Pro Landscaper July 2020 by Eljays44

JULY 2O20

CURVED CREATION GEORGIA LINDSAY GARDEN DESIGN

FUTURE PROJECTS

LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S HEAR IT FROM

CHANGING CHELSEA

ON THE RIGHT TRACK?

The additions to RHS Garden Wisley

Tom Williams, Maydencroft Ltd

Noel Kingsbury on permanently altering the event

Debating the environmental impact of HS2

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18/06/2020 16:53

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WELCOME

W E LCO M E W

Green-tech is continuing its sponsorship of these very important awards – and Pro Landscaper’s small project BIG IMPACT Awards. More information on these initiatives can be found on pages 13 and 26, respectively. The small project BIG Impact Awards will take place at FutureScape 2020 (17 and 18 November 2020) at ExCeL London. After acting as an emergency COVID-19 hospital, it’s great news that the venue has now been handed back and is preparing to start running exhibitions again from late summer or early autumn. As well as these launches, the July issue also features the latest in the RHS Garden Wisley development (page 14), an interview with Tom Williams of Maydencroft (page 17), and an article debating the environmental impact of HS2 (page 67) – and plenty more, of course. We look forward to hearing from you. Keep safe.

JIM & LISA

THE LAST FEW MONTHS HAVE GIVEN US ALL TIME TO REFLECT ON HOW WE LIVE AND WORK

elcome to the July issue of Pro Landscaper. Hopefully, by now, everyone is getting to grips with the ‘new’ normal – at least until a vaccine is found for COVID-19. The last few months have given us all time to reflect on how we live, work and what the priorities are moving forward. We would love to hear from you if you have changed the way you are working and how you plan to tackle working in the future. What’s different and why? And how will it improve your work-life balance? The other area we want to hear from you about is landscaping – your news, what new products you are using, new techniques, what you have found to be the best back office systems, what is going to revolutionise the UK’s landscape and design. Please email jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com with your thoughts and ideas. Moving forward with some good news, this issue sees the launch of both Pro Landscaper’s 30 Under 30: The Next Generation – we’re delighted that

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Pro Landscaper / July 2020

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CONTENTS

INSPIRE

INFORM 08 13 14 17 20 23 24 26 27 4

News Our monthly roundup of industry news

Theatrical Dining London Garden Designer Curved Creation Georgia Lindsay Garden Design London Landmark Elite Landscapes Ltd Landscape Architect’s Journal Landsmith Associates No Place Like Home Anji Connell Garden Buildings A stylish array of summer and year-round garden buildings

30 Under 30: The Next Generation Applications are now open Future Projects RHS Garden Wisley

NURTURE

Let’s Hear It From Tom Williams, Maydencroft Ltd View from the Top Marcus Watson Opportunity or Threat? Andrew Wilson Pros of Permaculture Ben West small project, BIG IMPACT Awards 2020 Enter into this year’s awards Green Country Birmingham City Council

Pro Landscaper / July 2020

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33 36 40 45 48 50

53 54 55 56 57 59

Nursery Focus Johnsons of Whixley Changing Chelsea Noel Kingsbury Travel Free Shows Lewis Normand Going Wild Nick Coslett Delivering the New Normal James Hewetson-Brown Selecting Soils Tim O’Hare digs deeper into some of the UK’s top soil companies

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CONTENTS

J U LY 2 0 2 0 E D U C AT E 63 64 65 67 72 73

Transactional vs Transformational Lee Bestall A Landmark in Landscape Design Katarina Ollikainen of Vectorworks One Size Fits All Angus Lindsay On the Right Track? HS2’s environmental impact Renson’s Got You Covered Garden House Design/Renson

Cutting Edge Kinley

PEOPLE 77 78 81 83

87 90

Out & About Pro Landscaper team in lockdown JULY 2O20

Life/Style Special Adam White

CURVED CREATION GEORGIA LINDSAY GARDEN DESIGN

What I’m Reading Katie Flaxman Are You Safe from Sun Exposure? The dangers from UV rays It’s Okay to Talk Andy’s Man Club Little Interviews Questions with the individuals who make up our industry

FUTURE PROJECTS

LET’S HEAR IT FROM

CHANGING CHELSEA

ON THE RIGHT TRACK?

The additions to RHS Garden Wisley

Tom Williams, Maydencroft Ltd

Noel Kingsbury on permanently altering the event

Debating the environmental impact of HS2

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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Pro Landscaper / July 2020

18/06/2020 17:37

THE WILD FLOWER SPECIALIST ENDORSED BY ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS, KEW

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CONTRIBUTORS

CO N T R I B U TO R S Marcus Watson Coronavirus is likely to significantly damage the global economy, but the climate crisis will have a longer term impact on the world, says Marcus Watson. We, as an industry, can be at the forefront of change and implementing sustainable practices, as well as encouraging others to follow suit.

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ANDREW WILSON P23

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Anji Connell

BEN WEST P24

Lockdown has led to people spending more time in the garden and therefore wanting to overhaul their outdoor spaces. From outdoor kitchens to luxury garden furniture, clients are going to be looking at ways to make their time outdoors more comfortable, and Anji recommends Kettal products for the job.

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Nick Coslett Those without gardens are making the most of outdoor spaces, and Nick Coslett questions whether this is leading to a growing appreciation for our public green spaces across the UK. With this in mind, how are these green spaces going to manage social distancing? A park in New York had an innovative approach.

P56

LEWIS NORMAND P55

@MADABOUTPLANTS P55

Lee Bestall

KATARINA OLLIKAINEN P64

With reduced staff numbers, Lee has undertaken different roles within his business, allowing him to spot some inefficiencies. He’s now looking at transformational tasks to address this and help him and his team going forward. Coronavirus has forced businesses to adapt, and Lee shares how he’s making the most of it.

CONTACT

P63

W W W.BESTALL.CO.UK

Eljays44 Ltd 3 Churchill Court, 112 The Street, Rustington, West Sussex BN16 3DA Tel: 01903 777 570 EDITORIAL Editorial director – Lisa Wilkinson lisa.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 579 Head of content – Nina Mason nina.mason@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 959 393 Deputy head of content – Rachael Forsyth rachael.forsyth@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 578 Features writer – Frankie Youd frankie.youd@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 959 394 Equipment editor – Rachel Gordon proarbeditor@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 570 Subeditor – Katrina Roy katrina.roy@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 959 391 Subeditor – Sam Seaton sam.seaton@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 959 391

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@LEETHEGARDENER

Design – Kara Thomas, Kirsty Turek ADVERTISING Business development manager – Jamie Wilkinson jamie.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 585 Head of sales – Jessica McCabe jessica.mccabe@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 587 Horticulture Careers – Ben Cumberland ben.cumberland@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 583 Managing director – Jim Wilkinson jim.wilkinson@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 589 MARKETING AND CIRCULATION Tel: 01903 777 570 Subscription enquiries – Laura Harris laura.harris@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 777 580 Online content editor – Hannah Armstrong hannah.armstrong@eljays44.com Tel: 01903 959 398

ANGUS LINDSAY P65

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 Pro Landscaper is published 12 times per year by Eljays44 Ltd. The 2020 subscription price is £95. 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.

Pro Landscaper is proud to be an affiliate member of BALI

The Association of

Professional Landscapers

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

MANAGEMENT Managing director Jim Wilkinson Director Lisa Wilkinson Business development manager Jamie Wilkinson

Cover image ©Brian Benson www.bbphoto.me

Pro Landscaper / July 2020

18/06/2020 17:03

INFORM

RHS CANCELS ITS HAMPTON COURT PALACE GARDEN FESTIVAL

NEWS

he Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced that it is cancelling this year’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. Initially postponing the event from July to early September, the RHS says it is “saddened” to now have to cancel Hampton Court. The decision has been made due to the continued uncertainty about hosting events amid the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

NEW DATES AGREED FOR COP26

he COP26 UN climate conference will take place a year later than planned due to COVID-19. The Bureau of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), with the UK and its Italian partners, agreed it will now be held between 1 and 12 November 2021 in Glasgow.

