We’re kicking off celebrations for our sixtieth anniversary celebrations with a special pledge set to benefit the communities local to our seven branches.
Our family-run business – which started in 1964 – will be carrying out 60 ‘good deeds’ across the coming year. We aim to achieve these by working with charities, schools and community organisations.
During January the leaders of the group are teaching their scouts about fire safety and fire-lighting skills, before introducing cooking over fire as an ongoing activity throughout the year.
Unable to have an open fire on their site, they approached us and we were delighted to offer them the fire pit.
This community-led group manages many important projects in our local town, Honiton.
One of these projects is maintaining the Hospiscare Garden at Kings House.
The team of volunteers wanted a female holly tree for the garden to provide a vital source of food for birds. Encouraging birds into the gardens is important for the residents as it gives them the opportunity to spend time in a quiet place with nature.
We were contacted by the group to ask us for expert help and advice to choose the right plants and furniture which would be low maintenance for an upcoming project.
There are a few boarders which runs alongside the paths around the hospital which the team wanted to plant up and make more useable by visitors.
Our Wincanton team were very happy to help support to choose the right plants and accessories for the job. We also contributed to the cause with a £100 gift voucher which the team will be back to spend in the Spring.
We were delighted to assist Ladybirds Day Nursery in enhancing their outdoor learning environment.
Upon their request for support in developing their outdoor space, particularly their forest walk and vegetable patch, we gladly provided a £100 gift voucher.
This contribution allowed them to acquire essential supplies that will undoubtedly enrich the children’s experiences and foster a deeper connection with nature.
We are thrilled to have played a part in nurturing a vibrant and engaging environment for the young minds at Ladybirds Day Nursery.
We take great pride in our exclusive Claire Hannah camellia being added to the National Camellia Trail at Mount Edgcumbe this March.
Originating from our own propagation efforts back in 1996, this stunning camellia is now exclusively cultivated and available for purchase at Otter Garden Centres.
Featuring a captivating coral pink hue and boasting an irregular semi-double bloom with 26 petals, Claire Hannah adds a touch of elegance to any garden.
Its addition to the collection gained attention, even making its way onto BBC Spotlight. Read more about it by clicking here.
Feniton is a nearby primary school, and we are committed to supporting local schools as much as we can.
Unfortunately, their year 1 wooden bench in the playground had deteriorated beyond repair, posing a safety risk for the children.
We were delighted to step in and provide them with a new, sturdy bench featuring a wood effect design. Not only is it visually appealing and practical, but it is also fully recyclable at the end of its lifespan.
We were thrilled to receive an email from Terry & Diane enquiring about the month of Otter’s 60th Anniversary and letting us know their 60th Wedding Anniversary is in March.
Being long-standing customers, first at Ottery St Mary and then at our Lymington Garden Centre, we couldn’t pass up the chance to join in the celebration with this lovely couple.
It was our pleasure to extend an invitation to Terry & Diane for a celebratory lunch at our Lymington Garden Centre, along with a few additional surprises. As a token of our appreciation, our team presented them with a potted rose fittingly named the Anniversary Rose.
We’re pleased to have supported our local Memory Cafe for Ottery Help Scheme by providing a lovely collection of plants and seeds.
Jill, the lead for the event, shared: “The attendees had lots of fun, a few spillages, and dirty hands, which all led to discussions about their gardening experiences!”
“As they departed, they clutched their pots, hopefully bringing happiness and some colour to their gardens, windowsills, or wherever they choose to place them!”
We were delighted to support MHA, the UK’s largest charity care provider dedicated to helping older people live well in later life.
Regular visitors to our Wincanton Garden Centre, the group, led by South Somerset Coordinator Emma, reached out for assistance with their Horticulture Day.
Aiming to introduce their members to Horticulture Therapy, they requested donations of plants, compost, and pots.
We were thrilled to contribute, providing everything they needed, including vibrant Geranium plants for the group to nurture and enjoy as they blossom into beautiful flowers this summer.
We proudly supported the Ottery St Mary 10k running race this month by providing our lovely canvas bags for all participants.
The race, held on Sunday, May 12th, took place on a very hot day, but the runners enjoyed every moment, making it a memorable event for everyone involved.
For the past decade, we have proudly supplied the club with bedding plants every spring and autumn, helping them enhance the town’s beauty despite their tight budget.
This year, in recognition of their hard work and dedication, we gifted them a £150 voucher to bolster their planting efforts.
The Gardening Club was able to combine this voucher with their existing budget, allowing them to purchase more plants than ever before.
Thanks to their tireless efforts and our contribution, Wincanton will soon be in full bloom, looking more vibrant and beautiful than ever!
We are delighted to support the New Forest Branch of the Parkinson’s Support Group. Our Otter Lymington Garden Centre regularly hosts this wonderful local group, providing a warm and welcoming space for everyone affected by Parkinson’s to meet, chat, and find mutual support.
As part of our 60 Good Deeds to celebrate our 60th anniversary, we were pleased to cover the costs for last week’s event, allowing attendees to enjoy a delicious slice of cake and a comforting cuppa on us.
Thank you to everyone who attended.
