Association News

Obituary Neil Huck 1954-2022

There was a palpable sense of shock at Landscape House when news reached us on Wednesday, 11 May, that our friend, Association colleague, and industry stalwart Neil Huck had passed away in the early hours at the age of 68. How could we lose someone whose name was synonymous with BALI, and whose influence on the Association and the UK landscape industry is beyond measure, at such a comparatively young age?

This quiet, unfailingly goodhumoured, man worked tirelessly for many years in and around the landscape industry and contributed enormously to the Association during his 18-year tenure on the BALI board, including as chairman from 20042006. He was highly respected and deeply valued and gave so much of his time, knowledge and passion to the Association and to individual BALI members. And all this whilst fulfilling his role at Ground Control, first as Senior Contracts Manager and, from 2010, as their National Group Training Manager, a role that saw Neil travelling the length and breadth of the country.

Neil had always had a passion for training and development and made it his life’s work to ensure that people in our industry were as safe as they could be, not only through his own training delivery but through the myriad of industry groups and committees on which he sat on behalf of the Association, and the wider industry. As BALI Technical Director, Neil drove forward a raft of groundbreaking initiatives, including the Register of Land-based Operations (ROLO) training scheme and the National Highways Sector Scheme 18, leading to the development of the LISS/CSCS industry skills card. In short, there was very little related to industry training and standards that Neil wasn’t involved with.

For more than 10 years he also served as a board member of the European Landscape Contractors Association (ELCA) and was Vice President until 2021, when he finally stepped down. ELCA has collaborated with BALI across many projects over the years and has jointly lobbied the European parliament on several issues affecting our industry; Neil was instrumental in this vital lobbying work. He was a member of the Nonnative Invasive Species Stakeholder Group with Defra and also heavily involved in the EU’s End Waste Strategy on Green Waste.

Qualifying with the RBG Kew Certificate in Horticulture in 1981, Neil’s career before joining Ground Control included seven years as Grounds Manager for Center Parcs. After 21-years with Ground Control, Neil left to set up as an independent training provider - Raintree Training Ltd - and became chair of the landscape, horticulture, arboriculture, and forestry Apprenticeship Trailblazer Group. At the 2019 National Landscape Awards, he was bestowed with Life Membership of the Association in recognition of his huge contribution to the industry.

Wayne Grills, Chief Executive, said: “Neil was a much-loved and respected individual who worked tirelessly for many years to drive the landscape industry forward. He attended too many industry meetings to mention, on a vast array of subjects. He had an enormous knowledge base and was keen to share his experience and collaborate with others. He was a remarkable individual and a fellow Manchester United fan who will be deeply missed, and we will be forever grateful for Neil’s enormous contribution to the Association.”

Neil was a proud father and grandfather, and we offer our very deepest condolences to his wife Wendy and to his family.

In memory of Alistaire Gilchrist

It was with sadness that we learned of the passing of Alistaire Gilchrist, founder member of the Association, on Tuesday 1 March 2022.

Alistaire, beloved husband of Doris, loving Dad to Linda, Alan and Ian, a much-loved grandfather, brother and father-in-law.

Alistaire, a qualified civil engineer (FICE) was a Chief Civil Engineer for the Scottish Industrial Estates Corporation. When the Scottish Development Agency came into being in 1976 Alistaire was appointed Head of the new Environment Division. During his tenure he became closely involved with the Association as many of the schemes carried out had a significant landscape element. Alistaire joined the adjudication panel for the National Landscape Awards in 1995.

Our deepest condolences go out to Alistaire’s family and friends at this difficult time.

Kate Gould’s ‘Out of the Shadows’

Medal rush at RHS Chelsea for Association members

Members of the British Association of Landscape Industries’ have once again triumphed at the world’s greatest flower show winning an astonishing 14 medals and an array of Best Awards at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

This year saw an exciting return for RHS Chelsea Flow Show to its usual May date, following a September 2021 show, during an iconic Queen’s Jubilee year. There have been 39 gardens at the show including 13 Show Gardens and 12 Sanctuary Gardens and BBC Studios Our Green Planet & RHS Bee Garden designed by Joe Swift’s Feature Garden (and built by Accredited Contractor, Landform Consultants).

The Best Show Garden Award was bestowed on A Rewilding Britain Landscape, built by Accredited Contractor member Landscape Associates.

The Best Construction Award (Show Garden) went to MEDITE SMARTPLY Building the Future, built by Accredited Contractor Landform Consultants.

Best Sanctuary Garden and the Best Construction Award (Artisan/Sanctuary Garden) went to Out of the Shadows, designed and built by Kate Gould.

The People’s Choice Best Show Garden went to The Perennial Garden ‘With Love’ designed by Richard Miers and built by Stewart Landscape Construction.

Our members’ medal-winning gardens are in full below:

Gold medals

Show Gardens MEDITE SMARTPLY Building the Future Built by Landform Consultants

The RNLI Garden Built by Cultura Group

Sanctuary Gardens Connected, by EXANTE Built by Nicholsons

The Plantman’s Ice Garden Built by The Plantman

Silver medals

Morris & Co. Built by The Garden Builders

A Rewilding Britain Landscape Built by Landscape Associates

The Meta Garden: Growing the Future Built by The Landscaping Consultants

Sanctuary Gardens Out of the Shadows Designed and Built by Kate Gould MBALI A Garden Sanctuary by Hamptons Designed by Tony Woods MBALI Built by Garden Club London

The Boodles Travel Garden Built by The Garden Builders

Silver-gilt medals

Show Gardens Hands Off Mangrove by Grow2Know Built by The Landscaping Consultants Show Gardens The Perennial Garden ‘With Love’ Built by Stewart Landscape Construction

Container Gardens A Mediterranean Reflection Built by Landform Consultants

Training Provider Sparsholt College received a Silver-gilt medal in the Floral Awards in the Great Pavilion for their Home from Home show garden.

