BALI Landscape News Autumn 2019

THE THE OFFICIAL OFFICIAL JOURNAL JOURNAL OFOF THE THE BRITISH BRITISH ASSOCIATION ASSOCIATION OFOF LANDSCAPE LANDSCAPE INDUSTRIES INDUSTRIES

bali.org.uk bali.org.uk£5.00 £5.00

AUTUMN

2019

Use this button throughout to visit advertiser websites IN TE R AC T I V E ISSUE

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BALI developing Supervisor and Manager ROLO Courses LATEST NEWS

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Designing by Location - does garden design change by location?

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BALI National Landscape Awards 2019 winners announced

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Climbing to success with Agriframes Exclusive 30% off BALI member offer PRODUCT & AFFILIATE NEWS

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CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME

Dear member

I have now been BALI’s National Chairman for 12 months and the time has flown by. Not only have I made some great acquaintances and friends, I have been privileged to see some amazing landscape projects. As we head into Autumn, I look forward to meeting our members at the various trade shows and end of year celebrations, so please come and say hello to me, I would love to hear your feedback first-hand.

This year I have been supported by a great team at Landscape House who have worked really hard to deliver for our membership. The feel-good factor continues for the membership team who have been particularly busy. We now have over 900 Registered members with an average 20 new members in application at any time. There has been an increased focus on turnaround times to support our new members joining the association. We will continue to ensure the organisation develops, ensuring that it is able to represent the needs of our membership.

I was delighted to attend and speak at a recent Green Flag awards event. I congratulate all BALI members who have contributed to our parks and open spaces who were awarded the much-coveted Green Flag Award; the benchmark standard for well managed parks and green spaces. It is heartening to also see that this year a record number of awards were made and just like winning a BALI National Landscape Award, reputations are enhanced, staff are energised, and our parks receive the positive publicity they deserve. Each flag honours the staff from contractors, local authorities and the volunteers who all work tirelessly and collaboratively to maintain the high standards demanded by the judges. The volunteers need a special mention, they work alongside the maintenance teams and local authority workers to ensure the parks have a voice that reflects the needs of the local communities. They play a vital role in supporting and developing our parks and attracting that much needed funding. It is often the volunteers who challenge us all to ensure we have the very best parks possible. So, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of the volunteers involved with our parks and our sector - they really are our VIPs - Volunteers in Parks!

As the Summer show season ends, I also think it is fitting to congratulate those BALI members who have won medals at this year’s flower shows and the many Affiliate members who have supported this process. Events such as RHS Chelsea, RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival and Gardening Scotland are excellent vehicles for a company or individual to showcase their skills and expertise to the wider

world, highlighting just what a fantastic industry we have.

This leads nicely to congratulating BALI National Landscape Award 2019 winners, announced in this very edition. Principals, Specials and the coveted Grand Award winner will once again be announced on Friday 6 December 2019 at the 43rd Award’s ceremony. Tickets are now on sale and I would urge you to come along for what promises to be an inspirational, social and enjoyable experience. Winners have often reported that a BALI National Landscape Award changes the way their business is perceived and the plan for entering can often come from seeing other entries on the day. I’ll be one of them and so I hope to see you there.

New members as at 23/08/2019

REGISTERED CONTRACTOR

South West • CT Landscapes • Walmsley Shaw • Greenhaven Group North Thames • Bridgman and Bridgman LLP South Thames • Hortus Paradisi • AndLand • KPS Contractors Midlands • JH Landscapes • Sky Garden North West • Wright Landscapes Scotland • Resolution Grounds Maintenance REGISTERED INTERNATIONAL

• Beijing East Design Co. • Shanghai WEiMEi Landscape Engineering Co. • Shanghai Edging A&LA CO.

Finally, I would like to personally welcome all the new BALI members listed on this page, congratulations on passing the vetting process and I hope to see you at some of the forthcoming regional meetings. It’s now time to get that BALI logo out there, so make sure it’s on your vehicles, website and all promotional material. You’ve earned it so use it and promote it. I would also like to mention those companies who have recently passed their Quality Standards Review, well done to you all for maintaining the level of service one expects from a BALI member.

Best wishes.

Matt O’Conner National Chairman

• Chongqing Haofeng Planning and Design Group • U.P. Space (Beijing) Landscape Architecture Design Consultants Co. • Shimao Group • China Construction Engineering Design Group Corporation REGISTERED DESIGNER

East Anglia • Townsend, Sue

South Thames • Etherton, Suzanne ASSOCIATE CONTRACTOR

North Thames • Environmental Management Group ASSOCIATE AFFILIATE

South Thames • The Landscapers Circle

REGISTERED AFFILIATE

South Thames • MH Media Global • Andreas Stihl North Thames • Milestone Reclaim & Landscaping Yorkshire North East • Knowl Park Nurseries • Schiedel Chimney Systems North Thames • Milestone Reclaim & Landscaping International • Brickworks Vande Moortel N.V.

Autumn 2019

ASSOCIATE DESIGNER

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BALI & ROLO TRAINING PROVIDER

East Anglia • CDT Training Services PASSED QSR

• Sanctuary Landscapes • Carrier Landscapes • Benchmark Grounds Maintenance • Jacques Landscapes • Landstruction • Bernhard’s Landscapes • Bernhard’s Landscapes (Wakefield) • Nicholson Nurseries

BALI Landscape News

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CONTENTS Visit website

Welcome

The Round Timber

Gazebo Collection

Editing Landscape News is a true privilege for me as I get to speak and meet so many BALI members and wider landscape industry contacts. It is truly humbling to be able to see, hear and read about your successes and achievements, as well as gaining an insight into some of the challenges faced by the sector.

On the subject of biosecurity and plant health, I caught up with Keith Sacre of Registered Affiliate Barcham Trees who provided an update on some of the world’s most prolific pests and diseases. More on that on page 28. This issue also includes a list of all BALI National Landscape Awards winners for 2019 on page 42. I am also delighted to share the news that BALI and digital marketing specialist Adtrak (BALI Digital) have launched brand-new, member-only, digital marketing packages including 20% off website design and build. Find out more on page 29 and in your member’s area on the BALI website.

Finally, I wanted to update you on two areas of the business where BALI is currently in different stages of delivery. Firstly, ‘Project Planet’, as it is known internally at Landscape House, is in the very early stages of planning and could involve new ways for BALI to help support members who want to protect our precious landscapes. A first look at progress made so far can be found on page 15. Lastly, BALI is continuing with its review of all its brands and the results will be shared with members in the coming months ahead. It’s an exciting time to be part of the BALI network and I look forward to sharing more updates with you in the next edition.

Best wishes.

Darren Taylor

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Autumn 2019 18/07/2019 13:20

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Quarterly Update

30

Designer Focus

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Latest News

38

Events

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Contractor News

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Training & Technical

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Greenfingers

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Product & Affiliate News

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For general enquiries about the Awards please contact: Leah Brookes +44 (0)2475 185613 / +44 (0)7931 810210 or email leah.brookes@bali.org.uk

Limited sponsorship opportunities available, please contact: Diane McCulloch +44 (0)2476 690333 / +44 (0)7455 110975 or email diane.mcculloch@bali.org.uk

QUARTERLY UPDATE

Membership engagement is strong A full team at Landscape House designed to support member’s needs Following on from a superb show season for many BALI members who won a myriad of medals, I would like to congratulate each and every one of them for ensuring that our industry continues to be professionally promoted to the general public and UK businesses who are now more engaged with our £24bn sector.

I have personally been conducting a number of member visits over the last three months alongside the team at Landscape House, whether for a business meeting at the member’s premises or at shows and exhibitions or at BALI forums. It’s always encouraging to speak to members directly to hear what they have to say about the association and the services we provide.

Following on from some of these meetings, it seems to me that ‘The Northern Powerhouse’ is beginning to shine through as many members in the northern regions are reporting that their businesses are busier than ever.

At the moment most of the members within BALI are still reporting solid and healthy business workbooks and high enquiry levels.

Membership benefit review underway

Membership renewal The renewal phase has gone extremely well, and I am pleased to report that we are not only ahead of 2018/19, but we are on track to finish the year with well over 900 paying members, resulting in 1,800 members in total.

Having approved 44 new members since April this year, at the time of writing we also have 28 members going through the application and approval process which includes 16 contractors and the remainder are designers, affiliates and training providers. This is great news and shows that there is a real appetite for BALI and what it can offer its members.

BALI National Landscape Awards 2019 The BALI National Landscape Awards is on track to become one of the greatest years in its history, with several new milestones achieved and BALI’s expert Adjudication Panel, led by John Melmoe, judging 145 entries in 2019, a record number for BALI for the past 10 years. This year also sees the highest number of first-time entrants submitting projects into the Awards, proving that the largest landscaping Awards in Europe still succeeds in entering the history books 43 years on.

Emily Feeney (Senior Membership Officer) is currently in the process of reviewing BALI’s current membership benefit offering to ensure that we are continuing to provide benefits that better serve you and your business.

As part of this review, Emily will be conducting several focus group sessions to help us shape what benefits BALI offers you now and how we might change this in the future.

Since the Awards were brought back in house in 2018, the team at BALI Landscape House have been working hard to market and promote the benefits of winning a prestigious BALI National Landscape Award to over 900 Registered members. There are now more Registered Contractors, Registered Designers, Registered Affiliates and International members entering since 2009 when the all-time record of 146 entries was achieved.

If Emily or any of the team contact you on this matter, can I please ask for your patience and time in helping us to help you.

The Adjudicators successfully visited applicable entries throughout the summer and final deliberations took place at the end of August at BALI

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Autumn 2019

Landscape House, with this year’s winners announced in mid-September.

You can find out who won on page 42.

Don’t forget to book your tickets for this year’s ceremony on 6 December 2019 at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London.

Congratulations to all those that have won awards and wishing you all the very best for those coveted Principals, Specials and Grand Award on the day.

Membership Satisfaction Survey BALI will be sending out its annual membership satisfaction survey in the Autumn. This is a great opportunity to feedback your thoughts on your membership with BALI and to shape the BALI business plan and focus on you, the member. I look forward to reading your feedback to see how BALI performs. As always, this is your opportunity to share your views on a whole host of BALI services and products, including the staff at Landscape House, who I hope you feel represent you as a member in the most professional of ways. The link to the survey will be sent to you via email and added to your member’s area.

On the horizon Make sure you bookmark the BALI events calendar on the BALI website this Autumn to ensure you know what’s happening, where and when, including industry shows and exhibitions. We also have several regional events in the diary which I urge you to attend. If you’re unsure what your regional committee has planned, please feel free to contact them directly or simply call Shinade Kaur (Regional Support Officer) on +44(0)24 7518 5614 who will be happy to help. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at these events!

BALI member preferences (Communications from BALI) Just a reminder that you can access your

The team at BALI Landscape House continue to work hard to deliver member services

BALI National Landscape Awards 2019

individual BALI marketing preference centre by clicking on the appropriate link at the bottom of our branded emails sent by Landscape House. This will allow you to manage your personal preferences for receiving information from BALI. You can also add your colleagues to our marketing lists and allow them to set their own preferences too. Why not start by adding a few colleagues to receive a copy of this publication, Landscape News, either in print or digitally. If you do not currently receive any communications from BALI or you would like help setting up your preferences, please let Trushali Chudasama (Marketing and Communications Officer) know at trushali.chudasama@bali.org.uk.

Lobbying and industry collaboration There has been a big focus on this area in 2019 for BALI. We have seen Westminster in turmoil for another year, with a new Prime Minister now in post and an almost completely new cabinet and changes in the Under Secretaries roles! In some respects, for us as an industry, having undertaken a number of Ministerial meetings earlier this year it’s back to square one as there are new Ministers in post, however, the one good thing is that the message we take is exactly the same.

Skills is still the priority, coupled with plant health and biosecurity. Whilst we have a new Environment Minister The Rt Hon Theresa Villiers MP, we also have back in post our Horticulture Minister in George Eustice MP. This will provide us with some consistency of workflow at the very least.

Our industry collaborative work continues, and BALI should see the results of the skills survey that the Ornamental Horticulture Round Table Group has commissioned in August. I look forward to the results of this as Pye Tait (commissioned research agency) have managed to secure over 1,000 responses to the survey and should provide information on shortages and training issues present and future. Watch

this space for further details in the Winter edition of Landscape News.

identifying preferences for training events, workshops, meetings, visits etc.

In addition, we have recently been working alongside other related organisation such as the Green Roof Organisations (GRO) who have developed their own green roof code of practice and are currently linked to the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC). We have ensured that their training, which is accredited through Lantra, meets all the necessary guidelines for the National Highways Sector Schemes, so that they will be able to apply for Land-based Industry Skills Scheme/Construction Certification Skills Scheme (LISS/CSCS) SmartCards through BALI. If you’re unsure what the LISS/CSCS scheme is and you operate commercially in the landscape industry, then visit bali.org.uk/lisscscs.

New to the Sales Officer position is Alex Newberry who replaces Carly Button. His main focus is continuing to bring on board new members, ensuring that we make the process as smooth as possible and to look after those new members in their first year to ensure they gain added value from their membership and to point them in the right direction if they have any queries etc.

