50th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet

“The Association has grown and expanded its breadth of coverage over the past fifty years and is now a UK powerhouse of more than 950 members across nine membership categories.”

Richard J Kay

I am very privileged to have been Chairman for the past two years and feel honoured to have followed in the footsteps of many industry legends.

I have been involved with the Association for over 20 years, starting at grass roots level and representing Green-tech on the Yorkshire and North East Region Committee. This led to me joining the Board and, in 2020, taking on the role of National Chairman. During my involvement with the Association, I have witnessed and benefited from all that it has achieved.

The British Association of Landscape Industries was founded in 1972 by several small representative groups within the horticulture and landscape sector with a joint vision to create the UK’s leading landscape contractors’ membership organisation. Then, as now, it focused on raising standards of training and workmanship across the industry.

Raising standards of training and workmanship remains core to today’s values and is reflected in the Association’s stringent vetting and regular re-vetting of its members. But this key purpose is delivered alongside a portfolio of membership benefits, including our education, skills, and careers initiative GoLandscape; an active and supportive regional membership network; technical and business support and information; health & safety and training

accreditation through ROLO and LISS/CSCS; and the annual National Landscape Awards, the largest in Europe.

The British Association of Landscape Industries is a grass roots organisation with a national focus and even wider reach. Its political lobbying activities and contribution to leading industry focus groups and initiatives ensure that we have a strong, united voice, and that we are heard.

The Association’s success is testament to its unwavering commitment to provide a first-class membership organisation, supported by high calibre staff at Landscape House, committed Board members, a dedicated National Landscape Awards judging panel, enthusiastic regional committees, and an expert team of QSR and vetting officers.

This commitment, combined with constant innovation, effort, perseverance, versatility, and a best-in-class mindset, will see the Association continue to succeed over the next 50 years and I, for one, wish it and its membership continued good fortune.

Richard J Kay

National Chairman 2020-2022

Green-tech Chairman 1994-2022

“This year marks the British Association of Landscape Industries’ 50th anniversary and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate all that the Association has accomplished in partnership with its members.”

Reflecting on its history and how things unfolded back in the 70’s, it is humbling to know that, over the past 11 years, I have played a part in developing the Association into the essential accreditation partner for all landscape professionals that it is today.

The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) was established in 1972 and at the time of its first National AGM (held in September ’72 at Merrist Wood College) it had 138 members.

At the time of writing, we have 950 Accredited members and 1,161 Associate and Student members, of which our Student members make up 83 percent.

Whilst the purpose of the Association has evolved over the years to meet the landscape industry’s growth and changing demands, it has stayed true to the vision of its founders, which was:

• To provide an all-inclusive landscape trade association for the British landscape industry that would be open to all serious players, large and small, promoting training, quality workmanship, proper contracts, fair prices, and fair wages

• To conduct all site inspections for new members, co-ordinate regional meetings, and promote the association to the market

• To create a united voice to lobby Government on landscape matters – this became a key purpose from 1974 when the British Association of Sportsground and Landscape Contractors (BASAL) ceased to exist, leaving BALI as the only organisation representing the industry

•

To disseminate Health and Safety informationfollowing the approval of the new Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Association produced a Health and Safety at Work guide for its members

Today the Association continues to provide advice, guidance, and support to members on many industryrelated matters and promotes members to a range of clients in the public and private sectors and the wider specifier market.

“I feel very proud and extremely fortunate to hold office as Chief Executive of the largest landscaping trade association in the UK as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.”

In addition to launching our new three-year strategy, we have strengthened the quality assurance aspects of membership by improving our vetting criteria for new members and introducing site-based Quality Standard Reviews (QSRs), which play an important part in auditing and supporting member businesses.

In recent years we have greatly improved our technical support and achieved some important objectives. Working with BALI-NCF (National Contractors Forum), we have been collecting, analysing, and reviewing industry health and safety statistics, resulting in several training interventions that have reduced accidents and near misses and, hopefully, the number of potential fatalities.

The Association played a huge part in the ‘Greening the Games’ campaign, which delivered the 2012 Olympic Park, one of the greatest landscape projects of our time. We can only hope that it remains, in legacy, an exemplar of innovation, landscaping excellence, and industry best practice.

