News
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Expertise sought for new horticulture inquiry
The House of Lords Horticultural Sector Committee, chaired by Lord Redesdale, invites submissions to its new inquiry. This special inquiry committee will consider the challenges, opportunities and risks faced by the horticultural sector, including the impact of rising input costs and labour and skills shortages, and how innovative technologies might address these issues and other pressing challenges such as the impact of climate change on productivity and food supply. In addition, it will explore how policy can support the sector in meeting the Government’s ambitions for levelling up and post-Brexit trade policy. It will publish its report by the end…
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BMF confirms Mike Tattam as commercial director
Mike Tattam has been appointed commercial director for the Builders Merchants Federation with effect from 1 April 2023. Tattam has a career spanning over 35 years working with manufacturer brands in senior commercial roles. He brings experience across heavyside and lightside sectors, and with national and independent merchants as well as specialist stockists and buying groups. Tattam joined the BMF in August 2022 in an interim capacity to recruit and develop a new regional team and introduce initiatives to grow membership and enhance value to existing members. BMF CEO, John Newbomb says: “I am extremely pleased that Mike is joining…
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Plans revealed for transformation of 40-acre site
The Earls Court Development Company (ECDC) unveiled its draft plan to bring the wonder back to Earls Court. The redevelopment aims to reinstate the 40-acre site in Zone 1 London as a destination for entertainment, innovation, and excitement. The plan would deliver up to 4500 homes. The landscape-led development aims to go beyond net zero and become a climate-positive neighbourhood. Rob Heasman, CEO of ECDC said: “We want to create a place which reinstates wonder in this incredible part of London. We will help to create a more inclusive and equitable piece of the city with homes for all incomes…
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Pro Landscaper Business Awards 2023 shortlist announced
The shortlist for the Pro Landscaper Business Awards 2023 has been announced. 78 submissions have been put forward to the esteemed panel of judges. The winners of the 16 categories will be announced at Old Billingsgate on Friday 21 April 2023. The shortlisted entries are: Apprentice of the Year, in partnership with The APL Maxwell Dingley-Butt, Artemis Tree Services Chloe Ryman, Azpects Ltd Tommy Garland, Graduate Landscapes Ltd Bailey Flood, Oakmore Green Ltd Max Nardone, Utopia Landscapes Owen Williams, Wright Landscapes Ltd Arboriculture Company, in partnership with Beechwood Trees & Landscapes Ltd Connick Tree Care Glendale Countryside Ltd Groundlord Ltd…
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Marshalls launches Creating Safer Spaces CPD
Marshalls has launched a new CPD session exploring how to integrate design features into the public realm to improve feelings of safety. This launch comes after research that found four out of five people feel more unsafe when its dark in shared spaces. The first Creating Safer Spaces CPD session will be held online, for one-hour, on Wednesday 1 March 2023. The sessions can be delivered virtually or in person and shares the findings of the Marshall’s white paper on the issues impacting feeling of safety or vulnerability in public spaces and the effects it has on behaviour. The session…
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FutureScape recognised in Exhibition News
Exhibition News has featured FutureScape in its Spring 2023 edition. The article — found on page 29 — contains interviews with Eljays44 managing director Jamie Wilkinson and company chairman Jim Wilkinson regarding the growth of FutureScape. Over the last nine years, FutureScape has continued to grow – the latest iteration in 2022 hosted over 4,000 attendees. Within the Exhibition News feature, Jamie Wilkinson says: “Not only did stand space grow by 20%, but we also had 18% more attendees than the previous FutureScape, making it our busiest event yet.” Jim Wilkinson adds: “Ten years ago [visitors] were coming more for…
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New foundation launches to focus on sustainability
This year sees the launch of The Sustainable Landscape Foundation, a new charity with the mission to share best practice for creating more sustainable gardens, cities and wider landscapes. Founded by landscape architects and garden designers Arit Anderson CMLI and Marian Boswell FLI, the new charity’s trustees include past president of the Landscape Institute Adam White FLI and his business partner Andrée Davies FLI, Professor Nigel Dunnett FLI, business expert Lisa Anderson and Simon Hepper, founder of the Sustainable Restaurant Association and Net Zero Now. In an article published in the March issue of Pro Landscaper, Adam White talks of…
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The Pro Landscaper Unsung Hero Awards are now open
Pro Landscaper has launched a new award for individuals who keep companies and the industry going, yet don’t get the recognition they deserve Pro Landscaper is looking for 25 individuals to be crowned Pro Landscaper’s Unsung Heroes. These awards allow the industry to shine a light on those within the industry that help keep things running. Perhaps you know a site manager that has been doing fantastic work? Or a great contact with a supplier that is always helpful? Or many even someone within HR that goes out of their way to make sure everyone is cared for? Applications are…
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Genesis Homes launches new housing development