The agreement followed consultation with UNFCCC members, delivery partners and the international climate community. The decision on the new date comes as the UK government announces that more than 25

experts in multiple global sectors will be advising the COP26 Presidency. COP26 President and Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Alok Sharma, says: “While we rightly focus on fighting the coronavirus crisis, we mustn’t lose sight of the climate change challenges. With the new dates now agreed, we are working with international partners on an ambitious roadmap for global climate action between now and November 2021. The steps we take to rebuild our economies will have a huge impact on our societies’ future sustainability and wellbeing, and COP26 can be a moment where the world unites behind a clean, resilient recovery. “Everyone will need to raise their ambitions to tackle climate change and the expertise of the Friends of COP will be important in helping boost climate action across the globe.” www.ukcop26.org

RHS Garden Rosemoor and RHS Garden Hyde Hall, due to take place in September, have also been cancelled, meaning no RHS flower shows will be taking place for the rest of 2020. Sue Biggs, RHS director general, says: “We had so hoped that we could hold our much loved RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival this autumn for our members, visitors, exhibitors and sponsors, but sadly in these challenging times this is just not possible. “We are pleased that our Virtual Chelsea online show did so much in terms of bringing some horticultural joy to the nation, as well as supporting the horticulture industry and we continue to support our nurseries through the Garden Magazine and online during this time.” www.rhs.org.uk

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Pro Landscaper / July 2020

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18/06/2020 11:44

INFORM

CHANCELLOR EXTENDS SELF-EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT SCHEME AND FURLOUGH

t the end of May, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will be extended. Those who are eligible will now be able to claim a second and final grant capped at £6,570. He also gave further details on the extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, which currently enables employers to place members of staff on ‘furlough’. The extension allows improved flexibility to bring furloughed employees back part-time in July. However, it also includes a new taper requiring employers to contribute to furloughed salaries from August. So far, 2.3 million claims worth £6.8bn have been made under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. Those eligible will now be able to claim a final grant in August worth 70% of their average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering three months’ worth of profits, and capped at £6,570 in total. To continue aiding employers, the Chancellor went on to announce that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme – which

NEWS IN BRIEF TRIAL USING NATURE TO REDUCE FLOOD RISK BEGINS Launched by the Environment Agency and University of Leeds at the Brownlee Triathlon Centre, this will be the first urban pilot site set up as part of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme’s natural flood management (NFM) project. www.leeds.gov.uk

has seen one million employers across the UK furlough 8.4 million jobs – will continue, but with some changes. From 1 July 2020, businesses will be given the flexibility to bring furloughed employees back part time, a month earlier than previously announced. Individual firms will decide the hours and shift patterns their employees will work on their return. The firms will also be responsible for paying their wages while in work. www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support

THE GGM GROUP STEPS OUT FOR CHARITY Equipment supplier The GGM Group will be covering approximately 100 miles through a combination of cycling and walking for various charities, including Greenfingers. www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk

HOME-HUNTERS ARE PRIORITISING BIGGER GARDENS, SAYS RIGHTMOVE

survey of more than 4,000 prospective house buyers and renters has found that gardens are more important than ever before in choosing their property. Demand for a bigger garden, or at least access to one, is one of the five things Rightmove revealed has been most impacted for renters because of lockdown, as is wanting to live closer to parks and green spaces. Searches by buyers for homes with

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gardens are up 42% in May compared to May 2019, and for renters they’re up a massive 84%. Rightmove’s Miles Shipside says: “Usually home-movers tell us the kitchen photographs are the most important when they’re looking at a property advert, but now agents should consider giving greater prominence to pictures of gardens and outdoor spaces to attract the attention of prospective renters and buyers. “To add to the photogenic garden appeal, a quick lick of paint on a fence, or a clear out of a shed to show how it could be a lovely summer house, can make all the difference when selling a lifestyle to a would-be buyer or tenant. Communal gardens sometimes get left out of rental listings, but they should definitely be including them now too.” www.rightmove.co.uk

NEWLY PUBLISHED PRINCIPLES SHOW HOW NEW HOMES CAN INCLUDE NATURE Some of the UK’s leading nature conservation charities have produced a blueprint showing how new homes can include nature to create happier and healthier communities for people and wildlife. www.rspb.org.uk

Pro Landscaper / July 2020

18/06/2020 11:40

INFORM

Online Exclusives PART ONE: DR HELEN HOYLE DISCUSSES FUTUREPROOFING GREEN SPACES In the first in a series of three articles, Dr Helen Hoyle, senior lecturer in Healthy Built Environments at the Centre for Sustainable Planning and Environments in UWE Bristol, discusses futureproofing places through climateadapted planting for people. Keep an eye out for the next article on our website. www.prolandscapermagazine.com/ part-one-dr-helen-hoyle-discussesfutureproofing-green-spaces/

BLOG: VIRTUAL CHELSEA IS MAKING HORTICULTURE EVEN MORE ACCESSIBLE COVID-19 has wreaked havoc in the UK, forcing the cancellation of some of our most beloved events, RHS Chelsea Flower Show being one of the largest. Instead of letting this stop the RHS, this year they went virtual and potentially opened up the world of horticulture to a whole new audience. www.prolandscapermagazine.com/ blog-virtual-chelsea-is-makinghorticulture-even-more-accessible/

ECOLOGICAL ENDEAVOURS: INTERVIEW: OLIVIA COLLINGTON Olivia Collington, the new codirector of Collington Winter Environmental, shares why she’s decided to build her own ecology team within the family business and how the Biodiversity Net Gain initiative is already having an impact on her work. www.prolandscapermagazine.com/ ecological-endeavours-an-interviewwith-olivia-collington/

Pro Landscaper / July 2020

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SCOTTISH INTERIOR AND GARDEN DESIGN COMPANY LAUNCHES

new interior and garden design company has recently launched, claiming to be the first of its kind in Scotland. Katie Reynolds Design Ltd will be offering its clients both interior design and garden design services from its base in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Owner Katie Reynolds says no other designer in the country is offering professional services in both of these sectors. Katie gained Distinction in interior design at KLC School of Design in London and trained in garden design at the National Design Academy, where she was highly commended for the standard of her portfolio. Now fully qualified, Katie is launching her own company this month, offering clients across Scotland her expertise in both fields.

Katie Reynolds comments: “Houses and gardens are not just spaces; through good design they can inspire and define you. When an indoor and outdoor space are taken into consideration together by one designer, the result is hugely transformative and your home has a level of cohesion that would not otherwise be achieved.” www.katiereynoldsdesign.co.uk

PLANTS@WORK ELECTS NEW COMMITTEE

ollowing plants@work‘s virtual AGM in June, the trade association has announced the election of a new committee to lead its members out of lockdown. Madeleine Evans of Tivoli Services has accepted the role of chair for the third year. Madeleine says: “I am pleased to accept the role of chair again and am eager to support members in whatever new directions COVID19’s aftermath takes us. We have an exciting year ahead looking at new ways of working together with clients and celebrating the 20-year anniversary of the association. “We really want to promote the benefits of plants to businesses. We will get off to a good start with a virtual National Plants at Work Week in July.”

To support Madeleine, Kenneth Freeman – currently Ambius‘ head of innovation – takes on the role of deputy chair. David Snell, owner of Nature at Work Ltd, will become the new membership secretary and Ruscha Mars, owner of The Good Plant Company, retains her role as social secretary jointly with Craig Edser, general manager at Indoor Garden Design. They will be supported by one of plants@work’s ambassadors, Ian Drummond, creative director at Indoor Garden Design. Plants@work starts its new year with a virtual programme commencing with naming the Favourite Office Plant 2020 followed by National Plants at Work Week on 13 July when the promotion of plants in the workplace wherever it is and their benefits will be emphasised. www.plantsatwork.org.uk

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18/06/2020 11:42

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ENTER YOURSELF OR A COLLEAGUE Who? The rules are simple, you can nominate yourself or a colleague as long as the nominee was aged 30 or under on 1 January 2020 and currently works within the horticulture, arboriculture, garden design or landscape sector. Entrants must have worked in the industry for at least one year.

SPONSORED BY GREEN-TECH

Why? Entering 30 Under 30: The Next Generation is a great way to gain recognition for your own work or the work of someone you know. Previous winners have expressed that winning the awards is a wonderful way to enhance their careers.

How? Simply email 30u30@eljays44.com to request an entry form. Fill out the form to the best of your ability, picking out key moments from your career and showcasing some of your best work. Email the form back to 30u30@eljays44.com along with a high-resolution head shot by 31 August 2020.

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For more information on how to enter, contact Laura Harris on 01903 777570 or email 30u30@eljays44.com

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17/06/2020 08:44

INFORM

FUTURE PROJECTS A

RHS garden Wisley SURREY

LANDFORM CONSULTANTS HAS BEGUN WORK ON THREE NEW INSPIRING GARDENS SURROUNDING THE UK’S FIRST DEDICATED SCIENTIFIC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE AT RHS GARDEN WISLEY

s the flagship garden of the RHS, Consultants Mark Gregory: “It is an Wisley attracts around one million absolute honour to return to this cathedral visitors each year. Now, of horticultural excellence to amongst over 240 acres deliver these three gardens of its inspirational gardens, Wisley is by such renowned designers. building the UK’s first ever dedicated “I spent one of the best years scientific centre of excellence. of my life here and left feeling The National Centre for totally inspired by both the people Horticultural Science and Learning will and the place, so I feel it is house three purpose-built laboratories, a privilege to be asked to return a new herbarium and digitisation suite. to play a part in this next phase in There will also be two new learning Wisley’s history, and be a part of studios with an accompanying its legacy for future generations.” teaching garden, a new library, Work began in February with archive and the opportunity for Matt Keightley’s garden and previously unseen scientific work despite the delays caused by to be on show to visitors. COVID-19, the team is still on The centre will add to the work track to complete the garden Wisley is already doing to inspire its come the summer. visitors, from the youngest enthusiasts A series of garden rooms make through to seasoned gardeners, up Matt’s design, enticing visitors to choose a greener future for to explore the many ways in which themselves and their communities. gardens can be used for physical Three educational gardens will and psychological therapy, DEDICATED encircle the centre, with award-winning natural health care and relaxation. Landform Consultants undertaking The rooms will be full of organic CENTRE OF the task of bringing RHS designers sinuous shapes, beautiful planting, EXCELLENCE Ann-Marie Powell and Matt Keightley’s subtle water features and raised designs to life. planting beds which double up Having begun his horticultural journey at as seating. Secluded spaces will offer visitors Wisley 40 years ago, it’s a particularly special the opportunity to come together to learn, project for managing director of Landform socialise and enjoy the surroundings.