Much of what has been achieved since 1972 would not have been possible without the passion, professionalism, and determination of our membership.

The size of the landscape industry has grown from approximately £100m in 1972 to a staggering £13.3bn* in 2019. Our founding members and those who have

played their part in the Association over the years are too many to mention but they deserve our thanks and respect for everything they have done, and continue to do, to steer the Association forward.

I am proud of the professional work the current team of 17 at Landscape House undertakes to support and promote our members, who, in turn, are improving our nation’s private and public green spaces and the health and wellbeing of us all.

I hope this celebratory booklet will give you a greater understanding of where our Association has come from, the impact it has made on the country’s landscape industry over the past 50 years, and how I, the team at Landscape House, and the Board of Directors, will continue to work with you, our members, to further develop the strength and credibility of the Association in the coming years.

Wayne Grills Chief Executive

*Oxford Economics/Foresight Factory report – Growing a Green Economy, produced on behalf of the Ornamental Horticulture Roundtable Group (OHRG).

Celebrating 50 years of the British Association of Landscape Industries

Sowing seeds for the next generation

It seems that a constant throughout the Association’s existence has been a shortfall in skilled staff in the industry, fuelled by the misconception that landscaping as a career path is for those who struggle with academic subjects at school or for whom other professions are out of reach.

The creation of the Olympic Park for the 2012 London Olympics was the catalyst that gave the industry an incredible opportunity to shine a spotlight on landscaping as a valid career path that offers a breadth of opportunities for all interests and abilities.

Seizing the moment, in January 2016 the Association’s board of directors at the time agreed in principle that board members Nigel Bowcock and David Dodd should take forward the GoLandscape careers initiative. This had been mooted in 2015 and an initial proposal made to the BALI Chalk Fund in July of that year. A revised paper was presented in January 2016, first to the board of directors and then to the BALI Chalk Fund who jointly agreed to move forward to pilot stage.

The initiative was launched at the FutureScape exhibition at Sandown Park Racecourse in November 2016 in front of an audience of 120 students, careerchangers and leading landscape businesses. Its declared objective was ‘to address the industry’s skills shortages

and promote the landscape industry as a first-choice career through engaging secondary schools and supporting land-based colleges’.

Following the successful pilot, GoLandscape and its revised and enhanced website was launched at RHS Garden Wisley on Monday, 19th March 2018, with a welcome speech by TV presenter and industry supporter Tommy Walsh, followed by an overview of the initiative and its planned trajectory in the coming months and years by the then National Chairman Paul Downer.

GoLandscape is accessed through its comprehensive and easy to use and navigate website at golandscape.co.uk. Accessible on all platforms, it signposts users to careers that match their strengths and interests, shows them how to access training and find employment and, key to lighting the flame of interest and excitement, has short video interviews with people working in all different roles across the industry.

The website also offers schools and organisations working with career changers the opportunity to receive a visit from a GoLandscape

Tommy Walsh at the launch of GoLandscape

Ambassador - an industry volunteer who is trained by the Association to give a first-hand yet objective view of working in landscaping.

They talk about the broad range of opportunities in the industry, the different levels of education and training required, how to find employment, the value of joining the Association for professional support and networking, and answer questions put to them by pupils, students, parents and careers advisors. Those working in the industry can apply to be GoLandscape Ambassadors and receive training to pass on their knowledge and passion for the industry.

GoLandscape has come a long way since 2015 and three key objectives now drive it forward:

To inspire…

Landscaping is a serious career path with a host of opportunities. Whether it’s commercial or domestic landscaping, grounds maintenance, or careers in landscape architecture and design, landscaping offers fantastic careers for everyone. No matter their age, gender or background, the industry needs people of all abilities to fill practical, vocational, and degree-level roles.

To encourage retention…

GoLandscape wants to introduce landscaping jobs to school children at careers events, raising the profile of the industry. Beyond new recruits, GoLandscape will encourage industry and colleges to reconnect, so they can deliver the correct training to students, which will build their confidence before they enter the working world.

