newest venture - ARCH Plant centre. The centre was officially opened by the Mayor & Mayoress of Stevenage. There was free Sunflower planting for kids and a selection of locally hand made crafts on display throughout the day, not forgetting the announcement of the winner of the photo competion, which helped to raise funds for the Princes Trust along with our donation of £4 per Rose purchased on the day.

Please see link to article on the Princes Trust website http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/news/090400_arch_plant_centre.aspx

The Plant Centre offers a Large Range of Plants and a Selection of pond
equipment including: Aquatic, Perennials, Shrubs, Bedding, Climbers, Small Trees, Pumps, Liners, Fish, also stocking a range of garden sundries.

Arch is supporting the Princes Trust - April 2009

The Princes Trust gives practical and financial support, developing key workplace skills such as confidence and motivation. Working with 14 to 30-year-olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law.

The Princes Trust, November 2008

Caroline, Founder of ARCH Gardening has been approached by The Prince's
Trust, - after all her hard work and involvement with the Stevenage In Bloom projects. We will have to see where this leads Caroline and her business...
- watch this space!

The PT approached Caroline to become a full volunteer (i.e. interviewed and accepted) so that she is able to sit on the Hertfordshire Fundraising committee to raise much needed funds for the various courses that the PT offer. Holding sports dinners, golf days, auctions and as a plant centre are selling a rose called The Princes Trust to raise monies. Arch also raise awareness for the Trust as it would appear that not many people know what they can offer and how they can help.

Hilary passes! September 2008

Hilary passes her RHS Level 2 qualification, Well done!

Tracey passes! July 2008

Tracey passes her hard landscaping course, Well done!

Your grass problems...a thing of the past!

ARCH has teamed up with a lawn expert - to solve your lawn problems including moss and ants

New Recruits! 2008

Rebecca and Katie have joined us.

Click on image below

Hertfordshire Business Awards November 2007

We are very pleased to announce we made it to the Shortlist for the Hertfordshire Business Awards finalists for the third time! This time we were in " The Business in the Community Award" category. Read more >

Tracey Passes Chainsaw Course!

To further enhance the work that ARCH Gardening can offer, we are pleased to announce that Tracey has now obtained her NPTC qualification (CS30 and CS31), which she recently completed at Shuttleworth Horticultural College. Tracey can now operate a chainsaw. Well done Tracey, we are proud of you. (Especially as she was the only female on the course!!) As well as that, all of our employees have attended a health & safety course, and have fully passed.

Celebrity Golf Day

The day was a huge success - although we didn't win, we didn't come last and we were the only all female team! Over £3,500 was raised for the various Stevenage in Bloom projects, with sponsorship, raffles and an auction. Photos from the day>

Stevenage in Bloom Sponsors

ARCH Gardening will be sponsors of Stevenage in Bloom, Anglia in Bloom and Britain in Bloom for 2007 once again. This has involved us in assisting the town, alongside the council, to make Stevenage a better place to live. We have been helping with the launch in February and the judging that is currently taking place, as well as Caroline being interviewed for the community DVD.

ARCH Gardening are new Members of the HTA

Newly joined the Horticultural Trade Association. ARCH Gardening was inspected and references were obtained. The HTA represents over 2500 garden centres and other garden retail businesses, landscapers, growers and suppliers to the garden trade.