Finally, BALI supported the Landscape Institute in their development of a Consultants Biosecurity Toolkit that can be utilised by those in our industry as well as taking part in their recent BIM working group. This can be downloaded from the BALI website bali.org.uk/help-andadvice/pests-and-diseases

BALI Landscape House and staff moves Since my last update we have three new starters here at Landscape House.

The first, Shinade Kaur, has taken up the role of Regional Support Officer working specifically with the Regional Chairs/Vice Chairs and their committees.

Shinade will focus on ensuring that all BALI regions have committees in place and that the team at Landscape House will support their needs by way of developing and promoting events effectively and assisting regions in

Finally, due to the growth in numbers of individuals undertaking the ROLO Health and Safety training and subsequently applying for LISS/CSCS SmartCards, Carol Evans has started with BALI in a part time role as Certification and Scheme Officer to provide additional support to Ali Inskip and Meghana Badami to ensure we maintain our turnaround times.

I do hope that you will join me in welcoming all three of them to the team and that you find they all play a supportive role to help you, our members, in your business.

As always, thank you for your continued support and promotion of BALI. Best wishes.

Wayne Grills Chief Executive

Autumn 2019

The LISS/ CSCS team has expanded with the hire of Carol Evans

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BALI Landscape News

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LATEST NEWS

BALI NATIONAL LANDSCAPE AWARDS 2019 TICKETS NOW ON SALE Tickets for this year’s BALI National Landscape Awards, the largest landscaping Awards ceremony in Europe, are now on sale. With the Awards’ expert Adjudication Panel, led by Chair of the Adjudication Panel John Melmoe having completed their final deliberations in late August and the BALI National Landscape Award winners now known, excitement levels are rising for the industry event of the year.

With a record number of entries submitted since 2009, the BALI Award Adjudicators were kept busy over the summer judging schemes up and down the country, with a very high standard of quality achieved.

Tickets are now available at ÂŁ195 per person or for a table of 10 it is ÂŁ1,750 and 12 is ÂŁ2,100 all ex VAT. Places are extremely limited.

The host for 2019, sport and lifestyle presenter Mark Durden-Smith, is looking forward to leading the ceremony on Friday 6 December at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London. The event is supported by Headline Sponsor Green-tech.

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With over 1,000 members, guests and VIPs expected to attend, tickets will sell quickly on a first-come-first-served basis. To purchase your tickets, visit baliawards.co.uk.

BALI SET TO LAUNCH ROLO SUPERVISOR AND MANAGER COURSES BALI is delighted to announce that it is developing Register of Land-based Operations (ROLO) Supervisor and Manager Courses.

The ROLO brand within BALI was introduced at an Operative level when the Land-based Industry Skills Scheme/Construction Skills Certification Scheme (LISS/CSCS) was first established. LISS/CSCS, which is administered by BALI, is a requirement of the National Highways Sector Scheme 18 which was devised with and for industry working on the highways in conjunction with Highways

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England. ROLO, a land-based health and safety training course designed specifically for the sector, was also introduced to support those working on live commercial land-based sites, including housing developments.

ROLO is a mandatory pre-cursor for LISS/CSCS SmartCard applications along with the relevant CITB touch screen test and recognised industry qualifications.

BALI sees the development of the ROLO Supervisor and Manager Courses as a significant step forward to recognising health and safety requirements for both supervisor

Autumn 2019

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and manager level LISS/CSCS SmartCard holders. Our developers are currently working with BuildUK to gain recognition to meet the requirements of our industry.

Further details will be shared on the BALI website and sent to all members in late 2019. In the meantime, if you have a question related to these new courses please get in touch contact@bali.org.uk.

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LATEST NEWS

A RECORD-BREAKING NATIONAL AGM FOR BALI On Thursday 12 September the team at BALI Landscape House were joined by over 50 BALI Registered members at the BALI National AGM 2019. A record number of attendees travelled to BALI’s office, located on the beautiful Stoneleigh Park estate, to cast important votes to help shape the future of their Association.

With Designers, Contractors and Affiliates in attendance the event was a success, with all voting matters, including an annual rise in membership fees, passed unanimously by those in the room. A significant moment during the morning session was the election of four new BALI Board Directors; Tessa Stuart Johnstone of Registered Contractor Johnstone Landscapes, Matt Nokes of Registered Contractor Ground Control, Registered Designer Tony Woods MBALI of Registered Contractor Garden Club London and Ricky Whiteman of Registered Group Gavin Jones. They were joined by Paul Downer of Registered Contractor Oak View Landscapes and Clive Ivil of Registered Contractor idverde, both of whom were re-elected. With such a strong and passionate Board of Directors taking

the Association forwards, the future is looking incredibly bright for BALI and its members.

Several questions were raised by members to the BALI Board of Directors, chaired by National Chairman Matt O’Conner of Registered Contractor John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance, including what BALI is doing to ensure that high standards are upheld within the grounds maintenance industry in the UK. The BALI Board leading the AGM, including Chief Executive Wayne Grills, responded by promoting BALI’ Dispute Resolution Service as a means for commercial clients and local authorities to access should the need arise if using a BALI member to undertake their maintenance contracts.

This peace of mind is also a benchmark

Journalist’s joy at BALI’s inaugural press preview event On Monday 9 September BALI held its first ever press preview event at Registered Affiliate Clifton Nurseries.

Located within the grounds of the oldest garden centre in London, the event was designed to offer journalists an exclusive first look at this year’s BALI National Landscape Awards winners. With an opportunity to be one of the first publications in the UK to obtain the list and publish the results for its readers. Industry titles Pro Landscaper and The Landscaper were in attendance, alongside glossy consumer magazines The English Garden and Gardens Illustrated. Freelance

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journalists writing for The Sun and The Telegraph were also in attendance as well as the owner of plant reference and garden management website Shoot.

Networking before the National AGM 2019

for members to adhere to when carrying out the work to an expected high standard, or, available for members to lodge complaints against other members..

Following the formal AGM, four presentations were given, including a 12-month update on BALI by Chief Executive Wayne Grills and three guest speakers; Stuart Foster, Chief Executive of RECOUP, Shaun Herdsman, Retail and Industry Division Manager at Modiform and Jason Reeves MCIEEM, Head of Policy and Communications at Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) who all focused on environment; specifically plastic use in the landscape industry and Biodiversity Net Gain.

attended, with most choosing to publish the results the same day.

BALI would like to extend a special thank you to Clifton Nurseries and to Green-tech for supporting the event and hopes to continue hosting press preview events in the future.

The event helped raise the profile of BALI and its BALI National Landscape Awards and provided further exposure for Headline Sponsor Green-tech, who was also in attendance. Attendees were provided with a list of winners inside a bespoke branded goodie bag that also contained several promotional items. The event was hailed a success by all that BALI staged its

Autumn 2019

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LATEST NEWS

Three new additions to Landscape House team BALI has bolstered its team at Landscape House with the appointment of three new officers who are now based at BALI’s Landscape House in Stoneleigh.

Shinade Kaur has joined BALI as Regional Support Officer following a background in events and the residential building sector.

Shinade has already met some of the BALI regional committees and is in the process of recruiting new volunteers to help shape and build each membership region. The aim is to increase member engagement by hosting more regional events, providing a diverse range of networking opportunities for members. If you are interested in getting involved with your regional committee, please contact shinade.kaur@bali.org.uk.

BALI has become an affiliate organisation of the British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) in a move that means BALI members now receive discounted rates for all BSSS events, workshops and conferences along with preferential access if events become oversold.

Booking a place on any of their courses is very straight forward. You can simply click on the ‘Booking / Registration’ link from the relevant course page and choose ‘Affiliate Organisation’ from the payment options. After completing your personal details you’ll be asked to choose ‘BALI’ from the drop-down list and submit. Payment can also be made at the time though the booking system or an invoice can be raised for an individual or company.

Alex Newberry has taken up the position of Sales Officer. With a proven track record in sales and account management, Alex’s goal is to increase the membership base by actively promoting the numerous benefits of BALI membership, and in turn creating greater networking opportunities for current members.

BALI members can now visit their events page to find the latest upcoming events courses at soils.org.uk/calendar/month.

Lastly, Carol Evans is now BALI’s second Certification and Scheme Officer, joining both Ali Inskip and Meghana Badami in the LISS/CSCS and ROLO team after starting with BALI following a career in retail management and 20 years working within the NHS. Carol will co-ordinate and process applications for LISS/CSCS SmartCards and ROLO certificates and provide a support service to all applicants.

Edna Egerton It is with profound sadness that we must report that Edna Egerton, who worked for BALI under General Secretary Pat Reynard in the 1980’s, sadly passed away on July 11 aged 84. Edna was well known and well respected by some of BALI’s founding members. She took control of BALI’s accounts and was a real character ‘who thought the world of BALI’ according to BALI Awards Adjudicator and BALI Chalk Fund Trustee Peter

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BALI becomes an affiliate of the British Society of Soil Science

Jennins OBE. He continued ‘Edna always arranged raffles and charity collections and was very kindhearted, working a lot for the BALI Chalk Fund and promoting the association and its members at shows and events nationwide’. She will be missed by her family, friends and colleagues but has left a positive lasting mark in BALI’s history.

Autumn 2019

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LATEST NEWS

HS2 CHILDREN ARE INDOORS TOO MUCH AND NEED MORE PLAYGROUNDS, SAY PARENTS New research published over the summer shows that parents are worried about the shift from outdoor play to indoor screen time and the vast majority of parents say that playgrounds are vital in getting children outdoors and active again.

A survey* of 1,111 parents with children aged between 2 and 12 has found that 9 out of 10 parents who were not close to a playground said that having access would make their child play outside more.

Of those with access to a playground, 61% said it does make their child play outside more and over half (53%) of parents said more access to playgrounds would make their child more active.

The research was carried out by Mumsnet – the UK’s biggest website for parents - and commissioned by the Association of Play Industries (API). It asked parents about their children’s outdoor play and indoor screen time habits and revealed their growing concerns over children’s activity levels and the shift from outdoor play to indoor screen time.

Almost half of them said that their child prefers screen time over other activities and almost half of those surveyed said they find it difficult to persuade their child to leave their screen. 69% of parents of 10 to 12-year-olds said their children preferred screen time over other activities.

Over one third (35%) of parents have experienced the closure or neglect of their local playground and of those with a local playground only 13% overall said they would be happy for their child to play there unsupervised.

The API’s latest campaign – Play Must Stay – launched in August and is calling for urgent and sustained investment in public play provision. It is also supporting the Children First Alliance in their call for a dedicated Cabinet Minister for Children & Young People to put children at the heart of politics and help drive investment in community playgrounds.

For further information please contact API’s Head of Communications Mary Lubrano mary@sportsandplay.com or visit api-play.org.

Record number of Green Flag Awards

A total of 1,970 parks and green spaces have been awarded a prestigious Green Flag Award in 2019. Now in its third decade, the international Award is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has good visitor facilities.

Many BALI Registered Contractor members, particularly those that are part of the BALI National Contractors Forum (BALI-NCF) including Ground Control, idverde, Nurture Landscapes, John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance, Tivoli, Land Design Partnership, Mitie, Glendale Services, Out There Services and Continental Landscapes, have all previously won Green Flag Awards for their commercial clients, whether it be an open public park, greenbelt or playspace.

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Autumn 2019

under review

At the time of print the Government had launched a review of highspeed rail link HS2. The review will be chaired by ex-chairman of the Crossrail project 2005-2009, Douglas Oakervee with a final report sent to the Secretary of State, with oversight from the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The report, which might have already been published by the time this issue is made available with members, will inform the government’s decisions on next steps for the project. Limited, largely preparatory works, on the project will continue in parallel with the report’s work.

Phase 1 of HS2, between London and Birmingham, is due to open at the end of 2026, with the second phase to Leeds and Manchester scheduled for completion by 2032-33.

The review, which was one of Boris Johnson’s announcements when he was running for leadership, has gained mixed reactions but BALI members who are heavily invested in the Phase 1 part of the project remain optimistic, most notably Registered Affiliate Crowders Nurseries who have claimed it is ‘business as usual’ for them and ‘they have no concerns at the moment’ having nurtured and maintained 7 million trees for the project. With thousands of workers laying the foundations for the Phase 1 development and extensive works already completed between London Euston and Birmingham it would be a very bold move indeed by Government to derail the project with so much time and money invested, over 350,000 new trees already planted and 26 new wildlife habitats created. Only time will tell.

idverde’s Holland Park Green Flag Award 2019

LATEST NEWS

BALI to undertake review of ‘Project Planet’ at Landscape House It is well known and heavily documented by experts and scientists that our planet is facing a climate emergency, with concerns over human and industrial impact on our environment and the sustainability of natural resources.

BALI, through the work of its members, has been designing, building and supplying gardens and landscapes for over 45 years with a focus on lower environmental impact and ethically sourced materials. One of BALI’s principal objectives is to ‘foster a greater awareness of the landscape industry’s role in the creation of an improved environment’ and part of its Code of Conduct is ‘to operate in an environmentally, ethically, and commercially sustainable manner’.

BALI is now in the process of conducting an internal review to understand if there are further ways in which the team at Landscape House can play their part

to help protect our planet, and offer members additional support by sharing information and guidance related to environmental issues.