To combat landscaping industry issues…

If school children are inspired to go into further education to study landscaping, and the colleges are meeting the demands of the industry by training students to the highest standards, this will create greater student and staff retention, which will ultimately close the sector’s skills gap.

Of all the Association’s achievements over the past fifty years, GoLandscape, which is supported by the BALI Chalk Fund, is up there with the very best of them.

By addressing the industry’s skills shortage, it is ensuring there is a pool of motivated and trained talent coming through, whilst giving landscaping its rightful place in the list of fulfilling, challenging and worthwhile career choices for today’s young people and those seeking a new direction.

Celebrating 50 years of the British Association of Landscape Industries

PETER JENNINS OBE

A BALI pioneer

Peter Jennins is a BALI pioneer. Alongside his forwardthinking peers, he raised the profile of the landscaping industry – especially through the hugely successful Garden Festival programme. Peter has played a key role in the evolution of the Association over the last 50 years.

Peter Jennins didn’t start out as a landscaper, but, aged 21, he left his job as a quantity surveyor and started work at landscaping firm E H Williams Environment, based near Liverpool.

In the first year, Peter helped increase turnover in the business by 40%. He’d made the right career choice. Peter attributes his early success to boss Gerry Williams who was his ‘first great influence’ in the industry.

Andrew Legg encouraged Peter to join the British Association of Landscape Industries 49 years ago. His first regional meeting will forever be remembered - his wife Hilary had gone into labour when he got home!

Jeffrey Bernhard, the Associations founding Chairman, realised the industry wasn’t getting sufficient recognition. Peter said, “Jeffrey is a charming, charismatic man who did so much. He spent thousands of hours on Association work, was a tremendous public servant and was recognised with an OBE for it.”

In the mid-70s, BALI’s first headquarters was a one-room office in Bingley, West Yorkshire. Peter said the main priorities were then (as now!) to raise standards and the industry’s profile. He was National Chairman from 19781979 when collaboration and networking were at the heart of the Association.

Council meetings were held monthly in London and a three-day annual conference was launched which included the introduction of the National Landscape Awards. All past Chairmen met once a year with the Chief Executive, current Chair and Vice-Chair to be updated on the Associations progress and share ideas for the future.

Peter was inspired by the Bundesgarten shows in Germany that regenerated inner cities post war. He visited a show in Bonn with Norman Wilson, BALI’s Vice Chairman at the time, representing BALI at ELCA (European Landscape Contractors Association). In 1978 he progressed the idea of Garden Festivals in the UK –it became a career highlight. Following meetings held with government ministers, it was agreed to undertake feasibility studies.

These studies indicated that it would take ten years to construct a garden festival, but in 1981 Michael Heseltine, the Minister for Merseyside announced that an International Garden Festival was to come to Liverpool. The idea was to promote tourism and the economy - following some tough years for the city.

In 1984 Liverpool’s International Garden Festival was launched and for six months it attracted millions of visitors from across the country and beyond.

Other National Garden Festivals followed; Stoke-onTrent in 1986, Glasgow in 1988, Gateshead in 1990 and Ebbw Vale in 1992. Liverpool was the trailblazer festival and it was through Peter and the Association that the Garden Festival Programme emerged.

The 1975 BALI Council (L to R)

Standing: Tony Brophy, Derek Worrall, Kevin Walter (Field Officer), Jeffrey Bernhard, Andrew Legg, Chris Baylis and John Pullan. Seated: Jock Parnham, David Clapham (Vice Chairman), Peter Adams (Chairman), Les Bailey and Peter Jennins.

Each place they were held benefited from positive promotion. Funded by the Government, the festivals showcased landscaping and were enjoyed by millions of visitors.

Peter said, “The Garden Festivals raised the public profile of landscapers beyond all recognition. Nothing had ever been done on this scale before and they prompted increased investment into areas. In Stokeon-Trent the Garden Festival, which had been a derelict pottery waste site was subsequently redeveloped into shops, offices, hotels, leisure facilities, new housing and a marina, leaving a lasting legacy behind.”

