It's time to open the Canopy - everyone is invited!
It’s been a busy summer at Groves as work has been underway to install a smart new entrance canopy and undercover plant area for the garden centre. To launch the new space, the team are holding a Canopy Opening Day on Saturday 21st September and all Groves customers and friends are invited to say thank you for everyone’s support.
With masses of exciting activities for the whole family, make sure you say hello to special fur-family guests Shirley and Valentine, pygmy goats from Flowerdew Farm, who are on hand to give a natural wellbeing boost. Plus children’s entertainment with the ever-popular Strawberry Jam and fun facepainting to keep little ones amused.
Groves will be joined by local traders and organisations including Dorset Wildlife Trust, The Pondscapers and West Dorset Beekeepers Association.
- Dorset Nectar are bringing their award-winning artisan Dorset ciders, apple juice and vinegars and will be selling warm mulled cider in the canopy
- Oskuhus will be there with Icelandic inspired antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ash tree food and drink
- Handmade soap from Jurassic coast company Coastline Soaps will transport you to the heart of the Dorset countryside
- Abbey Farm Flowers are bringing along lovely seasonal bouquets from their 'pick your own' historic setting in Abbotsbury
- Find Dorset based Timber & Black at their Shepherd's Hut in the canopy, chat to them about gorgeous wooden structures for your garden
Enjoy music from local musician Pete Dixon in the morning, morris dancers Wyld Morris will be performing and playing music 12.30pm to 2pm, followed by Dorset based a cappella group Ladies of the Lawn serenading visitors from 2.30pm until 4pm.
You can really make an outing of it exploring the new undercover area and beyond, there’ll be cocktails and mocktails from DarkBear and Ivy House Kitchen is open for refreshments throughout the day.
Of course, there’s plenty for gardeners too with live planting demos from the Groves team as well as a wide range of Spring bulbs, hardy and seasonal plants, trees, compost, garden tools and other gardening essentials.
Join the live planting demos at:
10.30am & 2.30pm Transforming your patio pots & baskets from summer into autumn, with Becky Groves
11.30am & 3.30pm Planting bulbs for a blaze of spring colour, with Ben Clutton
Don't miss the chance to win a hamper of goodies, all Privilege Card holders who buy something at the tills on the day will be automatically entered into our prize draw - we'll be contacting the winner by email so make sure yours is up to date! Visit the signup stand on the day if you don't already have a card.
All of this with the help of the star of the show- the new canopy! Designed to provide cover for browsing outdoor plants at Groves regardless of the weather, the light and bright space is multi-functional and offers a seasonally changing area for customers to browse in comfort.
Groves Canopy Opening Day runs from 10am to 4pm and you don’t need to book in advance. The whole team are excited to celebrate the successful new installation and can’t wait to show it off!