15 MONTH

PROJECT

THREE

GARDENS

ONE MILLION VISITORS

PER YEAR

UK'S FIRST

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Pro Landscaper / July 2020

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Wisley’s second garden, the Wildlife Garden designed by Ann-Marie Powell, is also underway drawing inspiration directly from the natural environments of the British Isles. The garden demonstrates the association of nature and gardens, and the importance of using a range of plant diversity to support native British wildlife, especially declining species. Tom Hare created sculptural hides using willow for the space, while large bodies of water and planting should attract wildlife, all while offering visitors an abundance of ideas they can replicate at home. The World Food Garden will form the last of the new gardens at Wisley, with work not beginning on this until the end of 2020. The contemporary ‘plot to plate’ experience is inspired by the traditional large vegetable garden, whilst also using new innovations. Interwoven gravel paths will display edibles, surrounded by fencing to support trained fruit tree and soft fruit crops. The edible maze and outdoor demonstrations kitchen will show visitors how they can grow their own at home, and what’s achievable in smaller spaces. Builds like this are never without their challenges, but this year has seen a bigger challenge than ever before. “It’s fair to say that the ongoing COVID-19 situation has been one of the largest challenges we’ve ever had to face as

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16/06/2020 19:01

INFORM P R OJ ECT D E TA I L S Landscaper Landform Consultants Designers Ann-Marie Powell, Matt Keightley

IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE ASKED TO RETURN TO PLAY A PART IN THIS NEXT PHASE IN WISLEY’S HISTORY, AND BE A PART OF ITS LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS a team,” explains Mark. “It has impacted all aspects of the build, from lead times on receiving materials to implementing measures to ensure we remain safe whilst working – prioritising the team’s health has been paramount.” Like many others in this industry, Landform Consultants rose to the task. Though there have been inevitable delays, the team has worked around the issues, prioritising areas which can be worked on efficiently, while always putting the safety of the workers first. And, with lockdown measures slowly relaxing, the educational and inspirational gardens are due to be ready for the public to enjoy by early summer 2021.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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16/06/2020 19:02

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17/06/2020 19:50

INFORM 1

Let ’s Hear it From

TOM WILLIAMS MAYDENCROFT LTD D

uring this pandemic, it was great to have some time to catch up with Tom Williams, owner and managing director of Maydencroft Ltd. The company is a specialist group of businesses offering many forms of land management, as well as environmental and landscaping services across southern England. Maydencroft has traditional values at its core with a modern approach. By focusing on quality, performance and customer experience whilst always prioritising its people and the environment, Maydencroft is built to last, alongside the fabulous landscapes it creates, restores and maintains. Tom’s love of the outdoors came from growing up on the family farm and working outside during school holidays. He founded Maydencroft Ltd in 2007 after obtaining his BSc in Landscape Management from the University of Reading and a spell of working as an assistant to the park manager at Kensington Gardens for The Royal Parks.

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“The ambition to run my own business was there from the start,” says Tom. “With my £10k savings, newly opened bank account and a very small team of three, Maydencroft Ltd was launched.

THE AMBITION TO RUN MY OWN BUSINESS WAS THERE FROM THE START “Very soon after setting up the company, we had the opportunity to tender for a very large project for The Wildlife Trusts on a nature reserve, creating access around the site and managing the surrounding land. Fortunately, we were successful and won the tender, giving us six months of work. Whilst we were fulfilling

TOM WILLIAMS, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MAYDENCROFT LTD, TELLS US ABOUT HIS GROWING PORTFOLIO AND WHY THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 WON’T BE SLOWING THIS DOWN

the contract, it allowed me time to source and secure additional work.” The company quickly established itself and now employs more than 100 staff across three different sites. From the start, all staff were employed full time with salaries, pensions and paid sick absence. Tom explained that the company has positioned itself into a niche segment and specialist part of the market. “We have taken opportunities along the way; we have bought related companies that can enhance and or improve an offering; we have focused on growing our core business, positioning ourselves as an integrated partner with clients; and, perhaps more importantly, we have delivered a consistently high level of quality service. Our team has always been high priority. I believe in having specialist staff for specialist roles, allowing them to do what they do best.

Pro Landscaper / July 2020

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INFORM

“We have fantastic staff retention and pride ourselves on the training and development that we offer. I am hugely proud of our longestablished apprenticeship programmes with Bedford College, the Berkshire College of Agriculture and Capel Manor College. We work closely with the colleges to create a tailored apprenticeship programme. “We have provided many thousands of qualifications over the years through our bespoke CPD scheme. Employing the right team, helping them to develop, giving them ownership and retaining them is key to what we do. Communication is also very important, especially at the moment; I produce a weekly roundup message, each of the different strands of our business has a direct manager, and we also try to limit the number of reports each manager has.”

WE HAVE FANTASTIC STAFF RETENTION AND PRIDE OURSELVES ON THE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT THAT WE OFFER Maydencroft operates from a centrally based head office and has two further fully equipped offices and yards. The team is all able to work remotely and is encouraged to be entrepreneurial, managing their own schedules within the company guidelines, which it seems are very few and far between. “We encourage our ecological and environmental consultants to follow their own passion and dreams and work towards their own projects, which I guess is why

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we can offer such a wide variety of services,” explains Tom. The grounds and estates team offers services such as maintaining high-end large landscapes, historic parkland management, maintenance of utility sites and large-scale country estates. The portfolio includes looking after Letchworth Garden City and Welwyn Garden City, numerous Woodland Trust grounds, Affinity Water’s central region and Panshanger Park on behalf of Tarmac. “We also have a landscape design and construction team. Being a multi-disciplinary firm, we benefit from our involvement with a broad range of clients and organisations. Our experience of managing projects from inception to completion puts us in a very strong position. The ideal type of work is where we can use all our different resources on large scale projects, but again keeping the landscape and the environment at the heart. “We are an ARB Approved Contractor which means that we have had to pass a rigorous series of tests to guarantee we provide a high standard of work, uncompromising approach to health, safety and customer care. The Arb Association helps make Maydencroft what it is, having to go through all its processes to become an approved contractor gave us a greater understanding of the structure we needed, and the depth of health and safety needed.” As well as the landscaping-related business, Tom has moved back to run the family farm, where they have a herd of 250 Longhorn cattle which has been established since 1982, when Longhorns were very much a rare breed. Tom

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AS A COMPANY I BELIEVE WE ARE WELL PLACED TO CONTINUE OUR GROWTH and his wife are passionate about the heritage native breed and have focused on sustainable, low input, high welfare traditional farming. Other parts of the business include a growing forestry arm where it is managing in excess of 3,000ha of woodlands on behalf of clients in the South East. Tom is also managing director of Shanahan Contracting Ltd, a liquid waste and sewage business specialising in cesspool and septic tank emptying, drain cleaning and underground surveying – a business he bought in 2018. “We are still ambitious for growth. In the future, there will no doubt be an opportunity to

6 extend our geographical reach and bolt on other companies that sit with our growth strategy. In the meantime, we’re about to launch a completely new business called REVIVE Recycled Plastics, producing recycled plastic outdoor landscaping products. We have vast experience and technical know-how in this area as we have been using recycled plastic products for years. Recycled plastic decking boards and posts work perfectly in the countryside environment and also across lots of commercial projects. The products will be available shortly and I’m really looking forward to starting to roll the product out, it’s a very exciting time for us.” Speaking about the future, Tom says: “I’m sure over the next few years there will be sectors of the landscaping industry that will suffer a slowdown, but on the whole I’m very positive about the environmental sector which could really boom for the foreseeable future. We face a massive opportunity to drive home the value of managing green space, and the benefits it could have on the economy and the health and wellbeing of the population. “As a company I believe we are well placed to continue our growth – we have the history, knowledge, track record, and the team to add real value.” 1 A landscape that Maydencroft created and maintain 2 Head Office, Maydencroft Manor 3 Hard landscaping, the Maydencroft way 4 Landscape construction in action 5 Essential arb work during the pandemic 6 Example of a woodland planting scheme, by the M25

C O N TA C T Maydencroft Limited, Maydencroft Manor Gosmore, Hitchin Hertfordshire SG4 7QA Tel 01462 420851 Email info@maydencroft.co.uk

www.maydencroft.co.uk

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M A R C U S WATS O N VIEW FROM THE TOP

MARCUS WATSON OF GROUND CONTROL EXPLAINS THAT THE ACUTE CORONAVIRUS CRISIS IS BAD, BUT ASKS WHETHER IT IS DWARFED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS WHICH CONTINUES TO LOOM?

he 2008 financial crisis was bad, with the world economy shrinking by about 3%. We thought Brexit would be bad, reducing the relative growth rate we could otherwise have expected (the UK would still be growing, just not as fast as other countries). Then the coronavirus comes along to show us what disruption really looks like – the worst health crisis in 100 years coupled with an economic crisis the acuteness of which we have not seen for 300 years. The Bank of England warns us that the economy will shrink by 30% in the first half of the year and 14% over the course of 2020.1 Broadly, this is five times worse than the financial crisis. But, whilst this recession will be deep, we are told the economy may recover relatively quickly with economic outputs returning to pre-coronavirus levels within two to three years (depending on the availability of effective vaccines, etc). Now imagine something so much more damaging than coronavirus. More damaging to human health and wellbeing. More damaging to the health of the global and national economies that support our livelihoods, hospitals, schools and social safety nets. More damaging not only in its depth but also in its duration, because “going back to normal” and turning back the clock is so much harder than overcoming the coronavirus impact. It was not that long ago that we all spoke about it, especially in our sectors. Friday 27 March 2020 was an important day for all those communities living with the fear of flooding – it was the first day in 50 days that the flood risk was showing as green ‘low risk’ across England and Wales. On 15 February 2020, Storm Dennis gave us no fewer than 400 flood warnings. This was happening at a time when Australia was burning.

