Garden Centre treats locals spending Christmas alone

Christmas came early for a group of Ottery residents who were treated to a special festive celebration at Otter Garden Centre on Monday, December 16.

The event, held in the garden centre’s beautifully decorated conservatory, provided a warm and welcoming atmosphere for older locals who would be spending Christmas Day alone.

51 guests attended the free Christmas party, enjoying a traditional festive meal complete with roast turkey, a vegetarian option, and a selection of delicious puddings. The meal was followed by coffee, and to further enhance the Christmas spirit, wine was served, and the all-important Christmas crackers were pulled.

The event was made possible with the help of 9 volunteers from the Ottery Help Scheme, who assisted with transportation and supported the event’s smooth running.

Talented pianist Bruce provided musical entertainment throughout the afternoon, with guests joining in for carol singing to end the celebration on a festive note.

Jacqui Taylor, Managing Director of Otter Garden Centres, said: “The Christmas season can be really lonely for those on their own and I hope this shows they are not forgotten. It was heartwarming to see so many locals having such a lovely time.”

The event was organised by former Mayor Glyn Dobson and his wife Gay, who were praised for their dedication to the community. Despite his retirement, Glyn remains active in local initiatives, always finding ways to bring joy to those around him. “We would all like to say a special thank you to former Mayor Glyn Dobson and his wife Gay who organised the party. Even though he’s retired, Glyn is always thinking about ways of bringing happiness to the local community,” Jacqui Taylor added.

This festive celebration was part of Otter Garden Centres’ 60 Good Deeds campaign, marking the company’s 60th year in business. The campaign, inspired by the late Betty Williams and her ‘lunch for the lonely at Christmas’ initiative at the Lamb and Flag, aims to support the local community during the holiday season.

Otter Garden Centre’s commitment to spreading festive cheer was evident, and the event brought much-needed joy to residents, reinforcing the importance of community and connection during the Christmas season.

Founded by Malcolm and Marilyn White in 1964, Otter Garden Centres began as a modest plant business run from a mobile home in Ottery St Mary. Over the decades, the flagship site has grown into one of the UK’s largest garden centres, anchoring a family-owned business that now includes seven centres across the South West.

Otter Garden Centres is notable for growing most of its own plants and for adopting eco-friendly practices long before they became mainstream. For 30 years, the company has avoided chemical use, opting for biological controls, and has recently expanded its green initiatives with solar panels, biomass boilers, rainwater harvesting systems, and peat-free composts.

Now led by Malcolm and Marilyn’s daughters, Jacqui Taylor (Managing Director) and Cathy White (IT Director), along with their grandchildren, the business remains committed to its family values and environmental stewardship.