Pro Landscaper December 2014

Concept to Delivery

December 2014

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

DECK THE HALLS FROSTS LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION HOW TO DRIVE

SALES AND PRODUCTIVITY IS THERE ANY VALUE IN USING SUBCONTRACTORS?

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WELCOME

Concept to Delivery DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

December 2014 | Volume 4, Issue 12

December 2014

DECK THE HALLS

FROSTS LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION HOW TO DRIVE

Welcome to December 2014

SALES AND PRODUCTIVITY IS THERE ANY VALUE IN USING SUBCONTRACTORS?

HELEN ELKS-SMITH December cover.indd

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of the Year”

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Welcome to the December issue of Pro Landscaper. We have just returned from what was an amazingly successful FutureScape event once again.

It seems that the change of venue to Sandown was the right decision and from the feedback we have had so far, all visitors, speakers and exhibitors had a very enjoyable day.

We would like to offer sincere thanks to all who were involved and visited the show.

Visitor numbers were around 1,000 so an increase on 2013 too.

We will be covering FutureScape 2014 fully in the January issue

Eljays44 Ltd 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA Tel: 01903 777 570 EDITORIAL editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk Editor – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 579 Editorial Assistant – Iszara Morgan iszara.morgan@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570 Equipment Editor – Joe Wilkinson joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 577 Production Editor – Susie Duff susie.duff@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 578

ADVERTISING Business Development Manager – Jamie Wilkinson jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 588 Account Manager – Luke Chaplin luke.chaplin@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 584 Sales Executive – Amber Bernabe amber.bernabe@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 581 Horticulture Careers – Jorjia Nye jorjia.nye@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 587 Accounts Assistant – Lisa Woollard accounts@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570

Subeditor – Toby Wilsdon toby.wilsdon@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 578

Managing Director – Jim Wilkinson jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 589

EDITORIAL ADVISORY PANEL Mark Gregory Chairman of APL and Landform Consultants Sam Hassall LandPRO Ltd Russell Eales Lawn care expert Karl Harrison Decking expert David Dodd The Outdoor Room

MARKETING AND CIRCULATION Tel:01903 777571

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Subscription enquiries lewis.dan@eljays44.com

and you will soon be able to view a video with feedback and comments from a host of very recognisable personalities within the industry.

We look forward to launching a letters page in the January 2015 issue, so if you have any topics you would like to comment on or give feedback from features or articles you have read, please do email Lisa at lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com, we look forward to your views!

All that remains is to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, we think it will be the most profitable year for a long time in the landscape industry as 2014 has seen growth which can only continue. Good luck and look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in 2015.

@jimeljays

Design – Kara Thomas Olivia White Amy Downes

@lisaeljays

Pro Landscaper is proud to be an affiliate member of BALI

Printed by Pensord Press Ltd, Gwent, UK Published by ©Eljays44 Ltd – Connecting Horticulture Pro Landscaper’s content is available for licensing overseas. Contact jamie.wilkinson@ eljays44.com

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

Pro Landscaper is proud to be an associate member of The APL

Pro Landscaper is published 12 times per year by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2014 subscription price is £95.00.

Subscription records are maintained at Eljays44 Ltd, 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA, UK. Articles and information contained in this publication are the copyright of Eljays44 Ltd and may not be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publishers. The publishers cannot accept responsibility for loss of, or damage to, uncommissioned photographs or manuscripts.

Whilst every effort has been made to maintain the integrity of our advertisers, we accept no responsibility for any problem, complaints, or subsequent litigation arising from readers’ responses to advertisements in the magazine. We also wish to emphasise that views expressed by editorial contributors are not necessarily those of the publishers. Reproduction of any part of this magazine is strictly forbidden.

MANAGEMENT Managing Director Jim Wilkinson Director Lisa Wilkinson Business Development Manager Jamie Wilkinson

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CONTENTS

December 2014 6

News Shed Round up of industry news

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News Extra Philippa O’Brien talks about her new role as chair of the SGD

10 Association News The APL announces the winner of Worldskills 2014, the RHS talks about the National Pollinator Strategy, you can still get tickets to attend the SGD Awards, find out all about BALI regional events and efig update us all on their news OPINION

14 BALI Response BALI responds to Phil Jones’ November opinion column

15 View From The Top Phil Jones explains how ISS is tackling the skills shortage

17 Is There Value in Using Subcontractors?

Is there value in using subcontractors asks David Dodd

Concept to Delivery

18 Call Me Old Fashioned

December 2014

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

Andrew Wilson voices his concerns about using design and build contractors

DECK THE HALLS

23 Business and Teenagers

FROSTS LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION

Lee Maddock suggests putting a retirement plan into place to ensure you enjoy your later years

HOW TO DRIVE

SALES AND PRODUCTIVITY

BUSINESS TIPS

25 In The Driving Seat

IS THERE ANY VALUE IN USING SUBCONTRACTORS?

Steve Clarke talks about how to drive sales and productivity

20 Banking On A Solution Equipment expert Angus Lindsay says a proper risk assessment should always be carried out for work on slops and banks

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21 How Much Do You Offer and How Much Will It Earn?

This month Janine Pattison says it’s important to plan what direction your business will take at the very start

22 Driving Up Standards Trustmark’s Simon Ayers explains how the scheme drives up industry standards

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26 Compulsory Workplace Pensions What’s in it for you? Asks Peter Yardley

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28 Products and Publicity Have you thought of using product sales as an add on to your busines. Justin Paxman says it can be a successful strategy

29 Top Rated People: Barney Markus

Rated people interviews client Barney Markus

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CONTENTS

CONTRIBUTORS Phil Jones MD of ISS Facility Services Landscaping David Dodd Landscaper and lecturer

Andrew Wilson Garden designer and lecturer Angus Lindsay Head of Fleet at The Landscape Group Janine Pattison Garden designer

NURSERY

47 Nursery News News bites and information from the UK’s nurseries

49 Plantsman’s Plot Winter plants and trees from nurseries around the country

31 31 Let’s Hear It From Helen Elks-Smith of Elks-Smith Garden Design PORTFOLIO

35 Deck The Hall Christmas tree installation at St Pancras station by Frosts Landscape Constructor

Lee Maddock Chartered Financial Planner Steve Clarke Sales mentor

Justin Paxman Landscaper

50 Site visit Pro Landscaper visited Deepdale Trees

52 Vistagreen Visit Our Editor and Business Delevopment Manager to find out all about a revolutionary new product in green walling

EQUIPMENT

Simon Ayers Chief Executive Officer of TrustMark Chris Burke Insight & Monetisation at Rated People Peter Yardley Corporate pensions specialist

55 Lighting 56 Equipment News 59 General Latest Kit

38 Hope Springs Horatio’s Garden, an award winning project by Cleve West

42 A New Direction The client required a mediterranean theme for their Cotswold garden

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PEOPLE

62 Life/Style Lifestyle with Gavin Mcwilliam from Wilson McWilliam Studio

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NEWS

NEWS SHED Landscape Institute Employment and Salary Survey shows prospects are good for profession

Employment and Salary Survey 2014 results released last week show strong employment levels within the private sector of the landscape industry.

LI President Noel Farrer said: “The report provides a clear indication of where we need to focus our work.

“It is positive to see so many landscape professionals in stable employment, and is hopefully a sign of future trends.”

Key findings include: ● the highest number of members working in full-time and

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permanent positions for the last three years ● only 1.5 per cent of landscape professionals were unemployed at the time of the survey ● LI Registered Practice

employees are the most likely landscape professionals to have had a pay increase ● 61 per cent of chartered members respondents earned between £30,000 and £49,999, while 75 per cent of licentiates earned from £20,000 to £29,999 ● more members reported seeing growth than seeing their department or practice staying the same ● half of members working in the public sector saw their team, department or practice decrease in size ● male landscape professionals are more likely to earn higher salaries than female landscape professionals www.landscapeinstitute.co.uk

Award-winning Chelsea Flower Show designer launches Rosebank Landscaping Firm Maidenhead-based building firm Farr & Roberts has launched Rosebank Landscaping, following Head Designer Matt Keightley’s success at the 2014 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Keightley designed and created the ‘Hope on the Horizon’ garden for Help for Heroes, winning the panel judged Silver-Gilt award and the People’s Choice Award conferred by popular vote.

He won approval from Prince Harry during his debut garden design at RHS Chelsea earlier this year, when the Prince paid his ‘Hope on the Horizon’ garden a private visit.

Talking about the launch Matt Keightley said: “The past 12 months have been incredibly successful for

Carol Paris to join London Santa Run for Greenfingers Greenfingers trustee and HTA CEO Carol Paris is leading the Christmas charge for Greenfingers this year by taking part in the London Santa Run on Sunday 7th December. Runners will complete the route dressed in Father Christmas outfits. The charity is calling on people across the

Farr & Roberts, having delivered a number of fantastic projects for our clients and with it being my inaugural year of showing at the world-renowned RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

“I was extremely honoured to work with Help for Heroes on my garden design, and to win the People’s Choice Award, voted for by the public, was the icing on the cake.” Rosebank Landscaping will specialise in a diverse range of gardens, from contemporary city courtyards to traditional rural gardens and estates. www.farr-roberts.com

industry to take the time to sponsor Carol’s sterling efforts and help raise much needed funds for Greenfingers’ gardens this festive season. Money raised from the Santa Run will directly contribute to the gardens Greenfingers hope to build in 2015. Sponsor Carol Paris via the dedicated Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/ greenfingerssantarun or text 70070 with the code SANT61 and the value of donation.

20/11/2014 14:33

NEWS

Landscape Group is recognised as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer

The Landscape Group has been recognised in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, compiled by the National Apprenticeship Service in partnership with City & Guilds.

It also won the title of West Midlands Large Newcomer Employer of the Year in the regional rounds of the awards. The list was announced at the National Apprenticeship Awards took place during The Skills Show in Birmingham on 13 November.

The Landscape Group’s human resources manager Sharon Ilsley said: “So far, we have offered permanent positions to every

apprentice following successful completion of their apprenticeship.

“Becoming a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer will enable us to attract more candidates to our apprenticeship scheme and further improve the future prospects of both The Landscape Group and the apprentices who join us.” Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “This year’s Top 100 Apprenticeship employers have demonstrated the huge impact on the young people they invest in and the many benefits for their organisations.

CEO and Director General of City & Guilds, Chris Jones, said: “They should be proud of their role in helping people gain the skills they need to be successful.

Apprenticeships] bring countless benefits to businesses.” www.thelandscapegroup.co.uk

Aralia Garden Design wins double gold at New Homes Garden Awards Sawbridgeworth landscape designer Aralia has won gold at the New Homes Garden Awards 2014 in the ‘Best Roof Terrace Garden’ and ‘Best Rural Garden’ categories.

The winning roof terrace garden was designed for a leading international developer who wanted to remodel a late 19th-century property in Knightsbridge, west London, as luxury apartments with an adjoining roof terrace.

Aralia was appointed, together with a team of architects, engineers and interior designers, to overcome the site’s constraints and create “a beautiful and very high-quality roof garden”.

A spokesman for Aralia said: “The roof terrace offers the user a sumptuous garden retreat, combining www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Perimeter security specialist Jacksons Fencing announces new CEO

JSA Landscape has landed a new contract

Jacksons has appointed Peter Jackson as its chief executive and chairman. Peter Jackson, who has spent 25 years working in the physical security sector, takes the reins from his brother Richard to lead the company, established in 1947 by their late father, Ian Jackson.

As Jacksons’ former sales director, Peter’s previous area of expertise lies in servicing the high security sector of the business.

He has been responsible for designing the only SR4 and SR5 level LPCB accredited fencing product, in addition to designing the first fencing product to attain the highest government testing standard.

Commenting on his appointment Peter said: “I am delighted to be taking up this significant role and relish the challenge of continuing Richard’s work in steering the company through the next stage of its evolution.” www.jacksons-fencing.co.uk

The happiest Christmas trees outdoor dining and luxury lounge area with beautiful features such as an extravagant fire pit, structural archways and raised planters. The garden was envisaged with an emphasis for Aralia’s design to add value to the property, making it both functional and more aesthetically pleasing. A spokesman for the developer said: “The client’s wish for a contemporary influence nearer to the house was granted, allowing softer, classical landscaping at a distance, all linked with planted beds from the terrace to the wider garden.” www.aralia.org.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF

A Christmas tree grower has tasked SCH Supplies with designing and building a large capacity unit for quick and efficient watering of trees. The device has a 900 litre tank which can be filled from reservoirs, private lakes, and a lance that targets the water directly to the base of the tree.The machine can be produced as a fully road legal version and used where any type of tree is planted in large rows. SCH are happy to discuss custom specifications with customers. www.schsupplies.co.uk

JSA Landscape Group has been appointed as the new Grounds Maintenance Contractor at Heathrow Airport for the next three years.

Grace Landscapes foreman wins White Rose Community Award

George Grouse was recognised for outstanding work to benefit the community and received the award from James Bailey, Centre Director of the Leeds Shopping Centre.

Glendale Horticulture acquires Mahood

Glendale acquired the trade and assets of Mahood Brothers Limited, three properties and an amenity nursery business at Burscough Nurseries, Lancashire for an undisclosed sum.

Expansion for APL member Holland Landscapes Award winning father and son business Holland Landscapes has seen its business expand significantly in 2014, with designer Kate Marshall MSGD now joining the team.

London’s River Thames garden bridge backed by council

The £150m “garden bridge” over the River Thames proposed by Joanna Lumley has moved a step closer after Lambeth Council approved the plans.

Pro Landscaper / December 2014

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NEWS EXTRA

After studying horticulture at Reading, Philippa became a horticultural journalist, working at The Grower and Garden Centre Manager magazines but found this incompatible with a young family so took a few years out. When circumstances changed, she set up her own business, “learning how to make myself a good garden designer,” and was attracted to the SGD as “they represent professional garden designers, as opposed to those who have had six weeks training.”

Philippa has been on the council for 18 months and having

Philippa O’Brien NEW CHAIR OF THE SGD At the end of October, Philippa O’Brien became chair of The Society of Garden Designers. We met on her first day in office to find out a little about her and what she would like to achieve during her tenure

THE SGD REPRESENTS PROFESSIONAL GARDEN DESIGNERS, AS OPPOSED TO THOSE WHO HAVE HAD SIX WEEKS TRAINING been elected chair, she has a lot planned, including making the website more user friendly, with separate public and members’ areas and a suppliers directory.

There is also a garden design book to be launched in March, containing a directory of members and various images taken by them.

She emphasises continuous professional development, mentoring and education. Once fully qualified, membership is for life and this underlines the need for CPD to keep members up to date.

For example, CDM (Construction Design and Management) regulations are changing next year and members should be made aware of this. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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“We’ve been mentoring for about four years, focusing on contracts and the law as it relates to garden design, and looking at specifications, an area that colleges seem to neglect.”

But the students can be impressive, she says. “We’re starting to get students from degree courses and they are in a totally different league. One thing we want to do, is show the colleges what the standards are these days so they can bring their courses up to that level.” Philippa hopes student membership of £20 per year will encourage learners to

join when they’re at college and stay.

Professional Indemnity insurance is another concern, particularly regarding less experienced members: “It’s vitally important. We have a duty of care to these members. They’re at most risk of losing their house if someone sues them and they’re more likely to be sued at that stage.

“We’ve just made it compulsory for our registered members to hold PI but I think it’s the pre-registered members that need to hold it, so we’ve also made it compulsory [for new pre-registered members].”

It’s expensive, but the SGD has negotiated £83 per year for new student members.

Getting more registered members is Philippa’s priority. “Preregistered members are a big group and we need them to become registered. Rather

WE’RE STARTING TO GET STUDENTS FROM DEGREE COURSES AND THEY ARE IN A TOTALLY DIFFERENT LEAGUE. WE WANT TO SHOW COLLEGES WHAT THE STANDARDS ARE THESE DAYS

than having 200 registered members and 700 pre-registered members, we need to turn the figures around.”

Making the process less intimidating is one way of doing this. “You used to have to collect your [three] projects together, go to Belgrave Square, hand them over and then sit in a room while people picked over them and decided

WE THINK WE HAVE THE BEST GARDEN DESIGNERS AND HOPE THAT OTHER LANDSCAPERS REALISE THEY NEED US IF THEY’RE GOING TO SHOW OFF THE QUALITY OF THEIR WORK whether you’d passed or failed.”