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The 2019 to 2020 bushfire season was the worst on record and was branded the ‘Black Summer’. The 20 warmest years on record have been in the past 22 years since records began in 1880.

WE MUST REBUILD BETTER, A GREENER MORE SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY THAT CARES FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT

amenity spaces receive the attention and investment they deserve to better support people’s health and wellbeing. In our industry, we are privileged. Because we work with landscapes, we know the value of our environment and outside spaces. Not only do we have a direct ability to rebuild better, we are well-placed to lead by example and influence others. We can encourage our colleagues, customers, family and friends to select energy providers that only use renewable sources. We can switch to electric vehicles and batterypowered equipment. We can opt not to fly regularly. We can choose pensions funds that support solid, environmentally sustainable businesses. Every day, we have the opportunity to “reduce, reuse and recycle” and make the right investment choices, whether as businesses or individuals. As we ease lockdown, we must avoid lurching from the coronavirus crisis into a deeper climate crisis.2 The good news is, it’s possible. “Coronavirus: UK faces ‘worst recession for 300 years’ as grim economic impact of Covid-19 emerges”, Nigel Morris, The i, 7 May 2020 2 “Coronavirus: UK warned to avoid climate change crisis”, Roger Harrabin, BBC News, 6 May 2020, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/scienceenvironment-52547885

Amongst all the hurt and damage caused by coronavirus, something really quite extraordinary happened. Humanity managed to stop the clock somewhat. With our cities cleared of traffic, the air we breathe became cleaner. CO2 emissions reduced to levels equivalent to everyone in the UK switching to electric cars. We must rebuild better; a greener, more sustainable economy that cares for our environment, allowing us to live fun, prosperous, fulfilling lives without mortgaging our children’s futures. We must rebuild better where parks and

A B O U T M A R C U S W AT S O N Marcus Watson joined Ground Control in 2011. By harnessing the power of people and innovation, Marcus believes that business can be a powerful force for good in caring for our environment. Ground Control was recognised with a Queen’s Award for Innovation, celebrating the company’s application of technology.

www.ground-control.co.uk

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16/06/2020 21:33

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ANDREW WILSON OPPORTUNITY OR THREAT?

ANDREW WILSON CONSIDERS A TRACK RECORD THAT FLIES IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY. BUT IS THIS MADNESS OR ARE THERE LESSONS HERE?

s a 13-year-old, I decided that I wanted to be a landscape architect. I now realise that this was highly unusual but I set off like a missile aiming at this goal, deciding which subjects to take and targeting the courses I would consider at university. I duly qualified and started working as a landscape architect in 1984 only to meet Peter Thurman who introduced me to garden design teaching at The Inchbald School of Design. By late 1988, I was invited to become its director of Garden Design Studies and effectively changed career, becoming a garden designer and academic in support of that work. At the time, garden design was a much less secure career and it wasn’t in line with my original career intentions – I listened to my heart rather than my head and went for it just as Gardens by Design with David Stevens hit the TV screen and the rest, as they say, is history. Teaching certainly wasn’t on my radar at all but I loved it and still gain so much from it.

I LISTENED TO MY HEART RATHER THAN MY HEAD AND WENT FOR IT In 2003 I resigned and went freelance, convinced that I could somehow establish my own college and also commit more time to the role of garden designer. It was a worry and a challenge with a mortgage to pay and children to support by this time, but the freelance teaching led me, amongst many places, to

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Greenwich University, only to find a certain Gavin McWilliam in my planting design group as he undertook his masters. After his graduation we started to work together and eventually formalised that relationship as a partnership which still continues today. That formalising came in 2008 as the financial crash brought on a serious recession.

In that same year, having met Andrew Fisher Tomlin and discovered a like-minded soul, we also set out on the new business venture known as the London College of Garden Design (LCGD) – so not one but two new businesses as the world crashed. I sometimes look back on these decisions and think what on earth possessed me (or us) but I’m thrilled with the results we have achieved – the gardens designed, the books written (oh yes, that’s another thing I didn’t know I could do!), the students taught and graduated, and the many new careers that followed. Last year, we expanded LCGD into Melbourne and launched our new programme. The college in Melbourne opened just as COVID-19 hit and lockdown began.

I’m beginning to think I’m the harbinger of bad news, but the college has worked and students in Melbourne went back to socially distanced learning in the last week of May. Interest in

SUSAN JEFFERS WAS RIGHT IN SAYING: “FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY” next year in Melbourne is buoyant as it is for this and for next year at LCGD in London. Indeed, the lockdown has given us time to reflect and to rethink our training on many levels. I think I’m an optimist, certainly a glass half-full person in a world where it seems almost anything can be thrown in your direction. It would have been easy to pull back, stay doing the same old thing rather than taking a chance; but, for me, grabbing those opportunities when they presented themselves seems to have worked. I have delivered a lecture several times called ‘Just say yes’ – a response that seems to have worked for me and those I work with. It would appear that in my experience, Susan Jeffers was right in saying: “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” What are we waiting for?

ABOUT ANDREW WILSON Andrew Wilson is a landscape and garden design consultant, director of the London College of Garden Design, and an author, writer and lecturer.

www.lcgd.org.uk

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B E N W E ST PROS OF PERMACULTURE

BEN WEST EXPLAINS WHAT PERMACULTURE IS AND ITS SUSTAINABILITY BENEFITS

ast month I started to consider steps we might take, in lieu of top down leadership, to fashion solutions to the ‘sustainability problem’. Those in the industry looking to cut a path toward adopting fully regenerative practices have a ready sharpened tool in the form of ‘permaculture’, a system that can be applied to garden design as well as every other aspect of our lives. Permaculture design offers guidelines by which we can operate sustainably on a personal level and positively influence the actions of our clients. Permaculture recognises the sustainability problem is rooted in the prevalence of economic models which overlook diverse, traditional and local operations in favour of monolithic global systems dependent on mass consumption of fossil fuels and resulting in cultural and environmental degradation. Permaculture eschews the global model and works to preserve and enhance the best of the existent. In short, it is the design of sustainable human habitats.

Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren introduced the concept with their 1978 book ‘Permaculture One’. They saw the current economic system as flawed and took inspiration from the propensity of natural ecosystems toward rejuvenation. Permaculture design closely observes nature, notes the connections between its manifold elements and uses these

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relationships to inform its work. It is opposed to the myth of separation and the harmful ‘survival of the fittest’ concept of nature in favour of a view of the natural world as a host of symbiotic relationships and interconnected ecosystems.

PERMACULTURE IS ALL ABOUT THE DETAILS The difference between ‘standard’ garden or landscape design and permaculture design lies with the lens through which the decision making process is viewed – permaculture ethics. Simply stated, these are: Earth care, people care and fair shares. These principles inform all design choices. Earth care acknowledges our dependence on a healthy planet for survival and advocates its veneration and conservation. People care recognises the physical and emotional needs of modern humanity, and looks to utilise technology and intelligent design to avoid problems that made formerly sustainable modes of living untenable. Fair shares asserts the finite nature of the Earth, the need to establish limits to human consumption and balanced distributions of ‘wealth’. Much modern garden and landscape design revolves around making things pretty rather than useful. Many plans please the eye but lack technical detail or practical function. We should not reject the aesthetic; rather, this aspect should flow naturally from a meticulously researched and beautifully realised design. Permaculture is all about the details. This pragmatism is evident in the key concepts of ‘zones’ and ‘sectors’. Zoning brings elements requiring most attention closest to

centres of human activity; vegetables and fruit close to the kitchen, for example. Less frequented areas are set aside for lower maintenance features. Sectoring considers the influence of exterior factors such as wind, rainfall, light, views, local flora, fauna and architecture, and incorporates these into the design to create beneficial connections between the elements. The needs of one are met by the outputs of another; soft vegetative prunings become mulch via the compost heap, for example. Each element performs multiple functions thus maximising the overall efficiency of the whole. The aim is to form a ‘closed system’ in which energy, nutrients and resources are recycled rather than lost. Like a natural ecosystem, nothing goes to waste and everything has value. In order to achieve our regenerative goals, we must work wisely with what we have rather than expend valuable energy in a protracted and dysfunctional struggle to bend nature to our will. Visit www.permaculture.org.uk for more information, and please do drop us a line with your thoughts and feedback on Ben’s article at info@landscapingsolutionsltd.co.uk.

ABOUT BEN WEST Ben West spent his formative years exploring the landscapes of Staffordshire, and studied environmental management at Keele University, prior to moving to Surrey and setting up Landscaping Solutions. The firm has since won many RHS medals and BALI Awards. Ben wishes to use his passion for natural landscapes to direct the firm’s future trajectory, and ensure clients consider nature when planning landscaping schemes.

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16/06/2020 12:44

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GREEN

hen you think of Birmingham you might think of an industrial city; a city of a thousand trades, with a history of television production and a connection of canals – which outnumber Venice 35 miles to 26 – or you might be reminded of the dreaded ‘spaghetti junction’. What might not cross your mind, though, is how green it is. Its Victorian parks are typified by their formal avenue of trees, formal lakes and ponds and formal flower beds, made up of both herbaceous and annual bedding. Enjoyed by a variety of users, these larger parks are full of play areas, multi-use games courts and cafes as well as path networks and an abundance of grass areas and trees. Its large nature reserve and country park are natural or semi natural habitats like heathland, grassland, woodland, rivers and lakes.