• Online applications for membership and LISS/CSCS SmartCards are live and have already helped reduce the amount of paper-based forms being used

The review, which started in the summer, is a preliminary step that the team at Landscape House are taking before any formal agreement from BALI’s Board of Directors has occurred, which seeks to identify whether there is a need for the formation of a new steering group, and, whether there are ways in which Landscape House can promote what it is already doing to reduce its carbon footprint, namely:

• BALI’s Landscape News and the Who’s Who Directory are now sent out in a biodegradable wrapper to all customers who subscribe to receive them. The publications are also FSC Certified.

To find out more about ‘Project Planet’, or to show your interest in getting involved with the early review process, please contact Leah Brookes on +44(0)24 7518 5613 or email leah.brookes@bali.org.uk

BALI BECOMES CONFERENCE PARTNER FOR URBAN TREES EVENT 2020

Trees, People and the Built Environment 4 (TPBE4), that’s the name of the next International Urban Trees Research Conference taking place in Birmingham on Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 April 2020, hosted by the Institute of Chartered Foresters, and BALI are Conference Partners.

We are in a climate and ecological emergency and the Prime Minister announced in June 2019 that the Climate Change Act will now require the UK to be ‘net zero’ by 2050.

The Committee on Climate Change has included the need for 30,000 hectares of trees to be planted annually towards achieving this target.

The present government’s manifesto (2017) called for 1 million trees to also be planted in our towns. So, trees are firmly on the agenda for action and

need to be recognised as an integral and essential part of our infrastructure.

TPBE4, as it is known, is the fourth international cross-disciplinary urban tree research conference with a focus on both research and practice to be held in the UK. BALI members can book a place now by visiting charteredforesters. org/tpbe with a limited number of early bird tickets available. Open to students.

Autumn 2019

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CONTRACTOR NEWS

BOWLES AND WYER UNVEILS NEW BRAND IDENTITY AND WEBSITE Landscape company and Registered Contractor Bowles & Wyer has unveiled a new brand identity and website as part of the ongoing development of the company following its restructure two years ago.

Refreshing its look to better reflect the company’s core values and future vision, the new brand has been developed by branding agency Carter Wong in collaboration with printmaker Andy Lovell. Taking inspiration from abstract landscape scenes, the bold and vibrant new look has been developed from a series of exclusive prints by Lovell which have been used to reflect the parallel between the fluidity of the artist’s stroke and the beauty of landscapes. A new brand mark sits alongside a carefully chosen colour scheme inspired by nature and the tagline ‘Look Forward’ has been incorporated to convey a forward-looking vision.

John Wyer, Chief Executive at Bowles & Wyer, said: ‘After seeing Carter Wong’s initial concept, we decided to collaborate with artist Andy Lovell because there’s something about his work which wraps up everything that we do – it’s about the texture, the bigger picture and the detail, but it’s also about the way the relationship between art and landscape is at the heart of who we are. Working with plants and working with people – the two things seemed to come together

in a really natural way, and we are absolutely delighted by the results.’

The new website will offer a more streamlined view of Bowles & Wyer’s considerable portfolio that encompasses projects from roof gardens and city plots to high-profile show gardens and country estates, showcasing the full range of the company’s projects and allowing visitors to easily explore them. Bowles & Wyer designs, builds and tends landscapes for private individuals, businesses and organisations across the UK and abroad, combining innovative thinking, creative design and professional landscape architecture.

footage will also include Andy Lovell creating the company’s exclusive prints.

The new brand identity and logo has now been successfully rolled out across all touchpoints including newlook social media platforms, updated uniforms and new liveried vans.

Visit bowleswyer.co.uk

A film giving an overview of the company and its services will feature interviews with John Wyer, Managing Director Dan Riddleston and Operations Director Matthew Maynard, and

From brown roofs to blue roofs and everything in-between Registered Contractor Sky Garden is the the UK’s leading independent supplier and installer of urban greening products.

Their expertise encompasses consultation, development, installation and maintenance of all styles of urban greening.

As well as being committed to protecting and enhancing the environment they are also dedicated to providing great service and innovation in all areas of their business.

With many years of experience and tens of thousands of installations across the UK and Europe they understand all aspects of green roofing and urban greening, water run-off, imposed loads, plant varieties, substrates, pitch stabilisation and drainage.

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They manufacture and grow urban greening products on their UK farm which ensures the highest quality. They strive to create and maintain only the best green roofs and amenity spaces across the country.

Contact their team at enquiries@sky-garden.co.uk, visit sky-garden.co.uk or call +44(0)1242 620905.

Autumn 2019

CONTRACTOR NEWS

KINGS LANDSCAPES LAUNCH NEW WEBSITE

WALMSLEY SHAW FOREVER ACHIEVING! Introducing Walmsley Shaw, who are thrilled to announce that they are Registered Contractor members of BALI. Walmsley, who joined over the summer, was incorporated in 2000. Expert garden builders by trade, the team, led by Martin Shaw, has grown exponentially and they now want to provide an insight into the company by talking to Landscape News about one of their most recent schemes; King Bristol Garden.

Project overview

Registered Contractor Kings Landscapes are proud to announce the launch of their new website which coincides with their organic growth in recent years. King’s has seen

an increase in the company’s recruitment drive and retention of current staff due to continued and developing relationships with existing and new clients in various markets. Kings have also made a move into new regions within the UK which resulted in the need for a new focused and informative website.

Visit kingslandscapes.com

A traditional terraced garden with limited light and space due to the overbearing retaining walls. Designer Robert Hughes was asked to transform the space to match the newly built property. The clients and their young family required a space that was first and foremost robust, low maintenance and practical. It also needed to be stylish, uncluttered and executed to the highest standard, incorporating a barbecue, large table and seating area.

At Walmsley Shaw we have traditionally focused on country garden builds with a strong emphasis on time and tested construction methods. This project has been a breath of fresh air, enhancing our skills and focusing on modern materials and techniques.

The garden build In the first few weeks a major excavation took place to remove all the earth and bedrock reaching the upper level, sides and front of the property.

This was a huge challenge due to the sheer volumes of waste along with an awkward space and poor access. A new retaining wall was added, and the garden was opened up by the addition of a beautiful new staircase.

The bespoke cedar outdoor cupboard nestled in a covered area was created as a space saving and decluttering tool, with the added bonus of chalkboard doors to inspire the children to add their mark.

The unique floating bench was a key feature, wrapping around the table to create a slender seating area. The focus needed to be installing the

cantilever with meticulous attention to quality and detail. A cantilever steel frame was incorporated within the structural retaining wall. A timber frame was fixed to the steel and dressed in stunning cedar boards. The existing bow fronted wall was cleverly curved in matching timber, tying it in beautifully with the benches and table. Uniform planting of box hedging perfectly framed the geometric lines of the dining area.

All materials were sourced from reputable suppliers including Silva Timber for the Cedar, Greensquares for the elegant porcelain paving, Millboard for the ground level decking and Registered Affiliate The Pot Company for the stunning hung fire.

Since setting out on this wonderful journey almost 20 years ago, we have established strong collaborative relationships with some of the country’s top landscape architects and designers. We are pleased to say that – since winning the first of many awards in 2010 – our reputation and drive for creating beautiful gardens has never stopped growing.

We are always pleased to hear from creative designers who want to push boundaries to build unique and exquisite gardens. With our extensive experience, brilliant on-site team and seamless project management, no design is too much of a challenge!

From the Cotswolds to the edges of the New Forest and North Devon, we would love to hear from you!

For more information visit walmsleyshaw.co.uk

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CONTRACTOR NEWS

ATM counts up to 40 ground-breaking years Ainsty Timber Marketing T/A ATM, a Registered Contractor member of BALI, was formed in 1979, around the same time that the UK coal mining industry began to decline. As the pits closed, ATM were charged with the task of reclaiming the land, seeding, planting and beautifying the mine environment and other redundant sites ready for new uses. The expertise that was gained on these large-scale projects enabled the company’s focus to move into general landscaping and fencing. Contracts were soon won from a wider base of sectors including civil engineers, construction and environmental clients.

Now in its 40th year, in June 2019 ATM was bought out by two directors, Clive Freeman, Managing Director and Robert Whamond, Operations Director.

BALI’s Marketing and Communications Manager, Darren Taylor, discusses 40 years with Clive and Robert who fondly look back at delivering 40 years of landscaping excellence How has the last four decades changed, if at all, the way the business operates?

Robert: It is an important milestone in ATM’s history and signifies our continued commitment to exceeding customer expectations and providing a diverse service offering. From the early days as a Yorkshire-based mine land reclamation contractor to becoming a Tier 1 service provider on major projects across the UK for Highways England. Over the last forty years we have built successful relationships with our clients, based on our professionalism, trust and openness.

As our business has grown our personal approach and integrity has remained constant.

Tell me a little bit about the services you offer?

Robert: ATM offers a holistic range of services encompassing all aspects of landscaping, vegetation management/ site clearance, fencing, hoarding, invasive

weed control, ecology/surveys and light civil works.

Clive Freeman

Robert Whamond

How does being a BALI member help your business?

Clive: We are proud to be a Registered member. Our affiliation allows us to tender for various contracts as well as promote industry best practice. This ‘seal of approval’ provides an assurance to our clients that we continue to provide the highest standards of quality and workmanship.

I can see that accreditations mean a lot to your company. Are they intrinsic with your values as a business?

Clive: Our accreditations are at the core of our business and underpin our values and objectives. We are immensely proud to be one of only a small number of companies to have transitioned to ISO 45001:2018 following a recent ISO audit in July 2019.

What’s it like working on the highways? I would imagine there are many risks involved so accreditations are important as are health and safety and risk practices?

Robert: The health, safety and welfare of our employees and members of the public is our number one priority. We were recently awarded our second consecutive ROSPA Gold award in recognition of our outstanding

health and safety performance. Our accreditations are important; however, we are only able to achieve these through implementing best practice health and safety processes in our day to day works. We are proud to have a Zero RIDDOR record and our H&S management systems are externally audited and we hold National Highways Sector Scheme approvals for NHSS 2a, 2c and 18. As a member of the RoSPA Safety Excellence Committee / Safer Highways Council / Highways England CWF Health, Wellbeing and Environmental Working Groups we actively promote health and safety initiatives within our industry.

I understand you will be launching a new website shortly. What were the major considerations for investing in a new site and when can we expect to see it?

Clive: We are very excited to launch our new website. With our 40th anniversary coming up and the business growing from strength to strength, we felt the current website didn’t represent the business as it stands today. We decided it was the right time to invest and enable our customers, both current and new, to interact more with who we are and what we deliver. The new look ATM website is on track to go live in Autumn and so watch this space!

Are there any big plans for the future that you can share with me?

Clive: ATM has ambitious plans for the future as we continue on our path of steady growth. We are looking towards a new operating centre in the South East to support the current and new customer base we have, further building on this solid foundation. However, we also need to keep in the forefront of our minds what ATM is about; Professionalism, Trust and Openness.

Something that we will never lose sight of and value higher than growth alone.

To find out more information on ATM visit atm-ltd.co.uk

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TRAINING & TECHNICAL

BIODIVERSITY NET GAIN – DEVELOPMENT FOR NATURE Jason Reeves MCIEEM, Head of Policy and Communications at the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), was invited to speak at the BALI National AGM in September. Here, he discusses Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and what it really means for landscape professionals.

BNG is essentially a way for new developments to leave the natural environment in a better state than they were before. This is a critical step for any landscape professional, alongside developers and ecologists, who can now play their part in halting and reversing ongoing biodiversity loss. You play a pivotal role in restoring biodiversity.

Following the Defra consultation on BNG earlier this year, the Government has reiterated its commitment to making BNG mandatory, with 10% gains required for almost all developments.

The initial biodiversity value, and the 10% gain, is determined using the Defra biodiversity metric. This considers a range of factors including the distinctiveness of the habitat, its condition, extent, difficulty in recreating

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it and time to maturity. If you are looking for an ecologist to work with on BNG, please use CIEEM’s Registered Practices directory to find an ecologist with appropriate experience to help deliver your project.

We still do not know what the final policy on BNG will look like due to the delay in the publication of the full Environment Bill, which is now looking likely to be delivered next year.

Despite this, our members are already delivering BNG, both in England and Scotland. We are supporting them by providing training based on the principles and guidance that we jointly published with CIRIA and IEMA. We are now looking at the broader approach of Environmental Net Gain, which the Government committed to exploring in its 25 Year Environment

Autumn 2019

Plan. Again, there is scope for landscape professionals to contribute to not only restoring biodiversity, but also to improving air quality, soil condition and human health and wellbeing, along with sequestering carbon and creating natural flood prevention measures.

For more information visit bali.org.uk/help-and-advice or for further details related to CIEEM and CIEEM membership visit cieem.net.

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TRAINING & TECHNICAL

BALI-NCF and STIHL presents Brush Cutter Train-the-Trainer Workshops

Don’t let it be a ‘brush’ with danger The British Association of Landscape Industries’ (BALI) National Contractor’s Forum (BALI-NCF) and Registered Affiliate STIHL have joined forces to offer a series of brush-cutter training workshops this winter designed to educate and support employees of BALI members who would be using this power tool within their role.

