Joe Wilkinson
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Classic British-made garden planters that will last a lifetime
Struggling to source durable and stylish garden planters, window boxes or water butts for clients or perhaps even your own home? Check out Arthur Jack & Co’s traditional outdoor range made from heavy gauge galvanised steel – all are long-lasting as well as stylish and have the bonus of being made in Britain by artisan metal craftsmen. Boasting planters in five sizes, two styles of water butt (that you will not want to hide away), and window boxes designed to fit most sills, the range has a host of clever design features to ensure everything performs as well as it…
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Pro Landscaper TV – Supply Line: GreenBlue Urban
In the first of the Supply Line series, Jim Wilkinson speaks with the urban specification consultant at Sussex-based GreenBlue Urban. Urban tree enthusiast, Howard Gray, has been closely involved in trees for most of his life. Having personally planted many trees in urban areas, Howard feels passionately that we all are responsible to future generations to give them the quality urban canopy that we all enjoy and that all sectors of the industry need to work together to ensure this happens. Fully conversant in arboriculture and urban forestry, Howard understands the constraints encountered in our urban environment and able to…
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Pro Landscaper TV – Climate Change: The Story So Far
Pro Landscaper’s head of content Nina Mason plays host to three experts on sustainability and climate change in a webinar looking at what some of the businesses in the sector have done so far to combat the effects of climate change. Joining Nina on Tuesday 11 May 2021 is Ben West, the managing director of Landscape Solutions, Romy Rawlings, the commercial director of Vestre and Darren Daley, the head of client services at Ground Control. Ben West spent his formative years tramping the woods, fields and waterways of Staffordshire and studied environmental management at Keele University prior to relocating to…
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Millboard London Showroom reopens
Following the relaxation of lockdown laws, the Millboard London Showroom on Clerkenwell’s Goswell Road has reopened for business. Callers to the centre are once again able to view the company’s ranges of high-end decking and cladding, subject to pre-booking their visit and the usual social distancing and mask-wearing rules. Showroom Manager Trevor Shephard is delighted to be able to welcome visitors once more. He said ‘Millboard has actually done very good business during the various lockdowns and restrictions that have had to be imposed to fight the pandemic, but it’s great to once again be able to meet with people…
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VIDEO: Live. Life. Outside.
Millboard decking: inspired by the beauty of nature, but built to out-perform it.
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DuoSpan and DuoLift prove to be a popular combination
Since its introduction a year ago, Millboard’s DuoSpan subframe system has won consistently excellent reviews from deck installers. DuoSpan comprises high strength aluminium beams and joists which combine with Millboard’s unique PlasPro material – made from 100% recycled plastic – to enable an almost infinite range of designs. From simple decks to structures incorporating steps, screening, seating, pergolas and planters, with straight lines or curves, the various components combine to make construction simple and quick. Millboard has carefully thought through every element of the system to maximise its flexibility and ease of use, with a range of fixed and flexible…
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Landscape is essential to our wellbeing
Caroline Birdsall, Marketing Director at decking manufacturer Millboard, considers the link between wellbeing and the urban landscape, brought to the fore by our experience during the pandemic. The majority of the world’s population lives in urban environments, and the proportion is set to grow to two-thirds by the middle of the century. This shift to urban living has led to challenges that in many ways we are still struggling to come to terms with. Although even rural environments are man-made, they have slowly evolved over thousands of years, giving time for people to evolve with them. Cities, especially today’s high…
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Outdoor leisure spaces: why the experience goes way beyond equipment
Now, more than ever, the UK needs to have welcoming, safe and engaging outdoor leisure spaces to help people cope with, and overcome, COVID-19. Throughout this challenging time, most will all have witnessed just how much the public has embraced the opportunity to get outside and exercise, both to manage mental health and improve physical health. Regardless of whether it is walking, cycling or running, a large percentage of the population has started to enjoy their local outdoor environment in a manner, and frequency, that has never before been evident. There now exists a real opportunity that these lifestyle changes…
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BALI National Landscape Awards are open for entries
Accredited members can now enter the 2021 National Landscape Awards, the largest of their kind anywhere in Europe, and with the announcement of entries opening there are also a number of exciting opportunities for 2021. Due to the effects of COVID-19, Contractor, Designer and International members, for 2021 only, now have the opportunity to submit a scheme that has achieved practical completion in the last 24 months, instead of the normal 12 months affording members more flexibility in what has been a difficult year. With sustainability becoming increasingly important within the industry, alongside the 32 categories available to enter, a…