At the Hampton Court Flower Show last week, a local group of Exeter dentists were promoting good oral health through the connection between oral health, food, and gardening.
The mouth harbours over 700 different microbes, most of which are beneficial and aid in digestion and maintaining blood pressure, especially when consuming vegetables and plants.
However, when oral hygiene is neglected, harmful bacteria can cause gum problems and tooth decay. Good bacteria, supported by regular brushing, flossing, healthy eating, and avoiding sugary foods, protect tooth enamel.
Certain plants like menthol and eugenol have antibacterial properties, and a pre-agricultural diet rich in wild fruits and vegetables is associated with better oral health. Studies show vegetarians tend to have healthier gums compared to non-vegetarians.
Sugar-free alternatives like stevia and xylitol help prevent tooth decay and offer additional health benefits. Leafy greens, rich in nitrates, can improve blood pressure and exercise performance through nitrate-reducing bacteria in the mouth.
The dentists attempted to grow all of the plants themselves from seed, but after a challenging growing season, their plants were very small and hadn’t quite caught up in time for the show. They contacted us, and we donated some of the plants to ensure their design could truly come to life!
We were delighted to host the 60th Anniversary celebrations for Dr. Tucker and Dr. Tucker, marking their diamond anniversary! Long-time friends of Otter, it was a joy to celebrate this momentous occasion with them over the weekend.
Our celebration included a delicious lunch, enjoyed by all attendees, followed by a specially-made cake adorned with our lovely 60th topper. The day was filled with warmth, laughter, and cherished memories.
Congratulations, Dr. and Dr. Tucker, on 60 wonderful years together!
Our latest good deed came from the heart of our Wincanton coffee shop team.
After a tragic car accident, a team member’s fiancé was airlifted to South Mead Hospital by the Bristol Air Ambulance.
Although the family faced an unimaginable loss that day, they were deeply grateful for the air ambulance’s incredible service.
To support their vital work, we proudly contributed a beautiful garden cocoon chair, worth £299, as the main raffle prize in their fundraising efforts.
This gesture reflects our commitment to helping those who make a difference in our communities.
In August, the Aquatics team at our Ottery St Mary garden centre visited Ottery St Mary Primary School to tidy up and repair their wildlife pond.
Jim & Scott removed the old lining and replaced it with a brand new one and also replaced the wooden frame around the pond.
The result is a rejuvenated wildlife pond area which is home to many frogs and newts and will be a great place for children to learn when they return for the Autumn term in September!
Our Wincanton centre recently supported St Mary’s Primary school in Gillingham as part of our 60 Good Deeds. The centre donated a tree which will be planted on the site as part of their 20th Anniversary celebrations.
Our deputy manager Ian presented the tree to representatives from the school.
As part of our 60 Good Deeds initiative, we are proud to support our teams raising funds for vital charities.
Recently, Natalie from our Wincanton team took on an inspiring 8k walk in support of Alzheimer’s research, honouring the memory of her beloved Grandad.
This heartfelt effort reflects our commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Incredible effort from the fantastic Hospiscare team.
On Sunday 22nd September they managed to raise £297 at our charity tombola which is absolutely incredible! Thank you to everyone who supported and helped raise this impressive sum!
We were recently approached by Kirsty from ‘The Children with Cancer Charity,’ asking if we could provide a raffle prize for their fundraising event.
This cause holds special significance to her, as her own family has been personally affected by the devastating impact of childhood cancer.
Her 5-year-old grandson, Theodore, has been extremely brave, battling acute lymphatic leukaemia under the expert care of a wonderful medical team for the past year.
The Children with Cancer Charity’s support has been extraordinary for Theodore which is why we wanted to help.
We donated 20 cream tea vouchers, worth £250, and welcomed Kirsty into Otter Lymington to sell even more raffle tickets, all in support of this vital cause.
They had great success selling £1025 worth of tickets at Otter Lymington.
This weekend, we hosted a charity tombola at Otter Taunton in support of our charity of the year, Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.
This vital service plays a crucial role in saving lives, providing emergency medical relief across the region.
Their highly skilled Critical Care Team is operational 19 hours a day, 365 days a year, responding to 2,016 emergency calls last year alone.
We’re proud to support this incredible organization and help raise funds to keep them flying and saving lives.
This incredible emergency volunteer service has been assisting NHS services, including Yeovil District Hospital and Dorset County Hospital, for over 40 years.
Last year alone, they made over 1,000 out-of-home deliveries, transporting essential items like blood, platelets, medical samples, medications, and even breast milk.
We’re proud to help raise funds of £286.69 for this vital service that plays such a critical role in supporting our local healthcare.
As part of our 60 Good Deeds initiative, Otter Jack’s Patch held a Summer Raffle in support of two fantastic charities, Children’s Hospice South West and Animals in Distress.
Thanks to the generosity of participants, £170 was raised for these worthy causes.
Congratulations to our lucky winner, Christine!
Celebrating our 60th anniversary at Otter Garden Centres adds an extra layer of excitement to our ongoing commitment to supporting Hospiscare.
Rooted in our independent, family business for nearly six decades, plants and gardening hold a special place in our hearts. Our diverse range of plants from our own Otter nurseries is cultivated with care and expertise, ensuring the highest quality, locally grown plants.