Labelled as ‘train-the-trainer’ events, the eight training workshops will be hosted

by STIHL across four venues around the UK, offering employees the opportunity to attend during the morning (9am– 12pm) or afternoon (1pm–3pm).

The exact venues and dates are as follows: • 3 December Sparsholt College, Hampshire • 5 December Harper Adams University, Shropshire • 10 December Myerscough College, Lancashire • 12 December Oatridge College, Edinburgh The format will be one AM and one PM slot (each lasting approximately 3 hours) per venue with up to 30 places available to book at each session. Bookings can be made on BALI’s website and are strictly limited to 30 places (maximum two places per company).

The STIHL name has stood for revolutionary technology and innovative ideas ever since the firm was founded.

Throughout their 90-year history this has made them the household names for state-ofthe-art engineering, known around the world for quality and service. In more than 160 countries their products are helping people at work, making them the world’s leading chainsaw brand. This is your opportunity to receive training on the latest brush cutter tools from STIHL, including hands-on and theory.

This is the second time BALI, through the BALI-NCF, has worked with STIHL on train-the-trainer workshops. In 2017 a similar range of workshops were made available to BALI-NCF members on the safe use of hedge trimmers with all venues quickly selling out of their allocation of spaces.

To book a place visit bali.org.uk/news-and-events/events

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Autumn 2019

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TRAINING & TECHNICAL

GOLANDSCAPE SUCCESSFULLY TARGETS CAREER ADVISERS Following a successful 12 months campaigning for more students and apprentices to start a career in landscaping, Stephen Ensell explains why this year, GoLandscape continues to support that message.

The hope is that some of the pupils leaving academic study may now consider starting a career in our exciting industry and will go on to sign up to a further education course at one of our industry colleges or take on an apprenticeship or full time position with one of our members.

Reflecting back on our recent promotional careers adviser campaign with schools and colleges before the summer started, it has been a record year for our GoLandscape Ambassadors who have undertaken a number of visits into secondary schools and attending careers shows throughout England, as well as hosting stands at career fairs, providing career talks and presentations, offering CV and interview advice as well as practical demonstrations and ‘have a go’ sessions. Coming off the back of the campaign, we have seen an incredible increase in school and college demand for GoLandscape Ambassador visits, which means we already have many stop-offs planned for this Autumn and Winter.

It’s been great to take some of our career sessions in a new direction, especially by making them more interactive and practical. Two particularly successful activities took place, the first being at BBC Gardeners World Live, where we shared a stand

with the platinum awardwinning curriculum garden, ‘Back to School’. Throughout show week we were able to run block paving and design activities for school groups (and a few adults) to try their hand at. Elsewhere similar sessions were put together with the support of Registered Contractor Oak View Landscapes and Registered Designer Anthea Harrison MBALI, which included a hands-on paving activity, along with garden design and planting tasks which were run with several school groups visiting the Chelmsford Skills Show.

To support the increase in school activities, a new A5 booklet is being designed that will provide a visual overview of the landscaping industry, including roles and routes to entry along with answering the top questions asked by students.

The booklet has been put together based on feedback from students and careers advisers. The booklet will be ready to distribute through our GoLandscape Ambassadors from this September/October at careers events around the UK.

Stephen Ensell with Lloyd Gowers, GoLandscape Ambassador and Head of Registered Contractor Bournville Village Landscapes Trust

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We continue to work with careers advisers throughout the country and have (and plan to) meet with them at their regional meetings where we have an opportunity to help educate them in correctly representing the industry and promoting it in a positive way with pupils and adult career changers.

As always, please get in touch by emailing Education Officer stephen. ensell@bali.org.uk if you would like to become a GoLandscape Ambassador, or, if you would like further information about the initiative visit golandscape.co.uk

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TRAINING & TECHNICAL

IS SUSTAINABILITY ON OR OFF THE MENU FOR THE LANDSCAPE INDUSTRY? Owen Baker - Technical Officer (Policy & Research) A London University has recently taken beef off the menu from campus cafés as part of efforts to tackle climate change. The decision was not universally popular, and the topic debated by individuals, manufacturers, the media and academics in relation to ‘sustainability’. Whilst there was no unanimous verdict, one of the arguments in support of the decision was the notion that doing something rather than nothing is to be applauded.

The word sustainable and the notion of sustainability is now used so freely in economic, political and social dimensions, it is becoming difficult to track the extent of its meaning.

Because the term is so widely used, assessment of the effectiveness of socalled sustainable practices is equally difficult. Attention-grabbing newspaper articles associate activities such as air travel, driving or even eating certain foods with an unsustainable lifestyle.

Are these articles beneficial or divisive?

As a landscape professional (and, hopefully, someone with an interest in the environment), what does sustainability mean to you? Most of us would probably cite conservation of natural resources, recycling materials and reducing production of polluting materials as far as possible. Should wider environmental issues such as plant biosecurity, protection of native species and carbon sequestration also be considered?

In the book Landscape and Sustainability, authors John F Benson and Maggie Row discuss the complex range of issues that surround sustainability in the landscape industry and argue that creating attractive, new landscapes or restoring old landscapes may not necessarily involve sustainable practices or materials.

A national newspaper recently discussed the sustainability of different landscape materials and

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invited well-known members of the industry to debate the merits of using natural products over manufactured materials. Like the example of beef at the university, above, there was disagreement. The landscape industry covers so many disciplines we cannot possibly adopt the same sustainability measures.

BALI appreciates the significant contribution landscape professionals can make by implementing sustainable initiatives, either via projects, the way they work, or in their products, but we are aware of the immense pressure on members to survive. Business decisions to act more sustainably often have significant cost implications which must be considered. Investigations by the team at BALI has identified several measures available which would allow our own office to reduce the amount of plastic we use in material, but they all come at a financial cost.

Recycling is a familiar term but, like sustainability, masks a concept which is far from straight forward to solve. As landscape professionals, we appreciate the recycling process can be applied to materials such as plastic, paper and cardboard, and the applications are far reaching. Most are also probably aware of the demand the industry places on plastic for storage and transportation reasons, particularly for pots, liners, trays and as a protective material for hard landscape products.

Autumn 2019

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A recent news article revealed the reality of recycling; since a change in Chinese policy last year, opportunities for recycling plastic are more limited.

Whilst some waste is dutifully sorted and recycled within the UK, a significant proportion of plastic waste is shipped overseas to developing countries to face an unknown and unregulated treatment regime.

Should the industry therefore be supporting solutions to re-use plastics or investigating alternative materials?

This has potential, providing biosecurity issues (BALI members have - quite rightly – highlighted the risk of pests and disease from re-using pots) can be overcome. Several products have come to market which suggest this option has potential.

Living and working sustainably is a balancing act. A single solution is unlikely to cover the range of activities BALI members represent, let alone their own personal lives, so how can the industry work to ensure we have a net positive impact on the environment? Rather like the example of beef, perhaps targeted measures for individuals or companies are what’s needed, which focus on their own processes.

Owen Baker

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TRAINING & TECHNICAL

THERE IS NO GREATER ISSUE THAN BIOSECURITY

By Keith Sacre, Sales Director at Registered Affiliate Barcham Trees

Keith, a member of the Chartered Foresters as a Chartered Arborist, with an MSc in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry and a BSc in both Social Science and Arboriculture, has been a longstanding supporter of BALI and the work it carries out and he recently spoke to Marketing and Communications Manager Darren Taylor on why he believes biosecurity is the single biggest issue facing our industry in the modern age.

It can be argued that biosecurity is the most important single issue facing the landscape industry today. Of course, there are many challenges facing the industry, but no other single topic arouses so much emotion and has the potential to cause so much damage to our landscape. Biosecurity is the responsibility of all those who grow, specify, order, plant or maintain trees and shrubs.

The Defra Risk Register currently lists over a 1,000 pests and diseases which have the potential to threaten the UK landscape if they are imported. All will, hopefully, be familiar with Ash Die Back and the impact it is having on Ash trees in both our rural and urban landscapes.

The foliage on our Chestnut trees turns prematurely brown due to the impact of Horse Chestnut Leaf Miner, Massaria causes sudden branch drop on London Plane and costs enormous sums of money with increased safety inspections necessary in highly used public spaces such as the Royal Parks in London. Oak Processionary Moth is now spreading throughout London and the home counties. It has the potential to become a serious public health issue, some would argue that it already is, and this year reached epidemic proportions in Holland, Germany and other parts of mainland Europe. The pest was imported into the UK on a single Oak tree delivered into West London.

Not here yet are Asian Long Horned Beetle, which could threaten over 30% of London’s tree stock, Emerald Ash Borer, which, if it arrives, will mop up those Ash not wiped out by Ash Die Back and Plane Wilt, a fungal killer of Plane Trees, is spreading north through France. Let’s not forget Xylella fastidiosa which has the potential to affect not only a wide range of trees but commonly used garden plants such as Lavender.

I have personally seen the impact of Emerald Ash Borer in the USA and

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Russia and witnessed the felling of trees affected by Plane Wilt in both Italy and France.

On occasions such as these it is easy to point the finger in another direction and ask the inevitable question, ‘What are they doing about it all?’ but never specifying who the ‘they’ are and what they can reasonably be expected to do.

The Defra team, led by Chief Plant Health Officer Nicola Spence, have and are doing a tremendous amount of good work but using the ‘they’ is also a way of avoiding personal responsibility. I would suggest that each of us, irrespective of our position in the landscape industry, has a responsibility to ensure that our everyday practices when handling plant material stand scrutiny.

At Barcham we adopted, a few years back, a very strict biosecurity policy which ensured that all imported trees are held on the nursery for at least one full growing season before being released into the landscape along with other precautionary measures such as independent vitality testing using leaf fluorescence and chlorophyll content, coupled with a rigorous in house control system forming part of a recent accreditation under ISO14001.

Other models are emerging. The Arboricultural Association has published a comprehensive guide to biosecurity best practice and the Landscape Institute has published a guide entitled

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Image above: Ash Die Back Image left: Emerald Ash Borer is a problem in the USA and Russia

‘Plant Health and Biosecurity Tool Kit’. Both organisations have devoted conference time and space to the issue in recent times. The HTA are supporting ongoing work which hopefully will result in an accreditation scheme for the industry with an accompanying logo for those who are successfully audited. The Forestry Commission have done and are doing a great deal of work which is published on their website.

However, none of the above can replace personal responsibility. It is worth remembering that Oak Processionary Moth came into the UK on a single tree, specified by a publicly unknown person and planted by an unknown contractor on behalf of a client. It is likely that one single person was responsible. One tree was imported and planted direct into the landscape without diligent audit processes in place. It is as simple as that. A question I often ask is whether any of you, the readers, would like to be responsible for the importation of one of the pests or diseases mentioned above and the potential decimation of parts of our landscape which might ensue because you or your organisation did not ask the right questions or have the right procedures in place.

The questions are known, and the models are out there, as indicated above, so there really is no excuse.

Details of Barcham Trees’ Biosecurity Policy can be found barchampro.co.uk Details of the Arboricultural Associations’ Biosecurity Guide can be found at trees.org Details of the Landscape Institute’s Toolkit can be found at landscapeinstitute.org>technicalresource>biosecurity-toolkit

TRAINING & TECHNICAL

Introducing BALI Digital in association with Adtrak BALI has launched several new digital support packages for members, in association with digital marketing and web agency Adtrak, under the new service name ‘BALI Digital in association with Adtrak’.

Following a successful two-year period which saw BALI partner with Adtrak to deliver over 20 new BALI member websites, a number of SEO and PPC campaigns, several new videos and two online advertising campaigns, BALI has now revisited its position with Registered Affiliate Adtrak and streamlined its product offering for today’s landscaping professional.

Established in 1997, Adtrak are specialists in web development, search engine optimisation (SEO), content marketing, photography, video, social marketing and branding and graphics.

They are a full-service Google Premier Partner agency based in Nottingham with over 120 staff, offering a friendly and competitive service for your online requirements.

To make the process even simpler, BALI members can now benefit from one of three packages, as per the menu below:

Members can now find out more information about each package within their member’s area on the BALI website. Adtrak are also working with BALI at this year’s FutureScape 2019, promoting digital marketing appointments where you can meet an expert to discuss your requirements.

• Spotlight Performance Website

A one-page website promoting a specific landscaping product (i.e. paving range, artificial grass, aggregate, topsoil). Developed specifically to generate leads and calls, the package also includes complimentary Google AdWords credit up to the value of £120. BALI members will receive a 20% member-only discount off the Spotlight Performance Website design and build.

Visit adtrak.co.uk and quote ‘BALI’ when speaking to a customer representative to access these exclusive packages.

• Performance Website

A 10-page website developed to generate ROI, offering a range of relevant products and services for a landscaping business. The package also includes complimentary Google AdWords credit up to the value of £120. BALI members will receive a 20% member-only discount off the Performance Website design and build. Additional pages can be added to the website on request and will be charged at the discounted rate.

• Bespoke Website

Project-specific, this package is ideal for those looking for a more bespoke offering that is tailored around the member’s needs and requirements.

The package also includes complimentary Google AdWords credit up to the value of £120. BALI members will receive a 20% memberonly discount off the Bespoke Website design and build.