They couldn’t be re-submitted, even if two had passed. “It’s like putting your heart on the table and if you’re told that you’ve failed, it’s like it’s being trampled on. People would often leave and never come back.” Now, you can send them off to be looked at individually then receive written feedback, with the opportunity to re-submit if referred.

MSGD status should not be taken for granted, Philippa says: “People do fail because it’s very strict,” adding, “I must say that I did pass first time.”

Our conversation ends with a bold statement. “We think that we have the best garden designers and we are an independent body.

We hope that [other landscapers] realise they need us if they’re going to get the best designs that will show off the quality of their work.”

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Association

NEWS

RHS welcomes launch of the National Pollinator Strategy Last month the RHS welcomed the National Pollinator Strategy: for bees and other pollinators in England and the Bees’ Needs campaign. The strategy represents a significant step in both increasing awareness of, and counteracting the pressures on bees and other pollinators.

The RHS is a member of the Pollinator Advisory Steering Group and it has worked closely with Defra and

RHS report other organisations on the development of this strategy.

Representing UK gardeners and drawing on the worldleading expertise of RHS staff has helped to ensure the strategy will increase public understanding of the plight of pollinators and effectively tackle this incredibly important concern. Gardens account for a quarter of land in towns and cities and they, along with other green spaces, can provide a vital and valuable refuge for pollinators.

The RHS understands and champions

APL update Young Landscaper named ‘Best in the UK’ at The Skills Show The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) are delighted to announce that Robert Wylie

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these insects.

The full National Pollinator Strategy can be read here: www.gov.uk/government/ publications/nationalpollinator-strategy-forbees-and-other-pollinatorsin-england

from CAFRE, has been named the ‘Best in the UK’ in Landscape Gardening after winning Gold at the WorldSkills UK National Competitions at this year’s

the vital role that gardens and gardeners play in supporting pollinators, which is why the RHS established the Perfect for Pollinators initiative in 2011 to raise awareness of the issue and help gardeners identify which plants and other gardening practices are best at supporting these important insects. Through RHS Britain in Bloom, up to 300,000 people across the country are working to integrate plants into their local communities, which can help towards providing additional food sources and habitat for pollinators.

The RHS will continue to promote the vital role played by gardens, gardening and gardeners in arresting and reversing the decline of

The Skills Show.

Jonathan Buchanan got Silver whilst Ronan McLarnon and Dean Thomson got joint Bronze.

The garden, designed by Alexandra Froggatt tested the competitors in every aspect of landscape design including: ● planning and marking out, including height measurements ● hard landscape features including, small unit paving, block work, paving with

Christmas at the RHS Throughout December and into the new year, Pro Landscaper readers can experience beautiful winter planting schemes and festive activities for the whole family at all four RHS Gardens.

For full details and event listings, please visit www.rhs.org.uk/gardens.

Robert Wylie

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/11/2014 12:03

ASSOCIATION NEWS

SGD bulletin Join the Society of Garden Designers at The SGD Awards ceremony on Friday 30 January 2015 for the garden design event

Matthew Wilson

flagstones, foundations and footings, water features ● timber work, pergolas, fence details, decking ● plants and turf, including both plan and freestyle planting methods.

Judges for the landscape

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of the year.

Now in its third year, the event returns to London’s Millennium Gloucester Hotel, where 19 awards presentations will be made on the night, including the prestigious Judges Award, Grand Award and the John Brookes Lifetime Achievement Award.

Several new awards will be presented including the Pocket Garden and Historic Garden awards.

The SGD Awards ceremony is not only a wonderful occasion to meet friends and associates, it is also a unique opportunity to network with influential figures and journalists in the garden design industry

and a chance to celebrate the best in garden and landscape design.

Journalist, presenter and author Matthew Wilson is the host for the evening and he will be in charge of entertainment at the ceremony, attended by the great and the good from the garden design industry.

‘Early bird’ ticket prices apply, starting from £108 if purchased before 12 December 2014. Thereafter tickets are priced at £120.

gardening competition include garden designer Jody Lidgard, who has run his own landscaping firm for more than 18 years, award winning APL member Rod Winrow from Garden House Design and 2011 WorldSkillsUK medal winner Simon Abbott.

Ross Maloney, chief executive of Find a Future, said: “The Skills Show is an amazing showcase for the nation’s vast variety of skills.

Just as we celebrate our

athletes, so we champion our skills and inspire young people to make their own mark on industry. Congratulations to all those who took part in the WorldSkills UK Competitions.

“It is through competition activity, The Skills Show and The Skills Show Experience that Find a Future can provide young people and their parents with the chance to get excited about the world of work and make informed choices about their future.”

The SGD is proud to be supporting Perennial at the SGD Awards ceremony.

Perennial is the UK’s only charity dedicated to helping people of all ages working in, or retired from, horticulture, when times get tough. A collection will be made for the charity during the evening.

Join the SGD for an event not to be missed on Friday 30 January 2015. Please visit the SGD Awards website for further information: www.sgdawards.com

The APL would like to thank sponsors Greenwood Nursery, Greenline Plants, Makita UK, Jewson, Marshalls and Suttons Seeds for their support for the show.

More than 75,000 people attended The Skills Show and watched 588 apprentices and learners battle it out in 64 skills competitions, ranging from Forensic Science to Floristry, with the aim of being named ‘UK Champion’ in their chosen skill.

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ASSOCIATION NEWS

Looking for staff?

Try BALI Jobs! BALI has linked up with Pro Landscaper’s recruitment website, www. horticulturecareers.co.uk, to give BALI its own jobs board, where you can advertise your company’s vacancies at extremely competitive BALI member rates. To take advantage of this service, please contact jorjia.nye@ eljays44.com.

BALI regional events – networking heaven In October the BALI regions held some really excellent events where the subject matter was second only to the incredible networking opportunities they provided: ● A visit by the Midlands region to the worldwide headquarters of JCB in Rocester; Mark Gregory’s talk about his

BALI briefing project to create a public park in Gibraltar for North Thames region; and a presentation on selecting the correct paving and mortar at a meeting of South Thames members attracted a combined total of more than 75 members and guests. ● The BALI-NCF technical event ‘Coping with Slopes’ held at Draycote Reservoir in Warwickshire was sold out some weeks before and on the day saw 180 people attend.

efig outline Working Christmas Trees Week It’s almost exactly one month since we launched our first ever Working Christmas Trees Week.

Conducting the campaign almost entirely on social media (though we’d like to thank Pro Landscaper for their support) we got off to a steady start.

The hashtag #xmastreeswork attracted strong interaction and we reached a potential audience of more than 12,000 tweeters.

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● 58 links were clicked through ● 30 retweets

● 26 favourites

The dedicated Facebook page however didn’t fare so well and would benefit from more followers. Search Working Christmas Trees Week on Facebook to like.

Ongoing Up until the end of the Christmas installation period, members will be counting the number of trees

region annual networking event in Harrogate, with a presentation by garden designer and prolific author Noel Kingsbury, and the East Anglia region dinner in Bury St Edmunds attracted 160 people between them.

Both were supported

by BALI Affiliate (supplier) members who took the opportunity to exhibit.

Talking to other designers and contractors at regional events and finding

out about the newest products and services is a major benefit of BALI membership, so check out the BALI website’s ‘Events’ tab for events coming up in your region this winter. www.bali.org.uk And finally, The BALI National Landscape Awards 2014 – the ultimate industry networking event, takes place at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London on Friday 5 December.

At the time of writing, nearly 800 places have been booked for the luncheon and ceremony. With a stellar cast of VIPs and guests, this is going to be an Awards to remember. To get all the latest news on the Principal, Special and Grand Award winners, visit www.baliawards. co.uk after 5 December.

they’ve installed and the number of baubles used, for us to publish some fun statistics.

Counting Christmas trees is also important as members taking part will also donate money to their dedicated charity for every tree they install.

Watch out for updates in the New Year.

roof gardens and exterior containerised planting; bestkept maintenance projects; overseas projects; special events; Christmas installations and technicians. www.efig. co.uk/index.php/awardsentry-forms The deadline for entries is 19 January 2015. Everyone has an opportunity to win as there is no one winner in any category, so we hope that members will support these awards with their usual enthusiasm.

The efig Awards Next on the efig calendar is the request for members’ submissions to the annual efig Awards of Excellence. We will be asking for submissions in a number of categories including best design – interiors,

The efig calendar Two events are outstanding before the end of the year for efig: the Christmas meeting and the Christmas drinks. Both will take place on Thursday 18 December at The Marriott County Hall, London.

● The Yorkshire and North East

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19/11/2014 16:07

OPINION

BALI’S RESPONSE TO VIEW FROM THE TOP COLUMN PROLANDSCAPER NOVEMBER 2014 ISSUE

Following publication of Phil Jones of ISS’s opinion column, View from the Top, in the November 2014 edition of ProLandscaper, BALI was given the opportunity to respond.

Statement BALI takes the views of its members very seriously and fully supports their right to express those views through whatever channels they believe to be appropriate. Phil Jones, managing director of ISS, is a highly respected industry pundit with a wealth of experience and knowledge of the landscape sector. Throughout ISS’s membership of BALI he has always offered pertinent and incisive comment to assist the association in delivering best value for its varied membership.

However, in response to specific comments made by Phil (View from the Top, Pro Landscaper - November 2014), BALI strongly defends those board members whose

BALI IS FIRST AND FOREMOST A MEMBERSHIP ORGANISATION, RUN BY THE MEMBERS FOR THE MEMBERS professionalism he has questioned as a direct result of their running of the association’s AGM at SALTEX in September.

BALI is first and foremost a membership organisation, run by the members for the members. This is reflected directly by the diversity, in terms of industry activity and 14

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personal management experience, of the individuals elected by the membership to serve on the board of directors. Some will reflect Phil’s own business and management background i.e. operating within, or even responsible for, a large multi-national organisation; whilst the experience of others, such as the new BALI chairman Robert Field, as owner/director of their own SME. Both bring different, yet very valuable, skills and experience to the board and, as they do not work in isolation, the rest of the BALI board members are there to augment any perceived gaps in their management knowledge or experience. This ensures that all BALI members, regardless of the size of their companies, can aspire to lead their association as national chairman.

The newly elected national chairman is, first and foremost, a smaller landscape contractor serving the domestic market. His passion, therefore, is understandably for that membership group, which he wants to see better supported. And whilst each national chairman will have his own focus, the BALI board, which comprises representatives from across the full range of membership companies, will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the needs of all membership categories are met.

Between the submission and eventual publishing of his article, Phil Jones had been fully updated by BALI on the work and activities of the current board of directors and had expressed satisfaction that BALI had made good progress, which is why his article has

WHILST EACH NATIONAL CHAIRMAN WILL HAVE HIS OWN FOCUS, THE BALI BOARD, WHICH COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM ACROSS THE FULL RANGE OF MEMBERSHIP COMPANIES, WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TIRELESSLY TO ENSURE THE NEEDS OF ALL MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES ARE MET caused such dismay and consternation.

BALI’s management structure is stronger and more united than it has been for decades and Phil now appreciates the lengths to which the association’s elected officers go, to deliver best value for the entire membership.

BALI constantly encourages its members to fully engage with their association so that they are aware of the work and activities it carries out on their behalf and can take advantage of the many benefits BALI membership provides. This particular episode is a stark illustration of why this is so important.

ABOUT BALI The British Association of Landscape Industries is the UK’s landscaping trade association, made up of designers, maintenance contractors, suppliers of landscape products and services and other industry professionals. www.bali.org.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/11/2014 10:56

OPINION

VIEW FROM THE TOP With the skills shortage affecting all areas of the landscape industry, especially now that the market has seen an upturn, ISS has put together a good structure for training and development going forward, says Phil Jones

I read yet again recently that landscapers are experiencing a shortage of skills, hampering their ability to cope with their workload, particularly in work related to the upturn in the house building market and from the reemergence of high end, higher value private design and build schemes.

In grounds maintenance there is a similar problem. Those providing services to the public sector in particular find themselves short of the ‘right people’ even if in some areas numbers are not a particular problem.

This is not a new situation. I remember a number of times over the past 35 years when similar cries have come from those involved in the landscape sector.

AS THE ECONOMY PICKS UP, WE WILL NEED TO BE READY FOR CUSTOMERS’ DEMANDS TO DELIVER WHERE AND WHEN NEEDED BY HAVING THE RIGHT PEOPLE READY TO GO

But why are we in this situation? Since the start of the recession in 2008, I have thought that as the economy picks up, we will need to be ready for customers’ demands to deliver where and when needed by having the right www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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people ready to go.

Many still lay the blame of a shortage of skilled and inspired employees at the door of schools and the land based colleges for not promoting the benefits of a career in landscaping early enough to capture young peoples’ imagination and interest.

Others point to the aspiration of many to start up their own businesses rather than working as an employee. This is understandable when you look at some of the rates of pay in our industry!

It may be that some in the landscape industry have done what they do best – that is to identify a problem, but do little about it.

The time to take action is when you see the early warning signs and most people agree that these have been apparent for a number of years. It is easier to lay foundations and invest in such things as skills programmes and so-called apprenticeship schemes if you have the foresight to identify future requirements.

At ISS we saw this coming. We recognised that there would be a shortage of skilled people joining our business, particularly as the economy picked up, and we resolved to put in place a training and development structure that supported the induction and advancement of new entrants, together with that of our existing staff. We seek the right people and once they have joined us, give them the support to develop within our business.

It is more difficult for smaller companies to plan and invest when, realistically, their focus is on surviving the recession. This is where they should (we all should) be able to rely on support and leadership from our trade associations.

The hard pill to swallow within the wider landscaping sector is that we could have done something about this collectively a while ago.

This is a problem partially, if not entirely, of our own making. The solution lies in a much bigger fix. In part, it relies on improving the potential

WE SEEK THE RIGHT PEOPLE AND ONCE THEY HAVE JOINED US, GIVE THEM THE SUPPORT TO DEVELOP WITHIN OUR BUSINESS and existing client base’s perception of the landscaping sector, as well as the view of it held by anyone with the slightest intention of pursuing a career in horticulture and landscaping.

We all have a responsibility to work towards a solution. This means industry bodies, trade associations and all stakeholders need to work together. This is not easy, but, given our whole existence relies on having the right people, we cannot afford to get this wrong again.

ABOUT PHIL JONES Phil Jones is Managing Director of ISS Facility Services Landscaping and is based at the company’s head office in Woking, Surrey. He gained an HND in landscape construction and moved into grounds maintenance early on in his career, further gaining an MBA. He has been with the company since 1987 and as well as running the landscaping business he also sits on the UK operational management board of ISS Facility Services.

Follow Phil Jones: @philjonesISS Follow ISS Landscaping: @ISSLandscaping

www.isslandscaping.co.uk

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18/11/2014 11:21

OPINION

IS THERE VALUE IN USING

SUBCONTRACTORS? David Dodd weighs up the pros and cons of employing subcontractors and says there are certain questions that need to be asked if you do decide to go ahead Subcontractor n. a person, company etc, that enters into a subcontract, that undertakes to complete part of another’s contract There are many advantages to using subcontractors, but there are significant disadvantages, too.

To some people the term subcontractor was, and still is, a bit of a dirty word. The client may think they are buying into a company building their garden, only to find that it’s being built by someone else. If the workmanship is up to standard and the agreed price adhered to, there isn’t usually an issue. Problems only arise when the subcontractor suddenly has another job to get onto, their work isn’t as good as the main contractor’s usual standard, or the work starts to drag and they want more money.

There are some fantastic, highly skilled subcontractors out there and they can be a huge benefit in terms of flexibility. If they’re good, they can ensure deadlines are met. If all your full

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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time staff are booked out for months, they can give you the scope to take on more work.

Although more expensive on a day-to-day basis, you don’t have to pay them sick or holiday pay. You can use them as and when you need them, so they may only be required for part of a project.

