Latest news with #RAGC
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Volunteers 'devastated' at garden centre closure
Learning disabled volunteers and their families say they are "devastated" a west London community garden centre is set to be closed down. More than 4,500 have signed a petition urging the Hillingdon Council to keep the Rural Activities Garden Centre (RAGC) in Colham open. A group of learning disabled adults help maintain the garden centre, and some have attended for decades and see it as a critical part of their routine, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Hillingdon Council says the centre is making an annual loss of £137,000 a year which is being subsidised by local taxpayers and and volunteers will be offered alternative "learning and developmental opportunities". Terry, who has been volunteering at the garden centre for several years, said he had "stopped leaving the house" before he began working there. Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he said: "My mum got ill with dementia and I had to look after her, when she died I was suggested to come here, it's now the only place I come to. "If this place closes I won't be doing anything again, it makes me upset." Wayne, a volunteer of over 30 years at the RAGC, says he loves the work and the people he works with. His father Stuart says it is the "one thing that gives them a purpose in life". Without it, he says, many volunteers would be "stuck at home". "All of these people will be devastated," he added. "We all need this place, what it does for people, and the community it brings. We need it." Hillingdon Council says it will continue supporting volunteers by offering horticultural placements in gardens and public areas around the borough's Civic Centre in Uxbridge. The local authority says this will provide "enriched learning and developmental opportunities" and "a wider range of activities than they currently experience at the garden centre". The report on the future of the Rural Activities Garden Centre is due to be will be considered by the council's Cabinet on 26 June. Hillingdon Council said: "We are committed to ensuring all volunteers with assessed social care needs receive enriched learning and developmental opportunities. "Unfortunately, the RAGC's retail operations are not economically viable and we cannot expect residents to subsidise a loss-making garden centre." Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to London Borough of Hillingdon
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Learning disabled gardeners 'devastated' over centre closure plan
Learning disabled volunteers and their families say they are "devastated" a west London community garden centre is set to be closed than 4,500 have signed a petition urging the Hillingdon Council to keep the Rural Activities Garden Centre (RAGC) in Colham open.A group of learning disabled adults help maintain the garden centre, and some have attended for decades and see it as a critical part of their routine, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Council says the centre is making an annual loss of £137,000 a year which is being subsidised by local taxpayers and and volunteers will be offered alternative "learning and developmental opportunities". Terry, who has been volunteering at the garden centre for several years, said he had "stopped leaving the house" before he began working to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he said: "My mum got ill with dementia and I had to look after her, when she died I was suggested to come here, it's now the only place I come to."If this place closes I won't be doing anything again, it makes me upset." 'We need this place' Wayne, a volunteer of over 30 years at the RAGC, says he loves the work and the people he works with. His father Stuart says it is the "one thing that gives them a purpose in life". Without it, he says, many volunteers would be "stuck at home"."All of these people will be devastated," he added. "We all need this place, what it does for people, and the community it brings. We need it."Hillingdon Council says it will continue supporting volunteers by offering horticultural placements in gardens and public areas around the borough's Civic Centre in local authority says this will provide "enriched learning and developmental opportunities" and "a wider range of activities than they currently experience at the garden centre". The report on the future of the Rural Activities Garden Centre is due to be will be considered by the council's Cabinet on 26 Council said: "We are committed to ensuring all volunteers with assessed social care needs receive enriched learning and developmental opportunities. "Unfortunately, the RAGC's retail operations are not economically viable and we cannot expect residents to subsidise a loss-making garden centre."
Press and Journal
26-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Top Aberdeen golf club warns members against selling 'exclusive' merchandise on Vinted
A prestigious Aberdeen golf club has warned its members not to resell 'exclusive' club merchandise after a listing appeared on an online marketplace. Bosses at the course acknowledged that members may have to refresh their wardrobes but banned players from selling the products on Vinted. Royal Aberdeen Golf Club(RAGC) warned its members in an email, which has been seen by The Press and Journal. The communication from officials to players outlined the policy of the particular logo being designed for only members to wear. The general manager warned that the merchandise should not be resold or given as a gift to friends or family. The logo for members is different from the general one for the Bridge of Don-based golf club. The club's online shop has a specific section for this. Despite this, it currently states that 'items aren't available for sale yet on this page,' which makes the member-only merchandise rare. Sent by the club's general manager Keith Grant, the email said: 'It has just been brought to attention of council that RAGC member-only (exclusive logo) merchandise purchased via the professional shop has recently appeared online for resale on Vinted.' Although acknowledging that people have clear outs and refresh their wardrobes, the email stated: 'We kindly ask for members to respect that the professional shop pulled together a members-only exclusive logo so members can enjoy and proudly wear/use a unique product, thus supporting the club. 'The purchasing of member-only logo merchandise is a privilege solely attached to that of being a member of RAGC. 'Therefore should not be purchased with the intention of resale or gifted to friends or family who are not members. 'This same policy is adopted by the professional shop who rightly refuse sale of any such merchandise outwith the membership.' Founded in 1780, Royal Aberdeen is the sixth oldest golf club in the world. Members have played at the Balgownie course since 1888. In that time, it has welcomed many famous golfers, including Rory McIlroy and Tom Watson. Former footballer Gareth Bale played the course in 2016. It has also hosted major tournaments, including the Senior Open in 2005, the Walker Cup in 2011. In 2014, it was the venue for the Scottish Open. The course membership is fully subscribed and there is a waiting list for new members, according to its website. Current visitor green fee rates are as follows: A spokesman for Royal Aberdeen Golf Club told The P&J: 'It is an internal communication that's aimed purely at our members and it not aimed for the public.' The club said it would not be commenting further on the matter.