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DESIGNER FOCUS

DESIGNING BY LOCA BALI has over 70 Registered Designer members in its network and Landscape News wanted to ask two of them, one based in the North of England and one in the South, whether there were any distinct differences when designing gardens across two parts of the UK. Lizzie Tulip MBALI is representing Yorkshire whilst Catherine Thomas MBALI is based in Wiltshire. Answering the same question, let’s see what they had to say…

Typically, there is more rainfall in the North than in the South, do you find this changes your design considerations for clients? Do you have problems with water logging causing damage to plants or producing a higher risk of rust or degradation of garden structures?

Lizzie: Having lived in London and the South for the first 35 years of my life, I notice the difference in the rain fall in Yorkshire, during the summer mostly. In the South when its parched we’re blessed with lush green leaves!

Bog gardens and wetland areas are commonplace in larger schemes, rarely drying completely in the summer.

Knowing the soil and drainage of the land is key to ensure plant establishment. Recently, winter rainfall has led to some problem solving, where the planting of new schemes hasn’t had a chance to establish, so when being hit by the winter wet have struggled. But we work closely with our clients and their gardeners, and constant aeration, simply with a fork, a good soil improver and not being tempted to mulch the surface has provided success.

Catherine: Here in the South we have wonderful chalk down land which drains very freely and contains minimal plant nutrients. This means that these

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areas have the most diverse wild flora.

Maintaining a wildflower meadow couldn’t be easier. A Mediterranean approach works well here too, and many of these plants are also resilient to sea spray and winds. Personally, I love the earthiness of rusted metal in a garden.

It’s not essential to use Corten Steel as slightly thicker mild steel is a cheaper alternative and just as good.

Any notable pests or diseases that are specific to your regions?

Lizzie: These are all flagged during consultation as needed and if necessary, normally at the detailed phase when we present our planting plans, but we try and avoid any with severe problems.

Saying that, I’m a big fan of Viburnums, particularly v. carlcephalum and v. davidii, so we discuss Viburnum Weevil with them, however this is not location specific. Ash Die Back is evident in some of the gardens we’re working on in North Yorkshire and sadly we know this is going to get worse before getting better.

Catherine: Fortunately, we don’t yet have Box Caterpillars in Salisbury, but we have all the blights which may not be prevalent yet in the North. We’re finding some hedge plants, such as Myrtus communis, are a good substitute. The bees love it and blackbirds enjoy the berries. I do not specify imported trees,

Autumn 2019

but home-grown olives are increasingly available. There are lots of known pests and diseases in the South of England with the higher concentration of planting in and around London, far more than we can list here.

When procuring natural stone, do you find in your region that there is much choice? Can it be locally sourced?

Lizzie: We are lucky to be rich in choice for stone across the North of England. We mostly source from three different quarries locally and also from Scotland. We’re often matching drystone walling or stone buildings or if looking for something contrasting, still don’t have to go too far. Sometimes budgets mean looking abroad is the only option, in which case we have suppliers who provide us with ethically sourced products.

Catherine: We have an abundance of local stone – Purbeck, Ham Stone, Chilmark, Rag Stone, Blue Lias, Bath, Cornish Slate, Granite, Green Sandstone and Cotswold and in addition the locally sourced flints and seaside pebbles which are typically combined with local bricks or chequer boarded with a local stone.

And of course, York Stone is ubiquitous and looks right everywhere. I think we have it all!

Do you have problems with clay type or sand-based soils that perhaps wouldn’t be as much of a problem elsewhere?

Lizzie: The clay soils of London were just as much of a problem as the clay soils in Harrogate! However, the projects we’re working on now are much bigger, so the scale of the issue has increased but we also have much more space to either muck shift, or remove areas, if it becomes necessary.

Catherine: Only if you want to grow plants which don’t suit these conditions, in which case raised beds will help. In

CATION places there are areas of green sand and clay layers where springs can randomly appear after rain. My first big project revealed huge greensand boulders which I used to retain a very high bank.

Generally, we have good fertile soil.

Do you source your plants locally and if so, are there any that thrive in your region?

Lizzie: In the more rural parts of the Dales, Yorkshire Moors and toward the North Pennines we’re very careful with frost tenderness. Plants such as Pittosporum, Hebe or Daphne we reserve for our more local clients in the lovely Vale of York. We did a large project in Chester a few years ago and were able to plant mature Olive trees without risk, so it is knowing the climate which can vary dramatically. We made a decision about five years ago to source our plants from local suppliers who we have developed a strong relationship with. With our higher level or rain fall we plant a pallet of moisture loving plants such as Rodgersia, Persicaria and Iris sibirica in gardens with greater assurance I suppose. Our pallet of trees has not changed much, although we have started to use Quercus robur ‘Koster’ for the Italianate look instead of considering any cypress.

Catherine: My plants are sourced from local nurseries as far as possible.

We can’t grow everything that northerners can, such as Miscanthus atop a chalky hill where I’ve seen fine specimens in Cheshire.

With less space available for private garden builds, primarily due to the rapid rise of new homes being built in the UK, have you found that your client’s workable garden plots are more restricted than what you have historically delivered?

Lizzie: We have worked on a lot of projects for gardens within new housing developments. The same problems

occur - ridiculously small plots, topsoil is shallow and poor quality and often mixed with subsoil, the soil is compact from site vehicles and the sub-base is not removed before planting or laying the lawn. Also, drainage has not been considered and its often impossible to remove settled water. We are very privileged to work on larger projects too, so we don’t let it get us down!

Catherine: Gardens are indeed getting smaller, so this requires greater ingenuity from the designer to adapt to these challenging conditions.

Have you ever hired apprentices to help you with projects, and, have you found it difficult to recruit willing and skilled workers?

Lizzie: I have both mentored and had new designers shadow me and work in the office. It’s always such an exciting process seeing people learn.

The most important skill is the ability to listen and willingness to learn. We work collaboratively as a team in the office, so egos have to be left by the door! Finding skilled contractors is one of our biggest problems. We will often have four or five different contractors building gardens for us at any one time, so we need a broad selection and I know many of the contractor’s struggle recruiting. We also help to match clients with gardeners to take their scheme forward and finding enthusiastic, skilled gardeners with sound horticultural knowledge is sadly thin on the ground. The industry needs to encourage more women - I’ve been designing gardens for just under 20 years and only worked with one female landscape contractor and one female gardener.

Catherine: I have a subsidiary garden maintenance company which allows our gardeners to develop my gardens as they mature but also independently as gardeners have traditionally done.

Lizzie Tulip owns a specialist design consultancy that is renowned for creating beautiful, stylish gardens.

Based in Yorkshire, projects of all sizes, locations and for public and private clients are worked on. Lizzie is an experienced award-winning designer. She lectures and writes about garden design and has had work featured in the national press and on the BBC. lizzietulip.com

Catherine offers a comprehensive design service, from consultancy to total design. Central to her approach is creating harmony between the client’s style, the buildings and surrounding landscape, working closely with clients to ensure that this harmony is achieved. Catherine has an interest in sustainability and sympathetic uses of hard landscape materials across her schemes, along with a wide plant knowledge which combines to create beautiful gardens and landscapes. catherinethomas.co.uk

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DESIGNER FOCUS

LET’S HEAR IT FOR ‘ECO, GREEN AND GROWING’ CHAMPION HANNAH GENDERS Ahead of her talk at BIOTOP’s International Conference on 21 & 22 November 2019, Registered Designer Hannah Genders MBALI shares an insight into her world of garden design with Marketing and Communications Manager Darren Taylor, including the challenges posed to designers by the inclusion of natural swimming pools and her special links to charity and the environment at RHS Malvern Spring Festival.

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Autumn 2019

What does being a BALI Registered Designer mean to you?

Being part of something that shows you have a quality to your work. I’ve also only had to use the legal help once, but it was excellent.

As a fully qualified garden designer, what three single pieces of advice could you offer student designers aspiring to own their own business?

Be determined and don’t give up when things are slow at the start. Do a show garden to launch yourself. Get a good accountant. Oh, and don’t get a big ego - that’s four!

You won a Silver-Gilt medal at RHS Chelsea in 2002 and Bronze in 2004.

Would you ever consider returning to secure the set by winning a Gold in the future?

I decided to exhibit at my local show which is the Malvern Spring Festival and I won gold for a locally sourced (on my bike) garden. The whole garden was supplied within 10 miles of my home.

I also won silver and silver-gilt for other gardens. A few years ago, I made the decision to not design anymore show gardens but support new designers in doing them instead. I now run a feature at the Malvern Spring Festival called Eco, Green and Growing promoting other people and charity projects and I absolutely love it.

Have you ever worked with a BALI Registered Contractor(s) to complete a

private garden(s)? What would you say sets an accredited professional apart from an unregistered landscaper?

Yes, I regularly work with BALI Registered Contractors to complete both private gardens and some commercial projects, this shows a level of competence and ability, but you always need to check people’s work and know you work well, together as a team. It’s as much about the relationship and how you work together and if they like your designs!

Therapy gardens that support, educate and inspire seem to be a trend for you.

Would you say that’s a fair observation, and if so, what made you approach garden design in this way?

I worked as a braillist when I first set up the business and I’ve always had a thread of ‘therapeutic’ gardens through my work and it’s been very important to me as I really believe green space has a healing and beneficial effect. But I’ve come to realise we all need it and often gardens are the route, we have to get back in touch with nature and the natural world.

One of your previous projects involved you incorporating a natural swimming pool within the design. How challenging was this and would you recommend natural pools as a more environmentally friendly alternative to manmade chemical ones?

Hannah Genders MBALI at RHS Malvern Spring Festival

natural pools and wild swimming are wonderful. It is challenging and I’ve learnt a lot about natural pools doing my own and designing others. My advice is to choose the right company to work with as there are many companies that have jumped on this trend that don’t have the experience. Look for that BALI Registered status!

What do you love about garden design?

Everything, designing, building, even with its challenges, and the planting. Creatively working with the environment. I really love what I do and that has never gone away.

What do you dislike?

Cold days measuring up a garden when you just can’t get warm!

I believe natural pools are the future. We need less chemicals in our lives and for well-being and connecting with nature,

Hannah Genders MBALI is a Registered Designer member of BALI based in the historic market town of Evesham in Worcestershire. Hannah will be speaking at BIOTOP’s international conference in November which is exclusively for BIOTOP partners.

To view Hannah’s work or to get in touch visit hannahgenders.co.uk

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OUT AND ABOUT

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OUT ABOUT WITH BALI

There’s more to this company than just edging As late Summer turns to early Autumn and our landscapes begin their seasonal transformation, at Registered Affiliate EverEdge it’s almost the polar opposite; a company that, although has seen change over the years, remains steadfastly British and privately owned by the Hall family since it was founded in the mid 1990’s.

This was most evident for Marketing and Communications Manager, Darren Taylor, on a recent trip to the British steel edging expert’s head office in rural Shropshire.

EverEdge, who joined BALI in 2016 as a Registered Affiliate member, are a steel garden edging company that is a true British success story. Founded

by Richard Hall in 1993, the company is now owned by son Alex Hall who employs eight staff working out of their idyllic premises near the town of Market Drayton in Shropshire. Based on the core principal of providing precisionengineered steel edging to domestic and commercial sites around the world, EverEdge is renowned for its Britishmade products which are all invented, designed and manufactured in the UK. With its durable nature, the steel edging can be flexed and shaped according to site requirements, offering clients a custom service with a broad range of product finishes, both in terms of colour and size. Looking for Corten Steel, they’ve got that. Maybe you’re after a galvanized effect, or prefer slate grey, green, brown or black? Artificial lawns? They also have a way you can expertly butt up grass edges to borders with ease, as well as deeper edging for borders that are fuller and richer in soil quantity and planting. From their iconic Classic range to ProEdge, Titan and Halestem brands, EverEdge have perfected their products over two decades. Arming landscapers with steel strips that help to create stunning landscapes that present endless curves, tight angular bends or miles of straight edging for a professional and picture-

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The warehouse in Market Drayton, one of several sites that stores EverEdge products ready for shipment to clients; from the UK to America, Australia and Europe

perfect finish is what the team have built their reputation on and continue to excel at.

Since its inception the team at EverEdge have evolved their product offering to now include raised beds and metal planters in a range of sizes, crafted to meet the needs of garden designers, landscape architects and contractors who are looking for a way to provide symmetry, linearity or curvaceous borders in a range of settings, from stately homes to RHS gardens, rooftops to commercial premises. Combined with the production and shipment of hundreds of thousands of metres of edging every year, EverEdge are a British brand that are formidably placed in the market to offer customers the biggest range of edging products in the country, with global attraction and local service.

If you would like to make an enquiry about one of their steel products please contact the team on +44(0)1630 417120 or enquiries@ everedge.co.uk for assistance.

Autumn 2019

The EverEdge team including Managing Director Alex Hall (front centre-right) and Technical Adviser Simon Arrowsmith (front far right) who helped arrange the meeting

During the visit, Darren met with Managing Director Alex Hall, Technical Adviser Simon Arrowsmith and Marketing Manager Peter Hughes to discuss ways in which BALI could better support them as a member.