For years, I would never have dreamt of using subcontractors. I would only ever employ staff on a PAYE basis, but as The Outdoor Room has grown as a company, working for more and more designers, the demand for specialised work has become far greater. We needed to produce and install much more bespoke metal work, fine carpentry and joinery, fibreglass tanking, irrigation, plastering, swimming pools, the list goes on! All these things require subcontractors. I see these elements as ‘specialised services’ and not strictly subcontracting, but according to the dictionary definition, they are.

The good news is, we now use our ‘specialists’ on almost every project we do, so in many ways they’ve become part of our happy family; our full time staff know them well and love working alongside them.

Having spoken to other contractors, I’d never want to start using agency staff. You don’t always know what you’re getting, their skill set is often unknown (what the agency say they are capable of may be far from your own standards) and they rarely have any loyalty to you as a company. Employing my own staff gives me greater control over when and where they are working and allows me to deploy the correct skill sets to the appropriate sites.

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subcontractors, questions I would always ask would be: ● Where do you find a good subcontractor? ● How do you go about employing them; what sort of contract will I have with them? ● What insurance cover do I need, if any? ● Should I pay them a day rate or piecework and what’s a reasonable rate? ● Do I need to pay them according to HMRC’s Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)?

If you’re a small outfit looking to take on more staff, these questions will need some careful consideration. The one piece of advice I would give is make the designer, project manager and client fully aware of who is working on their site.

As this is the December issue, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone who works in the industry a very merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

ABOUT DAVID DODD David Dodd has been in the landscape industry since the age of 17. After having studied and then taught at Merrist Wood College, he set up The Outdoor Room in 1995. In 2013, he went into business with Landscape Architect, Joe Perkins to form Longview Design Ltd. David has also lectured in design and construction for over 20 years.

www.theoutdoorroom.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / December 2014 17

20/11/2014 10:52

OPINION

Andrew Wilson reflects on a changing world and the challenge of ensuring the design is left to the designers

I know that everyone has to be young these days. The RHS is desperately trying to show that young people can win medals at Chelsea or Hampton Court, which is great if you are under 25, or 35 at a pinch. If, like me, you are over the big 5-0 (some will find that hard to believe) there is little chance of wowing the world with youth and it’s unlikely that I’ll be the first at anything anymore.

With age comes experience however, and 30 years in the garden and landscape design profession has taught me a great deal. I am happy to pass on that experience and give back to the profession but there come moments when it feels like a sea change is underway and one has to take a view. We welcome change if we see an improvement but sometimes developments are more ambiguous.

Having trained in landscape architecture before moving into garden design, the process is all encompassing for me. I solve problems and develop solutions on behalf of my client. If

Great teamwork between designers and contractor produced a sensational build and garden for us at Chelsea 2014

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CALL ME OLD FASHIONED? successful with my proposals, I move into the design detailing, exploring the implications of my ideas in both construction and planting design. I enjoy these various stages and I eventually deliver a package of design information to a contractor or landscaper who will execute, build and plant the design. I monitor the scheme, guide my client through the process and liaise with the contractor aiming, as a team, for the optimum solution.

AS A DESIGNER, I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT SENDING MY DESIGN WORK TO CONTRACTORS WHO ARE NOW MY COMPETITORS Suddenly (over the last few years, which is about as sudden as it gets in garden design), I find contractors shifting their territory, introducing design services into their business, even offering a design detailing service – rarely for planting design but certainly for construction, taking on a substantial part of the design service as a result.

As a designer, I have concerns about sending my design work to contractors who are now my competitors. I’m not precious in general but when fine details, material choices and concepts are my bread and butter, I draw the line at sharing information that could lose me work. If these contractors are on my selected list, then I must move on but I have a diminishing pool of contractors who can compete in terms of quality and produce the gardens that I dream of. I also have concerns about the ultimate responsibility for the design.

Am I to become a design and build contractor or perhaps find employment as a designer in a design and build company? What does my client want? I have experienced few complaints about the contractor-designer relationship so far so I’m uncertain that this is a client led initiative.

Some have voiced concerns about the quality of design education and there may be something worrying here. So many courses concentrate on garden design as a planting exercise, spending little time on construction and hard landscape. As a result, graduates often lack the knowledge, skills and knowhow to detail and define the character of their garden build. My view is that these students are being sold a duff – garden design requires knowledge of both hard and soft materials and an ability to understand both.

Approximately 20 per cent of any garden design scheme is planting focused – it is the other 80 per cent we need to worry about.

Designers should not simply cherry pick but, through education and experience, should come to understand the full implications of their chosen profession. Contractors, I suggest, should not be complicit in this dumbing down of garden design, I fear it will come back to haunt them.

ABOUT ANDREW WILSON Andrew Wilson is a landscape and garden designer and a Director of Wilson McWilliam Studio. He is also a Director of the London College of Garden Design, an author, writer and lecturer. www.wmstudio.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/11/2014 10:50

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17/11/2014 15:38

OPINION

OPINION

BANKING ON A SOLUTION Work on slopes and banks should only be carried out by staff trained to use the machine, with the proper risk assessment in place.

Failure to do so can lead to fatalities and prosecution, says Angus Lindsay A couple of months ago I wrote in support of BALI as our industry body and this October I attended an event organised by them, focusing on working on slopes and banks. The event was to raise awareness of the dangers of working on slopes and banks with the aim of producing industry standard guidance. It featured presentations from the HSE and working demonstrations from a wide range of manufacturers and suppliers.

The day featured an impressive range of machinery

Over the past few years, the dangers of working on slopes has been highlighted by several serious accidents, the most recent of these involving a ride-on brush cutter being operated on a slope that was measured at over 60⁰, four times the machine’s recommended limit.

An investigation found that the operator had no training in working on slopes, there was no site-specific risk assessment and the bank was covered in rabbit holes, a recipe for disaster.

Miraculously, the operator was only injured but there have been several fatalities in the past where machines have been used beyond their limits by untrained staff and with no risk assessment in place, all of which will lead to prosecution, a hefty fine and possibly imprisonment, a sobering 20

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situation but one many people seem oblivious to.

The day featured a wide and impressive range of machinery. As I reviewed the machines, many reminiscent of something off Robot Wars, I listened to the suppliers extol the virtues of their products and became aware of an element of double standards, initially highlighted by the footwear worn by several sales personnel.

Polished brogues may be comfortable but a slip on a bank behind a rotary mower could affect your ability to count to twenty! We were here to

POLISHED BROGUES MAY BE COMFORTABLE BUT A SLIP ON A BANK BEHIND A ROTARY MOWER COULD AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO COUNT TO TWENTY! learn about a hazardous operation from manufacturers and suppliers, some of whom openly admitted that whilst the safe operating limit of the machine stated in the handbook is 15⁰, you could push it a bit more without a problem. Is it me, or does that not defeat the object of the day? The banks being used for the demonstration averaged around 15⁰-20⁰, but it seemed foolhardy that we were allowed to freely walk and stand directly below the operating area of these machines with little in the way of protection should one of the robotic mowers have a Sergeant Bash moment and decide to take off on its own.

Whilst my criticism may seem petty, I do feel that those demonstrating and supplying machinery have a responsibility to do this in a safe and professional manner and to lead by example. We all know that risk assessment is the foundation on which we must base our operations and where banks are concerned site specific assessments are fundamental, in all

serious accidents on slopes over the last few years, the lack of suitable and sufficient risk assessment was a key contributor to the incident.

Coming soon to a slope near you

There is a wide range of equipment to choose from for slope mowing, with robotic machines now taking centre stage, tracked machines offer the most variations, from petrol/electric hybrid units to full blown tool carriers fitted with hydraulic lift linkages. The original wheeled machine, the Ransomes Spider, now has a rival in the form of the amazingly simple 6wd “Hybot”. Ride-on machines reach their safe limit at 25⁰ though depending on how much you want to pay, this can increase to over 40⁰, but always read the label and don’t believe the hype! There is a machine in development that may make an appearance at the next event and will definitely be worth seeing – a remote control two-wheeled tractor. Watch this space!

ABOUT ANGUS LINDSAY As an agriculturist, Angus spent several years working on arable farms in Scotland before joining VSO in Egypt, implementing a mechanisation programme, managing field operations for a commercial cotton plantation in Nigeria and as a contract instructor for Massey Ferguson in Yemen.

During this time he also spent a year at Silsoe, gaining an MSc in Agricultural Engineering and Mechanisation Management. Returning to the UK he joined Glendale as machinery manager in 1994 – going on to become Company Engineer – before joining The Landscape Group in 2009 as Group Head of Assets and Fleet. Contact: alindsay@thelandscapegroup.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/11/2014 11:02

BUSINESS TIPS

HOW TO

SURVIVE & THRIVE AS A GARDEN DESIGNER It’s important to decide what type of business you are going to operate at the outset. Janine Pattison MSGD MBALI gives you some points to consider before you put your plan into action.

Running your own business allows you to create the business you want. You decide the services you offer – some designers offer the full range from survey through to completion, including design, specification, tender, sourcing, installation and even an ongoing maintenance service. There are other areas designers get involved in such as horticultural consultancy, lecturing, teaching, writing and appearing on TV or radio.

If you wish to build your business then you can always get other people to help you, for example by finding someone else to carry out surveys or write specifications for you.

Of course, some designers specialise in areas that have a particular interest to them, such as gardens for children, disabled or vulnerable old people, healing gardens or kitchen or wildlife gardens. There are designers who choose to work exclusively in certain types of garden and become well known for that.

Your own personal style will have a big impact on the work you attract. Some designers specialise in stylish city gardens while others mainly deal with large country estates. You can choose to cover a wide variety of garden styles

YOUR OWN PERSONAL STYLE WILL HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON THE WORK YOU ATTRACT or specialise and become well known for that type of garden. You may find that your sources of work (mainly recommendations) bring in similar work. The area of the country you live will have an impact too. If you are happy to travel then you can cast your net wider – this needs to www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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WHAT DO YOU OFFER AND HOW MUCH WILL IT EARN? be looked at carefully to be sure that it is worthwhile. If you have foreign language skills, you might look for work overseas.

After you have decided exactly what services you are prepared to offer, you need to work out what to charge. This is a tricky area and there are no hard and fast rules. The Society of Garden Designers makes recommendations around fees and these may be helpful. Fees can be a flat rate based on a percentage of the value of the contract, or they can be calculated on an hourly basis. In our experience, most clients like to have a fixed price for a set piece of work so that they don’t feel that they are giving you a blank cheque.

Estimating how long a piece of work will take is very difficult and more of an art than a science. You need to calculate an equivalent hourly rate for your practice covering the direct costs of the work as well as contributing to

your overheads. In the early days, your overheads may be very small but as you grow, so will they. Studio space, IT, insurance, utilities, transport, marketing, training, subscriptions and business administration will add up to a sizeable amount. You need to quantify these costs and make sure that they are all covered before you can say that you have turned a profit and can take a salary or dividend.

ABOUT JANINE PATTISON Janine Pattison MSGD is a multi award-winning garden designer and horticulturalist who trained with English Heritage at Eltham Palace in London and at Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester. A registered member of the Society of Garden Designers, the

British Association of Landscape Industries and the Garden Media Guild, Janine is also a highly qualified RHS horticulturalist. www.janinepattison.com

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20/11/2014 12:42

BUSINESS TIPS

Recently relaunched, the new governmentendorsed TrustMark scheme helps trades strike a balance between regulation and protection and ultimately increases confidence among consumers says Simon Ayers, Chief Executive of TrustMark Standards exist to help our industry perform better as well as providing a benchmark against which performance can be judged. They are a critical factor in quality management, assurance and control but they need to be applied prudently and in a way that encourages improved performance. Set standards too low and at best they’re worthless if not downright damaging. Set the bar too high and only a tiny minority can meet the standards.

TrustMark was launched in 2006 with government-endorsed standards to tackle the menace of cowboy tradesmen and signpost consumers to the good firms. These standards were created for TrustMark’s scheme operators, including the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) and their TrustMark registered contractors.

Seven years on, Trustmark recognised that our standards needed to be updated and we had to meet rising customer expectations and strike a more sensible balance between consumer protection and industry support.

DRIVING UP

STANDARDS standards at the heart of the TrustMark scheme.

These core criteria reflect how much has changed since 2005, including legislation and much higher expectations by the industry, consumers, and government. The Core Criteria document sets out the government endorsed standards and how a scheme operator and its registered firms must meet them. The document covers areas such as how operators

TRUSTMARK IS NOW TRULY FIT FOR PURPOSE IN A MODERN MARKET Government Support A few months ago, the government reaffirmed its support for TrustMark with a relaunch of the scheme. The then consumer affairs minister, Jenny Willott MP and Peter Hansford, the government’s chief construction adviser stood shoulder to shoulder to declare that TrustMark is the primary scheme they back to protect consumers and boost the reputation of the construction industry. TrustMark was granted a new unrestricted licence from government and they announced the new government-endorsed 22

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are accepted and monitored within the TrustMark scheme; how firms are vetted, inspected and audited; how complaints and disciplinary processes work and how we eliminate misuse of the TrustMark logo.

Paul Baker, vice chair of the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL), said: “The APL had the toughest inspection criteria within the landscaping industry but joining TrustMark as a scheme operator helped the APL and our members raise their standards even further.

THE ‘NEW TRUSTMARK’ AIMS TO INCREASE CONFIDENCE AMONG CONSUMERS, WHICH IS AT THE HEART OF A HEALTHY MARKET These ensure our members’ potential clients’ peace of mind in knowing they are employing a highly skilled and trustworthy company.”

TrustMark is now truly fit for purpose in a modern market. It aims to create a set of standards that are credible, pragmatic and enforceable. It captures best practice, gives trades a much clearer understanding of what’s expected and aims to strike the right balance between ‘light touch co-regulation’ and good consumer protection. Most of all, the ‘new TrustMark’ aims to increase confidence among consumers, which is at the heart of a healthy market.

Working together, TrustMark’s members have set a benchmark that is much higher than it was in 2006. But we must continue to work towards the outcomes we want to see: greater consumer empowerment and recognition of reputable firms.

For further information about TrustMark, visit www.trustmark.org.uk ABOUT SIMON AYERS Simon Ayers is Chief Executive of TrustMark. TrustMark is the only Government-endorsed scheme where you can find local tradesmen throughout the UK for all home repair, maintenance and improvement work. www.trustmark.org.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/11/2014 16:30

BUSINESS TIPS

BUSINESS AND TEENAGERS Running a small business is a bit like raising a teenager, says Lee Maddock. Put the work in early and you’ll reap the rewards later on

Many years ago, when the idea of my running a small business was first mooted, someone tried to explain the experience of a small business owner to me. They described the starting, running, growing and exiting of their business as a bit like raising a teenager.

A small business is like a teenager in two ways. Firstly, you will always love it but you will not always like it and secondly, it always seems to have its hand out for money. Never is the second example truer than when, just as you think you have a bit of cash to start the retirement fund, something comes along to take it all off you.

WHAT IF THERE IS A DOWNTURN JUST AS YOU WISH TO RETIRE AND THERE IS NO SUCCESSION PLAN OR POTENTIAL BUYER IN PLACE? When someone first starts their own business, they may expect to be sitting on a sandy beach at 55 with the boat anchored off shore. The reality is that if no plans are made, this dream can be a million miles off. Many business owners are failing to fund any kind of retirement plan because the business never achieves the critical mass necessary. They www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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convince themselves that their business will provide for them in retirement or they never get around to budgeting for a contribution, devoting so much time and money to their businesses that they fail to plan for retirement at all. However, what if there is a downturn just as you wish to retire and there is no succession plan or potential buyer in place?

The prospect of continuing to work well into your supposed retirement is therefore a distinct possibility. Although this may not be seen as bad news for some people, there is always a point where one has to stop working.

The idea of gradually reducing your working hours is a favourite of many but again, without a succession plan, the ability to do this may also be eroded. The dreams of the island in the sun become more and more distant, eventually leading to resentment of the company you have built up and loved.

Many business owners are worried about their ability to save for a lifestyle they want in retirement. The recession made saving more difficult for many owners. The downturn and the plunge in lending to small businesses during the past five years forced many owners not only to put saving on hold, but also to use personal assets like bank accounts and savings to keep their companies running.

For many owners, saving for retirement often becomes less important than building a company, in good times or bad. Many don’t want spare money that could be used for research and development, recruitment or purchases of equipment and property.