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Pro Landscaper’s small project BIG IMPACT Awards launch for 2021
Entries are now open for Pro Landscaper’s small project BIG IMPACT Awards 2021. The ceremony will take place at FutureScape Expo 2021 on Tuesday 16 November from 12pm-2pm. This initiative heralds the smaller projects that often slip under the radar or don’t qualify for entry in the industry association awards due to size or value. This year, Pro Landscaper has raised the budget limit from £25,000 to £30,000 in four of the seven categories. A new category – Sustainable Garden under £30,000 – has also been added for 2021. The ‘Big Impact’ of each entry will be appraised by leading…
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Register to watch: show gardens past, present and future with Paul Hervey-Brookes
Register now for the next instalment of Pro Landscaper TV – Nurture: Show Gardens Past, Present and Future with Paul Hervey-Brookes. Watch LIVE on Tuesday 20 April 2021 at 10am as Lewis Normand speaks with Paul Hervey-Brookes about the world of show gardens in UK Horticulture. Paul and Lewis will be discussing the move of RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021 to Autumn, Paul’s previous experience at flower shows and his views on the highs and lows of this unique section of the industry. You can register here
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Tivoli wins new contract with English Heritage
Tivoli Group Ltd is proud to announce the expansion of its work with English Heritage, following a new contract award covering the South East Region. Tivoli has been working with English Heritage since 2003, delivering high-specification grounds maintenance to prominent historic sites including Osborne House, Carisbrooke Castle, Yarmouth Castle and Appuldurcombe House. This exciting new commission includes an additional 14 landmark locations across the south east of England, including Bramber Castle, Bishop’s Waltham Palace, Fort Brockhurst, Southwick Priory, Waverley Abbey, Portsmouth Royal Garrison Church and Wolvesey Palace. English Heritage cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites – from…
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Paddington Central Amphitheatre gets green light
Plans to improve the amphitheatre and shop fronts at Paddington Central were given approval and advertisement consent by Westminster City Council. The development for client British Land will see the public space at the heart of the 11-acre Paddington Central masterplan revamped with new planting, increased seating capacity, improved accessibility, a new permanent screen, and enhancements to the existing retail façade. Sheldon Square will provide a thriving and highly sustainable community space and a new centrepiece for the campus. Gillespies is delivering the landscape design for this new square, working closely with British Land and architects Feix&Merlin.
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Catch up – Story of Success: Richard and Rachel Kay
On Tuesday 13 April 2021 at 10am, Jim Wilkinson spoke with Richard and Rachel Kay, the owners of Green-tech about the success of the business.
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Johnsons of Whixley helps restore world heritage site to its former glory
100-year-old commercial nursery, Johnsons of Whixley has supplied thousands of plants to help restore the grounds of the historic Studley Royal water garden to their former glory. The estate is just 18 miles from Johnsons’ HQ in North Yorkshire and is one of Europe’s finest examples of an 18th-century garden. The planting is part of the National Trust’s long-term vision for the garden. The scheme involves planting thousands of Taxus baccata (yew), supplied by Johnsons, to replace overgrown and dying hedges. The work includes restoring all bosquets – formal plantations of trees and shrubs with growing space inside, designed to…
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Grounds Management Association announces #GroundsWeek 2022
The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has announced the return of #GroundsWeek in 2022, to be held once again in the first week of March (28th February – 6th March). This year, GMA launched the inaugural #GroundsWeek – a campaign celebrating grounds management professionals and volunteers, and galvanising a new generation of grounds enthusiasts to help avoid a major skills gap. The integrated digital and media campaign reached over 135 million people, secured support from 1,193 organisations and individuals, and generated over 3,000 mentions of #GroundsWeek on social media. Following the huge successes of the inaugural celebration week, GMA has confirmed that GroundsWeek will continue to celebrate and highlight the vital…
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Announcing BALI Chalk Fund Champions
The British Association of Landscape Industries’ own charity, the BALI Chalk Fund, has launched Chalk Fund Champions to help combat the industry skills gap. This new funding scheme will open doors for individuals and businesses looking to support ongoing training and development in the landscape sector. Trustees of the Chalk Fund have ambitious plans to increase both the level of funds raised and the amount of activity following the launch of the Champions, a scheme which provides an opportunity for individuals and companies to invest in the education, training, motivating and equipping of the next generation of landscape professionals. The…
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Latest plans unveiled for Grange Park residential development
