Here’s a summary of the news that has filled the Gardenforum pages in 2012. It is dominated by the impact of the weather and perhaps the economy. The story is open to all our readers. See more... Read more - open to all

Bord na Móna UK has appointed Claire Ball as Business Development Manager to cover the South West area.   Read more - open to all

Jo Davey from Suffolk has this month (December, 2012) been appointed as a new Account Manager for Floramedia. Read more - open to all

Peter Rush is to be the new chief executive of William Sinclair. He was the group managing director of Hozelock for almost 5 years. See more... Read more - members only

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) awarded Eve Tigwell, the well known garden centre consultant, its Jubilee Medal in honour of her committed devotion to the Trust at its annual conference on 8th December 2012 in Swanwick, Derbyshire.  Read more - open to all

Members of the horticultural industry gathered in London recently (November 2012) to officially bid farewell to the previous Garden Centre Association (GCA) Chief Executive. Read more - open to all

Scotsdales Garden Centre, near Cambridge was awarded the accolade of UK Garden Centre of the Year at the 27th “Graines d’Or ceremony, which took place in Paris on 5th December. Read more - open to all

A gardening writer and the owner of the Dillon Garden in Ireland will be delivering a talk at Writtle College this week as part of the James Hearsum Lecture Series. Read more - open to all

Delamore are delighted to announce the appointment of their new Sales Director Chris Finlay. He brings over 30 years of horticultural knowledge and experience, beginning as a student at Merrist Wood then moving on to sales management in the landscape industry. Read more - open to all

Patrick Chapman recently joined the team at Q Lawns turf growers as Logistics Manager with the challenging task of improving the Company’s delivery service across the whole range of soft landscaping products. Read more - open to all

EP Barrus, which represents a number of brands within the gardening industry, has appointed a marketing executive to look after well-respected brands like WOLF-Garten, Wilkinson Sword and Cub Cadet in the Lawn & Garden and Tools Divisions. Read more - open to all

Mark Taylor from Robins Bridge Nursery and Plant Centre was presented with a smartphone recently (November, 2012) from one of the UK’s leading horticultural design and print companies. Read more - open to all

Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre is celebrating this week (November 19, 2012) after being named as Somerset’s best family-run business at the annual Somerset Business Awards. Read more - open to all

Television presenter James Wong returned to Writtle College last night to give an engaging talk about edible plant species in Essex that we can all grow in our back gardens. Read more - open to all

The entrants ranged from biscuits to chutneys in a chilli competition testing the culinary skills of students at Writtle College. Read more - open to all

The Director of Conservation, Living Collections and Estates at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, will be coming to Writtle College in January. Read more - open to all

Steve Harper is leaving his role as managing director of Vital Earth after five years in the post. Read more - open to all

Brintex, organisers of the Totally DIY & Totally Tools shows, has appointed a new show director to run the shows in their new home at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. Read more - open to all

Chris Harrop, group marketing director, responsible for sustainability, at Marshalls plc. has been appointed Chair of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) UK Network. Read more - open to all

Downing Street is sparkling with festive cheer, following the presentation of this year’s Christmas tree by the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA). Read more - open to all

Malcolm Scott Consultants have secured an important planning permission for major development proposals at Highfield Garden World in Gloucestershire. Read more - open to all

Plants For Europe is delighted to announce that Helen Spencer has joined the company. Read more - open to all

Somerset based compost manufacturer, Durston Garden Products Ltd, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ruth Green as National Sales Manager. Read more - open to all

Schoolchildren who have learned to love healthy food – with support from Garden Organic – received a visit from HRH The Prince of Wales and Jamie Oliver yesterday (November 27). Read more - open to all

Westland Horticulture continues to strengthen and develop within the gardening industry.  This growth is highlighted with the development of the Westland Sales team and the appointment of Tony Nelson as Head of Sales for UK Independents and Simon Mulholland moving into the position of Regional Manager for the Northern territory. Read more - open to all

Two Writtle College students have been given prestigious prizes from the Worshipful Gardeners’ Company. Read more - open to all

Robert Harkness the rose grower and breeder died earlier this month at the age of 61 after a fight with cancer.  See more for a tribute. Read more - open to all

The new £2.3 million restaurant opened 12 months ago at the Haskins Garden Centre at West End, Southampton, has seen a 75% rise in turnover compared to original restaurant. Read more - open to all

The newest name in domestic cylinder lawnmowers, Allett Mowers from Hixon in Staffordshire, has recruited another new member of the management team. Read more - open to all

Glencrest Seatex Ltd are pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Lucas as Area Sales Manager for East Anglia. Read more - open to all