Genesis Homes launched its latest development, Wakefield Gardens in Lazonby, Cumbria. The housing development project will be named after Thomas Wakefield, who served as stationmaster at the village’s railway station between 1890 and 1898. Wakefield Gardens consists of 59 homes: a mix of two to five bedroom homes and two bedroom bungalows. Development director Scott Edwards says: “The Wakefield family played an important part in the development of the railway for more than half a century, and we’re delighted to keep the memory of the family alive by naming the development in their honour.” Wakefield Gardens is the second development…
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RHS to open renovated ‘old lab’ to the public
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has turned its old laboratory into an interactive space for visitors to RHS Garden Wisley, which director general Clare Matterson says is becoming a “national treasure”. The Grade-II listed building had been the home of RHS science for more than a century before its scientists relocated to the new RHS Hilltop in June 2020. Purpose built as a laboratory and school of horticulture, the iconic RHS building now features exhibits for the public to follow the history of the site and its importance during World War II. Head of libraries Fiona Davidson adds how the…
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Industrial area in Manchester transformed into biodiverse park
A new biodiverse park designed by Studio Egret West in line with strategy by The Mayfield Partnership will be the first public park to have been built in the centre of Manchester for over 100 years. The park was made possible by a public-private partnership between Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester, placemaking and regeneration specialist LCR, and developer U+I, and is a visionary move to establish a high-quality landscape scheme that can respond to the climate crisis as well as creating a nature-rich haven for visitors. Mayfield Park will be the centrepiece of a 24-acre development of residential,…
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Thousands of trees to be planted at flood defence project in East Hull
A project to plant thousands of tree and hedgerow seedlings has started at a flood defence project in Castlehill, East Hull, to create new woodland habitat for local wildlife. Residents and local community groups have been invited to take part in the tree planting programme to create seven hectares of woodland habitat, and over five kilometres of new hedgerow, as part of a flood defence project to create an aquagreen to store floodwater east of the city. The planting programme started this week with a group of 20 volunteers planting hundreds of trees over three days. Species will be allowed…
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Greenfingers appoints new events and digital fundraiser
Charity Greenfingers has expanded its internal team with the appointment of Craig Fields as events and digital fundraiser. Fields has long been a supporter of Greenfingers and has previously created a promotional video for the charity to help communicate the work that it undertakes each year. Within his new role, Fields will provide support for the charity’s event fundraisers, including key events such as Garden Re-Leaf Day on 24 March and the London Landmarks Half Marathon. In addition, Fields will be working alongside Garden Connect to provide valuable support with the website Talking about his new role, Fields says: “I…
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30 Under 30 update: Tom O’Brien
Thomas (Tom) O’Brien won the 30 Under 30 Awards in 2020 aged just 23. At the time, O’Brien was operations manager at Pudsey Landscapes. He split his time between the office and being out on jobs, working on the company’s website and bringing forth changes to the company such as moving deigns from hand drawings to CAD. Three years on, O’Brien remains with his family’s business Pudsey Landscapes, but his tasks have adapted as the company has developed and he continually looks for ways to enhance its offering. He says: “If I see an area where we can improve, I’ve…
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Yorkshire’s ‘Most Exciting Companies in 2023’ list honours BioScapes
UK biodiversity planters manufacturer BioScapes has been named one of Yorkshire’s ‘Most Exciting Companies in 2023’ by Insider Media. Neil Spiers, head of commercial for BioScapes, says: “We are delighted to accept this award. It is another important milestone for us which reaffirms our mission to bring biodiversity and wellbeing to the forefront of organisational strategy, while also raising awareness within communities and, on a more personal level, in homes across the UK. “External recognition helps to raise awareness of the positive impact these ground-breaking products offer both public and private sector organisations, as they try to meet the challenges…
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Yorkshire School of Garden Design awarded Educator Status
The Society of Garden Designers (SGD) has granted its ‘Educator Status’ to the Yorkshire School of Garden Design, less than a year after it opened its doors to students. The school, based at Harewood House near Leeds, launched in last September. It has received Educator Status in recognition of its high standards of garden design education and ‘best practice’ teaching and is one of only two educational providers in the north of England to hold SGD accreditation. It is run by a team of tutors and contributors, including designers, landscaper contractors, horticulturists and head gardeners, with courses open to amateurs…
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Andy Spetch to retire from British Sugar TOPSOIL
National TOPSOIL Manager Andy Spetch is retiring at the end of April after a career with British Sugar spanning 36 years. He joined as an agricultural trainee in 1987 and worked as an agronomist for the company in the UK and Poland before starting up British Sugar’s topsoil division in 1997. Working closely with soil scientist Tim O’Hare, with whom he has continued to work to develop products and stringent testing and analysis protocols, Spetch developed a range of products for the construction, landscaping, and sports amenity markets. Spetch’s all-encompassing role at Topsoil is being re-structured in advance of his…