There is an argument that small business owners should be making their personal finances an equal priority to their company’s finances - if the company goes under the owner can be left with nothing.

Having something in place for your retirement also helps alleviate some of the pressure. It will give you some breathing space in order to find the right buyer.

There are many ways to save for retirement but the most popular is paying into a pension.

The government provides generous tax breaks for companies’ contributions to pension plans.

Benefits can be taken at any time from the age of 55 in a variety of ways that has become more flexible over the last few months. Speak to a financial adviser for more information.

You work hard on the business in order to bring rewards and to profit from a sale in order to have a comfortable retirement. If you invest sensibly, the hard work you put into your business will be of benefit to you in retirement just as the hard work you put into your children will be as they emerge from their teenage years.

ABOUT LEE MADDOCK Chartered Financial Planner Lee Maddock trained as an accountant and having spent a majority of his career working at organisations such as Aegon Scottish Equitable and AXA, is now Director at Millbank Financial Solutions which specialises in financial planning for SMEs, as well as personal finance issues including longevity, retirement planning and family / business protection. www.millbankfs.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / December 2014 23

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20/11/2014 10:20

BUSINESS TIPS

IN THE DRIVING SEAT Sales mentor and business speaker Steve Clarke advises on driving sales and productivity on your business journey

Would you even dream of driving using only your rear view mirror? Of course you wouldn’t.

Don’t even think about trying — this isn’t a challenge!

What I’m going to share is relevant to all of us in business and will save you needlessly worrying about a 100 things a day. It will allow you to kiss goodbye to the overwhelming feeling brought about by being exhausted by day and woken up at three in the morning worrying about cash flow, how you’re going to make payroll, where the next order is coming from and finding and keeping the right staff.

Most of us wouldn’t even think of driving to a meeting or heading off to deliver our goods without looking up our destination on the computer, punching it into our phone or, more likely, entering it into our satnav.

We need to know where we’re going and why. Are there things we need to see or do on the way? We may need to know what the traffic and weather will be like to decide how long it should take and plan accordingly.

Once in the car, we should check we have enough fuel and keep an eye on our speed.

Think about the similarities with this scenario and your business. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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We need a plan and a dashboard to give us vital feedback to help reach our destination. Is the information on your business dashboard helping you get to your destination? I’m not referring to your P&L or last month’s sales results — that is your rear view mirror. You can’t get to your destination just looking in the mirror.

DO YOU HAVE A CLEAR PLAN STATING WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND WHEN AND HOW YOU EXPECT TO GET THERE? WHO IS IN THE CAR WITH YOU? ARE THEY BACK SEAT DRIVERS? Do you have a clear plan stating where you are going and when and how you expect to get there? Who is in the car with you? Are they back seat drivers? Are they just along for the ride? Do they contribute? Can they help navigate or share the driving? Is their input actually valuable?

The wrong people in the wrong seats will restrict your growth and could even be killing your business. Ironically, even the right people in the wrong seats can be disastrous.

So what does the road ahead look like?

Whether you’re designing or installing hard or soft landscaping, erecting fencing, building a

garden room, whatever niche you’re in, where are you now and where are you heading?

Do you really know why you do what you do? Have you mapped out your vision, values and destination and communicated them to your team? Have you got the right people in place so you’re all heading in the same direction? Do you know your numbers, not your P&L, your indicators and your dashboard?

How clear are your processes and procedures? Where can you increase sales?

How effective is your marketing and how can you sell more to existing clients?

What challenges do you face on your journey? Do you know where to turn when you reach a crossroads? When it’s time to put your foot down, do you take action with confidence?

If you’d like some help with this, just ask.

Type in the following: https://www. surveymonkey.com/r/futurescapeMOT It will take you to a free MOT – a confidential business health check. I will personally review the results and discuss the findings with you to help give you some pointers, if needed, no charge.

ABOUT STEVE CLARKE An exceptional sales mentor and sought after motivational business speaker who draws upon his own first hand experiences. He built his last UK business to £30m in annual sales in just eight years, sold out and retired at 45. Now he helps businesses around the world generate more leads, more sales and more profits, and with less blood sweat and tears. www.eurekasales.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / December 2014 25

20/11/2014 12:46

BUSINESS TIPS

COMPULSORY WORKPLACE PENSIONS WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU? After so many years of freedom regarding pension provision by employers, why has the government introduced compulsory workplace pension legislation and how can you, as an employer, benefit?

Peter Yardley, experienced corporate pensions specialist explains The reasons for change A great number of people are saving little or nothing towards their retirement, meaning they will not have adequate income to have a reasonable standard of living when they stop working. This is a significant problem with the potential to substantially increase the burden on the state. The government has taken steps to alleviate the impact by raising the state pension age (to 68 for those born after 1978) with further increases in the future. Auto-enrolment now forces employees to make conscious decisions about pension provision and requires employers to contribute to employees’ pension pots (up to 4% annually by 2018).

Make the best of it The cost of employer contributions is in addition to the costs of setting up and maintaining pension arrangements, including any professional advice.

So what are the benefits to employers in meeting their legislative obligations?

This depends on how you react. Do you see it as a burden or an opportunity to engage with your staff? You need to accept the costs and budget for them, they are compulsory and there are significant fines for encouraging your workforce to opt out. Make the best of the opportunity to cultivate an improved employer/ employee relationship.

Promote your workplace pension scheme Communication is key. Stress the benefits of saving for retirement to your employees, 26

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Pro Landscaper / December 2014

highlighting the tax relief available, the flexibility to cash in pension pots after April 2015 (announced in Budget 2014) and the opportunity for tax free cash at retirement.

Emphasise that the scheme has been set up to benefit employees and that the company is contributing to the employees’ retirement pots. Cultivating a positive reaction will raise the company profile, engage your employees and help improve relations. Don’t forget that a well organised and rewarding pension scheme can attract new employees to sustain and strengthen your workforce.

Mitigate costs The best way to mitigate costs is to start the auto-enrolment process early. The nearer you get to your staging date, the more likely it is that costs will increase because good advisers will be less available and when you do find one, they may come at a premium. Importantly, do not try to undertake the process on your own.

AUTO-ENROLMENT NOW FORCES EMPLOYEES TO MAKE CONSCIOUS DECISIONS ABOUT PENSION PROVISION AND REQUIRES EMPLOYERS TO CONTRIBUTE TO EMPLOYEES’ PENSION POTS Be cost effective and engage the services of a professional who has the knowledge to do the job quickly and efficiently. Keep things simple; one arrangement covering all employees is usually more economical than having two or three schemes.

Consider a salary sacrifice arrangement to reduce your National Insurance cost, or think about phasing contributions over the period from your staging date to October 2018, this will help with your budget and alleviate some of

the initial start-up expenses. Work the arrangement into your employment process, adequate pension provision can allow older employees to retire early and allow you to refresh your workforce. And don’t forget, you can treat your pension contributions as a business expense thereby reducing corporation tax.

Going forward If you act on the guidance given in this series of articles, you should be well prepared for your staging date and encourage a level of commitment from your employees. Keep communicating with your staff and don’t forget about new staff members. Finally, get professional advice as this could save you time and money in the long run.

Steps for success ● Know your timescales ● Budget for the costs ● Communicate the positives ● Maintain quality records ● Seek professional advice ● Keep it simple

ABOUT PETER YARDLEY Peter Yardley is an experienced corporate pensions specialist and is a Fellow of the Pensions Management Institute. He is Head of Corporate Development at Brighton Williams & Partners in Bristol, and provides pensions advice to both large and small businesses across the UK. Visit www.brightonwilliams.com/ auto for more details on auto-enrolment.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/11/2014 11:17

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19/11/2014 16:13

BUSINESS TIPS

SURVIVE, GROW & DIVERSIFY

PRODUCTS AND PUBLICITY Launching new products can widen your target audience and add new revenue, says Justin Paxman, but they need to be backed up by full publicity I’ve witnessed first-hand the highs and lows of running a small business over the past twenty years: the elation and pride you feel when you win that big contract and pass on the news to the team; the bitter disappointment when the economic situation restricts your plans to grow.

But both ends of the spectrum bring their own challenges – it’s how effectively you adapt to them that’ll see you through.

With a clearly defined business strategy, a robust marketing plan and a solid in-house support crew, we wanted to give ourselves more of a public persona and to add new products and services into our landscape toolkit. When I launched Grass Greener artificial turf in 2013, it added a new string to our bow and allowed us to gain deeper penetration into the domestic landscaping market. We’ve added a top-notch landscaping product range backed up by our established professional installation team and are generating profitable revenue from a wider audience. So much of our positive customer feedback focuses on the members of our landscaping team - their friendliness, diligence and precision – I’d be a fool not to listen! The

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Pro Landscaper / December 2014

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range has been assembled from the very best artificial turf products and I like to think we set ourselves apart from the competition with the unique expertise of our Paxman Landscapes installation team.

Launching a new product means upping the ante in terms of publicity – you can’t just rely on word-of-mouth, reputation and a smattering of social media updates alone to get your brand noticed. This is where exhibitions and shows have their place, in my mind. I know booking a stand at an event is a costly exercise and can

WE HAVE SURVIVED THE EARLY YEARS OF ESTABLISHING A BUSINESS, GROWN STRONGER THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES AND DIVERSIFIED INTO NEW PRODUCTS TO CONTINUE OUR DEVELOPMENT be difficult to justify in terms of returns. But if you’re going to be an exhibitionist – make sure you have something new to shout about and shout it loud!

We launched Grass Greener with a full communications plan before, during and after the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show in 2013 and kept up the relentless pace of promotion into the Spring Show in 2014. Both events tapped directly into our target audience and allowed us to build greater brand recognition, fuelling enquiries and conversion into orders.

And you can’t miss our Grass Greener Mini on the streets of Yorkshire

or outside Huddersfield Giants’ ground on match days!

Never having been one to sit in the shadows, I’ve also put myself out there as a landscaping spokesman – an experienced landscaper with an honest and forthright outlook on the business I’m in. I’ve never underestimated the power of networking and continue to put an immeasurably high value on my involvement at trade events, shows and conferences as a speaker, panellist or active participant. You don’t get noticed if you’re a bystander. Get involved. Attend Meet the Buyer events. Engage with your customers, prospects, competitors and suppliers face-to-face. Stick your head above the parapet (and don’t be afraid to be shot at once in a while!)

Paxman Landscapes are on target to achieve their turnover and profit targets this year. We’ve got soft and hard landscaping and grounds maintenance projects planned over the winter and a healthy level of Grass Greener referrals and enquiries to take forward in the spring.

We have survived the early years of establishing a business, grown stronger through the tough times and diversified into new products to continue our development. 2015 will see an extension of our landscaping services, a bold recruitment plan for new strategic roles and further development of our apprentice training scheme. So, if you see me at an event, come over and say hello – let’s talk landscaping.

ABOUT JUSTIN PAXMAN Justin Paxman is the Director of Paxman Landscapes, commercial and domestic landscapers, founded in 1999. With turnover in excess of £1million, they provide design, construction and management services across the North and UK. APL and BALI members, they launched Grass Greener artificial lawns last year. Justin is married with four children and is a Huddersfield Giants fan.

www.paxman-landscapes.com

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/11/2014 11:07

BUSINESS TIPS

Chris Burke talks to landscaper Barney Markus, to find out how Rated People helped his business launch ten years ago

Barney Markus, who works as the Landscape Doctor, came to the UK from Hungary a decade ago and has since become one of London’s top landscapers. He’s been with ratedpeople.com for eight years and has witnessed his business grow side by side with the UK’s biggest online marketplace for tradesmen.

Landscape Doctor puts customer recommendations at the centre of its business plan. Based on the number of five star reviews it has on its Rated People profile, it’s clearly a strategy that works.

Barney Markus How did your business begin?

When I came to the UK, I had a job in maintenance. I met a landscaper and started working for him. Soon enough, we became partners and I decided to invest in the business to help it grow. After six months, my partner left to work for a bigger company, but now I have a team of five working all over London.

What was your business like before Rated People?

I didn’t even have a business, so I started with Rated People at the very beginning, because my business partner knew about it and signed us up.

We’ve been using it for eight years now and think it’s great. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Rated People.indd 29

TOP RATED PEOPLE: BARNEY MARKUS How has your experience with Rated People been?

Rated People is still my main source of clients.

After a while you start collecting a lot of recommendations and now it has built up nicely. I even use the reviews I get on Rated People on my own business website, which I’ve totally changed to look more ‘designed.’ I just wish I had some time to upload more pictures – we have a very interesting portfolio now!

Rated People is really useful in the winter months. Thanks to recommendations, we get offered many different kinds of jobs in winter, obviously not full landscaping, but smaller ones like fencing and turfing. We’re fully booked now until Christmas, though fortunately not for any ‘Christmas winter wonderland’ stuff!

What is your business like now?

We’re always growing, year by year. I just get busier and busier as I get more references and feedback. In fact, I get a lot of job recommendations from my clients, who let me know about other people looking for work. I’m trying to focus now on more modern, contemporary style gardens with rendered walls, smooth sandstone paving, composite decking, artificial grass, low maintenance plants and remote controlled lights.

I see the future there. They don’t require a lot of maintenance, if any at all, and they’re very enjoyable to put together.

What changes have you noticed in landscaping in the eight years that you’ve been working?

There is more demand for modern gardens than

there used to be. Generally, anything that’s low maintenance has become more popular as people don’t have time to look after their gardens anymore.

The job for us is to focus on how to make a garden that’s going to last a long time and doesn’t need much work. In the last few years, we’ve also started focusing on recycling. That’s become important. Before, it was always an issue to recycle things from the garden and we had to pay a fortune on disposal services to get rid of stuff people didn’t want.

Nowadays, we try and recycle by reusing bits we take out to reduce expense.

There are a few things from the garden that obviously have to come out, but others like soil or even plants can be kept and reworked back into the landscape.

What does the future hold for the Landscape Doctor?

I want the business to grow more. I have two sons – they have to inherit this! It has to be a well working and valuable company for them.

ABOUT CHRIS BURKE Chris joined the Rated People Group in 2011. He is responsible for the Group’s Insight & Monetisation function, the primary purpose of which is to monetise insight via pricing, tariffing, marketing, proposition, product development. In the commercial sector, Chris has previously held senior strategic and profit and loss responsible marketing positions. Prior to this, Chris was a consultant with L.E.K. Consulting. Chris holds an MA and MEng in Engineering from Churchill College, Cambridge University. www.RatedPeople.com

Pro Landscaper / December 2014 29

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20/11/2014 10:31

Let’s Hear it From

INTERVIEW

HELEN ELKS-SMITH Pro Landscaper visited awardwinning garden designer Helen Elks-Smith at her office in the beautiful surroundings of the New Forest to find out how she got into the industry and what plans she has for the future

How did you get into garden design? When and why and how?

I was really good at sciences, art and maths at school and along with many students in similar positions, was pushed towards a degree that led to a ‘good job’. I completed a maths degree and knew it wasn’t for me. Outside my day job I tutored kids for years which I enjoyed but ended up working for various blue chip companies. Just before I hit 30, my husband and I went travelling around South America and when I returned, I decided not to go back into the same profession. After talking with a friend about wanting to do something more creative, she suggested I should design gardens. We were sitting in my old garden, which was lovely, so she gave me a budget of £10,000 to do something lovely with her garden, and that’s what I did.

So, no formal training, just an interest through creating your own beautiful garden?

At first I had no training at all, just instinct. I grew up in Kent and on a Sunday my parents would take us to Sissinghurst, which I grew up thinking was a normal garden! My parents are mad keen gardeners and have a beautiful garden, so it’s always been really important. My dad grows fruit and veg too, so we’ve always had that. My mum is quite arty and used to take me to Chelsea Flower Show and they’ve always been interested in the design side. Even when I was student, I would rent a house and plant out the garden from cuttings, seeds, anything I could afford. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Let's Hear it From 2.indd 31

Did you teach yourself how to do surveys, too?

Yes, from a mathematical background it is fairly straightforward. After designing my friend’s garden I was asked to design a number of other gardens and then I thought, “there’s more to this,” so I did a horticulture evening class. I thought that if I could come back from a full day working, go to an evening class and stick at it, it would tell me whether it was for me.