As a business with a longstanding history, we find ourselves more passionate than ever about environmental stewardship. Working sustainably and creating safe havens for wildlife aligns seamlessly with our values. The Hospiscare Open Gardens initiative not only fosters a connection with nature but also provides an opportunity for local flora and fauna to flourish.
We are very proud to have support Hospiscare raise over £70,000 through their Open Gardens.
For our latest 60 Good Deed, we are proud to have sponsored Amy, our Visual Merchandiser for Otter Jack’s and Torbay, as she walked 13 Dartmoor Tors to raise money for Marie Curie.
Marie Curie provides essential care for those living with terminal illnesses and their families, offering support at home, in hospices, and over the phone.
With 75 years of expertise and a dedication to improving end-of-life care, they work tirelessly to make a difference.
We were pleased to add £100 towards Amy’s inspiring effort, helping to support this vital cause.
We were delighted to support Exmouth Rotarians with the re-planting of a flower bed at Dray Court, Rolle Road.
Organiser Anja was thrilled to collect a variety of hardy winter plants, including pansies and violas to add a splash of color now.
To ensure the bed remains vibrant into next year, we also provided a selection of spring-flowering bulbs.
We can’t wait to see the beautiful results when the beds are fully planted!
We were delighted to support Karen and Hannah by donating a gardening hamper to their Silent Auction held on 28th September.
The event was in support of MND Association who work to help everyone living with and affected by Motor Neurone Disease (MND). They provide invaluable support including a support line, wheelchair services and help in getting the equipment and help needed.
As part of our 60 Good Deeds initiative, we recently ran a Little Daffodils Promotion to support local schools around our Jack’s Patch, Bishopsteignton Garden Centre.
We’ve donated hundreds of daffodil bulbs, along with all the essentials for pupils to plant them and enjoy watching them bloom into beautiful flowers next spring.
A big thank you to Bishopsteignton Primary School, Kingsteignton Primary School and Out Lady St Patrick Primary School for taking part!
As part of our 60 Good Deeds initiative, we recently ran a Little Daffodils Promotion to support local schools around our Ottery StMary Garden Centre.
We’ve donated hundreds of daffodil bulbs, along with all the essentials for pupils to plant them and enjoy watching them bloom into beautiful flowers next spring.
A big thank you to St Peter’s Primary, Upottery Primary School, Feniton Primary School, Plymtree Primary School, Whimple Primary School, West Hill Primary School, Awliscombe Primary School and Whimple Primary School for taking part!
As part of our 60 Good Deeds initiative, we recently ran a Little Daffodils Promotion to support local schools around our Lymington Garden Centre.
We’ve donated hundreds of daffodil bulbs, along with all the essentials for pupils to plant them and enjoy watching them bloom into beautiful flowers next spring.
A big thank you to all the schools for taking part!
As part of our 60 Good Deeds initiative, we recently ran a Little Daffodils Promotion to support local schools around our Torbay Garden Centre.
We’ve donated hundreds of daffodil bulbs, along with all the essentials for pupils to plant them and enjoy watching them bloom into beautiful flowers next spring.
A big thank you to all the schools for taking part!
As part of our 60 Good Deeds initiative, we recently ran a Little Daffodils Promotion to support local schools around our Taunton Garden Centre.
We’ve donated hundreds of daffodil bulbs, along with all the essentials for pupils to plant them and enjoy watching them bloom into beautiful flowers next spring.
A big thank you to Bishops Hull Primary School, Cotford St Luke and Norton Fitzwarren Primary School for taking part!
We are pleased to support the Peer Support team at Devon Carers who are organising a lovely event for their residents.
Wreath making is sure to provide a lot of enjoyment and festive fun for all.
We have donated some secateurs, balls of string and lots of wire to support with their event.
We were pleased to offer parking on 5th November to anyone attending Ottery St Mary’s famous Tar Barrels event.
Our team used the parking charges to raise money for the Tar Barrels Committee and our charity of the year, Hospiscare.
We were pleased to raise a great amount of funds for these two very worthy causes.
Run entirely by a dedicated team of volunteers, The Winter Fair is the biggest fundraising event in The Balsam Centre’s calendar, with all proceeds directly supporting our projects within the community.
We were pleased to donate a selection of plants to the cause.
As part of our 60 Good Deeds initiative, we were delighted to support the Classics Galore Concert in aid of FORCE Cancer Charity. Held at the prestigious Great Hall at the University of Exeter, this event brought together music lovers for a memorable evening.
To help make the stage even more special, we provided a selection of beautiful, planted planters to enhance the atmosphere and support a cause close to many hearts. We’re proud to contribute to FORCE’s efforts and play a small part in such an inspiring event.
We recently opened our Ottery St Mary restaurant kitchen to a group of Exeter College students to give them an understanding of how a commercial restaurant works.
The visit came about after Otter Catering Manager Arron Taylor was approached by the group’s tutor, Stafford Pitts, who taught him at Exeter College back in 2009. Arron was delighted to offer the opportunity for the students to gain ‘real world’ experience.
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