Commercial Landscaping
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Majestic Trees becomes an EOT
Majestic Trees has become an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), ‘ensuring’ the company ethos and core values can continue. Managing director Steve McCurdy and his wife Janet, have sold 74% of the nursery to its current management team. Made up of Sarah Shynn, sales manager, fern snowling, planting and logistics manager, Carlos Guinand, nursery manager, Helen Morgan, HR and finance manager, Maria Bengtsson, pruning and stock control manager, and Eliot Barden, after care, apprenticeships, and training manager. Collectively the team has over 80 years of experience at Majestic Trees, and will all continue in their current roles. “The team’s future is…
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Navigating Cash Flow Concerns in the Construction Industry
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any successful business. Cash flow is what allows a company to pay its staff, purchase stock, and ensure contractual overheads are paid on time. Once cash flow becomes squeezed, problems can quickly spiral, taking a once thriving company from a position of solvency to one which is struggling to meet its financial obligations surprisingly quickly. Cash flow challenges can arise for a variety of reasons, and in many instances, they are not caused directly by the actions of the company facing these problems. Late – and even non-payment – of invoices is rife in…
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‘Multifunctional’ park approved in Ebbsfleet Garden City development
Bellway London has secured planning permission for a ‘multifunctional’ park on its Harbour Village development in Northfleet, as part of the Ebbsfleet Garden City development. The almost 3 ha park has been named Bevan’s Park, named after Thomas Bevan, one of the founding partners of the site’s original chalk quarry. It will include a heritage park, celebrating the industrial history of the site, a sports pitch and footbridge, connecting Bevan’s to Chimney View, another park in the Harbour Village development. “Bevan’s Park will be one of several open spaces at Harbour Village and will create an important, multi-functional area for…
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Nearly 90% of teenage park users are males, finds Make Space for Girls
Make Space for Girls has released the results of its Parkwatch Report September 2023 which looks at the diversity of those using their local parks. The Parkwatch project took place between 27 and 29 May 2023. Participants were asked to fill in an online form asking them to look at the teenage facilities in their local park and count how many teenagers were using them, identifying their genders. Research shows that 88% of the teenagers using these facilities were boys, whilst for multi-use games areas 92% was male and for skate parks or BMX tracks, 84% were male. Only 15%…
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Cement substitute “unlikely” to reduce global emissions
An ingredient used to create ‘greener’ concrete might not be as effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions as first hoped. Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) is a by-product of the iron and steel industry and has become an increasingly popular replacement for the carbon intensive Portland cement clinker, which is produced in kilns with other materials when heated up to around 1,480°C. But a report published this week by The Institution of Structural Engineers and others has found that increasing the use of the supplementary cementitious material in place of clinker in any one area is unlikely to have…
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SoilsCon returns in 2024
After a four-year break, SoilsCon returns next year. The one-day conference, organised by soil scientist and landscape consultant Tim O’Hare, will feature developmental insights, debates and discussions from industry experts. The speaker line-up includes, Tim O’Hare, principal consultant at Tim O’Hare Associates, Helen Elks-Smith, principal at Elk-Smith Landscape & Garden Design, and Dr Iain Gould, associate professor in soil science at the University of Lincoln. Subjects will include soil health and functions in landscapes, the challenges of garden construction, and soil requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain typologies. A Soil Surgery will be held during the day’s networking periods, with members of…
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BALI Chalk Fund sees record number of entries
The BALI (British Association Landscape Industries) Chalk Fund has seen a record number of entries into the categories of the “Landscape” and “Design” Student of the Year awards. Seven students studying a level two or above in both categories have been shortlisted for the award. The winner of each category will be announced as BALI’s Chalk Fund Student of the Year at this year’s National Landscape Awards on 1 December. The shortlist is as follows: Design students Lucy Mitchell, Capel Manor College Catharine Beck, KLC School of Design Craig Atkinson, London College of Garden Design Landscape students Joe Elsden, Active…
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Shortlist revealed for Pro Landscaper Project Awards in association with Provender Nurseries
Pro Landscaper has revealed the shortlist for its Project Awards, in association with Provender Nurseries. The Pro Landscaper Project Awards celebrate landscaping projects with a value under £50k, giving companies within the sector the opportunity to showcase the remarkable feats achievable on smaller budgets. More than 60 projects have been shortlisted across the 11 categories, with the winners and this year’s Supreme Winner to be announced at a ceremony at FutureScape on Tuesday 21 November, at London’s ExCeL. “It’s been a record year again for entries, and what’s been really good to see is the number of new businesses putting…
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Jack Skinner joins Blakedown Landscapes’ senior management team