Where was the evening class?

That was in St Albans. I then started doing my advanced and I applied to Writtle and studied garden design courses there.

Why Writtle?

That’s a really good question. I looked at Greenwich as the courses looked fantastic, but it would have taken me two hours each way to commute. I graduated from Writtle in 2004 and I thought the training was good, they’re particularly strong on spatial design. Bill Burford (one of the SGD judges) taught me. He knows his stuff and he’s one of those people who can take you out of your comfort zone, gently rattle you and push you to see what’s going to come out. That’s a great skill to have as a teacher. I think because I had already designed some gardens I understood I needed a lot of construction knowledge, professional practise, arboriculture and, of course, strong design content.

At Writtle I became very interested in how people respond to space and the great thing is, we generally respond in similar ways. You can play with scale and proportion to create certain atmospheres, I find those things endlessly fascinating. Whilst the ability to analyse in a systematic and logical way is incredibly useful for site analysis (and running a business) maths skills such as spatial reasoning and the ability to think in 3D are invaluable. But an understanding of the psychological side of things for me is key.

How do you get inside a client’s mind?

I spend probably two hours talking to my clients at the initial visit. Prior to that, I give them a really detailed eight-page questionnaire and then I add to it when I’m sitting talking to them. From that, we write briefs – our proposals are very detailed.

Is there ever any conflict between clients? Is it about resolving those conflicts and making everyone happy with the outcome?

Yes, that’s absolutely normal. Mostly you will find there’s more common ground than differences and it’s all about finding what that common ground is.

Clients often provide images or ideas and these can appear on first inspection to be contradictory.

This has to be analysed to work out the common threads – and in the majority of cases they are there to be found. Most people describe what they want in a language they know and understand and this must be understood and explored. For example,

Pro Landscaper / December 2014 31

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INTERVIEW

people will say that they want a curvilinear scheme. This means different things to different people – for some that is curves and circles in hardscape, for others it means straight paths softened by plants billowing onto it. My job is to inspire them with possibilities.

It sounds like there is a lot of psychology in designing gardens...

For me there is. The garden has to work for the client and getting them to engage with the process, teasing out what excites them and what they actually want is a skill. You have to gain your client’s trust. And an understanding of how we respond to spaces underpins the design work.

At what point do you start to charge for your time, knowledge and skill?

As soon as possible. Sometimes we just act as consultants and will charge right at the start, but we only tend to draw up designs at a starting spend of £20,000. Anything less and my experience tells me they won’t pay reasonable fees. They may want an outline plan but would rather risk a more junior designer or a contractor. We talk to potential clients on the phone to establish if they have a realistic budget and are genuine, we will then go and spend time with them and provide the written proposal.

You need to filter out the time wasters. From then on, everything is chargeable.

How often do they fall out once they realise what the costs are going to be?

It does vary. We tend to get between 60 and 80 per cent of our commissions. At the moment some regions are particularly price sensitive. Sometimes you are competing against established designers who are running their design fees as loss leaders and not charging living wages for design.

Do you come up against that a lot?

Yes I do. Most of my clients are in Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey and a few in Sussex and

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Pro Landscaper / December 2014

Let's Hear it From 2.indd 32

Wiltshire. We work over different areas and we see regional variations so it depends on what other practices are doing. There are some practices that put in ridiculously low design fees and there are newly qualified designers who will do it for tuppence because they don’t have the confidence to charge.

When I went to the SGD cluster group in Winchester, there was a girl who said she was busy doing planning applications for a client. I asked how much she was charging and she said, “I don’t charge, it’s part of the service.” This is madness.

Design practices that subsidise design with knockbacks and money on supply devalue design.

Whoever heard of an architectural practice who said, “Don’t worry I can do your design for a few hundred pounds” and justified this business model by saying they made money on supply of wallpaper and fabric. If garden designers wish to be treated as professionals, they need to operate as such.

How did you aquire that knowledge?

It was a lot of trial and error and speaking to people in the same and other professions for advice. I feel you always have to gauge the market and respond to it. But some markets are not worth operating in as it’s a race to the bottom.

and in the early stages of their careers. Education providers are struggling in terms of student numbers and others seem to suffer from lack of qualified teachers. How do universities and other education providers encourage students onto their course with wages and career progression so unpredictable?

What skill set does industry need for newly qualified students? With so many garden designers retraining, is a postgraduate conversion course more appropriate for existing graduates? It’s a model that works for other professions, so why not garden design? If professional bodies insisted on CPD it would improve not only the professional status of their members and skills sets, it also potentially gives education providers a financial lifeline when university course fees are seeing numbers plummet.

What is needed is a working party that includes education providers, professional bodies and industry leaders to work together to solve these issues. And, of course, that requires strong leadership, clear strategy and teamwork. If scientists can land on a comet millions of miles away, then it doesn’t seem too big an ask.

Do you make money out of planting and construction?

We complete tenders, offer site visits and plant sourcing. We also provide a plant supply service for some clients. I don’t take any backhanders and in some regions that makes it difficult. But people do and if there was evidence they should be struck off, none of the professional bodies allow it.

Let’s talk about plants, do you supply?

Yes, sometimes I do, it depends on the client and the contractor. Mostly I charge for plant sourcing rather than supply. I think it’s a really interesting area, and also very complicated. I work closely with Martin Gomm from Wycliffe Landscapes, who built my Chelsea garden this year. Martin is good at ground prep but he is not interested in plants.

Sometimes he may have a client who wants him to do planting, so I then create a planting plan for him and he’s the plant supplier, but that’s rare.

Should garden design become chartered?

I think it would be fantastic, and I’d love to see that.

But apparently to be chartered you need a minimum of 2,000 members. I’d like to see more strategic thinking and leadership from the professional bodies, who after all should be there to serve their members.

There are a number of real and interconnected issues facing the design side of the industry, both landscape architecture and garden design that need to be addressed. The industry suffers from low wages, there is often a low skill level in many newly “qualified” garden designers with a knock-on effect on small businesses that then face significant skill shortages or large training bills.There are high numbers of student dropouts at undergraduate level

What about plant failure?

There are a number of things around this whole issue of plant supply. In an ideal world the same person specs, grows, sources, supplies, plants out and maintains. I don’t offer that service and importantly I do not know a single company that does. Even without offering a maintenance service that goes from Bridport to Epsom, it’s not economical. You can barely get people to pay for maintenance, let alone over that geographical area.

All sorts of factors come into play when plants fail, such as the transportation prior to planting, ground prep, before you even think about depth and watering. When I was at Writtle, one of the courses I did was on plant production, and there were www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/11/2014 13:38

INTERVIEW

something like 27 reasons why a plant will fail, 20 of which were to do with what happened before the plants arrived on site. That’s not to suggest in any way that the nurseries were responsible, but it does illustrate the complexity of the situation.

Do clients see a breakdown of your costings?

Yes they do, they have written fee proposals for all our services. If we are involved in tendering and site ops on behalf of clients we produce a tender report, track works completed and variations as the build progresses.

Do clients always ask you to recommend a contractor?

Most clients ask for information on contractors.

We work with clients to draw up a contractor list.

We answer questions to the best of our knowledge but the choice is ultimately the clients.

They rarely choose on price alone and is always combined with whether they liked and trusted the contractor when they met.

What about getting a kickback on, for example, the supply of garden structures like statues? Does that happen?

Does it happen, yes. Do I do it, no. I feel very strongly this is dishonest and compromises completely your ability to act in the clients best interests. If I have clients who want to buy sculptures, I can give them lots of information and I charge them for my time sourcing or doing any visits. I don’t pay or take commissions.

Which contractors would you like to work with?

I would have said Bowles and Wyer but I’m lucky enough to be working with them at the moment. I like contractors who allow me to sleep well at night. They would be the ones trying to achieve a high quality product – I’m a designer and I know quite a lot about construction, which I did as part of my training.

It was important for me to be able to stand there and know what I was talking about. I had to have that confidence, but construction is a massive thing and it’s a speciality. I do use structural engineers if needed, but they are no substitute for good contractors who are essential, otherwise all you have is ideas and pieces of paper. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Let's Hear it From 2.indd 33

Which other designers do you admire?

I think Dan Pearson is a genius, his work is really beautiful. I admire independent and original thinkers. Designers who know who they are and what they are trying to achieve and who can adapt that for their clients. I think that’s interesting. That’s why I like Dan Pearson, he was passionate, independent and wrapped up in what he was doing. Tom Stewart Smith also produces wonderful gardens.

What did you think of Main Avenue at Chelsea for design this year?

Now that’s a difficult question. My view of show gardens, and Main Avenue in particular, not just this year, is that if you asked 100 good designers they’d come up with 100 great ideas, and they would be able to deliver. Time chasing sponsorship is a luxury that the majority of designers who need to pay the mortgage cannot afford. It is very disappointing to see the RHS run an open competition to encourage amateurs.

What kind of message does that send about garden design and the value of education and experience? And to have such a competition when there are no such opportunities for experienced and trained designers seems a missed opportunity to introduce new ideas and talent.

The APL have done something like this at Hampton Court.

But unfortunately it’s for APL members only, and APL does not represent designers.

Are you looking to do Chelsea next year?

No, I’m not doing it next year for two reasons, one being that it’s my son’s last year at home and he’s doing his A levels. The other is that I didn’t have the opportunity to chase sponsorship for next year.

Would you like to do it again, though?

Yes, I’d like to do Chelsea again if I could get the sponsorship.

Does it help your business, being at Chelsea?

I don’t think it does. If you do one-off gardens, most people think you’re going to be too expensive. For Chelsea to help your business you have to do a number of gardens, play it safe and

probably go back again and again before it has a positive impact on your business.

Lastly, what do you like to do outside of work?

I love painting, cycling and walking our two border terriers, horse riding and all the stuff you can do in the New Forest. I’ve got two children. My son is 17 and we are trying to get him to write his personal statement so he can go to university. That takes up quite a lot of my time! I usually take two weeks off at Christmas and there is always a new painting in our house by the end, as it’s something I really enjoy. Music is also important to me and dancing is food for the soul.

1G arden in Surrey currently being completed by Bowles & Wyer, Buff Yorkstone.

ALI Design Excellence Principal Winner 2013 2B Purbeck stone seat, wild flower meadow and views over the New Forest.

3 Anemone ‘Queen Charlotte’.

ABOUT ELKS-SMITH GARDEN DESIGN Castle Malwood, Minstead, Lyndhurst, Hampshire SO43 7PE

Tel: 023 8178 2660 Email: enquiries@elks-smith.co.uk Web: www.elks-smith.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / December 2014 33

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DECK THE HALL FROSTS LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION LTD The installation of the Fortnum & Mason Christmas tree overnight at St Pancras station required careful planning and skill to make sure it was completed before the early morning commuter rush

O

ur association with Fortnum & Mason dates back as far as 2005, since when we have installed the external Christmas trees on the Fortnum & Mason store front canopy. The appearance of the Fortnum & Mason Christmas trees signals the start of Christmas for London and is a highlight of our calendar. We pride ourselves on our attention to detail and commitment to provide exceptional quality in our products and service for all our clients. We provide a very flexible service able to respond to short deadlines. When Fortnum & Mason asked us to provide them with a large internal Christmas tree within a few days we www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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were able to install a magnificent 16ft hand manicured Nordmann decorated fir.

Fortnum & Mason had the confidence to approach us regarding this project due to our track record. The initial brief was limited, stating that they required a huge, flame retarded real tree.

There would be decorations – either a wicker sculpture or small hampers – and lots of lights.

We worked closely with the client to ensure the project result met their expectations and with HS1 Limited and Network Rail (High Speed) to ensure we met onsite Health & Safety requirements. The station is Grade 1 listed and English Heritage needed to sign off on all design aspects prior to the installation.

Creative Concept When London’s iconic Fortnum & Mason opened a new store in St Pancras International, their first in 307 years, they wanted to mark the occasion with something truly special. As the opening coincided with the lead up to Christmas, it was clear it must have a Christmas theme.

Once we had established the space available within St Pancras International, we could look at design and concept. The location was the lower level arcade concourse. Standing there, it was easy to see why St Pancras is often termed ‘the cathedral of the railway’. The vast single span glass roof meant that the Christmas display for Pro Landscaper / December 2014 35

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PORTFOLIO

PROJECT DETAILS Build time Installed over a duration of five days Size of project 42ft tree

EFIG AWARDS 2014

Gold Leaf Award

Fortnum & Mason would have to be extremely tall so as not to be dwarfed by the sheer scale of the surroundings.

The intention was to achieve maximum impact and provide a Christmas feature that could be enjoyed from both lower and upper levels. A 42ft Christmas tree gave the display the desired impact and was in proportion to its surroundings. It also meant that if you were lucky enough to be seated in the Searcys Champagne Bar or walking along The Grand Terrace, you had a wonderful view of the decorated tree.

To create a strong affinity with the Fortnum & Mason brand, we decorated the tree with their iconic wicker hampers, adorned with branded silk bows that would be seen by the one million people who visit St Pancras every week. See time-lapse photography of the installation at: www.christmas-tree-hire.co.uk Materials and planting The materials required to implement this project were relatively few, however it was important that each component was fit for purpose. As the tree would be viewed from all angles we handpicked it to ensure a uniform shape and density. The stand was engineered to spread the weight of the tree and the 3000kg of sand ballast across the floor and 240v add-along LED lights, wicker hampers and ribbon were added. Specialist brackets were fabricated to secure guy wires to the balustrade, providing extra stability for the tree.

To safely install and decorate a 13.1m tree requires very specialist equipment and highly skilled professionals.

Transporting the tree from the plantation to site necessitated a 40ft articulated vehicle with Hiab capabilities. From the entrance it was manoeuvred some 200m to the installation site using a purpose designed skate and forklift truck.

Specialist machinery like this is needed to move a tree weighing 1500kg. To stand the tree upright, we used two specialist spider cranes with skilled operatives; the tree was tandem lifted from a horizontal position to stand upright in the structurally engineered box stand weighing in at 500kg.

Health and safety specifications required that the tree had

1 Fortnum & Mason bows and hampers decorate the tree.

2 The finishing touches are added before the commuter rush hour.

3 The tree is transported into the building using purpose built skates.

4 Spider cranes and remote control forklift manoevre the tree into position.

5 This year’s tree, decorated in Eurostar’s livery colours.

6 The team place the final decorations, working from the top down.

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PORTFOLIO

2014 Christmas tree decorated in Eurostar livery colours

to be flame retarded. Using 60ft MEWPs our flame retarding specialists treated the tree in situ. The same MEWPs were used to install & decorate the tree with lights. More than 8000 bulbs adorned the tree along with several hundred Fortnum & Mason wicker hampers and bows.

This case study is just one example of many complex large-scale projects that we deliver every year to our growing list of blue chip companies, prominent fashion houses and top brand companies in the UK. This past Christmas alone we had no less than four trees that were in the presence of royalty over the Christmas period. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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The success of the Fortnum & Mason Christmas tree installation was down to our strong management of the project. Detailed planning, critically timed deliveries, liaison with stakeholders and coordination with specialist subcontractors allowed our vastly experienced installation teams to deliver an iconic display.

Due to the success of the F&M tree, Frosts team were invited to install a 40’ Christmas tree and garlands and giant wreath decorated in Eurostar’s livery colours for Christmas 2014. As we go to print the finishing touches are being made to this installation.

REFERENCE Designed by Fortnum & Mason in conjunction with the team at Frosts, who carried out the installation in 2013.

Frosts Landscape Construction Ltd

Wain Close, Newport Road Woburn Sands, Bucks MK17 8UZ Tel: 0845 021 9001 Email: info@frostslandscapes.com Web: www.frostslandscapes.co.uk

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PORTFOLIO

SHORTLISTED PRINCIPAL WINNER

Community and Schools Development and Outstanding Charitable Contribution

HOPE SPRINGS CLEVE WEST LANDSCAPE DESIGN Cleve West was asked to deliver a brand new hospital garden that provided a sanctuary for patients, wheelchair access and a mix of private and communal areas. The results are inspirational

PROJECT DETAILS Project value £300,000 Build time Started March 2012 Completed October 2012 Size of project 1,100m2

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T

he brief to Cleve West was complicated. This was a new project – a garden in an NHS hospital setting, for people who had experienced spinal cord injury. Cleve was asked to create a beautiful sanctuary, a peaceful place in an austere clinical environment. There were a lot of practical considerations too, however. The garden needed to be accessible to hospital beds and wheelchairs and there needed to be private areas and communal areas, somewhere for garden therapy and for wildlife.