Some of the topics discussed included BALI helping EverEdge promote its services and product ranges to its members, raising awareness of the brand and working together to increase the number of referrals, as well as exploring opportunities for stand sharing at future events and providing EverEdge with more materials they can use to promote the fact they are BALI members on a more regular basis.

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EVENTS

Events Calendar Highlights 2019/20 17 October

Future Landscape Conference 2019, Museum of London prolandscapermagazine.com/future-landscape

22 October

Specifi Landscape Birmingham, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Broad Street, Birmingham specifi.co.uk

30-31 October

17 March

FutureScape Spring 2020, Sandown Racecourse, Esher, Surrey futurescapeevent.com

22-23 April

SALTEX, NEC, Birmingham iogsaltex.com

Trees, People and the Built Environment 4, University of Birmingham charteredforesters.org/event/ trees-people-built-environment-4

19-23 May

19 November

FutureScape 2019, Sandown Park Racecourse, Surrey futurescapeevent.com

RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London rhs.org.uk/shows-events

29-31 May

6 December

BALI National Landscape Awards 2019, JW Marriott, Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London baliawards.co.uk

Gardening Scotland 2020, Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh gardeningscotland.com

11 - 14 June

3-5 March 4 March

Futurebuild 2020, ExCel London futurebuild.co.uk The Garden Press Event, The Business Design Centre, Islington gardenpressevent.co.uk

7-12 July 22-26 July

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival rhs.org.uk/shows-events RHS Chatsworth Flower Show 2020, Chatsworth Estate, Derbyshire rhs.org.uk/shows-events RHS Tatton Park Flower Show rhs.org.uk/shows-events

SALTEX 2019

POWERED BY INNOVATION SALTEX 2019, taking place at the NEC Birmingham on October 30 and 31, continues to be the go-to destination for highlights of innovation in the groundscare environment, bringing together grounds personnel from across a wide variety of sectors and disciplines to unite, collaborate and celebrate the latest technologies.

During the two-day event, more than 500 brands will be on show to over 9,000 visitors that are increasingly demanding new grounds management solutions, set across three large show halls containing a plethora of exhibitors showcasing turf maintenance machinery, fertilizers, wetting agents, seeds, turf, aggregates and treatments, weed control, facilities management services, fencing and landscaping.

New for 2019, the Eco Village featuring a programme of daily demonstrations in cutting-edge sustainable technology – allowing visitors an opportunity of seeing a number of products in action.

Furthermore, industry experts within this village will offer advice on green technology and how it could benefit current working practices.

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Groundscare advice will be available across the show floor, within four seminar theatres. Learning LIVE, SALTEX’s free, all-encompassing education programme will feature over 50 CPD accredited seminars and more than 100 expert speakers. The programme has been developed and curated alongside leading industry partners and influencers to provide support, insight and real solutions to the biggest issues that the audience care about most.

BALI has supported SALTEX for many years, and for SALTEX 2019, the association will have a dedicated zone featuring specially selected companies that can offer products, services and support to landscape professionals.

As well as a number of Registered Affiliate members exhibiting

Autumn 2019

throughout the SALTEX halls, it has been confirmed that Green-tech, Makita UK, Melcourt Industries, Honda, YMCA Training, EverEdge, British Sugar TOPSOIL and Dorset Soils and Aggregates will all be present within the BALI Zone. The BALI National Contractor’s Forum (BALI-NCF) will also be hosting a ‘meet the manufacturer’ workshop on the second day of the show.

Located in the centre of the UK, whether you are travelling from overseas or within the UK, the NEC is easy to get to by car, rail or air.

SALTEX 2019 is free to attend. To register your attendance and beat the queues visit iogsaltex.com.

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Greenfingers Charity opens more hospice gardens in its 20th anniversary year Greenfingers Charity, the only UK charity creating magical gardens in children’s hospices, is this year celebrating its 20th anniversary. Established in 1999, Greenfingers Charity has to-date created 57 gardens in which thousands of life-limited children, their families and carers have been able to create many precious outside memories.

It has certainly been a very busy year for the charity: two new hospice gardens have opened to the delight of the patients, the staff and the families who receive local care on the Wirral and in East London and there are more nearing completion and a growing waiting list of hospices that need their help.

Opened in the summer, the redesigned and renovated garden at Claire House Children’s Hospice on the Wirral, now provides a stunning sensory place of enjoyment and rest for those life-limited children and their families that call Claire House ‘home’.

After many visits to determine the special needs of patients, staff and families “The Garden of Colour” was designed by award winning designer Carolyn Willitts and her team and built and planted by Cheshire-based landscapers Landstruction, whilst many friends donated gifts in kind to support the project.

In the heart of East London’s Dockland area, Richard House Children’s Hospice was the beneficiary of “The Let’s Explore” garden thanks to the vision and creativity of award-winning garden designers Andrew and Dan of Fisher Tomlin & Bowyer and the landscape

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team from Registered Contractor Kings Landscapes. Situated between the hospice and the Docklands Light Railway, the new garden has become an enchanting, accessible space in which children and families can play and explore whilst enjoying the benefits of spending time outside and close to nature.

Both new gardens have benefited from some elements from The Greenfingers Charity Garden which was at the 2019 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Benches, a fabulous apple-shaped swing seat and soft furnishings have been successfully utilised. Some plants too were found a new home here including the recently launched variety of Mexican Orange Blossom properly named Choisya ternata “Greenfingers”.

Greenfingers Charity’s work will continue into the autumn and beyond and thanks to Darren Hawkes, Little Harbour Children’s Hospice in Cornwall will soon have a fabulous all-weather garden which will ensure children and families will be able to spend time outside enjoying the Cornish air whatever the weather. And in the North East, Sean Murray’s design at the “Nest and Rest Garden” at Grace House in Sunderland is set to officially open in October.

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Claire House Children’s Hospice’s new sensory garden

Greenfingers Charity would like to thank BALI and its members for supporting their work, designing, building, fundraising and fund-saving. Your continued support will make a very real difference to thousands of seriously ill children, their families and their carers.

For more information about the charity visit greenfingerscharity.org.uk or contact linda@greenfingercharity.org.uk

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BALI AWARDS 2019

91 awards announced for the BALI National Landscape Awards 2019 Out of 145 entries submitted in 2019, 91 National Landscape Awards have been bestowed on 63 members of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI), with several members winning an award in multiple categories.

Since the event was brought back in-house in 2018, numerous records have been achieved including the most entries received in the past 10 years as well as the highest number of entries from first-time entrants at 51, 35% of the total entries and an incredible record of 34 International entries.

Notable wins include five Awards for Registered Contractors Nurture Landscapes, four Awards for Garden Club London and three Awards for Rosemary Coldstream MBALI of Rosemary Coldstream Garden Design. Registered Contractor Sky Garden, who recently joined BALI also took home an Award for its scheme ‘One Bayshill Road’ in the ‘Soft Landscaping Construction (nondomestic) - Under £500K’ category whilst Bridgman & Bridgman, another new member, won an Award for its roof garden at IKEA Greenwich.

The BALI National Landscape Awards’ expert Adjudication Panel, led by John Melmoe was joined by BALI Chief Executive Wayne Grills, Operations Manager Kirsty Wood and Events Project Manager Leah Brookes for a three-day deliberation marathon in late August where each of the 145 entries were scrutinised.

BALI National Landscape Awards 2019 Award Winners Domestic Garden Construction Under 30k Sponsored by Derbyshire Aggregates • LDC for A Private Residence in Leytonstone • Boast About The Garden for Outdoor Kitchen & Seating Area • Garden Club London for Private Residence in Teddington • Langlea Garden Design & Construction for Line

Domestic Garden Construction Between £30k - £60k Sponsored by Palmstead Nurseries • J & S Scapes for Private Residence in Weedon • Garden Club London for Private Residence in Middlesex • Garden Club London for Private Residence in London • Landscape Associates for Private Residence in Peckham

Domestic Garden Construction Between £60k - £100k Sponsored by Johnsons of Whixley • HG Landscapes for ECS • Isola Garden Design for Family Lifestyle Garden • Graduate Gardeners for Private Residence, Kirtlington, Oxfordshire • Baikie Landscape Construction for Private Residence in Burghclere • PWP Landscape Design for Private Residence in Harrogate

Domestic Garden Construction Between £100k - £250k Sponsored by Van den Berk Nurseries

BALI would like to offer its congratulations to all of this year’s winners. Tickets for this year’s ceremony are now on sale at baliawards.co.uk with further details on pricing on page 8.

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• Verde Landscapes for Private Residence in Kent • J & S Scapes for Private Residence in Wingrave • The Outdoor Room for Ribbon Wheel Garden • Living Landscapes for Private Residence in Surrey • Outdoor Options for Belvoir House

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• Greenhaven Group for Pendlehaven • Landscape Associates for Private Residence in Wandsworth

Domestic Garden Construction Over £250k Sponsored by Europlants UK • LDC for Private Residence in Esher • Inscapes for Private Residence in Old Windsor

Soft Landscaping Construction (non-domestic) - Under £500k Sponsored by Landscape Institute • Bowles & Wyer for Newnham College • Sky Garden for One Bayshill Road

Soft Landscaping Construction (non-domestic) - Over £500k Sponsored by Bourne Amenity • NT Killingley for University of Northampton, Waterside Campus • idverde for Sauchiehall Street Avenue, Glasgow

Hard Landscaping Construction (non-domestic) - Under £500K • Blakedown Landscapes (SE) for Cannon Park Memorial • NAO Landscapes for Bedford House • PC Landscapes for Exbury Centenary Garden

Hard Landscaping Construction (non-domestic) - Over £500k Sponsored by Brickworks Vande Moortel • Maylim for Coal Drops Yard • Elite Landscapes for One Blackfriars • Blakedown Landscapes (SE) for RHS Wisley • Wright Landscapes for Manchester Science Park • Ground Control for Children’s Garden, Kew Gardens • Frosts Landscape Construction for 2- 6 Cannon Street

Community and Schools Development • Carrier Landscapes for College Square • LockWood Landscapes for Playground Development

BALI National Landscape Awards Adjudicators 2019 (From left to right) Mick Callahan, Richard Barnard, Jason Lock, Andrew Legg and Robin Templar Williams MBALI,

BALI National Landscape Awards Adjudicators during final deliberations at BALI Landscape House

• HOS Landscapes for The Quad • Talbot Farm Landscapes for Icknield Port Loop • Ground Control for Children’s Garden, Kew Gardens • Bowles & Wyer for NHS 70 Garden

Regeneration Scheme - Over £500k Sponsored by MCM • Blakedown Landscapes (SE) for Venetian Waterways • Talbot Farm Landscapes for Icknield Port Loop

Grounds Maintenance (to include Green Roof Maintenance) Free Public Access Sponsored by Ransomes Jacobsen • Gavin Jones for Pottersfields • idverde for The Regent’s Park

Grounds Maintenance (to include Green Roof Maintenance) - Limited Public Access Sponsored by Reesink Turfcare UK • Nurture Landscapes for Snowhill • Scotscape Landscaping for Vista Development, Berkeley Homes

Grounds Maintenance (to include Green Roof Maintenance) - Private Sponsored by ICL Specialty Fertilizers • Nurture Landscapes for Private Business in Waltham on the Wolds • Gavin Jones for St. John’s School • Bowles & Wyer for Private Roof Garden in London

Registered Designer & Registered Contractor Joint Submission Sponsored by Easigrass • Sue Townsend MBALI & Oak View Landscapes for Private Residence in Essex • Rosemary Coldstream MBALI & Landform Consultants for Hampstead Modern Garden • Tony Woods MBALI & Garden Club London for Private Residence in Middlesex

Interior Landscape Installation only • Nurture Landscapes for Kimpton Fitzroy Hotel

Interior Landscape Maintenance only • Nurture Landscapes for Smarkets

Roof Gardens/Living Wall Installations Sponsored by Green-tree Topsoil • Bridgman and Bridgman for IKEA Greenwich • Goddards (Landscape Contractors) for Private Roof Garden, WC1 • Nurture Landscapes for Private Roof Garden in Kensington • Biotecture for Wimbledon No 1 Court • Frosts Landscape Construction for 10 Fenchurch • Scotscape Landscaping for The Royal Lancaster Hotel Living Wall • Greenside Landscapes for Private Roof Garden, EC1 Design Excellence Award -

Overall Scheme Under £50k

Sponsored by Provender Nurseries • Rosemary Coldstream MBALI for Copper Courtyard • Elaine Rutherford MBALI for Private Residence in Altrincham

Design Excellence Award Overall Scheme Over £100k Sponsored by Ground Control • Patricia Fox MBALI for Hertfordshire Walled Garden • Rosemary Coldstream MBALI for Modern Garden, Hampstead

International Award • Beijing Beilin Landscape Architecture Institute for Landscape Design Project, The First Rainwater-Harvesting Park in Qian’an • DDON Planning and Design for Sloping Word • Shimao Group for Loong Palace • Atelier DYJG for Renewal of Xiamen Zhongshan Park • Atelier DYJG for Quarry Gardens of Nanning Garden Expo • U.P.Space (Beijing) Landscape Architecture Design Consultants for Xiong’an Vanke Rainwater Neighbourhood

• DDON Planning and Design for Jiangyin Chengjiang Garden • Xiamen Urban Environment Design Engineering Co. for Xiamen Old Theatre Cultural Park • Beijing Tsinghua Tongheng Urban Planning and Design Institute for Wetland Paradise on a Giant Rooftop – The Wetland Park in Huaifang Reclaimed-Water Plant • Beijing Tsinghua Tongheng Urban Planning and Design Institute for Mayi Mountain Park, Oasis on the QinghaiTibet Plateau • China Construction Engineering Design Group Corporation for Qingdao Fushan Ecological Park Landscape Enhancement Project • Beijing Beilin Landscape Architecture Institute for Jinzhong Baicaopo Forest Botanic Garden • Ecoland Planning and Design Corp. for Zhonghai Tianyu Garden, Shenyang • Beijing Beilin Landscape Architecture Institute for Landscape Greening Project of Jiahe Ecological Country Park • Shanghai Edging A&LA CO. for Landscape Design of Rose Garden of Shanghai Jiao Tong University • Shanghai Edging A&LA CO. for Renewal Design of Shanghai Zuibaichi Park

Affiliate Exceptional Service Award Sponsored by idverde • Platipus Anchors • SAiGE Longlife Decking • Dorset Soils and Aggregates • MCM • Mobilane UK

Employer Excellence Award Turnover Over £2.5m Sponsored by Gavin Jones • Gavin Jones • Green-tech • The CGM Group (East Anglia) • Benchmark Grounds Maintenance We would also like to thank our Special Award Sponsors; Makita, Oracle Solicitors and British Sugar TOPSOIL

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PRODUCT & AFFILIATE NEWS The Garden Trellis Company launch a new website with stunning bespoke galleries For over 25 years, Registered Affiliate The Garden Trellis Company have been designing and manufacturing the most desirable and affordable garden joinery. Their website has become a reference point for landscapers and garden designers, and they have recently given it a facelift.

