Pupils at Bishop Perrin C of E School received a special visit recently when Colin Squire attended the Hospital Bridge Road site. 

Colin Squire OBE visited his former school to show the children how to plant-up summer containers.

The visit was part of a series of events marking the 60 year anniversary of Squire's Twickenham, which has seen the centre celebrate this special milestone with the community and the people who matter most to it.

Talking to the children about where plants come from, Mr Squire, Chairman Emeritus of Squire's Garden Centres, showed them seeds and guided them through the stages of a plant's growth.

He then demonstrated how to plant-up a summer bedding container.

Eight pupils who are part of the Bishop Perrin Green Team got to grips with planting their own container, using peat-free compost and a selection of bedding plants, many from Squire's own nurseries.

The 87-year-old former pupil comments: "It was wonderful to celebrate our Twickenham centre's 60 year anniversary with my old primary school and pay them a visit!

"We have always focused on being at the heart of the communities we serve so this visit was especially important as it was an opportunity to share our celebrations with some keen young gardeners.  

"I am proud of our horticultural heritage, which began when my father started his business in the 1930s  It was a privilege to share some of my knowledge with the next generation of young gardeners.

"The pupils were a delight and genuinely interested in plants and how to care for them. It was wonderful to see how knowledgeable they were and their excitement at the prospect of planting and then nurturing their plants over the coming weeks."

To find out more about Squire's Garden Centres, click here.