Blakedown Landscapes is strengthening its management team with the introduction of Jack Skinner as senior contracts manager. The horticulturist brings a wealth of experience to the new role, the most recent being helping to launch and then heading up Maylim Landscapes, Maylim’s soft landscaping arm, over a year ago. Prior to this, Skinner had worked on high-end residential projects at Randle Siddeley and Bowles & Wyer. Skinner started his career in aftercare. “I came into the industry as a maintenance gardener. I used to live in Essex and was fortunate enough to be close to both RHS Hyde Hall and…
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When root barrier is the solution
Root barriers can prove a key asset in landscaping and construction projects. Used in a targeted way, long-term cost-saving benefits can be gained by eliminating maintenance repairs caused by root damage. However, they can also play a role in preventing legal disputes by stopping root encroachment onto neighbouring land. Installing a bamboo barrier at home, for plant containment, is a project many are now prepared to tackle. Protection & benefits At the heart of their functionality is protection, but root barrier membrane offers other benefits. They can facilitate the retention of valuable trees, curbing the need for removal and its…
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RHS and other industry members share how they’re embedding inclusivity at EDI event
Members of some of the industry’s leading charities and organisations gathered together on Friday at RHS Garden Wisley to hear the initial results of an industry-wide Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) survey. Following the signing of the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Charter for the Horticulture, Arboriculture, Landscaping & Garden Media at FutureScape last year, signatories have created a survey to provide a baseline figure for the diversity of the industry. So far, findings from the survey – which is still open for the industry to complete – show that the majority (36.4%) of the respondents are aged 45-54 and just…
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TASK Academy celebrates one-year anniversary
More than 200 students have taken part in more than 50 landscaping and horticultural courses at TASK Academy over the last 12 months. The independent training centre in Worcestershire was established a year ago to help tackle the industry’s skills shortage. Since its launch in September 2022, TASK Academy has doubled in size and has launched a curriculum of one- to three-day courses for students on its five-acre small holding near Pershore. It has also established partnerships with 10 training and 25 other industry partners, and introduced a series of one-day, land-based courses for members of the public, including dry…
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Redfields Landscaping completes the Thames Path Challenge
The Redfields Landscaping and Design team has completed the Thames Path Challenge. Setting off at 5am on Sunday 10 September, seven members walked 50km to Henley-on-Thames across 11 hours and 47 minutes (one, Charlie Parker, whilst wearing Crocs), whilst four members walked 25km within five hours and 40 minutes. The total of 97,741 steps raised £2416 for the Great Ormond Street Hospital Childrens Charity. Rachel Straughan, business development & marketing manager at Redfields Landscaping, says: “I definitely underestimated how hard it would be but I am so grateful to the team for keeping me going and for so many laughs…
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Furnitubes launches new outdoor showroom
Furnitubes has announced the launch of its new outdoor showroom at the London Design Festival in partnership with Atrium Ltd, which will be opening on 19 September. The new showroom will showcase the company’s new products and materials for outdoor furniture and lighting, alongside offerings from The Outdoor Deck Company and Green Envee Ltd. “Beside a space to show our products, we are looking to create a hub to test materials and discuss ideas about transforming our cities in a positive way,” says Andres Carpinelli, design team lead at Furnitubes.
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Yorkshire’s “first” drive thru concrete collection announced
Palmer Landscapes announces the arrival of Yorkshire’s first fully automated self-service collection points for concrete, mortar, and screed. The drive thru service is suitable for landscapers, builders and DIYers, offering as little as 0.25m3 of material with no minimum order charge. The fully automated Fibo collect machine fulfils orders in less than five minutes using a touch screen terminal. Reducing waste, the automated mixing technology ensures all recipes are high quality and consistent, lasting between one and three days. “When we spotted the technology earlier this year, I was immediately drawn to the potential it had to help our local…
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Nine Elms Park phase one opens
Thames City has opened the first portion of the 2.5-acre Nine Elms Park. Designed by Gillespies and delivered by R&F Properties (UK) and C C Land, it includes water features, a nature inspired children’s play park, interactive trails, and intimate seating areas. A range of tree species, shrubs, and herbaceous plants have been planted to support biodiversity and to futureproof the park to withstand unpredictable weather patterns and the challenges of the urban environment. The park has multiple access points for pedestrian walkways and cycle paths, creating connections between Vauxhall to the east, through to Battersea Power Station and Battersea…
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Bowles & Wyer celebrates 30 years of ‘looking forward’
Bowles & Wyer celebrated its 30th anniversary last night at the venue of one of its most prolific projects. The design and build company, which was founded three decades ago by Chris Bowles and John Wyer, brought its colleagues, partners and clients together for an event at 78 St James Street. The Grade II listed building in central London is where Bowles & Wyer designed and built a series of outdoor areas and roof terraces, with the largest terrace featuring a living wall and planters with edibles and herbs. It won the National Landscape Award for Best Roof Garden over £100k, and…