Horatio Chapple, an aspiring doctor, started the project. He volunteered on the spinal unit and was surprised that there was nowhere for the patients to get outside during their long stays in hospital.

Horatio set about finding what sort of garden patients would like using a simple questionnaire.

Plans for the garden were being developed when Horatio, who was just 17, was killed by a polar bear on a disastrous trip to Svalbard.

People donated to the fund set up to create the garden and the trustees proposed that it should be called Horatio’s Garden. The garden is a symbol of love and the hope that can come out of tragedy.

Cleve consulted with patients, staff, hospital managers and therapists and listened to all opinions before coming up with his brilliant design. Cleve had an understanding of the needs of the project because 12 years previously, his best friend had had a spinal cord injury and been a patient in the spinal centre. www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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PORTFOLIO

HORATIO’S GARDEN IS A PLACE OF SANCTUARY, TEARS AND LAUGHTER BUT ABOVE ALL OF HOPE

The main features of the garden are low-lying limestone walls coursing their way through the planting, creating a gentle structure that echoes the distant views of hills. These symbolise the journey patients make while learning to live with paralysis and represent hope for the future.

The landscape contractor was Wycliffe Landscaping led by Martin Gomm. The company received a BALI award for the project.

Martin worked with Camilla Hiley (www. camillahileygardens.co.uk), who sourced plants and hard landscaping products for the charity.

Resin bonded aggregate was used to www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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form the paths and communal areas.

This surface is totally smooth so patients in beds can be wheeled into the garden 1 Patients and a volunteer enjoy the garden.

2 The round seating area includes a table at wheelchair height.

3 The metal archway during construction.

The beech hedge to the left was donated

by Brewin Dolphin from Cleve’s Chelseawinning garden in 2012.

4 Late summer planting.

5 The planting is designed to attract an array of butterflies.

Pro Landscaper / December 2014 39

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PORTFOLIO easily and those using wheelchairs can access the space unaided.

Stone artist, David Wilson, created the walls from reclaimed Cotswold stone. David created an unusual dry stone pattern finishing some of the walls with copingstones for relatives and friends to sit on.

Cleve designed the planting to be beautiful throughout the year, using perennials with box balls, amelanchier and river birch trees. Masses of bulbs herald spring and dahlias keep colour in the garden until the frosts of autumn. A rill brings the calming sound of water and a large metal archway creates a tunnel of white wisteria for patients to lie underneath. Eating apples of different varieties are planted in cordons over the arch.

At the end of the archway is a summerhouse, designed by Michael Lyons, with a sedum roof to ABOUT CLEVE WEST Cleve runs an award winning studio in Hampton Wick, south west London, and has been designing gardens since 1990. Projects are diverse, ranging from contemporary urban spaces to large country estates mostly in the UK and occasionally abroad.

These, in turn vary in style according to the house and its surroundings but essentially, they are spaces that are both engaging and restful.

www.clevewest.com

contrast with the metal hospital roofs surrounding the garden.

A beautiful greenhouse was sourced from Hartley Botanic who supplied staging at the correct height for wheelchairs with automated doors ensuring easy access for patients.

Gaze Burvill created an oak table and benches for patients and their relatives to use and bespoke raised oak planters were designed to be moveable for patients to work on. A cutting area supplies flowers, which are cut for the patients’ dining room and salads. Herbs and soft fruit grow in raised beds so they are easy to harvest for patients.

The garden was fitted with a watering system

by Waterwell and lighting creates a stunning night time spectacle for patients to look down on from their wards. Bird boxes are fitted in the hedges with wireless webcams to screens in the ward. Now butterflies and bees feast on the flowers’ nectar and birds sing from the trees.

In the centre of the garden is a memorial to Horatio carved by Robyn Golden-Hann in local Chilmark stone. It reads: “17 years of love, kindness and courage”.

Cleve West’s design has been a resounding success – every element is enjoyed and cherished by patients and their relatives.

Horatio’s Garden is a place of sanctuary, tears and laughter but above all of hope.

Horatio’s Garden is now an independent charity working to create other beautiful gardens in spinal injury centres across the country. For more information and to support the work of the charity please visit www.horatiosgarden.org.uk (Registered Charity number 1151475).

The charity sells a range of bespoke gifts and gardening goods, which make perfect presents. www.shop/horatiosgarden.org.uk

1 The planting is designed to be beautiful all year round.

2 Dahlias give late summer interest and are cut to provide flowers for the patients’ dining room.

3 Horatio’s memorial stone.

4 Cleve West planting the Golden rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata) .

5 Planting River birch (Betula nigra – multistem) and box balls (Buxus sempervirens).

6 David Wilson creates the dry stone walls.

7 The planting team.

8 Aruncus diocicus ‘Horatio’ with Echinacea purpurea ‘White Swan’.

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REFERENCES Design & Planting

Walls

Oak table, benches and planters

Cleve West Landscape Design

David F Wilson

Gaze Burvill

Tel: 020 8977 3522 Email: info@clevewest.com Web: www.clevewest.com

35 Craigie Road, Perth PH2 0BL Tel: 07961 124 140 Email: david@dfwilson.co.uk Web: www.dfwilson.co.uk

Lodge Farm, East Tisted Hampshire GU34 3QH Tel: 01420 588 444 Email: info@gazeburvill.com Web: www.gazeburvill.com

Summerhouse

Watering System

Michael Lyons Architecture

Waterwell

Burcombe Lane, Burcombe Salisbury SP2 0EJ Tel: 01722 743186 Email: info@mlarchitecture.co.uk Web: www.mlarchitecture.co.uk

Unit A110, Riverside Business Centre Bendon Valley, London SW18 4UQ Tel: 020 8742 8855 Email: info@waterwell.co.uk Web: www.waterwell.co.uk

CCE surfacing

Greenhouse

Memorial Stone

CCE House Sandpool Farm, Oaksey Road, Cirencester GL7 6EA Tel: 01285 65 20 20 Email: sales@cce-surfacing.co.uk Web: www.cce-surfacing.co.uk

Hartley Botanic

Robyn Golden-Hann

Wellington Road, Greenfield, Oldham OL3 7AG Tel: 01457 819155 Email: info@hartleybotanic.co.uk Web: www.hartley-botanic.co.uk

Unit 4, Lains Farm, Quarley Nr. Andover, Hampshire SP11 8PX Tel: 07968 861962 Email: robyngoldenhann@ymail.com Web: www.bespoke-memorials.co.uk

Landscape contractor Wycliffe Landscapes

175 Pine Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH9 1LY Tel: 01202 514602 Email: info@wycliffelandscapes.co.uk Web: www.landscapersdorset.co.uk Resin bonded aggregate

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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PORTFOLIO

WINNER

Domestic Garden Construction Cost between ÂŁ30-60k

A NEW DIRECTION COTSWOLD ESTATES & GARDENS The owners of this Cotswold garden wanted to swap the existing curves for a more modern, angular design

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PORTFOLIO

1 Rainbow sphere water feature.

2 Path to seating area and bespoke pergola.

3 Front garden with sleeper seat and decorative pathway.

4 Allium ‘Purple sensation’.

5 View across rear garden.

6 Raised sleeper planters for herbs and vegetables.

7 Work in progress.

A

“Mediterranean theme” was the initial brief for this garden.

With existing curves and informal planting, the client wished to introduce formality, angles, direction, and our interpretation of an element of control.

This took us away from our usual brief of a Cotswold garden dripping with colour and informality and posed a new challenge. Identifying the sunny corner where they wished to sit and their desire for a pergola was the starting point for our angled formality. The pergola is centred on the view from the conservatory and the diagonal path accentuates this vista.

The strong lines throughout and timber sleepers used as benches, planters and edging added the structure and angles desired. The strength of the sleeper zigzag border, the sleepers and box defining the shape with the punch of

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PORTFOLIO

alliums along the back edge creates a strong feature which also serves to detract from the otherwise uninspiring garden fence. The introduction of the box hedge edging and bay cones added the required definition to the beds, allowing more informal planting behind.

The coordination of these strong diagonal lines and accurately tying the angles together was paramount to the garden’s success. It proved challenging both at design stage whilst working within the confines of the existing planting that the client was eager to retain and at setting out stage. However the attention to detail during setting out paid off and the client was delighted with the impact and control created by these strong lines and features.

FRONT GARDEN

BACK GARDEN

REFERENCES Design and construction

Drilled rainbow sandstone sphere fountain

Cotswold Estates & Gardens Ltd

Bosco Brothers

Tel: 01285 654766 Email: info@estatesandgardens.co.uk; Web: www.estatesandgardens.co.uk

Tel: 0844 248 4851 Email: info@gardenstatueshop.co.uk Web: www.gardenstatueshop.co.uk

Bespoke larch pergola, sleepers and lap panels

Cotswold path gravel

Hailey Wood Sawmill Ltd

Tel: 01793 714999 Email: aggregates.sales@hills-group. co.uk Web: www.hill-group.co.uk

Tel: 01285 652191 Email: info@haileywoodsawmill.co.uk Web: www.haileywoodsawmill.co.uk Plants as detailed in schedule Robin Tacchi Plants Ltd

Tel: 01953 681312 Email: rtp@robintacchiplants.com Web: www.robintacchiplants.com

Hills Quarry Products

Fruit trees: apple, peach, plum and pear Orange Pippin

Tel: 01759 392007 Email: trees@orangepippin.com Web: www.orangepippintrees.co.uk

Brett Omega paving Buildbase Ltd

Tel: 01285 888120 Email: cirencester@buildbase.co.uk Web: www.buildbase.co.uk

ABOUT COTSWOLD ESTATES & GARDENS LTD

Newbury flint shingle and building sand

Established in 1965, we are acknowledged for our high standards and professional approach to a diverse variety of landscape projects. Our reputation is illustrated by the repeat work with recognised designers and clients, on high profile projects. Our professionally qualified personnel provide a comprehensive service and quality results - Turning Visions Into Reality.

Tel: 01285 657617 Email: admin@jctyeandson.co.uk Web: www.builders-merchant-cirencester.co.uk

www.estatesandgardens.co.uk

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J C Tye & Sons

Channel drains and Polystorm soakaway units

Water feature resevoir kit and pump Landscapeplus Ltd

Tel: 01666 577577 Email: help@landscaplus.com Web: www.landscapeplus.com Turf Teal Turf

Tel: 01905 840279 Email: enquiries@tealturf.co.uk Web: www.tealturf.co.uk

Coopers Drainage Ltd

Tel: 01452 740555 Email: sales@cooperscivils.co.uk Web: www.cooperscivils.co.uk/

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/11/2014 14:29

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17/11/2014 15:54

NURSERY

NURSERY NEWS New trade website launched by Barcham Barcham Trees, Europe’s largest container tree nursery, has a brand new trade website.

Arboricultural and other professionals involved in the management of young trees can log on at www. barchampro.co.uk to view the Cambridgeshire nursery’s full range of species and cultivars, check stock availability and request a quotation on their requirements.

The new-look, more user-friendly website also offers a host of other information, such as tree features, uses and growth rates, plus access to research papers and downloads of seminars given by speakers at the cutting edge of arboriculture, for which the nursery has become famed in recent years. www.barcham.co.uk

Wyevale launches its first Landscape & Amenity Catalogue in 17 years One of the UK’s leading nurseries has this month (November, 2014) unveiled its first Landscape & Amenity Catalogue in 17 years.

Wyevale Nurseries’ new 169-page catalogue lists more than 2,500 lines and all the plants listed in the catalogue are grown by the company.

The Landscape Amenity sector accounts for nearly 70 per cent of Wyevale Nurseries turnover.

Wyevale Nurseries sells more than 125,000 trees annually. They are available bare root, rootballed www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Nursery News/sd.indd 47

and container grown. It sells more than 5 million hedging transplants and 1.5 million shrub, hedging and herbaceous container plants. www.wyevalenurseries.co.uk.

Success at Family Business Awards for Coles Nursery Coles was successful at this year’s family business awards, scooping highly commended in the Employer of the Year award.

Coles’s entry into the Employer of the Year category focused largely on the company’s approach to staff training, development and retention. Departmental training modules, administered by its own site managers and assessed by a dedicated team of in-house assessors, have been running since 2010.

The company also supports staff by funding external training programmes. In the past two years around 20 members of staff have been put through courses, including NVQs in Team Leadership, NVQs in Management and more specialist courses.

Through this development process and continually promoting staff from within, school leavers have advanced into nurserymen, site managers and even company directors. www.colesnurseries.co.uk

NURSERY NOTES

Crowders Nurseries is a nationally renowned wholesale grower of native and ornamental trees, shrubs and all hardy plants for the trade, from high-end private domestic schemes to large national infrastructure programmes.

We aim to be the best specialist horticultural business in our field, providing marketleading solutions for our customers, not only in plants but also in goods and associated services.

A seventh generation family-owned business with more than 200 years of experience, we pride ourselves on a bespoke “full package” approach.

Throughout our nurseries you will find examples of the consistent quality achieved in our plant production. We maintain this through sound plantsman techniques, from ensuring cuttings are taken evenly from the best parent plants, to guaranteeing batches of seed are of the highest quality.

Our growing follows the nationally recognised HTA national plant specification guides as closely as possible. This enables our customers to purchase in confidence, knowing the plants they order will match their requirements.

We are a proud member of the British Association of Landscape Industries and work closely with them to strive for the utmost professionalism and to deliver a full service package. www.crowdersnurseries.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / December 2014 47

20/11/2014 11:36

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18/03/2013 11:42 20/11/2014 10:50

NURSERY

PLANTSMAN’S PLOT A round-up of trees and plants available at some of the country’s best nurseries To appear in Plantsman’s Plot, please send your plant of the month, details and image to editor@pro-landscaper.co.uk Mock-staggered hedging. With the hedge planting season approaching, we can offer pot-grown Carpinus and Fagus hedging. These are planted with three plants to the pot and when arranged carefully can give a staggered/double-row effect to the hedge. Being pot grown they will establish better than bare root and they are also better furnished with side branches, so will give a thicker more instant screen. These are available now and are 150-175cm tall. www.readyhedge.com

These topiary conifer plants are ideal for adding interest to the winter garden. They’re fully hardy so fine to be left out all year round and they look great when used in pairs to frame a doorway or entrance. During Christmas they can be decorated with lights and tinsel. We have a range of conifers available as standards, pom poms and spirals.

Agrumi specialises in importing the best plants from the best nurseries around Europe, supplying a wide range of quality plants to landscapers and designers across the UK. www.agrumi.co.uk Berberis are often overlooked and regarded as just a thorny barrier, an excellent attribute, but many can offer so much more to the landscape. Evergreen forms such as Stenopylla, Darwinii and Gagnepainii all make ideal specimen shrubs to bring a splash of colour in early spring and often again in the autumn, followed by attractive fruits. Light pruning will “tidy” them in order to form an attractive informal hedge with colour, while also affording protection. Adding the smaller Thunbergii atropurpurea forms in front, one can create a contrast of flower colour and autumn colour leaf effect. www.colesnurseries.co.uk

A very slow-growing, rich green, hardy little conifer that eventually forms a low, flat-topped dome. It is one of the best of the mounding cryptomerias. Ultimate spread and height is 1m after about 20 years. This is an easy-to-grow plant as it will tolerate any soil as long as it’s moist and well-drained. It can be placed in any sheltered aspect apart from north-facing shade. They are generally pest and disease free. Propagate from semi-hardwood cuttings and throw away the clippers.

An essential for all Japanese gardens. www.architecturalplants.com

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There’s a lot to be said for amateur horticulturists. If it wasn’t for Kathleen Meserve, we would not be enjoying the likes of Ilex x meserveae ‘Little Rascal’ today. Cross breeding Ilex rugosa and Ilex aquifolium on her kitchen windowsill resulted in the ‘Blue Hollies’, of which Ilex x meserveae ‘Little Rascal’ is one.