COUNTRY AFTER THE CITY WAS RECENTLY BESTOWED THE HONOUR OF TREE CITY STATUS, THERE ARE BIG PLANS FOR BIRMINGHAM’S GREEN SPACES. SIMON NEEDLE, PRINCIPAL ARBORICULTURIST AND ECOLOGIST AT BIRMINGHAM COUNCIL, TELLS US WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A TREE CITY AND HOW IT PLANS TO BECOME NET ZERO CARBON

WE’RE NOT THIS BIG GREY SPRAWLING URBAN SPACE THAT PEOPLE THINK WE ARE Birmingham actually boasts 591 parks, public open spaces and green spaces. That’s 24sq miles of green infrastructure, 9.2sq miles of designated conservation sites and 5.4sq miles of woodlands. Amongst its miles of green spaces, the city also holds more than one million trees, and is on a mission to make sure everyone knows this. Tree City status Launched at the World Urban Forest Conference, the Tree Cities of the World programme is “an international effort to recognise cities and towns committed to ensuring that their urban forests and trees are properly maintained, sustainably managed, and duly celebrated.” One of only six in the UK, Birmingham recently gained Tree City status. “For us, it’s partly about raising the profile of Birmingham of being a green city and recognising the fact that we’re not this big grey sprawling urban space that people think we are,” Simon Needle tells us. “That status recognises that we value our tree stock and it’s

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1 Edgbaston Reservoir 2 Cannon Hill Park

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going to help with our work around mitigating climate change.” There are five core standards that a city must meet in order to achieve such a status. First, it must establish responsibility. In Birmingham, although responsibility ultimately sits with Birmingham City Council’s chief executive, day to day management is delegated. The two major land owners Calthorpe Estate and Bournville Village Trust, though abiding by their own policies, work in tandem with local planning policies and statutory legislations. Residential and commercial private land owners are responsible for their own tree management, but they do need to seek permission from the council where these are subject to a conservation area, tree preservation order or planning approval.

THE BENEFITS OF GREEN SPACE ARE BECOMING WELL DOCUMENTED AND ITS FAR MORE THAN AN AESTHETIC VALUE Second, it must set the rules. Birmingham has agreed policies relating to the management of its tree stock, and these form the basis for all bodies directly managing trees for or on behalf of the city council, with clauses on penalties for non-compliance. Contractors to the city council have guidance on tree pruning standards, levels of qualifications and competency of staff required. Though it is developers’ decisions about what trees they use, Simon and the team always try to recommend UK sourced and grown stock, stressing the importance of using quality trees which have good providence. Third, it must know what it has. Birmingham’s tree stock is subject to regular inspections as part of its commitment to providing a safe and healthy tree population. It has officers inspecting trees regularly as well as a group of 30 volunteer tree wardens who act as additional eyes and ears looking out for symptoms of disease. Data is collated using GIS/GPS and stored using tree inventory software so the team can work out the percentage of what they have and where, helping to ensure long-term resilience. This is also helpful when identifying weaknesses – such as the 7,500 ash trees on the highway which have potential to be lost to ash dieback – so they can forward plan. Fourth, it must allocate the resources. The city allocates £4.1m to its tree management each year, which covers all aspects of delivering the tree management plans. Birmingham Trees for

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Life raises additional funds to support the city’s tree planting. Since 2006, it has planted 85,670 trees and engaged 12,354 individuals. Fifth, it must celebrate its achievements. A range of events are delivered throughout the year, put on by the Birmingham Ranger Service to engage people with trees. In addition to this, Birmingham Trees for Life delivers around 30 tree planting and educational sessions annually.

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Climate emergency Birmingham isn’t resting on its laurels, though. On average, the UK has one of the lowest canopy covers in Europe at 10%, and though Birmingham is above this at 18.6%, it still is a way off Europe’s average of 35%. Across the city, there are huge variations in canopy cover, with some wards over 30% and others at 9%. It is Simon’s aim to even this out while continuing to increase canopy cover to somewhere between 25 and 35% to help mitigate impacts of urban heat island. But it isn’t just trees that the city is focusing on. In July 2019, Birmingham declared a climate emergency and made a commitment to take action to reduce the city’s carbon emissions and limit the climate crisis. This means the city aims to become net zero carbon by 2030. The Route to Zero Taskforce is currently working to develop recommendations for how everyone in Birmingham can contribute to climate action, and there are plenty of schemes in motion. Part of this action is the creation of a natural capital account for its green spaces. “We are pushing to show that for every pound invested in green infrastructure, there is a significant financial gain,” explains Simon. “We are drawing up a mapping network of the city’s green infrastructure so we can highlight the areas where there is already a significant benefit.” Through this, Simon hopes to be able to advise on the best areas for housing developments, as well as identify areas which require these natural capital and ecological services. Securing funding from the European Regional Development Fund, the Natural River and Green Corridors project will improve woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, and watercourses along the River Rea, its tributaries in south-west Birmingham and the River Tame in the west. This will improve the habitat value of 150ha of public open space and associated watercourses, not only helping local wildlife, but also benefitting communities by providing attractive green spaces for them to enjoy a more active lifestyle. As if this all weren’t enough, the Naturally Birmingham Project will enhance the city’s

9 parks and green spaces, while also focusing on children, housing, health, wellbeing and jobs. Birmingham will receive a share of more than £6m of funding, and £5m worth of advice and support from some of the country’s leading experts in conservation, fundraising, volunteering and green space management. Covering 4,486ha of the city’s green space, the new funding will focus on four areas: At Ward End Park, a skills-led project will look into developing future skills; a health initiative at Perry Common will trial social prescribing; a housing initiative across Ladywood will look at different ways of integrating urban green space and parks to better serve local communities; and the fourth community pilot will focus on how better to engage with existing projects in south Birmingham, specifically when it comes to children and young people. The list of projects on the board for Birmingham’s green spaces goes on. As an ecologist, Simon sees the need for these natural solutions with benefits which far outweigh any challenges. “We are going to get a push back from the government saying it’s too complex or too expensive which, actually, it isn’t. “Benefits of green space are becoming well documented and it’s far more than an aesthetic value.” It seems his opinion is backed across Birmingham Council as it strives to be part of the solution to a greener and healthier future. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Lickey Hills Country Park Blossom at Cannon Hill Park Harborne Walkway Moonlit Park Sunset Park Eastside Park Handsworth Park

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PROJECT D E TA I L S

Project value £115k Build time 4 months Size of project 100sqm

T H E AT R I CA L

DINING

T H I S C O V E N T G A R D E N S PA C E HAS BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO A R E S TA U R A N T T H AT C O M P L E M E N T S B O T H I T S C U I S I N E A N D L O C AT I O N

SUSHI SAMBA, COVENT GARDEN 2

n a newly constructed Eric Parry Conservatory in the heart of the West End, spanning the Eastern Façade of the Grade II* listed Market Building, this site was previously completely empty. London Garden Designer’s background in theatre design helped greatly with the vision for the indoor space at the new Sushi Samba restaurant.

LONDON GARDEN DESIGNER

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Client brief London Garden Designer was to create an immersive experience which would ‘wow’ the customers, whilst respecting the Sushi Samba identity. When undertaking the installation of the interior landscaping element, the intention was to preserve and respect the integrity of both the newly constructed Eric Parry Conservatory, along with the historical Grade 11* listed Structure, whilst meeting the brief and working closely with interior designers TMA – Too Many Agencies.

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4 Design and build The company intended to take a theatrical approach, which tied into the surrounding area and paid homage to the historical 19th century glasshouses that occupied the terrace. The new Eric Parry Conservatory provides the same favourable growing environment for the lush climbers and plants proposed. The interior planting is primarily focused in the initial third of the space as you enter the first floor of the restaurant and is comprised of predominately real plants, with the addition of some silk artificial plants in the living ceiling.

BEFORE

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The plants were chosen to reflect the Sushi Samba origins, with a selection from Asia and South America; they were also selected based on their ability to survive in the challenging conditions of being in a restaurant, with both air conditioning and heating used throughout the year. Combinations of carefully positioned freestanding planters allow real climbers to naturally twine and grow up the girder framework. These included Philodendron scandens, Tetrastigma voinierianum, Monstera deliciosa and Epipremnum aureum.

DELIVERIES ARRIVE

Extra free-standing planters from Bronzino have been incorporated throughout to allow for an avenue of indoor trees, providing a dappled canopy that merges with the overhead climbers. The trees have been underplanted to create a lush, tropical feel and to overflow the planter edges. Additionally, an angled living ceiling of plants was created to obscure the service ducting. These plants have been attached to a lightweight frame of mesh and tied to the girders without the use of any invasive fixings.

