Blanche Surman, Affinity Marketing Executive at NFU Mutual comments, “We are thrilled to become official insurance providers of the Garden Network. NFU Mutual recognises the need to play an active part in community life and reach out to country-based groups and organisations like this one. We hope that Garden Network members will find the relationship of real benefit.

Tim Matcham, Director, the Garden Network said, ”The Garden Network is very pleased to be working with NFU Mutual to provide comprehensive home, garden and other insurances to the Garden Network members. “Regardless of location, country or city, NFU Mutual can provide the same excellent coverage. NFU Mutual is well respected, has a proud heritage and is able to deliver the quality insurances and service that Garden Network members and supporters expect. Our association is all the more exciting because we share the same values of excellence and environmental concerns.”

Such great news for the Garden Network – the network that is growing places!

I have just completed reading his book ‘Walking on Water’ and it is a very candid take on life before and after an accident which left him paralysed, in a wheelchair and in need of constant care for even the most basic of human functions that the rest of the world take for granted.

He signed my copy of the book, ‘To Tim. No Excuses! Geoff Holt

The book has had me rolling with laughter at his antics but also set my thoughts going. Geoff achieved his Personal Everest (well at least the first one! I suspect there are more in the pipeline!) despite his ‘disability’ because he believed he could do it. He also persuaded others that he could do it. His support team including his amazing wife Elaine and son Tim put their life on hold to see the dream become reality.

The quality of the writing had believe I was part of the team, that I was the one in the Challenger sailing dinghy experiencing the terror and excitement of this extraordinary trip. I punched the air when he crossed the finished line!

So many of us drift through life with no goals or ambitions. If we set ourselves goals it is not our bodies that will prevent us achieving them it is our minds and our determination that will see us succeed.

Geoff I salute you, sincere thanks.

Thank you

Tim

ps Geoff has alerted me to the fact there is another project in the pipeline – watch this space!

When you are planning your garden give some thought for the needs of the people who will use it. Different age groups have different needs. Adults requirements are different from childrens.

Do you need play areas or relaxing and entertaining areas? Would people with special needs benefit from the inclusion of sensory planting and landscaping to assist their condition?

If you have back problems what about considering raised beds for example to reduce the amount of bending down to maintain the garden.

Giving some careful thought to the needs of those using the garden will multiply their enjoyment.

If you would like to seek professional advice you can contact me via email tim@timmatchamgardendesign.co.uk or via my website or phone 01225 812840 or mobile 07792 707334

My initial response was that success was a state reached where I didn’t have to worry about anything anymore.

Then I did some thinking – my initial response was actually closer to a definition of failure.

Success for me is the setting and achieving of goals. Defining actions that will move me towards something new and better. Doing things rather than procrastinating. Not being afraid of failure, rising above those times and accepting that as a human being nothing is perfect.

To this end I have set myself goals for each month that fall in to categories of health / business / financial / family / spiritual / mental and emotional. They are all achievable given my current abilities and I am making good progress on each. When I have attained my target goal I will simply set another that gives me something positive and happy to focus on.

What does success mean to you?