It is a lovely little male Ilex with slightly undulating, glossy green spiny leaves. They have a bluish tint but take on a burgundy tone in the winter months and the dark burgundy stems mean the leaves really do stand out. Hardy and handsome, dense and delicious, ‘Little Rascal’ is also very good for shaping and as it reaches only 80cm to 1m in height and width, it could become a staple in a topiary garden, too. www.provendernurseries.co.uk

After the wonderful summer we have had this year, autumn has also been exceptional. Nowhere has this been more the case than in the wonderful array of Sorbus berries produced and the amazing wildlife that feed on them. We were kindly gifted a fantastic collection by Ness Botanical Gardens, which we are very proud to offer. There is a huge range of colours and habits suitable for a wide range of gardens. www.kevockgarden.co.uk

Pro Landscaper / December 2014 49

20/11/2014 11:42

NURSERY

DEEPDALE TREES SITE VISIT

Pro Landscaper visited Deepdale Trees’ 140 acre site in Sandy, Bedfordshire, where we met Managing Director Matthias Anton. Deepdale specialises in the production of field and air-pot container grown semi-mature trees, shrubs and instant hedging.

SALES CONTACTS

Deepdale Trees was founded in Bedfordshire in 1995 and Matthias and his wife, Susan joined the firm 12 years ago, bringing a wealth of knowledge and contacts gained from their two decades’ experience in Europe and North America.

The company was established to fill a gap in the market importing rootball trees from Germany, containerising and maintaining them until sites such as Bluewater and Canary Wharf were ready. It grows around 30 per cent of its trees although an estimated nine out of ten major UK projects use imported trees. Relationships are important and Matthias emphasises the part suppliers play in their success: “We give new companies a chance, but do tend to stick with tried and trusted ones.”

At the time of our visit, Mathias was preparing to travel out to Germany with six landscape designers: “If they can spare a day, we offer to take them to Germany giving them the opportunity to see what is available and give them new ideas.”

The company outsources deliveries to two trusted local hauliers, avoiding the need for its own vehicles. Deepdale also has a relationship with a local farmer, allowing them to make use of each other’s land as appropriate to their needs at any given time.

The nursery’s client base has evolved from mainly landscapers and contractors to more landscape architects, garden designers and private clients. “Ninety-nine per cent of our deliveries are in the UK in a triangle between Cambridge, Oxford and London. Scotland is quite

50

Landscapers, designers and landscape architects are always welcome to visit the nursery to view the stock and gain advice from the very experienced team.

Appointments are necessary to make sure the best service is given.

ABOUT DEEPDALE TREES Deepdale Trees Ltd., Tithe Farm, Hatley Road, Potton, Sandy, Beds. SG19 2DX

Mark Goddon

Samantha Hailey

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a nice percentage too.”

Deepdale delivers all year round with a lead time of two to three days, if the trees are in stock.

From November through to April/May, they deliver seven days a week, however in the summer they are more cautious: “When you have up to 30 degrees heat and everything is in full leaf, delivering on Friday is not advisable. If the trees are left on site over the weekend, tied and without water, they will struggle.”

The nursery specialises in large and unusual trees and specimens, grown in air pots for several years. The most popular trees on the nursery are Amelanchier, Birch and Yew. Deepdale also supplies instant hedging and has teamed up with a nursery in Holland for this purpose. Ten to 12m trees or multi-stems are also available.

Matthias is passionate about disease control: “As soon as the ban [on ash movement] came into place, we destroyed our healthy stock because we were not allowed to ship and move them anymore.” The company only buys from nurseries that have a plant passport and are regularly inspected by relevant authorities, as Deepdale is by Defra every three months. “None of our clients has ever asked to see a plant passport, so why am I doing it? Because I want our clients to get the best available healthy plants on the market!”

Deepdale tries to give as much advice as possible, it has planting guidelines for clients and a wealth of information on its website.

Guarantees are more problematic, however: “It’s all about the aftercare. Plants don’t usually die as they’re very tough so if they are suffering, it’s usually due to neglect.” The nursery will always help out where it can, he adds.

Matthias Anton

Susan Anton

Tel: 01767 26 26 36 Email: mail@deepdale-trees.co.uk Web: www.deepdale-trees.co.uk

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/11/2014 12:56

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19/11/2014 16:32

NURSERY

PRO LANDSCAPER FACTORY Pro Landscaper heard about a revolutionary new product reflecting the exciting trend for vertical greenery.

Vistagreen’s artificial green walls are creating a stir so we visited its state of the art production facility in Poland to find out all about it.

The smart new Vistagreen factory is based in Plock, an industrial town approximately 60km from Poland’s capital, Warsaw. The building houses 16 purpose-built workstations, a warehouse, office space and a showroom, with room for further expansion as the business grows. Being a British-owned company, Vistagreen has a central London office from where the sales team also coordinate deliveries to the UK and worldwide.

The Vistagreen design team loved the idea of living walls but recognised that there are limitations. Typically maintenance is costly and time consuming and not all locations are practical. Add to that the need for water pumps and irrigation pipes, and the product becomes expensive to install.

To address these limitations they opted to create their own alternative solution. Looking at existing artificial green walls on the market they found that they were inferior in quality and visual 52

Pro Landscaper / December 2014

Vistagreen/sd.indd 52

impact. Knowing that these products would not suit their growing list of discerning clients they set about creating a stunning alternative, designed to suit all sectors.

New concept Vistagreen recognised that not only did an alternative need to address the limitations of living walls, it also had to look good and surpass the quality of the few currently available products.

Creating its unique take on artificial green walls has taken time. Its commitment to product excellence involved not only sourcing and producing its range of foliages, but also testing the finished product in a variety of settings.

The Vistagreen artificial vertical garden solution has now been launched, and is setting the trend globally for interior and exterior feature walls in both domestic and commercial settings.

When installed the panels recreate the stunning look of a seamless living green wall.

They are easily attached to any wall surface without the need for complex rear framework (optional Vistagreen wall fixings are available).

The product is ideal for clients requiring a natural green wall effect but who may have issues installing a “real” living green wall due to: ● a lack of natural light ● having no irrigation or drainage system in place ● limited space ● limited budget ● weight or height restrictions ● unwanted pests and diseases ● having no regular garden or property maintenance programme in place.

Formed on a base of a 4mm steel grid, onto which its range of beautiful artificial foliages are applied by hand, the Vistagreen product is available in standard 100cm x 100cm (1m2) sized panels. The range includes various panel styles, www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/11/2014 12:50

Y

NURSERY

VISIT TO VISTAGREEN

six of which are formed from fully UV stable foliage tested for the equivalent of three years to current ISO 4892-2:2013 standards. The various panel styles have been named after UK counties, inspired by the rich textures, lush forms and diverse colours in our natural landscapes.

The clear benefits over living walls and the competition include the fact they are: ● virtually maintenance free ● easy to install – each panel weighs 7-10kg (approx 30m2 can be installed per day by a team of two) ● create an instant feature wall offering all-yearround greenery ● suitable for all environments, any light level and any surface (vertical, horizontal, sloping and geometrical) ● a lightweight aerated system requiring no rear framework or outer edging One common problem with artificial plants is fading, and many people will have seen buxus www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Vistagreen/sd.indd 53

balls or artificial hanging baskets outside domestic or commercial properties turn an unnatural shade of blue. This is primarily due to the product not being UV stable. This is a problem that Vistagreen has solved by sourcing and modifying its own wide range of UV stable, naturalistic flowers and foliages. The Vistagreen product has been designed by horticulturalists for horticulturalists, creating a gold standard in artificial vertical gardening solutions for the landscape industry.

Projects to date include high-end residential and various hotel and commercial locations.

Most recently, an architect contacted Vistagreen to replace a living green wall on the front façade of a London school he was working on. The real plants within had failed and been replaced twice in two years, even though a sophisticated irrigation system was in place, a cost which the school could no longer justify.

Artificial Green Wall Solutions

How to order The simplest and most cost effective way to specify, order and install a Vistagreen artificial green wall is to keep to the standard 1m2 panel sizing. Panels can be trimmed on site by site operatives. The Vistagreen design and production team also offers customising services for non-standard projects. Please call for more information (additional charges apply).

Simple guide a) Measure your wall or screen area, eg 2m x 2m b) Choose your preferred panels eg Cornwall c) Order your panels & optional fixings via phone or email d) Boxed panels are delivered (charges apply) e) Install /arrange for site operative to install For further information visit the website at www.vistagreen.com. Email info@vistagreen.com or call the sales team on 020 7385 1020.

Pro Landscaper / December 2014 53

20/11/2014 12:50

Millboard is a resin-mineral composite (RMC) decking board, manufactured in the UK as a high quality alternative to wood plastic composite (WPC) and hardwood decking. It is the UK’s only wood free composite that far exceeds anti slip rating to BS 79.76., with the added benefit of being stain and fade resistant as well as being maintenance free.

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Maintenance free – no sanding or staining ever needed.

Algae resistant – non porous material therefore resists algae growth.

Anti slip to BS79.76 and low maintenance.

No wood fibres or rice husks to support mould or algae growth.

Made in the UK 25 Year Residential Limited Warranty

www.millboard.co.uk

Paving and Landscaping Materials

Old York & Indian Paving National Trust Paving Collection, West London stockist and display centre is at: Adrian Hall Landscape Centre, Snakey Lane, Feltham, TW13 7NA. Tel: 0208 751 7600 National Trust Paving Collection, The Cotswolds and Southwest display centre is at: Cranes, Burford Garden Company, Shilton Road, Oxfordshire, OX18 4PA. Tel: 0844 815 6442 National Trust Paving Collection, Wales and the West Midlands.

Westminster Stone, Shaws Estate Sodylt, Ellesmere, Shropshire, SY12 9EL. 0844 248 9262

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19/11/2014 16:30

LATEST PRODUCTS

LIGHTING Almost everyone is familiar with LED lighting and the huge benefits that come with it, but often little thought is given to the fittings that the LEDs are housed in. Why put LEDs that have a lifespan of 50,000+ hours inside a poor quality fitting that won’t last half as long. Led-Zip Lighting manufacture their fittings in the UK, with the impressive PolyFlood range being made from high quality, solid anodised aluminium machine turned parts fitted with vandal proof polycarbonate faces, guaranteeing you years of trouble-free LED lighting.

Tokistar’s Exhibitor Series is a wet location festoon lighting system, widely used in amusement parks, leisure applications and garden patios. As well operating as a suspended festoon, this system can be surface mounted to accent rooflines and other architectural features. Four different lamp spacings are available. Light sources include two xenon lamps and LED, which operate at 24v AC and consume only 0.48 watts each, providing energy savings up to 95 per cent.

WWW.LIGHTPROJECTS.CO.UK

WWW.LED-ZIP.CO.UK

If you love the quality and precision engineering of the traditional Hunza halogen fittings but at the same time, you recognise the low-heat and long-life values of LED lighting, then Hunza Pure LED might be just what you need.With the Pure LED range, Hunza have completely re-engineered the internals of the traditional fittings to bring them into the 21st Century.

A purpose-built heat sink and a solid, machined-alloy reflector together with a 10-year warranty on the stainless steel and copper fittings and five year warranty on the LED lamp, mean you can fit it, and forget it.

Available in a choice of four colours, the Skyline Boundary light is a versatile illuminated marker discretely illuminating the space at various heights. Produced in steel, the Skyline utilises LED technology to create an efficient, durable and maintenance free product.

WWW.TIMBERPLAY.COM

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Lighting .indd 55

WWW.LANDSCAPEPLUS.COM

If you want great illumination from delightfully small and elegant fittings then the LuxR range is for you.

The LuxR range has been developed to meet the challenge of delivering high quality LED lighting with maximum energy efficiency and a long, maintenance-free life. Like garden jewellery, the LuxR fittings are beautifully designed and engineered to the highest standards in solid copper, marinegrade stainless steel and black, powder-coated aluminium. The fittings are all IP 68 (submersible) rated and come with a reassuring 10-year warranty.

You can select two or four watt Cree LEDs, backed up by a five year warranty.

WWW.LANDSCAPEPLUS.COM

Pro Landscaper / December 2014 55

20/11/2014 10:44

EQUIPMENT

EQUIPMENT NEWS Trimax appoints Marketing and Sales Coordinator

MUV electric wheelbarrow wheels away The new MUV Electric Wheelbarrow, or mini-dumper, from Nu-Star Material Handling not only allows operators to transport heavy loads with ease, it eliminates the unnecessary ergonomic challenges and production halts associated with traditional wheelbarrow solutions.

Furthermore, the savings made in reduced labour and enhanced efficiency ensure rapid return on investment in sectors that include horticulture, landscaping and gardening.

Demanding industries call for increased profitability and efficiency, while at the same time protecting workers from over-exertion. The MUV Electric Wheelbarrow eliminates the pushing and pulling required when using a conventional manual wheelbarrow and, since it has a push-button operated electric dump capable of tipping loads up to 350k,

it also removes the lifting effort required when emptying a wheelbarrow.

With a choice of either 800W or 1,200W DC electric drive motors, the MUV Electric Wheelbarrow is virtually noise free in its operation, making it ideal for internal use and in areas

where noise pollution is a concern.

Since there are no handlebar vibrations to cause Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) the Electric Wheelbarrow may be used without having to assess this potential risk to the operator. www.nu-starmhl.com

Welcome to the equipment pages of Pro Landscaper, where we will be looking at new products and developments in the market.

If you have any stories, please email them to joe.wilkinson@eljays44.com or tweet me @ProLanKit

A power revolution from EGO Battery-powered garden equipment has now moved head-to-head with petrol and mains electric alternatives following the launch of the EGO range of fast-charging, 56-volt machines.

With a recharge from flat-time of just 30 minutes, the 4.0Ah battery will provide up to 45 minutes of mowing. The EGO cordless lawnmower and accompanying hedge cutter, line trimmer, chainsaw and blower meet the UK landscapers’ needs, regardless of the size of garden or the weather.

The lithium ion battery technology powering the range is the result of many years of work. The cells in the three differentsized batteries are configured in a patented arc shape to help keep them cool in

operation and charging. They are also surrounded by a phase change material to help dissipate heat and will operate with maximum efficiency for up to 1,500 charges – sufficient for more than eight to ten years use in an average-sized garden.

The lawnmower is a three-inone machine offering users the choice of rear collect, side discharge or mulching. www.egopowerplus.com

Will Bryan joins Countax Ltd Will Bryan joins the Countax field sales team as Area Sales Manager for the North of England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Due to the continued growth of the Countax, Westwood, ECHO, Shindaiwa and Ariens brands, Will Bryan has been appointed as Area Sales Manager for the north of 56

Pro Landscaper / December 2014

Equipment News.indd 56

England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. He will cover all manufactured and distributed brands for Countax Limited.

Will previously worked at Genpower, the sole UK importer for Hyundai power equipment.

There, his sales expertise was focused on the garden

machinery and generator markets.

Will also worked within the sales team at Workware for 10 years, concentrating on chainsaw protection clothing for the forestry industry. Will brings to Countax a large amount of sales expertise. www.countax.co.uk www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/11/2014 16:16

Amenity

Don’t slip up...

Be ready for the worst winter can offer with specialist supaturf salt spreaders and Vitax ice Free, the environmentally-friendly alternative to rock salt.

Ideal for keeping access routes, pathways and parking areas safe and slip-free, our pedestrian spreaders include broadcast units, with capacities from 25 to 56 kg, and a simple drop spreader which is ideal for pathways and smaller areas.

Ice Free is up to five time more efficient than rock salt but is less noxious and corrosive than the traditional remedy.

Ice Free flakes lie where they fall to help prevent slipping and their unique ice-penetrating action helps make surfaces safer to walk on.

www.vitax.co.uk or call 01530 510060 for full details Visit

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19/11/2013 17/11/2014 17:42 16:06

CAMON and BCS machines are built to withstand the rigours of continuous daily use by landscape professionals.

Ground Cultivation “Grass Cutting & Clearing “Snow Clearing “Estate Management “Lawncare

Call us on 01444 247689 or visit www.tracmaster.co.uk

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13/11/14

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19/11/2014 16:34

EQUIPMENT

GENERAL LATEST KIT The latest addition to the STM RoboFlail range is the Mini, featuring a 50cm rotary deck, with a Briggs and Stratton 950 motor feeding an 80A generator providing the electrical power for the two 24V 600W motors. The machine has lightweight tracks, is zero-turn and is operated by

EarthWay and DMMP Ltd have launched the industry’s most exciting spreader in 25 years!