INSTALLATION

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ABOUT LONDON GARDEN DESIGNER

5 Due to the tropical nature of the scheme, the plants were sourced through The Palm Centre and specialist indoor nurseries in Holland. Challenges The greatest challenge the team had to face was the tight deadlines and working towards a fixed opening date. Tight commercial deadlines often result in large numbers of disciplines and specialists on the site at all times, all trying to get their job finished to an exacting standard and on schedule. Other challenges included the loading impact of the trees and

planters as the installation was on the first floor; dealing with fireproofing of any artificial elements to meet stringent health and safety standards; along with delays regarding the trees being held at customs for a large amount of time. 1 Opening view of the restaurant 2 Bespoke light dances below ceiling of plants 3 Canopy of lush planting hovers above luxurious velvet banquette seating 4 Cocktail bar showing the silk and real plants 5 Cocktail bar entices with tapestry of colours 6 Bronzino copper pots house the indoor trees

London Garden Designer was established in 2003, by landscape designer, Sara Jane Rothwell. Sara Jane draws on her unique background designing for film and television to create innovative gardens of flair and imagination. Her sound horticultural training and meticulous approach to detail inform a diverse portfolio of award-winning gardens. Her work is not limited to one style and ranges from contemporary roof terraces, small London gardens to more traditional country gardens and also commercial spaces.

www.londongardendesigner.com

REFERENCES

Contractor and installation Belderbos Landscapes www.belderbos.co.uk Plants The Palm Centre www.palmcentre.co.uk Hanging ceiling installation Filmscapes www.filmscapes.co.uk Planters Bronzino www.bronzino.co.uk Planters Atelire Vierkant www.ateliervierkant.com

THE LIVING CEILING TAKES SHAPE

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NEARING COMPLETION

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C U RV E D

CREATION THE GAUDI GARDEN G EO R G I A L I N DSAY G A R D E N D ES I G N T H I S V I B R A N T A N D P L AY F U L G A R D E N B R I N G S S O M E M E D I T E R R A N E A N I N S P I R AT I O N T O A S O U T H L O N D O N T E R R A C E

he owners of this late Victorian terrace in South London had a strong connection to France and Spain and yearned for a garden inspired by the Mediterranean. The west-facing plot consisted of a standard mid-terraced narrow garden. It benefited from a wonderful selection of trees framing the rear horizon and had a mature multi-stemmed Cordyline australis behind the existing terrace. It was agreed this tree would be the perfect backdrop to the new terrace, so the footprint was extended back. Client brief It was clear from their unique sense of style, love of colours and quirky aesthetic that the clients weren’t afraid of unusual design choices, and Georgia Lindsay Garden Design sensed it could bring some playful elements into the space. The clients expressed their love for Spanish cinema and admiration of Almódovar with the use of kitsch and vibrant colour. They also discussed their

36 Pro Landscaper / July 2020

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PROJECT D E TA I L S Project value £30k Build time 8 weeks Size of project 35m2

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3 4 1 2 3 4 5

Night view of the garden Planting and cushions Curve detail and lighting A day view of the seating area Light detail and bare bench

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Portfolio 2 The Gaudi Garden GL Design.indd 37

connection to Barcelona. Georgia Lindsay Garden Design took this on board and suggested combining Antoni GaudÍ’s modernist architecture and with the pallet of Almódovar. Design and build Georgia Lindsay Garden Design focused on maximising the light in order to create the impression of a Mediterranean sun-drenched terrace with dramatic shadows. The curved raised beds blend into the rendered seat with a bullnose edge, just as GaudÍ’s curved seat at Parc Guell wraps around the front terrace overlooking the rooftops of Barcelona. It was vital the seat became a sculptural piece. Even without cushions, it needed to be a beautiful object. The glistening pale curves give a sense of tranquillity and calm, set against the lush planting comprised of vibrant Crocosmia ‘Mistral’, Astelia chathamica, Pelargonium ‘Abba’, feathery Stipa arundinacea and Heuchera ‘Chocolate Ruffles’ all planted under an Olea europaea. Chamaerops humilis forms an architectural stop at the end of the curved raised bed. An oval shaped recess was integrated into the raised bed for a light illuminating the central step, and a silicone rubber mould has been used to cast the negative shape, which was inserted and rendered by landscaping team Love Outdoors Group Ltd, who built the garden. Sweeping steps continue the flowing lines leading to the upper terrace of the garden, linking with the curved gravel path to the central vegetable growing zone and beyond to the wooded hammock and the shaded kids’ play area. Deciding upon the colour of the rendered walls was critical. Many paint samples were eliminated, finally settling upon a nutmeg colour which toned in with the warmer qualities of the paving, yet reflected enough light giving the illusion of sun bleached white.

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xxx xxx xxxx xxx xxx

INSPIRE 6 Night plan view of the garden 7 Walls and lighting

BEFORE

6 Sitting majestically within the tiered raised beds is a mature Ficus carica. The lush seasonal foliage ensures privacy from neighbouring houses and with its close proximity to the seating area, the large leaves give off a heady aromatic scent, reminiscent of warm Mediterranean nights. Planted under the fig is Diascia ‘Divara Pink’ and Spiraea japonica ‘Goldflame’. Lonicera ‘Mandarin’ adorns the fence in the dappled shade of the fig. The north-facing aspect is made up of two rendered feature walls to bounce the light further

7 into the space. These are linked with painted hardwood batons to accentuate the contrast in tones between light and shade. The planting on the north side consists of Solanum laxum ‘Album’ cascading over the fence. The raised beds on this side contain Polypodium vulgare, Asplenium, Cyrtomium fortunei and two feature pots with Phormium tenax. Running along the north-facing paving is a design detail of inlaid smooth pebbles flush with the sawn sandstone slabs paying homage to GaudÍ’s mosaics. To avoid having a parasol with an unsightly base that would take up valuable space, Georgia Lindsay Garden Design integrated the sheath of the pole for the cantilevered parasol into the corner of the raised bed, leaving room around the seating area to manoeuvre freely. When the parasol isn’t in use, the sheath is disguised with the large robust leaves of Bergenia ‘Rotblum’. Materials Material selection was important in replicating the strong contrasts between light and shade. GaudÍ’s rooftop at Casa Milà, popularly known as La Pedrera or ‘The stone quarry’, does this

38 Pro Landscaper / July 2020

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brilliantly and is a striking example of modernist design. It was built from two types of limestone from the Garraf and Ulldecona regions. The subtle reflections in the stone, in combination with tiny refracted mosaics glisten in the sunlight. Sourcing the right stone was key. Georgia settled on a fine grained sandstone from the Gwalior region of India. Although both limestone and sandstone are sedimentary in their form, the composition of sandstone comprises of quartz, mica and lithic fragments such as shells. This gave the reflective elements just the right quality, echoing the surfaces of Casa Milà. Challenges The existing terrace was built too high and overlapped the damp proof course of the house. Once the concrete block paving was removed, the garden level needed excavating down to ensure there was 150mm clear of the Damp Proof Course. To avoid having a sudden step down from the kitchen, a deep 500mm bullnose step was worked into the design to create a transition from the kitchen. The step was constructed with a hollow space beneath to allow air to circulate around the house. There was no side access to the garden to allow soil diggers in easily, so the landscaper managed to negotiate using the neighbour’s garden, who benefitted from a side passage and brought the machinery and material through rather than having to go through the house. This was the only possible route for the early stages. The necessary excavation enhanced the design and helped to define the level change between the lower and upper terrace enabling the steps to be a key feature of the garden.

A B O U T G E O R G I A L I N D S AY GARDEN DESIGN Georgia Lindsay Garden Design is a London based, forward thinking design studio, researching innovative materials to push the boundaries of garden design. With Georgia’s theatre design background, drama and ingenuity are woven through each design, in combination with the use of subtle lighting and bold features. Each design is sensitively tailor-made to complement the requirements of the client. Thoughtful planting design is key to enhancing each garden and encouraging biodiversity.

www.georgialindsaygardendesign.com

REFERENCES Designer Georgia Lindsay Garden Design www.georgialindsaygardendesign.com Builders Love Outdoors Group Ltd www.loveoutdoors.co.uk Sawn sandstone and bullnose steps London Stone www.londonstone.co.uk Pebble inlay Long Rake Spar Co. Ltd www.longrakespar.co.uk Plants Provender Nurseries www.provendernurseries.co.uk Cushion fabric Manuel Canovas www.manuelcanovas.com

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LO N D O N

LANDMARK ONE BLACKFRIARS

E L I T E L A N DSCA P ES LT D A M U LT I F U N C T I O N A L S PA C E T H AT F O R M S A C A L M O A S I S A W AY F R O M T H E N E I G H B O U R I N G R O A D S WHILE RESPONDING TO THE USE OF SURROUNDING R E TA I L , H O T E L A N D R E S I D E N T I A L B U I L D I N G S

ne Blackfriars is a project notable for its complex design and high-quality finish. Located on the South Bank, Elite Landscapes Limited aimed to create an iconic landmark to add to Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection. The One Blackfriars development is comprised of three buildings; a residential block, a 161-room fivestar hotel and the Marriott Autograph Collection, and is dominated by a magnificently designed 170m-high tower block. Elite Landscapes Ltd was contracted by St George Developments PLC to undertake the hard and soft landscaping of this prestigious development. Design and build A central courtyard makes up the focal point, decorated with artwork by Idris Kahn installed with assistance from Elite Landscapes. The artwork is surrounded by six granite clad planters, with a water feature backing on to each one. The water features are made up of several tiers that cause the water to cascade. No one piece of granite is the same, so Elite Landscapes had a tricky job installing them with no spares to go round. Each feature has several small LED lights which glisten in the water at night against the black granite setting. Leading to the courtyard and around the

