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NCC Chairman Tyrone Lowe (left) presenting Urving Burrows with his gift certificate as NCC staff look on. (G Brewster/BGIS) |
Two homeowners will enjoy the benefit of having a $1, 000 landscape make-over compliments of the National Conservation Commission (NCC).
The two, Valery Walkes and Urving Burrows, were each the grand prize winners in the NCC’s 7 Days of Christmas sales promotion held from November 27 to December 24.
They received their gift certificates during a presentation ceremony at the NCC’s Codrington House headquarters yesterday.
Chairman of the NCC, Tyrone Lowe, noted that the gesture was the Commission’s way of saying "thank you" to those who have supported it over the years. "It will also tell people that the NCC is serious about enriching the lives of people all across Barbados," he said.
Mr. Lowe disclosed that Ms. Walkes and Mr. Burrowes would each benefit from professional guidance in landscaping their properties. A team from the NCC will visit each property and give a free estimate for a comprehensive make-over of the properties. This will then be followed by make-over work to the tune of $1, 000.
He added that the concept of gardening had moved from simply forking, cutting and weeding to a professional term called landscaping. "The NCC, to my mind, has removed the stigma from gardening to that of landscaping, and it helps people appreciate the value of nature and things around them," he noted.
Meanwhile, Mr. Burrows explained that it was the staff at the NCC that encouraged him to come back and purchase more plants. "I am a novice in the garden but they are very helpful. They give me a lot of knowledge," he said.
However, Ms. Walkes noted that she was a customer of the Codrington Nursery for the last 20 years and would continue buying plants to support the organisation. "You do a very good job," she said.
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| General Manager of the NCC, Keith Neblett (left) presenting Valery Walkes with her gift certificate as NCC Chairman, Tyrone Lowe looks on. (G.Brewster/BGIS) |
General Manager of the NCC, Keith Neblett, noted that over the last two years the NCC worked on creating a niche in terms of the plants it offered for sale. "We bring in plants from Miami, and that is why you are seeing a great variety of plants being offered. That is why there are repeat clients," he said.
He added that the competition was developed because they recognsied there were a number of people coming to the retail shop to purchase other plants. "So we thought that it would be a nice gesture to give back," he said.
The competition was??open to all those who spent $25 or more at the Codrington Nursery and Garden Centre between November 27 and December 24. There were also five daily draws which were awarded to Bernard Corbin, Michael James, Miranda Armstrong, Barbara Corbin and Pat Brathwaite.
Their prizes consisted of a combination of plants, garden supplies and accessories.