Peter’s work did not go unnoticed; in 2012 he was awarded an OBE for services to charity and to the landscape industry in the North-West. “I was humbled but proud of the recognition.”

Peter is currently Chairman of the trustees of the BALI Chalk Fund, which aims to help the younger generation coming into the industry. “It was a fortunate career choice, but I’ve never regretted it. I’ve made lifelong friends throughout a very interesting and, at times, exciting career; I can’t think of any other career choice where I could have made such a positive difference to the environment through my work. There’s not many that can claim that as part of their job, can they?”

Celebrating 50 years of the British Association of Landscape Industries bali.org.uk

A bright and bold future

As the Association celebrates its 50th anniversary and reflects on past achievements, it is essential to look forward and build on those successes into the future.

Much has been achieved in the five years covered by the last strategy: The National Landscape Awards have gone from strength to strength; the ‘GoLandscape’ careers initiative has begun to deliver results in developing future landscape professionals and business leaders; the Association has continued to lobby Government on behalf of its members, most recently in relation to the use of red diesel; and membership has grown to embrace representatives from all industry disciplines.

The new and bold 2022-2025 strategy will continue to build on these achievements, reflecting the Board of Directors’ reviewed vision, mission, and values:

• Vision - to become the essential accreditation partner for all landscaping professionals

• Mission - to represent, support and accredit the landscape industry, providing training, professional advice and opportunity to members, and quality assurance to their clients

• Values - to support endeavour; to encourage innovation; to celebrate excellence; to demonstrate leadership

Strategic imperatives

Four ‘strategic imperatives’ consider and reflect the needs of the Association’s key stakeholders – the membership, the wider landscape industry, clients, and Landscape House staff:

1. To lead the industry

a) Setting the standards of business and landscaping excellence to which the whole industry aspires and upholding those standards through regular accreditation.

b) Engaging with government on the issues that affect members’ businesses and livelihoods.

c) Collaborating with other associations and organisations to help the industry overcome its challenges.

d) Continuing to focus on promoting landscaping as a career opportunity and addressing the known skills shortage.

2. To build the membership base

a) Delivering the membership experience that enables the Association to grow

b) Tailoring membership benefits to meet the needs of different types and sizes of business

3. To be relevant to clients/service users

a) Promoting to clients in all marketplaces the importance and benefits of using an accredited landscaping professional

b) Establishing the Association as an arbiter of quality

4. To future-proof the Association

a) Investing in key policy areas such as education and marketing, and in systems and processes to enhance efficiency

b) Developing cultures that reflect the Association’s enhanced values and ensuring ethical, environmental, and commercial sustainability

Two key initiatives have already been instigated under the strategic imperative to future-proof the Association:

The Association’s Mental Health initiative reflects the prevalence of poor mental health in the workplace. It encourages Association members to have a trained Mental Health First Aider on their team and offers bespoke accredited Mental Health First Aider courses for Association members at a heavily discounted rate.

Inclusion and diversity

In December 2021 the Association appointed four equity ambassadors to bring about positive change and improve accessibility into the industry for all, regardless of race, age, gender, disability, or religion.

The ambassadors - all key industry figures and powerful and persuasive advocates - are committed to cutting across perceptions of what is required to work in landscaping and horticulture, and to making a real difference in achieving a wider, more representative workforce.

As the Association enters its next half century, it has a strong, bold roadmap to follow and a determined and dedicated team to steer its course.

Celebrating 50 years of the British Association of Landscape Industries bali.org.uk

The Geoffrey Chalk Memorial Award Fund set up, later to be known as the The BALI Chalk Fund

National Landscape Awards launched

Interior landscaping recognised by the Association

Jeffrey Bernhard, founding chairman awarded OBE

First Chief Executive appointed - Alfred ‘Bill’ Hickey

Industry Training Organisation status achieved

Launch of Register of Landscape Operatives (ROLO) and Registration of Companies Scheme (ROCS)

Campaigned to get the 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority to deliver an environmentally, sustainable Olympic Park

Re-launch of the LISS/CSCS card scheme administered by the Association in conjunction with NHSS18

Association launches BALI National Contractors’ Forum

Association provides lifeline for members by offering advice and guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic

New Vision, Mission and Strategy launched for a bright future

Shining the spotlight on landscaping excellence

The National Landscape Awards were launched in 1976, following the establishment of the Association in 1972 and the rapid expansion in membership.

