Published: Monday, 3rd March, 2008 4:30pm

Royal reward for Eric

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DURING the last 40 years, Eric Gallagher has made a "substantial" contribution to gardening, not only in Inverclyde but throughout Scotland. Now he has been rewarded with the presentation of a prestigious - and rare - certificate of merit from the The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society. ELAINE BOWERS meets the quiet Gourock man who has encouraged thousands of people to take up gardening...

AS a young schoolboy, Eric Gallagher detested being told to help out in the family garden.

Fast forward to today and he has completely changed his view about all things horticultural.

When not running the highly successful Cardwell Garden Centre, Eric enjoys spending his leisure time tending to his own substantial collection of plants and shrubs and is constantly encouraging people of all ages to make the most of their own outdoor space.

Now the "highly-regarded and significant contribution" Eric has made to the gardening industry in Scotland has been recognised by the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society with the presentation of a certificate of merit.

Eric, who lives in Gourock, is delighted with the award he received recently at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.

He said: 'I knew nothing about it. It was a surprise to me.'

Eric began to take gardening seriously in the early 1960s. At that time, he was working as a salesman - promoting ice cream and frozen food - when the opportunity arose for him to buy a small nursery in Gourock"s Cardwell Road.

In the early days he worked on his own, with assistance from his sister.

HOWEVER, the business flourished and, in 1971, Eric relocated to his present site, across from Lunderston Bay.

Today, he employs nearly 100 staff at Cardwell Garden Centre, which is widely regarded as one of the best in Scotland.

Former council parks boss Jim Hunter has worked closely with Eric for many years and is delighted the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society has recognised his work.

Jim, who was also a local councillor for many years, has organised many a popular gardening competition with Eric"s support.

He said: 'Eric has done more for horticulture in the west of Scotland, if not the whole of Scotland, than most people.

'Eric built up his garden centre and brought gardening to people and, on top of that, he has sponsored a lot of gardening competitions, including the council"s, for nearly 30 years.

'He has supported Florafest, which he started with the Tele and myself 20 years ago, and hasencouraged hundreds - probably thousands of people - to take part in gardening. He provides the best tourist attraction for the district. It is the best garden centre in the west of Scotland, if not Scotland, and people travel from all over, particularly to see his Christmas displays.'

Jim said a bus company in Aberdeen frequently brought mystery tour guests to Lunderston Bay and the Cardwell Garden Centre, and many a gardener travels to Inverclyde from around Britain and Ireland to pick up tips and plants.

Jim said: 'He does a lot for tourism in this area. Bus tours come from all over the country to visit Cardwell and its tearoom. I have been Santa Claus for Eric, and that is when you hear accents from all around the UK.

'I know a lot of people who have moved away from Inverclyde and when they come back to visit their home town they always go to Cardwell. Eric is a great guy and his sponsorship and donations to charity are well known.

'CARDWELL is a wonderful place and Eric has built it up - he thought up all the plans himself. He deserves this award, which he got for what he has done for the public.'

Eric has also sponsored, for 20 years, the annual Strathclyde Leek and Onion Society show and allows the members to use his premises to host it. He is also a stalwart supporter of Gourock Horticultural Society"s spring and autumn shows.

Eric is no stranger to winning awards. Rotary International gave him a Paul Harris Award several years ago in recognition of his outstanding charity work and he has also received accolades from the Scottish Tourist Board.

Jim said: 'Eric does things quietly. He is a behind-the-scenes man. He has been president of the Garden Centres" Association and, although quiet, he is not frightened to give you his opinion.'

Global warming, TV gardening shows and an increase in people owning their homes have all played a role in the rising popularity of all things floral. Eric said: 'Gardening has changed dramatically. When I started in business, you could sell shrubs and trees only between October and February. Now, because of the change in climate, you can buy shrubs and trees all year round. Now you see palms in Greenock, and there is even a man in the town who grows peaches.'

The type of people who are taking an interest in gardening is also changing. While it may have been true to say at one time that gardening was likely to appeal only to the elderly and the retired, that is no longer the case.

Eric, who is married with two sons and a daughter who have all played substantial roles in the garden centre, said: 'Young people are very interested now. With more people owning their own houses they are taking more interest in their surroundings and in plants.'

HOWEVER, while young people might want nice gardens, they are not prepared to wait. Eric said: 'Young people don"t want to wait 10 years for plants to grow. They will pay extra to save time.'

Eric is eager to see more people take up his favourite hobby, but he is not keen on the current trend of paving. He said: 'In the cities, you see more and more paving and that is what is causing flooding. There is no natural drainage.'

Another trend on the way out is decking. Instead, gravels and barks are the way to give gardens the 2008 look, with garden furniture and outdoor lighting must-have accessories.

While Eric says gardening is his favourite hobby today, he is happy to admit he didn"t always have greenfingers.

He said: 'My first experience of gardening was just after the war, weeding the garden with my father. My father was a great vegetable grower and I hated the weeding, because I would rather have been playing football when I was 12 or 13. Now I find gardening a joy.'

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