A huge congratulations goes to all Association members involved in this iconic show, and for once again consistently showcasing the best of the landscaping industry. Read more about the RHS Chelsea gardens at rhs.org.uk/chelsea

Perennial’s People’s Choice winning garden

New-look stand unveiled at RHS Chelsea

The Association revealed a new eye catching stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, designed especially to help raise awareness to the importance of using Accredited professionals, to promote how the public can find an Association member near them, to highlight the work of our members, promote career opportunities available with GoLandscape and to aid with general queries.

We were delighted with the level of interaction and enquiries and the notable increase in public awareness towards the importance of using Accredited landscape professionals.

The Association team will next head to RHS Hampton Court Flower Show and RHS Tatton this July.

Support the largest landscaping awards in Europe

This year’s National Landscape Awards are in full swing with first deadline entries for Accredited Contractor, Group and Designer members having closed on the 1 June and final deadline entries for the International, Supplier Exceptional Service and Employer Excellence categories having closed on the 6 July.

This year’s submissions are now with their allocated judges who will be performing their site visits throughout July and August, as well as reviewing desktop submissions all in time for their deliberation meeting at the end of August. The panel will present their findings to each other and Chairman of the Judging Panel, John Melmoe. Also in attendance at the three-day meeting will be Chief Executive, Wayne Grills and Events Project Manager, Emily Feeney. Each entry is presented, discussed and scrutinised to ensure consensus of the panel.

Winners will be announced at the start of September where promotion of winners and sponsors will be taking place through multiple industry publications, social media and via winners themselves. This is why there is no better time to support the Awards through the many sponsorship opportunities available.

Sponsoring the largest landscaping Awards in Europe, which welcomes over 1,000 guests annually, promises to elevate your business with brand awareness and generating new business. It reinforces client confidence in your brand, builds trust, significantly expands your reach and positions your company as an integral part of the landscaping industry – don’t just take our word for it.

“The National Landscape Awards are a magnificent showcase for the landscape industry, showcasing projects that the industry can be proud of. Johnsons of Whixley are proud to sponsor the Awards for over 20 years and support BALI in its endeavours to promote professional landscapers and landscape suppliers, in what is an environmentally driven industry.” Johnsons of Whixley – Accredited Supplier member and Sponsor of the National Landscape Awards.

Limited sponsorship opportunities remain available, for further details contact Diane McCulloch via telephone on +44(0)24 7518 5614 or via email at

diane.mcculloch@bali.org.uk

For general enquiries contact Emily Feeney via telephone on +44(0)24 7518 5613 or via email at

emily.feeney@bali.org.uk

Emily Feeney, Events Project Manager

A great turnout for Choose It. Move It. Plant It

Regional events in full swing

Regional events are officially back with a bang and busier than ever. The return of important events such as

RHS Chelsea and of course the Queen’s

Jubilee weekend, that many enjoyed in outdoor spaces across the country, has ignited a renewed passion for coming together again. And our Regional Comittees of professionals have gone above and beyond to provide a range of opportunities for all members to enjoy.

Our industry has arguably never been busier than in recent times, and therefore our members and their skills are in high demand. Our dedicated Regional Committees have responded by tailoring regional events and networking to meet the soaring demands of professionals in need of advice, CPD to expand their skills and chances to make new connections within the Association.

Recent examples have included a live presentation and Q&A with the HMRC on the changes of use to red diesel; ‘Cut through the noise – get great clients’ webinar, Plant Passporting advice from APHA, ‘How to Improve your Environmental Impact’ webinar, the hugely successful Choose it. Move it. Plant it. South West event and a private tour of the AELTC, Wimbledon and more.

We look forward to sharing further details regarding exclusive, behind the scenes tours of exciting projects and venues across the country, evening dinners with inspirational speakers and creative networking and lunch events.

Our Mental Health First Aid initiative has continued to help members to make their businesses safer and more supportive places. Some members have already reported that their new accreditation has positively impacted their team and improved staff retention, where vulnerable team members may have previously been lost from the business.

Regional events offer a fantastic opportunity to network Green-tech and ICL kindly hosted an exclusive tour of Wimbledon

We are continuing to offer the Mental Health First Aid courses to Association members at a 50% discount, with dates available throughout the year. Go to bali.org.uk/training now to secure your place.

Feedback from previous participants

‘’Bianca Jones was a wonderful ray of sunshine with a great way of explaining information that is clear and understandable. An asset to MHFA. I’ve had a great overall experience and will continue to self-study the manual increasing my knowledge. Thank you for allowing me to take part, I’m very grateful I now have the confidence to help support others (and myself).’’ ‘’I loved the course. Bianca is super knowledgeable and is happy to answer any questions big or small. I think more people should be educated on Mental Health First Aid - it’s equally as important as Physical First Aid. The course was split into sessions and the break times were just right. It’s left me wanting to continue learning more and I am keen to put my new skills to the test.’’ ‘’Bianca was fantastic and the course was full of detailed and helpful information. I hope that everybody gets the chance to upskill on this level and better understand mental health.’’ Visit bali.org.uk/events for future events, webinars and workshops that matter to you and your business.

THANK YOU TO THIS YEAR’S SPONSORS

HEADLINE SPONSOR SPONSORED BY

Green-tree Topsoil

Civils & Green Urbanisation

Limited sponsorship opportunities remain available

For further details contact Diane McCulloch via telephone at +44(0)24 7518 5613 or via email at diane.mcculloch@bali.org.uk For general enquiries, contact Emily Feeney via telephone at +44(0)24 7518 5613 or via email at emily.feeney@bali.org.uk