The early Awards were a very different animal from the incredibly impressive annual event enjoyed by members and the wider industry today. There were far fewer categories - a dozen or so - and members were encouraged to submit a slide show with their entries.

The three adjudicators - Peter Jennins OBE, representing contractors; Ian McKenzie, representing landscape architects and garden designers; and Alistaire Gilchrist, representing clients - met in London to reduce the entries down to a manageable shortlist and then those schemes were visited. The archives show that two of the winners at the very first Awards were George Bailey Limited of Petersfield (domestic scheme), and Blakedown Landscapes (commercial scheme).

By 1982 Fisons were sponsoring the Awards, and 67 entries were received that year. With the advent of sponsorship, the amount of press coverage increased and in 1986 the 10th Anniversary National Landscape Awards received 100 entries.

The ’noughties’ saw the most dramatic change in the staging and profile of the Awards. The event became an Awards luncheon with sponsors’ showcase and attendances of over 600 members and guests.

Attendances in recent years have regularly reached 1,000.

In 2005, the ceremony was held at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, London, and Chris Beardshaw presented the awards. The adjudicators were Dr Alan Barber, Michael Chance, Nick Coslett, Alistaire Gilchrist, and Gerry Kemp. Many of today’s Association members will be familiar with some, if not all, of those names, whilst newer members may be unaware of the many years of combined industry experience and expertise they represent.

The Grand Award winner in 2005 was Willerby Landscapes for its implementation of the Terence O’Rourke landscape scheme at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking. This contractor, for many years led until his retirement by John Melmoe, the current Chairman of the National Landscape Awards’ Adjudication Panel, has won more Grand Awards than any other BALI member – six to date. Founded in 1983, Willerby Landscapes acquired a reputation for outstanding workmanship, attention to detail, and the ability to deliver some of the largest and most complex schemes seen in the UK.

The 30th Anniversary Awards in 2006 moved to the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London. Lord Sebastian Coe KBE presented the awards, having successfully led the bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games and being

instrumental in driving forward the ‘Greening the Games’ campaign. Hasmead plc won the Grand Award for the world headquarters of the Royal Bank of Scotland near Edinburgh, and the adjudication panel had doubled in size to cover the increase in entries and the breadth and complexity of the schemes submitted.

That year BALI founder and first National Chairman Jeffrey Bernhard OBE received the BALI Recognition Award. His citation included the following words:

The value of winning an Award was summed up by Charles Price of Graduate Gardeners.

The company celebrates its own 50th anniversary in 2024, having joined the Association in 1976/7. Its tally of Awards, since first entering in 1980, is 45, including 10 Principal Awards, 3 Design & Build Awards, 2 Special Awards, and the 2021 Grand Award.

Charles said: “Our collection of BALI Awards not only gives us greater credibility within the trade but undoubtedly impresses serious customers and keeps the phone ringing. And within the company they generate a huge sense of pride in what we do and of the impact our work has on the wider landscape.”

Despite his advanced years, Jeffrey remains a strong follower and supporter of the Association that owes so much to him.

In 2008 the Awards ceremony moved to its current location at JW Marriott Grosvenor House, Park Lane. 2020 was the exception, thanks to COVID. The show went on, albeit ‘virtually’, and normal service has now been restored.

“His influence on the UK landscape industry we see today cannot be underestimated, and it is this legacy that we acknowledge and applaud with the BALI Recognition Award.”

Celebrating 50 years of the British Association of Landscape Industries

Northumbrian Landscaping awarded Principal Award for Domestic Garden Construction - Under £30K, and Special Award Best Design and Build in 2016.

Graduate Gardeners celebrating their Grand Award win at the 2021 National Landscape Awards

JACK MOODY LCE

A company rooted in BALI history

As it approaches its 60th anniversary, the company established by its namesake, Jack Moody, can be proud of the part it and its founder have played in the Association’s history.