The website is now even more inspirational, thanks to the gorgeous new design and updated bespoke galleries. You can now browse their extensive collection of beautifully made classic and contemporary bespoke garden joinery products with everything from trellis, planters, slatted panels and gates to summerhouses, gazebos and decorative stores.

The new website is optimised for mobile, meaning that you can plan projects on the go, and show ideas to clients. Their installation guides are also now more accessible, so you can check details when on site.

Director Julian Furness says, “We believe the natural beauty of wood can enhance any garden design, no matter the scale of the project.

With its natural grains, soft contours and durability, expertly made

garden joinery is an investment in the overall look of a property and provides quality outdoor living for years to come.”

Now is a great time of year to tidy up gardens ready for winter. As the planting tends to thin out, the permanent elements in the garden start to become more prominent.

Installing smart new fencing, trellis, obelisks and other garden joinery can give the garden a structured, polished feel all year round.

The Garden Trellis Company also have a fantastic range of products that you can order from their online shop. We particularly like their competitively priced Painted Wooden Shed, the Large Log Store and of course the Classic Trellis and Contemporary Slatted Panels.

Garden Trellis Company also manufacture high-quality garden climbers

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For bespoke customers, The Garden Trellis Company offer a site visit, free CAD design service and installation service with a “clean site guarantee”.

For a long-lasting finish in your choice of colour, they also have a fantastic painting service where the joinery is sanded, spray painted for an even finish with an undercoat and topcoat and dried in specialist drying rooms.

You can find out more about the craft of bespoke joinery with their new virtual tour video on their website gardentrellis.co.uk and YouTube channel, just search ‘Garden Trellis Company’ if accessing on youtube.com.

If you would like to talk through a project further get in touch online today or call the team on +44(0)1255 688 361. Visit the Garden Trellis Company’s new website for more information and inspiration at gardentrellis.co.uk.

PRODUCT & AFFILIATE NEWS

WHY YOU SHOULD GO CORDLESS ACCORDING TO MAKITA UK

HY-TEX UK LAUNCHES BIODEGRADABLE FABRIC SUBSTRATES RANGE

For regular users of garden machinery, the time really has come to consider going cordless. Here, Mark Earles, Business Development Manager OPE at Registered Affiliate Makita, looks at some of the technological advancements which mean that the latest cordless machines really do hold their own.

Registered Affiliate Hy-Tex UK are pleased to announce that they now offer a range of fully biodegradable fabric substrates that are designed for growing soilfree wildflower and grass turf.

The benefits of cordless machines are obvious, they allow for much greater freedom of movement and improved health and safety. However, for some, the earlier machines just didn’t offer the power or run times they needed.

Developments in battery technology over recent years have changed all that. Makita’s Lithium-ion battery technology (LXT), for example, offers far longer run times and charge times, which improves on-site efficiency. LXT has also been designed to charge and discharge evenly across all cells, keeping the battery – and therefore the tool working at its optimum.

A number of Makita’s hedge trimmers are powered by LXT batteries. For example, the DUH751Z, DUH601Z and DUH502Z each benefit from LXT technology and the inclusion of a Battery Protection System. This system is designed to protect the battery from damage caused by high temperature, over discharge or overload current, and ultimately ensures that operators can continue to use the tool, problemfree for longer. It works by allowing the battery and the tool to exchange real-time data and monitor conditions during use.

LXT batteries also communicate with the chargers, to rectify issues such as overheating – if the battery is too hot, the charger can cool down the battery using an in-built fan before recharging.

When cordless machines also incorporate a brushless motor, the user will see even further benefits.

As brushless motors do not have carbon brushes or a commutator, no friction is created within the motor, which improves on-site efficiency and the longevity of the tool. Even when

used in hard industrial applications or over extended periods of time, the motor’s design prevents the tool from overheating.

Tools that include both a brushless motor and LXT batteries can be up to 50% more efficient and two times as durable, in comparison to alternative models with standard motors. Tools with brushless motors also produce lower vibration levels, improving the safety of those using the machine.

For example, Makita’s DUR364LZ brushless linetrimmer has been cleverly designed with the brushless motor situated near to the head of the machine. This significantly reduces the vibration levels in the shaft of the linetrimmer, making the tool safer for operators.

The DUR364LZ also utilises two 18V batteries in series – which means that the DC motor drive system is supplied with 36V, making this a high-power machine. The DUR364LZ also includes an electronic current limiter, which prevents overloading and ensures that the tool can continue to perform.

LXT is used across over 200 Makita tools, meaning that operators can easily switch between tools depending on the task. To find out more about Makita and its range of cordless garden machinery products visit makitauk.com

The Kent-based company, who are an established supplier of environmental and ground engineering solutions, has developed their new range to reflect the continual environmentally friendly commitment they have adopted in all areas of the business.

The range - aptly named EcoStrate™ - offers many benefits, most notably the quality of the material. The inert fibres used in the EcoStrate™ fabrics are less prone to bacterial growth and are intended to maintain their structural integrity throughout the growing and installation process, making them easy to handle and install, and a great way to reintroduce wildflower biodiversity.

Also included in Hy-Tex’s new EcoStrate™ range is a lightweight stabilised substrate made from Poly Lactic Acid, which is extracted from fermented plant sugars, and designed specifically for the hydroponic cultivation of microgreens.

Alongside this launch, Hy-Tex are also proud to confirm they gladly donated funds towards the ‘Make a #Bee Line to #Dymchurch’ event back in early August. The aim of the charity workshop is to highlight the need to protect bees and green spaces in the local community – the children created mini works of art on pebbles and then placed them along the seawall of Dymchurch in Kent to form a ‘Bee Line’. Hy-Tex’s generous donation helped the event organisers purchase the paint so that the children could decorate the pebbles.

For more information on Hy-Tex’s broad product range, visit their new website hy-tex.co.uk

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PRODUCT & AFFILIATE NEWS

Eljays44’s FutureScape 2019 raises its game to help the landscape industry raise theirs:

TIME FOR FRESH THINKING One of the most inclusive events in the landscape calendar, FutureScape returns this November in its eighth year. Pivotal

as a collaborative platform for ongoing development across all sectors of landscaping, horticulture and landscape design, the intensive and informal one-day event takes place at its nowestablished home at Sandown Park Racecourse on Tuesday 19 November 2019, running from 9am-5pm.

November’s FutureScape, developed and delivered by Registered Affiliate Eljays44, sits at the head of the Pro Landscaper family, alongside its live events, publications, awards and collaborative projects. The organisers have raised their game to help their professional landscape audience raise theirs in the face of new and ever-increasing challenges and opportunities. Channelling new voices and welcoming a healthy injection of new exhibitors, panellists and topics chosen to enrich and challenge, FutureScape will enable fresh thinking from contractors, builders, designers, suppliers, growers and specifiers from businesses, large and small.

products and first-time exhibitors adding to the fresh feel of the event.

BALI will be supporting the event and its members from stand 58.

With visitor numbers expected to top 2,500 and an impressive proportion of the BALI membership out in force, FutureScape’s heart lies in its celebrated seminar programme. The topics are powerful this year, covering themes including landscaping for a sustainable future, wellbeing at work, daring design, the “lionesses” of landscaping and attracting the next generation of talent.

The day also recognises those raising their game or taking their first steps into the landscape spotlight, courtesy of the 30 under 30: The Next Generation and the small project BIG IMPACT awards.

Registration for the event is now open, free to attend for all with a vested interest in the landscape. To find out more, to view the full exhibitor list and to register for the event, visit futurescapeevent.com

MELCOURT LEADS THE WAY IN PEATFREE PRODUCTS The future of British landscaping is peat-free – and Registered Affiliate Melcourt Industries is leading the way with an ever-widening range of products and a vastly expanded stockist network.

The Melcourt range of peat-free topsoils, composts, soil improvers and mulches are now available from a national network of specialist landscape stockists and building merchants which has grown by almost 100 outlets in recent months.

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Registered Affiliate Marley recently joined BALI and has a wealth of expertise and outstanding knowledge in the timber market.

At their site in Gainsborough they manufacture a range of antislip decking and manage the quality of their products at each stage from timber selection through to grading, machining and treatment.

Initially developed to meet the inclusivity and accessibility requirements of the London Olympics, Marley’s CitiDeck® is now specified for many urban applications from schools and care homes to restaurants and housing projects.

CitiDeck is a smooth profile with two slightly less abrasive antislip inserts, which comfortably exceeds the HSE’s minimum requirement for a safe, nonslip surface. This smooth profile provides an easier surface for pedestrians and wheelchair users.

Timber decks are low maintenance; aside from a sweep with a brush and an annual clean, they can be left to weather naturally. Smooth deck boards are much easier to maintain and keep clean as the profile prevents litter or dirt becoming trapped.

Packing out its two main halls, the show features over 200 exhibitors, with BALI Registered Affiliates at their backbone, plus new faces, concepts,

The move towards peat-free landscaping is accelerating as the first of the Government’s deadlines for the elimination of peat use approaches and awareness of the environmental damage caused by peat extraction grows.

GET TO GRIPS WITH MARLEY…

The traditional Melcourt bark-based products are now also complemented by a range of decorative aggregates.

‘Sales to landscapers of both bagged and bulk products continue to grow at an exceptional rate as their availability nationwide improves,” says Andy Chalmers, Melcourt Managing Director.

‘The peat-free deadlines need hold no fears for landscape professionals since we have a proven peat-free alternative for every situation and budget.’

For more information contact Andy Chalmers on +44(0)7850 580449 or visit melcourt.co.uk

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All of Marley’s antislip decking is structurally graded to a minimum of C16 and is preservative treated to achieve a 30-year service life.

Timber is a natural, aesthetically pleasing material which can be left to weather naturally to blend in with its surroundings. Timber decking has the lowest embodied energy when compared to other hard landscaping materials and with all Marley’s timber sourced sustainably with FSC & PEFC accreditation, timber decking really is the natural choice to enhance the environmental credentials of any project.

To learn more about their range of antislip decking and to order free samples visit marley.co.uk

PRODUCT & AFFILIATE NEWS

CLIMBING TO SUCCESS WITH AGRIFRAMES Following this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Marketing and Communications Manager Darren Taylor sat down with Registered Affiliate Agriframes’ PR and Communications Manager Vicky Standing to discuss USPs, the BBC and Monty Don! Darren: If I was to ask you to sum up what Agriframes stands for in three words…

requirements, whether that be a change in size, adapting the shape or creating a unique colour finish.

Vicky: Trusted, Quality and Style.

Darren: When you think ‘Agriframes’, you think quality garden structures. Is that correct, or do your customers recognise you for your other product ranges?

Darren: Agriframes as a brand is almost as old as BALI, if not older, so how does it feel to be heading towards your 50th year in business?

Vicky: A few of us in the business are also nearing that significant landmark and so are well positioned to say that it feels great!

Agriframes have been specialists in creating stylish high-quality garden structures for the whole of that 50 years and while we have introduced a number of other products to our range it is the structures, plant supports and fruit cages which remain at the heart of the business. Our expertise in that, spanning half a century, is what helps keep our reputation with customers second to none.

Darren: What makes Agriframes’ products so unique in the marketplace?

Vicky: Agriframes has over the years developed a product range which can sit comfortably within both traditional and contemporary settings - the tubular construction of our structures offers great strength and stability without visually dominating the planting they are designed to complement and enhance.

The ongoing development of the products, most recently the introduction of our slimline forged joints and matt black finish to our traditional range, are part of a constant process of evolution and development, much of it driven by customer feedback.