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268 new homes in Thornton approved by Sefton Council
Eighty affordable homes will be delivered as part a new housing development approved by Sefton Council. The scheme, by Barret and David Wilson Homes North West, will see 268 new homes in Thornton with development of the site expected to begin in summer 2023. The site is allocated for housing in the Sefton Local Plan, which sets out how new developments will be managed in the period from 2015 to 2030. Outline planning permission was granted in January 2020. Since then, the developer Barratt and David Wilson Homes North West has created detailed plans for the site in consultation with…
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RHS reveals 2023’s Britain in Bloom finalists
Forty-four finalists of the 2023 RHS Britain in Bloom UK Finals competition have been announced by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). The finalists will compete in one of 10 categories to secure an RHS Gold, Silver-gilt, Silver or Bronze award. Category winners will then be put forward to be named RHS Britain in Bloom Overall Winner for 2023. The RHS says: “2023 will see groups opting for more drought tolerant planting, bringing blooms to their community while reducing the need for watering. Thirsty containers and baskets are likely to be swapped for drought-tolerant, aromatic favourites such as lavender and rosemary,…
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New housing minister announced – the sixth this year
Rachel Maclean has been named as the new housing minister, becoming the 15th since the Conservative Party came into power and the sixth housing minister this year. Maclean was confirmed as the Minister of State in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) as part of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s reshuffle. She replaces Lucy Frazer, who has been announced as the new secretary for culture, media and sport. Rachel Maclean tweeted earlier today: “Delighted to be appointed as Minister in @luhc. Looking forward to a new challenge, tackling one of the defining issues the government faces. I start…
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Harris Bugg Studio projects shortlisted for MIPIM Awards 2023
Harris Bugg Studio has had two projects, Roots in the Sky and Atelier Gardens, shortlisted for the MIPIM awards. The MIPIM Awards aim to recognise the industry’s “most useful, sustainable and visionary projects”, highlighting “innovation, architecture, environmental qualities, integration and impact on the community”. Roots in the Sky has been shortlisted for MIPIM’s Best New Development award. The 1.4-acre urban rooftop forest will apparently consist of 100 established trees, 10,000 plants and 1,300 tons of soil. It is being developed as part of the transformation of the former Blackfriars Crown Court into a next-generation workspace. A spokesperson for Harris Buggs…
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In conversation with Matt O’Conner
John O’Conner has offered apprenticeships since 2011. The grounds maintenance company has utilised them not only to develop skills within the business and attract new talent, but also to help train managers already at the company. As with most good things, the apprenticeships have adapted over time. Speaking to Pro Landscaper, managing director Matt O’Conner said the company’s scheme “looks quite different today” compared with 2011, having initially focused on horticulture apprenticeships. Twelve years on, John O’Conner now has HR, digital and business management apprentices. “One of the hidden benefits of apprenticeships is the motivation it gives to more experienced…
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Castlefield Viaduct to reopen after winter closure with new community gardens
Visitors will once again be able to enjoy Manchester’s sky park when the gates of Castlefield Viaduct reopen to the public on Saturday 18 February 2023. The elevated park has been closed since December to allow time for the team of National Trust gardeners, volunteers, and community partners to prune, plant and create new areas on the giant 330-metre steel viaduct. The National Trust opened the viaduct in July 2022 as a pilot project to gauge public opinion on the future of the Manchester landmark. So far, over ten thousand visitors have had the opportunity to explore part of the…
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Improvements made to the Tree Health Pilot following a successful first year
The Tree Health Pilot is being updated to improve the support available to farmers and land managers dealing with tree pest and disease issues. The innovative Pilot, running between 2021 and 2024, provides land managers with grants, guidance and advice to reduce the impacts of tree pests and diseases and build the resilience of England’s trees, woodlands and forests ahead of the roll-out of a future nationwide Tree Health Scheme. The Pilot is currently available in London, the South East, the North West and the West Midlands. Following a successful first year, in which more than 80 expressions of interest were…
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House of Lords Inquiry “significant step in acknowledging importance of Environmental Horticulture”
A new House of Lords Select Committee has been established to launch an inquiry into the Horticultural Sector and will convene this week in a move welcomed by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA). The Select Committee represents a first for the subject of horticulture in Parliament. The HTA represents the entire environmental horticulture supply chain across the UK including growers, garden centres, landscapers, manufacturers and service providers; a total of nearly 1,500 members. HTA CEO Fran Barnes believes the granting of the Committee by Parliament represents a symbolic moment for the industry: “This Committee is an exciting opportunity for Environmental Horticulture…
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