Jack recognised the importance of like-minded business owners coming together to share best practice and promote their professional services, establishing landscaping as an industry in its own right.

He had already been in business for about eight years when discussions about a new industry trade body were taking place and, as a young man keen to grow his business, Jack was one of the first businesses to join the new British Association of Landscape Industries.

He regularly attended meetings and visited other BALI members, sharing knowledge and ideas. His passion for raising standards in training and encouraging best practice have been key to his vision for the future of his company and something he looked to BALI to encourage and support.

Still involved with the business today, Jack has nevertheless stepped back from its day to day running. Jack Moody Group, which includes Jack Moody Landscapes, provides both trade and individual customers with a variety of award-winning horticultural,

civil engineering, maintenance, and recycling solutions, enhanced by highly skilled craftsmanship, quality service and experience developed over nearly 60 years.

Company director Kate Moody said:

“

The Association has been instrumental in the growth and promotion of the industry and in highlighting best practice through the National Landscape Awards.”

“We have won numerous awards over the years celebrating key projects. Through regular meetings, forums, newsletters, awards and use of the logo, BALI has given us the accreditation we need as contractors and the assurance our customers look for in a landscaping supplier.

We look forward to our continued involvement with the Association and congratulate it on its 50th anniversary!”

Growing up with BALI

On entering the landscape industry, brothers Andrew and Peter Baylis had some act to follow, in the guise of their late father, Chris - a BALI founder member and National Chairman in 1982-83.

Talking about his father’s involvement with BALI, Andrew remembers the Association as being very different from the hugely professional and multi-faceted membership body it is today:

“It really was a friendly society of like-minded contractors who were there to help each other and develop the industry, which was much, much smaller in the 70’s. Virtually everyone in it knew everyone else, so BALI was like one big family.”

“My brother Peter and I were dragged along to Association annual conferences and weekends around the country from the age of about 10. Members came from all over the UK, and they all knew each other; it was always a great informative and motivating weekend away.”

Andrew believes a major turning point in the Association’s visibility, and credibility, was the first Garden Festival, held in Liverpool from May to October 1984. It was one of five festivals and was an incredible

success, particularly for the many BALI contractors based in the north of England who were involved.

By the time of the second festival in Stoke-on-Trent, Andrew had completed an HND in Amenity Horticulture at Writtle College, including a year working for the London Borough of Ealing as part of his sandwich course. His interview with the Council was particularly awkward: “My father was the current National Chairman and the Association was lobbying hard at the time for Compulsory Competitive Tendering (CCT), which obviously meant DLOs would have to compete for works if it was adopted. The interviewer knew who my father was, and I presumed that would be it as far as getting the placement! Luckily, they were prepared to have me work with them to see things from the other side of the fence.”

Andrew joined the family business after graduating in 1987. His younger brother Peter – who qualified as a QS and worked in construction for some years – joined him in 1994.

This was a tricky time for businesses across the country and after the demise of CL Baylis & Sons in 1997, Peter and Andrew formed Baylis Landscape Contractors, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. As a ‘newly formed’ business, they had to wait for two years before re-joining the BALI fold and will celebrate 25 years of satisfied membership in 2024.

Celebrating

years of

British Association

Celebrating 25 years of Association membership

As the Association celebrates its Golden Anniversary, British Sugar TOPSOIL is celebrating 25 years as a member. Over those years, National TOPSOIL Manager Andy Spetch has seen many changes in both the Association and the industry it supports.

“When I first established British Sugar’s topsoil division in 1997, joining a reputable trade body to help guide me through an unfamiliar industry was one of the first things I did. By then BALI was already a force to be reckoned with and I applied for what was then referred to as BALI Registered Affiliate membership.”

Andy continued: “I attended regional BALI meetings in East Anglia and North Thames and received invaluable help and guidance from former national chairmen John O’Conner of John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance, and Neil Huck, then with Ground Control.

Both these industry stalwarts, who sadly are no longer with us, were encouraging and supportive and I learned a great deal about how landscape contractors operated and how TOPSOIL products could meet their requirements.”