Darren: Tell us a little bit about your bespoke service?

Vicky: Our bespoke service allows us to adapt existing product designs to work with the customer’s particular

The Agriframes brand has been synonymous with stylish and highquality garden structures for many decades and we enjoy great loyalty from our customers, many of whom have been with us from the start and recommend our products to their children and even grandchildren.

Darren: What did it mean to Agriframes that the BBC chose to film from your stand at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019?

Their constantly evolving product ranges now includes coloured and textured finishes, slim-line fixings and joints and an extensive selection of carefully designed kitchen garden ranges developed to reflect the enthusiasm for produce grown at home in a traditional and attractive setting. Add detail, form and structure to your next garden design. Visit agriframes.co.uk to view their entire product catalogue.

30% BALI member offer

Vicky: The whole team worked incredibly hard to ready our stand for Chelsea and so it was particularly nice for us to be recognised by the BBC for the incredible visual impact it provided; our pergola covered in scented roses on a summers day really captured the essence of the show for audiences watching at home.

Darren: We hear your products received the seal of approval from Monty himself!

Agriframes has teamed up with Landscape News to offer all BALI members a 30% discount off a range of products when signing up for a trade account. This will also enable members to access to a dedicated named contact when placing future orders and additional offers throughout the year. To benefit from the offer call +44(0)117 934 1790 or email info@agriframes.co.uk and quote ‘BALI’.

Vicky: They did indeed! He was great company and very generous in his conversations with our design team – he clearly knows the brand and our reputation well and was very interested in our Kitchen Garden structures and the sustainable products that we have in the range.

Agriframes are renowned for playing a leading part in the garden industry for over 45 years, designing and manufacturing an inspiring range of garden structures and garden supports to suit both traditional and contemporary settings.

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PRODUCT & AFFILIATE NEWS

NORTH LONDON SCHOOL CALLS IN HAZARDOUS WASTE SPECIALISTS MCM (SE)

MCM (SE) carry out coal-tar assessments on excavated tarmac

A North London school has plans to move to its new permanent site in Tottenham in September 2019. As the site development has progressed, the contractor responsible for the site’s groundworks preparation contacted Registered Affiliate MCM (SE) as their hazardous waste removal specialists upon the discovery of potentially hazardous material within the terrain. As their regular first point of contact in such scenarios, the contractor commissioned MCM (SE) for the assessment, classification and removal of the hazardous waste as necessary.

Attending the site in North London swiftly, one of MCM’s (SE) technical advisors began the inspection of the stockpile of excavated tarmac material to determine whether there was coal tar contamination or if the excavation was, in fact, entirely coal tar in its composition. Checking the potential contamination initially by visual and olfactory assessment methods, MCM (SE) began their deeper coal-tar assessment using specialist tools and materials. This gives a better indication of the presence in the layers and indicates the thickness of layers potentially affected. Application to the affected tarmac debris and a control

piece of concrete from a non-affected area allowed comparison to identify any further visual differences. Significant break-out areas were marked all around the perimeter of the stockpile and to its peak and were re-inspected for a further assessment. With referenced site maps and a full report of findings, assessment results and recommendations, the material was declared non-hazardous, allowing the client to continue on site, safe in the knowledge that none of the material required special waste removal measures. MCM (SE) were able to arrange the removal and tipping of the designated non-hazardous material quickly and safely.

The MCM (SE) team have been managing the assessment and removal of hazardous and contaminated waste for over 20 years. Via a network of tips, remediation centres and landfill sites, they have safely removed hazardous waste swiftly and effectively from tens of thousands of sites, disposing of more than 300,000 tonnes of waste in the process. This MCM coal-tar assessment accompanies the visual and olfactory inspection, the results of which are written up and submitted to the client following the extensive site investigation.

This helps clients to determine and categorise their waste correctly and enables MCM (SE) to assign the correct waste code for its disposal at one of their licenced facilities.

View further information about waste removal and muckaway services visit mcm-se.com/services/muckaway

MILL ROAD MOSQUE BENEFITS FROM BRITISH SUGAR TOPSOIL The stunning new £23m mosque in Mill Road, Cambridge, which was designed by award-winning architects Marks Barfield who designed the London Eye, is the city’s first purpose-built mosque and the most architecturally distinguished mosque in the UK. Columnar timber ‘trees’ form the main structure, both inside and out. With capacity for 1,000 worshippers, it is open to all faiths and its beautiful gardens can be used by members of the general public at any time, helping to break down barriers in the local community.

A landscape contractor was appointed by landscape architects Urquhart & Hunt to create the gardens, designed by Islamic garden designer Emma Clark. Her design is a harmonious balance between Islamic structure and relaxed herbaceous and naturalistic planting, which evokes a sense of harmony through the seasons and a connection with the rhythm of the natural cycles of the year. A respect for sustainability, biodiversity and insectfriendly planting has also been a constant theme in the selection of plants.

The contractor took delivery of. 230 bulk bags of Registered Affiliate British Sugar TOPSOIL’s premier planting soil ‘HortLoam’ in February and March 2019 in preparation for carrying out the soft planting. HortLoam is a blend of BS3882:2015-compliant topsoil, medium to coarse sand and added organic matter in the form of PAS100-compliant ‘green’ compost.

The organic matter increases nutrient

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availability and helps retain moisture in drought conditions, whilst the sand improves drainage during wet periods.

The Mill Road mosque project has been an enjoyable and rewarding scheme for all those involved in the design and build and the contractor’s choice of planting medium has contributed to the garden’s success: ‘HortLoam was the ideal planting medium for the project as sustainability was an important part of the designer’s brief. I’ve always found British Sugar TOPSOIL products to be of a high quality, consistent, and supported by great customer service. The ease of ordering made deliveries quick to turn around. I would recommend this product to any landscaper for planting schemes.’

For more information visit bstopsoil.co.uk

Autumn 2019

PRODUCT & AFFILIATE NEWS

NO HASSLE AT THE CASTLE FOR RIGBY TAYLOR

ALS ‘Whips’ up a frenzy in tree protection Registered Affiliate Amenity Land Solutions (ALS) are delighted to announce the launch of Whiptec tree shelters, a new high-quality range designed to enhance the establishment and survival rate of tree whips.

The Whiptec tree shelters are rigid, twinwalled shelters that come preformed with a flared upper rim to limit bark abrasion and provide protection from browsing animals and herbicide spraying treatments. The cylindrical tubes allow the correct balance of light wavelengths to be absorbed by the tree, creating a mini greenhouse environment which helps accelerate the growth of the young plants. The microclimate within the tubes helps increase air moisture which can reduce water stress, resulting in an increased survival rate.

There are two versions of the Whiptec shelters, ventilated and non-ventilated, both of which are manufactured from UV-stabilised photodegradable polypropylene to provide an estimated lifespan of 5-7 years, depending on location and climatic conditions.

They come pre-fitted with a specially designed releasable tree tie which can be removed whilst wearing winter gloves and reattached with ease.

The ventilated version of the Whiptec shelters have perforated holes in the top two-thirds of the tube. This increased ventilation better allows the young tree to acclimatise to the external environment.

Ed Smith, ALS Landscape Manager, said; ‘In a time where the need for tree planting has never been so high, we are really excited to announce the launch of the Whiptec range. When considering the specifications of the Whiptec tree shelters, we had to source something that gave tree whips the best chance of establishment and survival, whilst being user-friendly and cost effective’.

To request a sample or to see the full specification and range contact ALS and visit amenity.co.uk.

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE IN WOKING

Accommodating the natural slope of the road and walkway, the screens maintain a straight top edge using a mix of screen heights from 1 metre to 2.2 metre. Installed in fibreglass containers to allow for ease of placement by forklift and potential repositioning at a later date, the screens were cut to fit prior to the installation of irrigation by the Mobilane technical team. The screens ongoing maintenance will be managed by Woking Council.

Mobilane was appointed to install the ivy screens, which are watered by an innovative drip line irrigation system.

For more information on Green Screens and other products visit mobilane.com

Mobilane installed Green Screen walkway in Woking

The meadow flower project on the 400acre estate, which includes an adjoining golf course, was initiated last year by Hever Castle Golf Club’s head greenkeeper Rob Peers to ‘encourage visitors to both the golf course and the estate to fully enjoy and be immersed by and engaged with the complete site’.

He says the project ‘has been an overwhelming success’ with the nine meadow areas – throughout the castle grounds and on areas of the golf course – which feature a wide range of flower species, attracting laudatory comments: • A social media frenzy of visitor photos, plus local and national press coverage; • An endless stream of appreciative comments from visitors, as well as from Hever Castle staff and proprietors; and

Residents, customers and visitors to Woking High Street will be enjoying a new natural walkway from this May with the installation of a 75m living wall from Registered Affiliate Mobilane. The Mobilane Green Screens have been placed along the length of the Woking Train Station’s exterior wall as part of the Council’s green commitments.

Complementing other green initiatives in the transformation of the town’s Albion Square, the ivy screens now form a naturally green frame for the town’s iconic mural that depicts life along High Street in Edwardian times.

As a result of the ‘fantastic success’ of its displays of Registered Affiliate Rigby Taylor’s Euroflor urban meadow flower seed mixes, Kent-based stately home Hever Castle has not only expanded the total area planted this year to more than 5,000m2, but it has also launched a retail scheme where ‘ready-to-sow’ flower seed kits are available for purchase by visitors.

• Numerous requests (from visitors) asking how they can achieve similar displays of the eye-catching colours and wonderful scents.

Rob says: ‘After clearing the unused, mainly overgrown plots – which largely entailed the removal of grass, brambles and weeds – the areas were prepared for seeding and there is no doubt that the key to flowering success was in the preparation of the beds’.

‘We sowed on May 21-23 and within just five days saw the first seeds germinate.

Despite having no rain for the following 62 days, we enjoyed a fantastic display beginning at the end of July – and it continued to last well into late autumn.’

For 2019 the Euroflor seed mixes were selected in terms of being ‘best fit’ options in terms of colour and height, as well as in texture and form, and Rob says particular success has been enjoyed this year with four mixes - Meadow Breeze, Rainbow Annuals, Bleuet de France and Classic that give displays that will last into October/ November. rigbytaylor.com

Autumn 2019

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PRODUCT & AFFILIATE NEWS

HOW GREEN ROOFS ARE AIDING THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT

By Registered Affiliate Green-tech

It is widely acknowledged and accepted that green spaces are important to health and wellbeing. Numerous studies have shown that utilising green spaces boosts the wellbeing of urban dwellers; improving both physical and mental health.

With space being at a premium, planners and designers in towns and cities have been rising to the challenge of coming up with creative solutions.

Creating green spaces on top of buildings, known as Roof Gardens, Green Roofs or Roof Garden Terraces has been one such response and has proved popular with designers, planners and citizens. Green spaces on roofs which are accessible to the local community as a social space for citizens to relax and enjoy nature are becoming increasingly common in new development plans.

So, as well as the health benefits are there any others to justify the cost?

Quite simply, yes – numerous! Green roofs are a simple means of supporting and increasing biodiversity. By planting wildflowers, sedum or other flowering plants a green roof space can provide a range of ecosystem services and mitigates the ecological impact of construction. There are huge benefits to the environment by reducing air and noise pollution. As with any greencovered planted area, a green roof will help to lower levels of CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the air which has a positive effect on the local environment as well as contributing to the wider global

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warming issue. Green roofs are widely acknowledged to counter the urban heat island effect and aid with flooding by slowing down storm water or attenuating it via a Blue Green roof.

It’s worth noting that including a green roof in your planning might make it easier to gain planning permission. BREEAM (the Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method) is a method of assessing, rating, and certifying the sustainability of buildings. Incorporating a green roof into your project will earn you BREEAM credits, the number will depend on a number of factors which includes the application of the green roof, whether for energy efficiency, ecology etc.

Installing a roof garden, green roof or roof garden terrace is not without its challenges. During the planning and design stage considerations need to be given to site access, health and safety features, over-looking neighbouring properties, accessibility for citizens, load-bearing capacity, drainage and ongoing maintenance and management.

There are many specialist organisations to guide you through the process and well-respected suppliers, like Greentech who can supply many of the key elements for a successful green roof space. This will include insulation, waterproofing materials, weed control membranes, roof drainage systems, filter membranes, green roof vegetation and roof garden substrates for podium roofs and intensive and extensive roof garden constructions.

Autumn 2019

Green roofs help reduce stress and provide benefits to both physical and mental health

Each component contributes to a successful green roof project but for healthy plants, shrubs and trees to thrive your choice of soil is essential. It is critical that a specialist roof garden substrate is selected as you will need it to be light weight and have good nutrient content and water holding properties – all key ingredients for a successful recipe.

The Green-tree brand of soils and substrates has been successfully installed in many green roof projects throughout the country. With 25 production sites across the UK, the range of Green-tree roof substrates was developed in partnership with landscape and roofing contractors, architects and designers to produce environmentally sustainable substrates that thrive in harsh rooftop environments. Green-tree has a choice of substrates with different soil profiles to suit all green roof and podium roof installations.

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For more information contact Greentech on +44(0)1423 332100 or visit green-tech.co.uk or green-tree.co.uk

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