The Rural Activities Garden Centre has Christmas all wrapped up

Residents can get in the Christmas spirit by visiting the RAGC, on West Drayton Road in Hillingdon, and take home a stunning Nordmann non-drop fir tree with prices starting at £40. Reservations are now open, with local home deliveries also available at a small charge.  

The centre staff have also been busy making hand-made Christmas wreaths, using top quality decorative fauna, to help give your home the personal touch this year. 

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Residents' Services, said: "We are very proud of the RAGC and the oasis of calm and nature it provides for our residents.  

"We know that gardening has both physical and mental benefits, so I'd encourage anyone that hasn't been there yet, to seek it out and pick up some lovely Christmas plants while they're there. 

"The RAGC goes further than mainstream garden centres by offering a space where adults with learning and development disabilities get an opportunity to work outdoors, socialise with others and learn new skills under the supervision of the fantastic staff on site. They really are the heart of the centre." 

The RAGC had its own Christmas miracle recently when staff from Heathrow-based specialist construction company Mace took on the project to help remove two condemned glasshouses free of charge.  

Max Petrucci, Social Value Manager for Mace, said: "After few conversations with my colleagues and Jeff the RAGC centre manager, we managed to involve one of our qualified subcontractors, Hughes & Salvidge, to remove the glazing and then demolish the remaining structure.  

"I should also mention the free help from another of our subcontractors, Wilson James, for donating the skip and helping with the removal of the materials.  

"We're glad we could help and thankful of our amazing suppliers and our workforce."  

The RAGC, one of the borough's best kept secrets, has been supporting the local community for 40 years by providing educational and employment opportunities to young people and adults with additional needs.  

They grow and sell fruits and vegetables and a wide variety of plants grown from seeds, plug plants and cuttings on site throughout the year.  

For more information about the RAGC and opening times, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/RAGC