Extremely well received, the revolutionary new EarthWay Ev-N-Spred Flex select series allows users to spread a wide range of materials accurately, economically and efficiently, all year round. The unique three-tray output system allows users to select the most suitable tray for the application at hand. Intelligent design of the impellor provides an increase in the spreading width of up to 50 per cent, making the Flex Select the most efficient spreader EarthWay have ever produced.

WWW.DMMP.CO.UK

The Timberwolf TW230DHB may look familiar but is new from the ground up.

Features include a larger, more powerful chipping rotor, open top funnel, wide rollers with extra large throat and exceptional crushing power with

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

General LK forAmy.indd 59

The Cobra 4-in-1 petrol multitool features attachments to help meet all landscaping needs. The MT270K features a brushcutter; a grass trimmer with a double line head and tri-blade for clearing thick undergrowth; a

remote control working from as far away as 300m. Although not designed for areas as tough as the ones its big brothers can accommodate, this machine takes a significant place within the range of five RoboFlail remote control machines available from STM. WWW.ST-MACH.COM

pole pruner with a 12” chainsaw bar and chain; and a double sided hedge cutter which articulates through 180 degrees. All of the multi-tool’s features benefit from an extendable shaft and single shoulder harness.

The MT270K is powered by a 2-stroke 27cc Kawasaki engine that achieves reduced fuel consumption as well industry leading low emission levels. It retails at £520 including VAT. WWW.COBRAGARDEN.CO.UK

quad-force rollers. Extra strength has been designed into every critical component throughout the machine to ensure top performance day after day, year after year. All service items have easy access and there is even a central greasing system to help make the regular service schedule a doddle.

WWW.TIMBERWOLF-UK.COM

John Deere Financial is offering interest-free finance on the new XUV 855D S4 Gator 4x4 utility vehicle and any John Deere Gator attachments. Purchasers can make one plus two annual payments at zero per cent interest, based on 60 per cent of the recommended retail price.

This olive & black fourpassenger Gator features a 22hp three-cylinder liquidcooled diesel engine delivering a top speed of 32mph, with fully independent suspension and power steering as standard. An easily convertible rear bench folds down to provide a flat surface for extra storage. Cargo box, towing and payload capacities are 454kg, 680kg and 635kg.

WWW.JOHNDEERE.CO.UK

Pro Landscaper / December 2014 59

20/11/2014 10:47

EQUIPMENT

SNOW CLEARANCE Long Rake Spar supplies premium salt at competitive prices nationwide. Its pure marine white salt is the cleanest way to melt ice and snow without leaving a residue, whilst pink rock salt acts fast and efficiently for immediate protection. It delivers in prepacked bags, bulk bags and loose

loads with the pre-packed bags lasting up to two years longer than industry standards, helping prolong the shelf life of the product. Depots across the country ensure prompt delivery so you can protect your customers throughout the winter.

WWW.LONGRAKESPAR.CO.UK

A larger version of the Tracmaster PLS 50, the PLS 180 Salt Spreader can handle salt, sand, granulated fertiliser or similar dry material. The stainless steel deflector allows easy control with accurate salting of up to six to seven metres, ensuring only the areas that need salt are treated. Meanwhile, a

One of the major issues with dedicated ride-on mowers is their lack of versatility; once a mower, always a mower. With this in mind, Ransomes Jacobsen has a range of snow blades and brushes that can be attached to its popular Ransomes HR300 out-front rotary mower for winter snow

clearing. The Ransomes HR300 is an out-front rotary mower with a choice of cutting decks with widths of 1.52m, 1.6m and 1.83m. When winter approaches the cutting deck can be easily replaced with a bespoke snowblade or power brush in a matter of minutes.

WWW.RANSOMESJACOBSEN.COM

Snow and ice clearance shouldn’t be left to chance.

Wiedenmann’s design team has deliberately set about making the Ice Master do all the work. At 1.2m wide, the Ice Master can either be PTO driven or hydraulically mounted.

The innovative box unit can spread salt, sand or grit either

60

Pro Landscaper / December 2014

Snow clearance.indd 60

large 100kg capacity plastic hopper provides improved salt flow and reduces the number of trips to the salt bins.

WWW.TRACMASTER.CO.UK

The Toro Power-Clear single stage snowblower is a compact, lightweight and manoeuvrable petrol driven model that is easy to store when not in use. It’s designed to clear concrete and asphalt surfaces of uncompacted snowfall of 5 to 15cm in depth, perfect for UK winter conditions.

The easy to use Power Curve high-speed rotor gathers and throws snow in one efficient motion, to clear paths, steps and driveways. Wide rubber paddles propel the snowblower forward while at the same time cleaning down to the pavement.

WWW.TORO.CO.UK

via a drop spread or spinner system. With a flick of a switch the operator can change settings without leaving the seat. This means there is also no down time and maximises efficiency. An optional hopper extension increases its capacity to 200 litres.

WWW.WIEDENMANN.CO.UK

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/11/2014 10:40

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

Concept to Delivery

April 2014

DESIGN, BUILD, AND MAINTAIN

LET’S HEAR IT FROM

IT’S A CAREER, NOT JUST A JOB

JANINE PATTISON & DENISE WRIGHT WIN A HAYTER HARRIER 56 PRO MOWER

Check out all the excellent PEAT-FREE career opportunities ATDEBATE THE

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HAMBROOKS AND MAINTAIN

FROM RUSSIA H or ticulture CAREERS WITH LOVE

PC LANDSCAPES

Modernity juxtaposed with original Georgian style

It’s easy to use

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19/03/2014 14:33

Concept to Delivery

● Register at www.horticulturecareers.co.uk DESIGN, ● Upload your CV (easyBUILD, to follow instructions) AND MAINTAIN ● Create a professional profile ● Find the right career in your area Concept to Delivery

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October 2014

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OUT & ABOUT

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AT THE RHS SLOPE MOWERS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW Let’s Hear it From...

Mike Cafferky, Operations Director of P Casey (Land Reclamation) Ltd

Portfolios See how three companies design and implement their projects

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Green Roofs A look at the future of green roofing

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BALI Anniversary

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The association celebrates 40 years serving the trade

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20/11/2014 17:55

UPDATE SOUTH

Transformation of a tired garden with wooden structures and herbaceous planting

LET’S HEAR IT FROM

Cover.indd 4

EDUCATING THE FUTURE:

HEAR FRANK CURRYLET’S IT FROM 20/06/2013 09:10

BRAMBLEDOWN LANDSCAPE SERVICES

ARE WE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?

PHIL Horsham Horsham Stone Reclamation Stone && Reclamation MULLIGAN INTERNATIONALis PORTFOLIOS oneleading of the leading suppliers of natural in South-East the one ofisthe suppliers of natural stonestone in the The Landscape Institute

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Based just outside Horsham, we Based just outside Horsham, quarry Horsham Stone we quarry Horsham Stonewhich is which isfor famous for itsmarks. ripple The famous its ripple stone is then stonemarks. is thenTheproduced into walling, produced into walling, roofing, roofing, paving, paving, rockery androckery garden and garden features.

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21/11/2014 09:37

20/11/2014 17:58 21/11/2014 09:46

D

PEOPLE

WORK

I’ve been privileged to have worked on some fantastic schemes –

value of the landscape and also the importance of

commercial, show and residential. The Rose Garden at Savill Gardens,

good design. Another would be getting the press

our grand award winning Herts garden and most recently the

outside of our industry to engage with what we do so

Singapore Garden Festival are particular highlights. But hopefully the

that there is wider, more creative dialogue. Securing

best project(s) are still to come.

knowledge and skill in the horticulture industry for the

I work with the rather fab (his word) Andrew Wilson. We founded Wilson McWilliam Studio in 2008 and the fact we’re still talking to each other after 6 years together means we’re getting something right. There are three people who have been absolutely pivotal to my

future is another important issue. My best learning curve? I’m still on it. I would describe my leadership style as friendly dictator.

Setting up a new business just as the recession started to bite has been challenging and has certainly increased the grey hair count.

career. Tony Edwards of Place Design and Planning was my first

Highs include our gardens and landscapes. Whenever planning or

employer after I finished my masters in landscape architecture and he

politics gets a bit too much, I go and visit one of our schemes and it

gave up every Wednesday evening for two years to mentor me through

instantly reminds me why we do this. What do I hope to achieve in my

my pathway to chartership, a truly altruistic act

work during the next 12 months? Can I change that to five years?

as I was no longer one of his employees. I worked

We’ve got a large master planning scheme in China that I

with Chris Stanton of BDP (formerly Building

would like to see delivered successfully. Having

Design Partnership) at the start of my career and

previously said that I wasn’t interested in the colour

he gave up almost as many evenings teaching

of medals, I’d like to contradict myself and see us

me the basics of AutoCad™ – how he still has

achieve a gold for our work at Chelsea.

hair is beyond me. And of course Andrew, who

We’ve got some very exciting schemes that

encouraged me to keep going when I became a

should be starting on site next year so I can’t

little disillusioned with landscape architecture

wait to see those get underway.

after my masters.

Issues I feel need to be addressed include trying to convince people of the

INSPIRATION People: Probably the usual list – David Attenborough, Andy Goldsworthy, Tadao Ando, Mum. Gardens: Music transcends boundaries and evokes physical

LIFE/STYLE

and emotional responses in a more accessible way than many other art forms. If our work can come close to connecting people with their environment or with themselves in a similar way we will definitely be heading in the right direction.

62

Pro Landscaper / December 2014

Life Style.indd 62

Main image ©Andy Barnham

©Paul Childs

Gavin McWilliam

Gavin McWilliam of leading design practice Wilson McWilliam tells us about his mentors, tastes and ambitions, why he wants to improve the horticulture industry and how he aspires to a wine cellar (once he grows up) www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/11/2014 11:56

PEOPLE

PERSONAL

Hobbies: It used to be eating out but now

we’ve got a 14 month old it’s probably sleeping.

I also enjoy fly fishing when I get the time.

Most treasured possession(s): They’re not possessions but the most treasured things in my life are my wife Gretchen and son Findlay. Then it would be my motorbike, a Honda CB 1300, and my fishing kit.

Favoured dress style: Timeless classics with a contemporary edge. I like really well made beautiful things, I can’t afford them but I like them.

Food: Current favourite restaurants are Barrafina in London and The Artichoke in Amersham.

Drink: I’m a big fan of good red wine. I seem to be drawn to the old world reds and in particular those of the Southern Rhone but that is probably down to lack of proper knowledge rather than anything else. To contradict myself as always, I do also like top end New Zealand Pinot Noir. I aspire to have a proper wine cellar once I grow up and stop drinking it all.

Most fun you’ve ever had: Getting married in New Zealand and then a honeymoon in Samoa.

Design tastes: Eclectic.

TRAVEL

E

I’m very fortunate to have travelled extensively in the past and it’s something my wife and I are keen to pick back up once Findlay is a bit older. We try and get back to Auckland every two years and it would be great to explore more of NZ, even better if we could get a couple of big schemes out there so I could extend the visit.

I love Japan, India and South America and would be very keen to return if time and money allowed. Closer to home it’s Tuscany and the South of France.

If someone else is paying the bill it would be first class all the way and a nice 5 star hotel at the end. If I’m paying its economy and an Alastair Sawday B&B.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

Life Style.indd 63

Pro Landscaper / December 2014 63

20/11/2014 11:56

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Pro Landscaper / December 2014 65

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21/05/2014 10:19 20/11/2014 17:43

JOBS

For full details on all jobs, please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

Call 01903 777 598 or email jorgia.nye@eljays44.com with your vacancy.

CONTRACT MANAGER

HORTICULTURIST

As an established grounds maintenance company servicing local authority and housing association contracts we are keen to receive applications from people who are looking to form long term relationships with us.You will be responsible for contracts and services offered by company, assigned to you via your line manager. Will ensure resources are planned organised and able to deliver services to an excellent and compliant standard that meets customer and company requirements and exceeds financial targets.

Ginkgo Gardens has a position for a well organised and experienced horticulturist to work both independently and as part of a team on a range of gardening tasks and soft landscaping projects.Work is based mainly in central and south west London for domestic residential and luxury commercial developments.You should have excellent horticultural knowledge and a positive ‘can do’ attitude. Driving license is essential.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

LANDSCAPE SUPERVISOR

FULL TIME MAINTENANCE GARDENER

Applicants should ideally have 2-4 years’ experience in a similar position. Must be able to build hard landscaping features of high quality and be able to demonstrate some skills in interpreting plans and drawings and setting out sites. The successful applicant will be able to help supervise a small team of landscapers on site. Evidence of experience and references are essential. The company works predominantly in SW and West London, Surrey and the Home Counties - Applicants will only be considered if they live locally and/ or are able to travel directly to sites across this area.

Nick Milne Garden Services has a Full time Maintenance Gardener Position available immediately. Candidate must have relevant experience and desirable qualifications include NTPC PA1, PA6a pesticides and National Certificate/National Diploma or other relevant qualifications in horticulture. Full clean driving licence essential as you will be driving a Transit type vehicle. A CRB check is also required, applicant to cover the £25 charge although this would be refunded after successfully completing the probationary period of 3 months. Main duties include grass and hedge cutting, edging, digging, planting and other grounds maintenance duties as required.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

GENERAL MANAGER

NURSERY MANAGER AND LANDSCAPER

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced manager to assume responsibility for our high profile contract at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. We seek a high calibre individual who will be the contract ambassador internally and externally with our client the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) and our strategic delivery partner Cofely Workplace. This is a high profile role for the business and within the park. The ideal candidate will require resilience and be committed as well as passionate in what is an ever changing environment. A natural ability to lead is a must as the job holder will be required to identify and pursue potential business opportunities.

Chew Valley trees are looking for someone to work both on our Tree Nursery and as a Landscaper. We are looking for a hardworking, self-motivated person who can fulfil a wide range of tasks. To be able to undertake all of the tasks expected of you, it is of prime importance that you are physically fit. We work outside all the year round and in all weathers. We undertake a whole range of nursery and landscaping activities. We operate in fully flexible way, it is entirely possible in a working week to be working on the nursery and out on landscaping projects.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

APPRENTICE LANDSCAPER

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

For more details please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk.

JOHN O’CONNER Birmingham

OUTDOOR CREATIONS London

THE LANDSCAPE GROUP Stratford

ADAPT LANDSCAPES Chandlers Ford Experience in the landscaping or building trade would be desirable. Experience of fencing, laying decking and paving would be desirable. Must be able to get to Chandlers ford, Hampshire on a daily basis, full clean licence and own transport essential. PPE will be provided along with t-shirts.You will be moving materials such as sand, soil, blocks, paving and hardcore, cleaning and clearing up sites throughout and at the end of each day, mixing cement and concrete, assisting the main landscapers and, depending on skills set, carry out basic landscaping tasks.

66

Pro Landscaper / December 2014

Jobs oct.indd 66

GINKGO GARDENS London

NICK MILNE GARDEN SERVICES Buckinghamshire

CHEW VALLEY TREES Bristol

ZONE RECRUITMENT Derbyshire The client is currently seeking an experienced Landscape Architect to join their expanding Derbyshire based team. The successful candidate must possess a relevant degree in Landscape Architecture (or similar and a post graduate Landscape Architecture qualification. They must be eligible for the P2C process or recently Chartered, ideally with two to five years of experience. You will be prepared to work as part of a team and independently as required and be confident in liaising with clients and third parties.You will have excellent communication skills, take a proactive approach to your work and will be looking for a career within a progressive organisation.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

20/11/2014 17:50

Elveden Instant Hedge

TM

The only true Instant Hedge

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We have 40,000 metres of certified UK provenance stock, across 15 species, available all year round that is now offered to the trade at a discounted rate.

Practicality Brown are the sole suppliers of the Elveden Instant Hedge TM

PRACTICALITY BROWN LTD Iver Stud, Swan Road, Iver, Bucks. SL0 9LA. Tel: 01753 652022 E-mail: hedge@pracbrown.co.uk Web: www.pracbrown.co.uk

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