Local residents are being asked for their views on the designs for new homes at Grange Park. 131 new homes are proposed at two sites along with enhanced open spaces and improved pedestrian and cycle access. The proposal comprises of two separate but connected sites within Grange Park intended to be developed by Blackpool Council for social housing which would be managed by Blackpool Coastal Housing. The northern site comprises land at the corner of Gateside Drive and Chepstow Road whilst the southern site is located at Dinmore Avenue / Bathurst Avenue. The plans by Cassidy + Ashton architects have…
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Key actions to improve air quality in Birmingham
With less than two months to go until the launch of Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone, the City Council has published its Air Quality Action Plan 2021. The new Plan will replace the Council’s previous Air Quality Action Plan 2011 and outlines some key actions to improve air quality in Birmingham between 2021-2026. They include: Supporting and implementing strategic transport improvements to continue work on delivering a £1.2 billion integrated public transport network within the next 20 years. This will incorporate three more Metro lines, nine cross-city bus rapid transit lines, reopening and upgrading rail routes and associated stations. Promoting behaviour…
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Smiths gabion stone shows versatility
Smiths Gabion limestone blocks have been primarily used to fill gabion baskets for ground stabilisation, be it river banks, railway and road embankments and bridge abutments. However, the way this simple un-seen stone product is being used is changing. Our gabion stone is a crushed Cotswold limestone with its typical Cotswold hues – warm creams and honey appearance – which offers landscape designers a softer more natural appearance to any large engineering project where the stone is left exposed. Equally this can be used to enhance any smaller landscape or garden project. With the ability to supply a mixture of…
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Grounds Care Group acquires Green & Tidy Landscapes Ltd
Surrey based Grounds Care Group has completed the acquisition of Green & Tidy Landscapes Ltd. The deal reinforces the firm’s position as a market leading provider of grounds care and landscaping services, strengthening its offering in the Thames Valley region. As well as Green & Tidy’s client base, Grounds Care Group will also take on all staff members, equipment and facilities, including the Green & Tidy depot in Moulsford, Oxfordshire. The additional infrastructure will enable Grounds Care Group to expand its geographical reach and expertise in a range of grounds care solutions and services, including gritting, grounds maintenance, invasive weed…
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Pro Landscaper TV Story of Success: Rachel and Richard Kay
Register now for the next instalment of Pro Landscaper TV – Story of Success: Rachel and Richard Kay, sponsored by Ariens. Watch LIVE on Tuesday 13 April 2021 at 10am as Jim Wilkinson speaks with Richard and Rachel Kay about the success of landscape supply business Green-tech. REGISTER HERE Rachel, the MD, and Richard, the Chairman, launched Green-tech over 25 years ago. They recently sold the business, but will continue for the next 12 months. Jim Wilkinson will question the pair on what made the business so successful, how they set out in business over 25 years ago, and what…
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Bennett Landscapes & Maintenance rebrands
Bennett Landscapes & Maintenance Ltd, a Midlands-based grounds maintenance company, recently rebranded and unveiled a new company logo, redesigned website, service vehicles and uniform. Since 2003, Bennett Landscapes & Maintenance has been supplying a comprehensive range of services to both the Public and Private sector. With this rebranding, Bennett Landscapes & Maintenance is innovating the foundations of the company without losing the core family roots. As a third generation family business, Bennett’s has evolved into a 78 head office and grounds personnel empire, growing at a rate of 40% YoY and is set to expand further in 2021. Now one…
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National Plant Show 2021 postponed
The HTA announced that this year’s National Plant Show will not happen but will instead come back next year, bigger and better than ever. Following the Prime Minister’s Roadmap, the association has continually reviewed government advice and guidance to assess the feasibility of running the 2021 much-loved event. After much deliberation, have decided we will sadly not be able to run the show this year. Having considered the many factors that are essential to running a safe and successful exhibition, on a date that enables the show to deliver its purpose, we have concluded that we are not able to…
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British Association of Landscape Industries launches fresh new brand
The British Association of Landscape Industries has unveiled its new look ahead of its 50th year in business in 2022, marking the start of a new chapter in the Trade Association’s prestigious history. Spearheading the brand is the Association’s fresh, contemporary new identity, boldly updated for 2021 while celebrating its heritage. Following a three-year development cycle which saw the team at Landscape House carry out research and analysis, a series of stakeholder interviews and a brand positioning exercise, several significant changes were decided upon to improve the Association’s continued efforts to promote, support and inspire its members, the wider landscape…
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