After first serving on the East Anglia Region committee, Andy was encouraged to stand for election as an Association board member representing the Affiliate membership. He introduced Affiliate-specific meetings at Landscape House, bringing the supplier members together on a regular basis, and British Sugar TOPSOIL was one of the first winners of the Affiliate Exceptional Service Award at the National Landscape Awards. TOPSOIL also sponsored the Design & Build category for many years.

Having stepped down from the board, Andy continues to support the Association as a North Thames Region committee member and a GoLandscape Ambassador. TOPSOIL hosts visits to British Sugar factories by members and other landscape professionals to learn how topsoil manufacture contributes to making British Sugar’s operations environmentally sustainable.

Andy is proud of TOPSOIL’s long association with BALI and looks forward to continuing to support the Association and the industry into the future.

HARROWDEN TURF

It’s been fun!

with grass roots members, gave me a great start to my career. BALI regional events and horticulture industry trade shows, including at Stoneleigh Park, were also of great value then, and continue to be so now.”

Chris is clear about the Association’s greatest accomplishments over the years:

“BALI has not only maintained its position in the industry over the years but has increased it, along with its worth to members and industry influencers. By introducing workable policies to benefit its members and their customers, the Association has elevated its reputation and role as the leading trade body for landscaping.”

the BALI family letting their hair down and enjoying each other’s company.”

Into the future Chris believes a key role for the Association will be to continue encouraging new blood into the landscape industry through GoLandscape Ambassadors: “From my own perspective, being a member of the Association has brought the reassurance that comes with having the counsel of a professional group of like-minded business people. Association membership is a great start for anyone entering the industry.”

Since joining the Association, QLawns has combined with three other turf companies to form Harrowden Turf, which has successfully moved much of its sales operation onto its e-commerce website. Over the past 28 years, the Association has been a constant source of advice and support, and Chris is grateful: “In its 50th year I just want to say a personal ‘thank you’ to fellow BALI members and the Landscape House team and wish the Association continued success in the future.”

Celebrating 50 years of BALI

As National Chairman in 1978/1979, when recognition of our industry was minimal, I am proud to have seen BALI develop into the industry-leading body it is now. I wish all involved continued success in the future.

Peter Jennins OBE

BALI has given me 50 years of friendship and support during my working life and has even kept me busy in retirement as a Vetting Officer and National Awards judge. Thank you.

Andrew Legg

Many thanks to the BALI family, some of my closest friendships have been formed within your fold, and I wish you all the best for another 50 years and more!

Richard Gardiner

We’ve always benefitted from being a member of BALI. It is full of talented, skilled, and friendly people who have assisted the industry for 50 years - and will continue to do so!

Paul Cowell

First there was the mower, then ‘BALI’. It was, and continues to be, the catalyst and guiding hand for renowned landscape businesses and operatives worldwide. With BALI by your side everything is attainable!

David Spencer

From its founding members’ vision and management team’s continual dedicated professionalism to its regional volunteers’ infectious enthusiasm, BALI has become the by-word for the UK landscape industry.

Gordon Darlington

Good wishes to BALI for the next 50 years. I and my Writtle College students were made so welcome by North Thames members. The payback? Being Vetting Officer for the Southeast! What a privilege.

Tony Clark

In an increasingly ‘virtual’ world, BALI will always be needed. Run by the industry for the industry, it has supported and guided many a successful landscape business. Bring on the next 50 years!

Denise Ewbank

We wish you every success in this and the future with BALI. We have many happy memories of our time with BALI, the years on national council, representing BALI in USA and Ireland etc. from the then HQ in Keighley.

David C. Oxley

Congratulations to you all on achieving 50 years. BALI has come a long way in that time. It is also fantastic that the move to Stoneleigh was such a success. So much easier to access than Keighley.

Rosemary Latter

I hold my association with BALI close and have seen great strides in its evolution to become the leading body and voice for our industry. I wish you well and your Gala dinner every success.

Nicholas J. Coslett

Landscape House Stoneleigh Park Warwickshire

35 years ago, I joined BALI as it set the industry standard and promoted good landscaping. Today, it still does and constantly pushes the boundaries.

Robert Field National Chairman 2014 - 2016