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development there are in-ground lighting strips that light the floors; the development looks exceptional when lit up in the evening. Another prominent feature is the large canopies that sit at the entrance of the tower itself. The three canopies each span 13m and sit at varying levels. These provide a unique detail that can be seen when crossing Blackfriars Bridge. One of these was fixed to the structural podium, but two were off slab. The foundations were 5,000mm x 3,000mm x 1,500mm. These foundations were so deep and large they impacted the public footpath. Therefore, Elite Landscapes was required to install large trench sheets and trench boxes to be able to install these pads. Once the foundations were installed, Elite Landscapes had to hire a crane on three separate occasions to install the canopy tops. The canopy sails were 13,000mm x 6,000m and made from fibreglass. To install these, Elite Landscapes had to swing the crane close to the building to get the slew radius, as close as 300mm away from the glazing. Due to the building position and size of the sails, along with the wind issues caused by being adjacent to the River Thames, three tag lines were necessary whilst lifting in order to secure them. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Close-up of courtyard planting Courtyard water feature Courtyard overview Upper roof terrace garden Landscaped piazza overlooking the impressive One Blackfriars Tower Granite detailing to planter copings Walkway into the courtyard Granite water feature detailing Roadside canopies and landscaping

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PROJECT D E TA I L S Project value ÂŁ3,202,242.71 Build time 18 months Size of project 2,800m2 Awards BALI National Landscape Awards 2019

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Challenges The development footprint was extremely tight, which led to a lessening of available space as the build progressed. Therefore, soon after starting the project there was no more room for a telehandler. To overcome this for deliveries, Elite Landscapes transferred materials off-site onto a rigid flatbed lorry – these had to be equipped with HIABS so the lorry could offload themselves. Due to how busy this area of London can be – adjacent to Blackfriars Bridge – all deliveries had to be booked 48 hours in advance, to a timed one-hour slot, or they would be turned away from the job. It was therefore challenging for Elite Landscapes to get suppliers on board. Located up two floors, the Yoga Garden was also a challenging build for Elite Landscapes. The only way the Yoga Garden was reachable was by a spider crane. Therefore, all the materials were lifted onto this level using this method, over three visits to site.

A B O U T E L I T E L A N D S CA P E S Established in 1999, Elite Landscapes Ltd is a hard and soft landscape contractor with a turnover of over £30m. The business is commercial landscape construction and maintenance in South East England, with project values between £100k and £5m. It was co-founded by Dave Twist who is the managing director. Dave is very hands on and is heavily involved in management of all live contracts.

www.elitelandscapes.co.uk

REFERENCES

DURING

Build/design Elite Landscapes www.elitelandscapes.co.uk Granite paving CED Natural Stone www.cedstone.co.uk

DURING

Black granite and silver grey stonework BBS Granite Concepts www.bbsnaturalstone.com External lighting Orlight Ltd www.orlight.com

INSTALLING CANOPIES

42 Pro Landscaper / July 2020

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Water feature Fountains and Features Ltd www.fountainsandfeatures.co.uk

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The other way to create large planting beds Raised steel planter walling

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LANDSCAPE A R C H I T EC T ’S

JOURNAL T L A N D S M I T H A S S O C I AT E S

AFTER

BEFORE

WHATEVER IS BENEFICIAL TO HEALTH IS USUALLY BENEFICIAL TO NATURE

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Landscape Architects Journal-2.indd 45

SARAH SET UP LANDSMITH ASSOCIATES WITH THE AIM OF HAVING HEALTH, STRATEGY WORK AND POLICY WORK AT ITS HEART. WE FIND OUT HOW SHE HAS EXCELLED AT THIS OVER THE YEARS, AS WELL AS WHY SHE THINKS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS SHOULD STEP OUT OF THEIR BUBBLE

he reality surrounding the statistics of men in managerial positions is well known (according to the Hampton-Alexander Review which came out in November 2019, in the FTSE 350, only 25 women are in chair roles, with fewer chief executives) and the landscape architecture profession isn’t immune. Indeed, according to the Landscape Institute (LI): “Those practices on the Companies House register have a combined total of 1,194 officers; of these, 270 (just 23%) are women.” It became clear to Sarah when she reached a point in her career at a large multi-disciplinary company, that her progression wasn’t the same as her male colleagues. It was this, as well as inspiration from her mother’s own garden design company, that pushed her to start her own practice “There were a few things I really wanted to focus on when I started Landsmith Associates,” says Sarah. “Those were health and wellbeing in cities and towns from strategy and policy, and also delivery and management of natural and built environments.” Since striking out on her own, Sarah has made huge strides towards this goal. As chair of the LI South West, she aimed to encourage landscape architects out of their bubble in order to make more of a change. Collaborating with LI and The Architecture Centre, LI South West took part in Green Horizons, which promoted participatory design, community engagement and diversity in the landscape architecture and placemaking sectors. Part of this was an innovative workshop and livebuild project for young people from diverse backgrounds. “We’re mostly a white profession, and that’s an issue,” Sarah tells us. “That imbalance and inequality is a major issue when it comes to designing for public realms and public spaces.” As a recent Fellow of the Landscape Institute, she hopes to help continue to promote the underrepresentation in ethnic minority groups. The LI states in its corporate strategy that it aims to: “Grow and be more inclusive as an organisation, promoting diversity and inclusion in the profession [to hopefully] improve diversity outcomes among new members.” Collaboration It’s true to say, inclusivity and collaboration run deep at Landsmith Associates. Though it remains solely Sarah working at the company, she works with six consultants regularly, who each have their own specialism. “We need to change the way we do the design process,” Sarah explains. “It needs to be much more collaborative and branch out of the built environment bubble.”

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One such project was a Green Infrastructure strategy for Totnes Town Council as a technical guide for its emerging Neighbourhood Development Plan, working with Jenni Reid from Burton Reid Associates and Finlay McNab from Streets Reimagined. “We learnt that the perception of green spaces was different to what we might assume,” Sarah says. Children saw places such as Dartmoor as a green space, but not what was on their doorstep. And contrary to what you might assume of a town in Devon, there was limited pedestrian access to these green spaces, making the community feel isolated. Allowing residents to freely access green spaces was an important improvement to make, as was increased biodiversity along the river and flood alleviation measures. This collaboration doesn’t end with the projects Sarah is working on. After the Green Horizon event, Sarah realised that community design is not an inherent part of every design process; rather, it’s viewed as an add on. She felt this needed to be reviewed. This belief is backed up by the TCPA Raynsford Review, which identified one of the major issues of planning, design and management was the lack of participatory design. Indeed, the mistakes around lack of involvement from the community were seen at the World Trade Center, when there was backlash over the 9/11 memorial.

IMBALANCE AND INEQUALITY IS A MAJOR ISSUE WHEN IT COMES TO DESIGNING FOR PUBLIC REALMS Sarah believed it was time for change, and Association of Collaborative Design UK was born. She says: “Our mission is to mainstream collaborative design across the built environment sector to democratise design, improve neighbourhoods and inspire long-term stewardship.” Acting as a membership network organisation, it will offer training and eventually go on to do research and development. Technology For Sarah, part of making her projects more collaborative is making them more accessible. Sarah is moving away from PDFs towards a web-based platform, which she is developing with various university estates teams and consultants. This way, she is able to update designs and give people a better understanding

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Landscape Architects Journal-2.indd 46

of a project: “I’m a big supporter of open data platforms. If you want people to be included, you need to make it as accessible as possible.” Values Seeing these values in a client is what attracts Sarah to a project. For her, it’s important that her values align with theirs. Because of this, Landsmith Associates works on a large variety of projects in differing roles. A perfect example of this is the We Can Make project. Though she did the design work, in this particular project Sarah was more of an advisor and champion. Originally created as the Homes for Heroes’ project almost 100 years ago, Knowle West has very high levels of deprivation today. There is a lack of trees, and residents struggle to get planning permission. We Can Make has created test space to explore citizen-led approaches to creating more affordable homes, greener communities, and enhance biodiversity. Maintenance had huge influence over the design, as many residents didn’t have access to tools and equipment. They wanted to limit grass cutting, and native hedgerows won’t border the public realm so they can grow wilder. The community will also have the chance to put their own touch on the area, with the project using material to create a blank canvas for residents to personalise it with the Knowle West Media Centre and other artists. Health When it comes to health benefits, Sarah says: “Whatever is beneficial to health is usually beneficial to nature.” She is currently involved in the citizen’s project HUSH City, which is examining noise pollution. Lately, the results have been interesting. Lockdown has meant less noise pollution and a rise in birdsong – which has proven to boost mental health.

