User:Wgc/Test

Background
Whitehall Garden Centre is set in the countryside of Wiltshire, England, very close to the National Trust Village of Lacock recently known for being used as part of the set for the Harry Potter films and the BBC production of Cranford.

Lacock has a very interesting history and so does the garden centre, starting out as a farm in 1894 being past down through the generations it is now known as a specialised garden centre with membership to HTA (Horticulture Trades Association) and the GCA (Garden Centre Association). Whitehall Ltd. owns two sites,located in Lacock(Chippenham) and Whitchurch(Bristol).

Whitehall Garden Centre has recently been in the news because it has Britain’s" oldest boss" Phyllis Self who is over 100 years of age and still going strong. Mrs Self has been interviewed by various newspapers namely The Sun and the Daily Mail. Mrs Self was also the subject of an Item shown on BBC's The One Show.

History
The Self Family acquired Whitehall Farm, Lacock in 1894 since then it has had numerous changes.

The farm started primarily producing Cheese's as milk production wasn't as it is now. As the 1930's came along the farm moved over from Cheese production to Milk production.

Phyllis Self's younger son John started the Garden Centre in 1972, he later went on to join the Church Mission Society, Phyllis and her eldest Son Christopher then took over the running of the garden centre and are still working to this day as Directors.

In the late 1980's Christopher's sons Mark and Peter joined the now well established Garden Centre, they both became Directors of the company and now run the Business with a very hands on approach.

Other interesting dates in Whitehall’s past:

- 1983 Major expansion of the Lacock site

- Garden Club launched in 2001

- Whitehall Food Hall Ltd. Established in 2002

- Whitehall 'Wild Poppy' Restaurant launched in 2004

- Whitehall Garden Centre Online Shopping Website set up in 2007

Events
Whitehall Garden Centre has been involved with the community for many years, hosting activities for Children and Schools.

Whitehall garden Centre has recently started attending garden shows such as the Bath and West Show,Newbury, The National Amateur Garden Show and the Bristol Flower Show.

Whitehall have in the past hosted some of its own successful events like the Maize Maze in 2000 and 2001 which at the time attracted many tourist to the site and the Lacock area.

Whitehall launched its very successful Garden Club Membership in 2001 which every month offers a discount on certain days for garden club members.

The Future
Whitehall Garden Centre is currently planning major redevelopment to the site at Lacock.

Whitehall has plans to expand its online portfolio with an Oak furniture website and online forums, just to name a few new and exciting ideas in the pipeline.