Former Lebanese hostage, John McCarthy, leads a list of high-profile speakers at this year’s one-day HTA conference that will look at how the consumer and the marketplace is changing. However, there will be space for only 150 delegates. See more... Read more - members only

Barry Stevenson, chief executive of Wyevale from June 2006 to January 2008, under the chairmanship of Jim Hodkinson, has a new job. He is to become chief executive of pawnbroker Albemarle & Bond. See more… Read more - members only

Former GCA chairman Steve Myatt, who sold his garden centre in April, has started a new business as an importer of barbecues. See more... Read more - members only

There is an important new qualification that garden centre managers and supervisers can work towards. It has been developed by Kingston Maurward College, validated by Bournemouth University and backed by the HTA and GCA. See more... Read more - members only

Martin Stewart is to become GCA chairman for a second time, in January. His aim is to strengthen links with suppliers. GRO will continue but he said there was no logic in it for core gardening. See more... Read more - members only

ITV’s Alan Titchmarsh Show and the RHS have launched the search for the People's Gardener. They are seeking nominations for anyone whose passion for gardening benefits their community in some way. See more... Read more - members only

Highlights of last night's Garden Retail Awards include 3 wins for the newly refurbished Sidmouth Garden Centre and a Lifetime Achievement Award for Whitehall Garden Centre's centenarian owner Phyllis Self. For all the winners, see more... Read more - members only

According to the Harrow Times, the boss of Shoots Garden Centre, Stanmore, has accused Trading Standards of entrapment after it sent a child test purchaser into his shop for a pruning saw. See more... Read more - members only

Yesterdays interview with new Gardeners World presenter, Toby Buckland, in the Sunday Times should reassure the garden industry. Buckland believes the key to becoming an environmentally friendly gardener is to grow your own food. “If having a successful crop means using non-organic methods, so be it,” he says. See more... Read more - members only

Jim Hagedorn, chairman and chief executive of Scotts Miracle-Gro has appointed a retailer as his new chief operating officer (COO). Mark Baker was president and CEO of Gander Mountain, a leading outdoor retailer in the US and before that he was with Home Depot. See more... Read more - members only

Wyevale Garden Centres Ltd today announced the appointment of Andrew Livingston as Chief Operating Officer with immediate effect. See more... Read more - members only

Todd Bachman, the tourist killed in Beijing on Saturday, was a leading member of the garden centre industry in the United States. His wife, Barbara, remains in a critical condition after the stabbing. See more… Read more - members only

This year’s salary survey by the HTA shows that garden centre managers continue to be paid more than a nursery manager. The average plant area manager is paid £19,500 and nursery workers in the Southern region remain the highest paid with average wages of £14700. Sales manager salaries have grown 8%. For details see more... Read more - members only

Flying Brands has announced that Tricia Killen will replace Mark Dugdale as the Group's Chief Executive. See more... Read more - members only

GIMA President Glynn Davis, who stood down as the Association's leader shortly before Christmas, has returned to the garden products supply industry and so is eligible to retake his GIMA role. See more... Read more - members only

Haxnicks managing director Damian Cardozo survived some exciting moments as he flew the world's first electric powered paramotor to Africa powered by panels donated by Smart Solar. See more... Read more - members only

Armed robbers ambushed the manager of Barton Grange Garden Centre and his assistant forcing them to open the safe. See more... Read more - members only

Read what was said last weekend in the Press. Heinz targets garden centres with BBQ sauces, Dobbies to offer allotments and shoppers flinch at Smith & Hawken closing down sale. See more... Read more - members only

Twelve heroes from across the gardening world are being honoured by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), in recognition of their contributions to horticulture Read more - members only

Tommy Gill, head of Bayer Garden, is leaving after 7 years. This is the second big departure from Bayer in 12 months. See more... Read more - members only

Gardenforum reported on 18 garden centres changing hands last year. There was also the demise of wholesaler Spread, and a difficult year for Sir Tom Hunter’s investments in Dobbies, Flying Brands and Wyevale. For a review of 2008 and what to watch in 2009, see 'more'... (This article open to non-subscribers to see what you missed!) Read more - open to all

Managing director, Andy Bestwick, is to leave Gardman in January. For the time being, his role will be covered by the company’s new Chief Executive, Mark Pearson, who starts next week. See more… Read more - members only

GRO has appointed a buyer for garden dry goods. He has started to contact suppliers who have indicated their willingness to talk to the new, GCA backed, garden centre buying group. See more... Read more - members only

The latest updates in Company Results show a return to profit for Forest Garden. Smart Solar sales top £10m and Blue Diamond sales reach £19.8m in the UK. See more (this article is open to all readers)... Read more - open to all

Sir Tom Hunter is to assume the chairmanship of Wyevale with Nicholas Marshall, currently chief executive of Country Homes and Gardens taking over the role of chief executive officer. See more... Read more - members only

Toby Buckland is to become the main presenter of the BBC's Gardeners' World programme, it has been announced. Read more - members only

The first area winners have been declared in the competition to find this year's Best GCA Garden Centre. The awards, following judging in the North Thames and South Thames areas, were announced at two recent ceremonies. To see the winners, see more... Read more - members only

Significant training grants are available for HTA members to take advantage of through the Women and Work project, managed by Lantra Sector Skills Council for the environmental and land-based sector. See more... Read more - members only

This month’s Garden Retail carries an interview with Sir Tom Hunter. He says he is seeking to develop his 124 Wyevale Garden Centres business into a chain of shopping malls for the 60-plus baby-boomer generation. See more... Read more - members only

Nicci and Neil Gow have bought Burcot Garden Centre. Nicci will run the garden centre while Neil continues as director of GIMA. See more... Read more - members only