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National Landscape Award winners announced
The winners have been announced for this year’s National Landscape Awards 2023. Winners span across 25 categories, with 50 companies being recognised, including Ground Control – which has won five – and Wright Landscapes and GP Plantscape, which both have won three. In total, 69 awards were presented. “The willingness to partake in this process highlights our members’ continued commitment to driving the industry forward, promoting excellence and encouraging fresh talent,” says BALI chief executive, Wayne Grills. The National Landscape Awards ceremony will be held at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane in London on 1 December. The event…
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New border trade plans inadequate for addressing horticulture needs, says the HTA
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) says more progress is needed following the publication of the government’s Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). New controls were set out today that the government says will ensure more efficient trading and better protection against biosecurity threats, all of which will help to create a “world-class border system”. Lord Benyon, Defra’s Minister for Biosecurity, says the new model “sets out our innovative system of border controls, which will continue to uphold UK biosecurity and support trade with other countries.” But Fran Barnes, chief executive of the HTA, says that whilst she acknowledges the positive strides…
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It’s time for “The Green Italy”
Horticulture, forestation and urban space represent a triptych of thriving sectors for Italy. According to ISTAT (the Italian National Institute of Statistics), the country boasted a relevant added value of 38.4 billion euros in 2022 (ranking second in the EU-27, after France) and the third highest value of agricultural production in the EU-27 (72.4 billion euros, +18.2% vs 2021). The next steps to take are closely related to structural and long-term governmental measures, aimed to improve the energy transition strategies. Those hot topics will be on stage at Flormart – The Green Italy, the international exhibition of horticulture, green space…
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Trades people set to be “worst hit” by ULEZ expansion
The expansion of the ULEZ is causing concern across London’s trade sector, and for good reason. The added charge inflicts unsustainable financial pressure on a number of trade businesses. As of today, drivers of non-compliant vehicles will have to pay £12.50 a day to travel in the now affected areas, which cover a majority of Greater London. The charge, which is equivalent to more than £3k a year, is already incurring multi-level knock-on effects as tradespeople increase their prices to compensate. According to Fix Radio, 25% of construction workers say they have lost work as a direct result of the…
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Hasty peat ban could lead to “detrimental” outcomes, warns the HTA
The HTA warns of the “significant environmental and economic impacts” across multiple industries, from bringing the peat ban forward by four years. New data from independent economists at Oxford Economics, commissioned and released by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) shows that the fast-tracked peat ban could lead to a loss of over £500m in Gross Value Added (GVA) and over £100m in decline tax revenues. More than half (68%) of garden centres are expected to cut staff in 2027 as a result of the expected 100 million plant and tree shortage immediately after the ban takes effect as the accelerated…
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Could the greenbelt solve the housing crisis?
England’s greenbelt has been called into question, and that question is, can it help the government solve the current housing crisis? In research conducted by independent architecture and surveying consultant, Woods Hardwick, England’s green belt is estimated to cover almost 13% (1.637m ha) of England’s total land area. Less than 10% (8.7) of England’s land area is of developed use, with 10.5% defined as ‘built-up’. Woods Hardwick’s research shows that the green belt could facilitate the construction of almost 80 million new homes, with the average new-build plot required to be 222sqm. Less than 2% of the green belt would…
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30 Under 30: A catch-up with Arron Grange
Over the last year, Arron Grange has been playing a significant role in establishing and managing Green-tech’s new warehouse in Ireland. The key account manager, who became became one of Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation last year at just 27 years’ old, was originally employed as a sales advisor in 2016 and has since risen through the ranks and is now helping Green-tech to expand its reach. The warehouse in Ireland opened earlier this year following investment from Green-tech’s parent company, Origin Enterprises, which acquired the business in 2021. At Green-tech, we’re heavily involved in Ireland and…
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61-acre nature reserve to be “de-wilded”
London’s “largest breeding ground for endangered species and fauna” is set to be “de-wilded” following development plans. Ealing Council has announced plans to convert Warren Farm Nature Reserve back into eight football pitches and renovate derelict, asbestos-filled facility buildings. More than 22,000 campaigners have spoken out against the development, by signing a petition, though, fearing it would “destroy” the nature and wildlife. A petition has been set up, calling for the site to receive Local Nature Reserve status. The 61-acre grounds, originally a sporting facility, underwent a rewilding project and is now home to several endangered species, including the skylark,…
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