Landsmith Associates’ project Avalon Marshes – owned and managed by Natural England and part of Shapwick National Nature Reserve – was one which saw both nature and end users benefit. It consisted of a redesign for the entrance, informal play area, reform dipping pond, education building, the café’s covered seating area, as well as softening of the car park. This not only better reflected the identity of the nature reserve, but alleviated flooding and made the area more biodiverse – with help from Flavia Goldsworthy and her expert planting knowledge. Future Green infrastructure work will feature heavily in Sarah’s plans moving forward, and although she is making strides to encourage community-led schemes, she also wants to do all she can to make sure the projects go ahead cohesively. Part of this will involve working with a variety of consultants, ensuring that she is presenting environmentally friendly, socially beneficial projects, as well as making sure there is clear advice on how it can be funded too – so it will be a win, win, win. 1-2 Avalon Marshes, Shapwick Nature Reserve, Somerset: before and after photographs 3 We Can Make ©We Can Make by Agile Property/Eleanor Lasota 4 Totnes Green Infrastructure Strategy: Site appraisal

C O N TA C T Landsmith Associates Tel 0117 318 1640 Email sarah@landsmithassociates.co.uk

www.landsmithassociates.co.uk

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18/06/2020 12:07

Arches • Pergolas • Obelisks • Fruit Cages • Raised Beds Bespoke Planters • Fencing • Garden Furniture

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09/06/2020 14:26 17/06/2020 21:51

INSPIRE

NO PLACE L I K E HOME

PAVILION

ANJI CONNELL TALKS US THROUGH SOME OF OUTDOOR FURNITURE SPECIALIST KETTAL’S RANGE OF EXTERIOR DECORATION AND DESIGN PRODUCTS

T BLOCK AND LINE RUGS

Cooking outdoors Its sleek new outdoor kitchen has a beautiful simplicity to its metal structure that is made from aluminium in a choice of 30 gorgeous colours. Doors come in a choice of Ceppo di Gré stone, white marble, teak, and aluminium, while the worktops are available in teak wood or in one of three colours of Ceppo di Gré stone. All slide over completely as protection from the weather. Available as either a wall unit or an island. Both models work independently as they have an integral water heater, storage for kitchen utensils, and a choice of a ceramic hob, barbecue, fridge, and a wine cabinet. The water and electric fittings attach to the bottom of the island unit and to the back on the wall unit. A matching trolley and a sideboard unit double up as support tables and an additional work surface.

KITCHEN AND TROLLEY

KITCHEN

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he recent lockdown has caused a surge in the number of people looking to upgrade their garden, as they finally have the time to enjoy and work on the space. With summer well and truly upon us, and the usual holidays a no-go, Kettal’s timeless pieces offer the perfect backdrop to a heavenly back-garden summer.

Mood lighting The new LED Dots Collection of outdoor lights mimics sleek interior lighting and lends a contemporary feel to the outdoors. They look fantastic as part of a furniture grouping, as well as when used to denote walkways and level changes. Manufactured in aluminium, they are

MOLO COLLECTION

available as a floor lamp with a circular base that can be fixed or freestanding, and as a lamp with a planter base. The light highlights the plant and its surroundings. Its heights can be adjusted, and the light head is directional. Both come in 30 aluminium colour options. The Half Domelight is reminiscent of the iconic and classic indoor Arco floor standing light by Flos and really conveys a ‘living room feel’ to the outdoors. It comes in two versions and 34 aluminium colours. FILA

The Fila lamp collection can be used as both a floor lamp and a table lamp. A simple aluminium frame has a fitted fabric lampshade over it that completely transforms when lit by casting ethereal shadows on the walls and surrounds. Doshi Levien’s fabric ‘Parallels’ covers the frame, and the lamps are available in three sizes and seven colours. Combining different sizes and colours in groups looks very sculptural. Cleverly, they are also available for use with batteries, so they can be moved around as and where you need them.

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METEO

ZIGZAG

Comfort The Molo Collection by Rodolfo Dordoni is an intentionally oversized modular sofa system manufactured in aluminium, teak, concrete and Terrain Fabrics,. It is easily adapted to suit any space. The collection comprises sofas, a deck chair, and a centre table. The Doshi Levien designed rugs explore the interplay of different geometries artistically, while aesthetically they transform and unite the furniture pieces into groups that replicate indoor living. Both the Block and Line rugs are two by three metres, and three by four metres.

METEO

Shelter All of the above stand alone but work superbly with the new Kettal VDL Pavilion, which is a collaboration between Kettal and Dion Neutra. Although the materials for the VDL Pavilion have been updated, they have also meticulously reproduced the original and iconic details of the modernist architect Richard Neutra and

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Anji Connell-3.indd 49

his son Dion Neutra’s VDL11 research house and home. Kettal Pavilions add structure with functionally, providing shelter through cooling shade and protection from the rain and wind. The pavilions can be fully open or closed in inclement weather and when not in use. The sides come in a choice of louvers or electric mini louvers, while all come with a ceramic floor and a ceiling skylight, and the integral electrical system is controlled via an app. Kettal Meteo is a sleek and stylish modern telescopic parasol. A basic model uses a manual pulley system, and a high-end model uses an integrated gas piston. The base plates come in sheet metal or iron casing and Kettal’s own range of sunshade material. It also comes with a planter.

Add to this a Kettal Zig Zag multi-functional ceramic coffee topped table that easily turns into a fire or a barbecue. Finish it all off with planter and stools, that are available in small, medium, and large, et voilà, you are all set for a super stay home, stay safe summer.

ABOUT ANJI CONNELL Internationally recognised interior architect and landscape designer, Anji Connell, is a detail-obsessed Inchbald graduate, and has been collaborating with artisans and craftsmen to create bespoke and unique interiors for a discerning clientele since 1986. Anji is a stylist, feature writer and lover of all things art and design.

www.anjiconnellinteriordesign.com

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LATEST PRODUCTS

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CARIBBEAN BLINDS Prestige Outdoor Living Pod™ is the pinnacle of Caribbean Blinds’ range and one of the most soughtafter terrace coverings on the market thanks to its ingenious design. Not only do the roof louvers rotate to allow you to play with light and shade, but they slide open for maximum sunlight and open air. When the louvers are closed, the roof is completely water, wind and even snow tight. It’s constructed from strong, corrosion-resistant, powder-coated aluminium for durability and low maintenance. It features clean streamline lines with concealed fixings and integrated motors. Options include windproof screens to the sides, ambient LED perimeter lighting, and instant infra-red heaters.

SCOTTS OF THRAPSTON Offering great craftsmanship and quintessentially English designs, the Scotts’ summerhouse range has something to suit everyone. It can offer a cosy seat on which to take a break from gardening, a comfortable place to enjoy a good book or a glamorous setting for dining outside. Add some fairy lights, and it is a perfect spot for a quiet evening drink. Many people also use Scotts’ summerhouses as hobby rooms for arts and crafts. With a stylish choice of colours, shapes and sizes, Scotts’ summerhouses enhance any setting providing a beautiful focal point. WWW.SCOTTSOFTHRAPSTON.CO.UK

GREEN RETREATS Green Retreats garden rooms cater for a variety of uses, with one of the most popular being a home gym. Whether your client is implementing a new-found healthier lifestyle, or is a gym fanatic fed up of commuting to and from the gym, Green Retreats has a product to suit their needs. The popularity of home gyms has been steadily growing over the years, in part due to overcrowded public gyms and inflated membership prices. And there has been even more interest since lockdown. Buildings are fully insulated and built for year-round use. Products can be used during winter months and the pouring rain. Green Retreats offers a variety of sizes and styles, so they can choose a building that suits them and their garden space.

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CRANE GARDEN BUILDINGS

GARDEN HOUSE DESIGN

An octagonal summerhouse creates a cosy and social seating arrangement. The Classic Summerhouse is a simple unlined, summer-use building that is available in 2.4 x 3m. This is an ideal size for couples to enjoy each other’s company through beautiful summer days. The Classic also comes with the option of having the inside painted the same colour as the outside. The Wiveton is a more tailored choice, consisting of five sizes in the range. The lining and insulation in the walls and ceiling also help to create a building that can be used through more than just the summer months.

The Maluwi has a sleek design where quality and aesthetics are central. This structure can be designed to be a lean-to or as a freestanding canopy and can be used in designs as a carport, covered terrace area, pool house, outdoor gym, and so much more. It is an aluminium modular system that offers 15 standard sizes with four lengths and widths. This can then be personalised with different corresponding panels and wooden walls. A secure and water-tight garden room can also be added to the side of the canopy accessed by a sliding glass door. This can be used for storage, extra seating, gym equipment, or even a small home office.

WWW.CRANEGARDENBUILDINGS.CO.UK

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N U RT U R E

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NURTURE

N U R S E RY

FO C U S I

G R O U P M A N AG I N G D I R E C TO R G R A H A M RICHARDSON REVEALS H OW J O H N S O N S OF WHIXLEY IS PULLING THROUGH T H E PA N D E M I C

f the pandemic has proven anything, it’s the resilience of certain companies. And it’s fair to say that, although Johnsons of Whixley has been impacted by COVID-19, the business has continued to remain strong since lockdown began. It has managed to operate at an increasing per cent of budgeted sales month on month since March; this was underpinned by a phenomenal trading period last year. Fortunately, all three of its supply channels – commercial growing, garden centre sales and wholesale trade – have continued to operate throughout the crisis, albeit with social distancing measures in place. “You had a decision to make on 24 March, after Boris Johnson had given his lockdown message the night before,” says group managing director, NEW NURSERY BED WHICH WILL HOLD AN ADDITIONAL - L PLANTS PER YEAR

LOADING GARDEN CENTRE PLANTS

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Graham Richardson. “You could either say there are no opportunities to continue trade and you can’t trade safely, or that you can trade your way out of this and observe all the appropriate measures. The latter is what we did.” The company hasn’t taken these measures lightly, either. A remarkably comprehensive plan has been put in place to enable staff at Johnsons to work safely. A COVID-19 group was put together, meeting outside every week to discuss elements that might be an issue as a result of the virus. This includes sanitation, social distancing and staggering break times. An update is also provided on workload and the financial stability of the business.

PEOPLE MAY START LOOKING AT OUR INDUSTRY AS SOMETHING THAT HAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT TO OFFER A COVID-19 policy was created as well as a check sheet so that employees can work in line with this policy, and Johnsons’ external health and safety advisor continues to audit the business each week to ensure obligations are being fulfilled. Staff, where possible, are currently working from home on new laptops purchased promptly by Johnsons, and no external visitors are allowed onsite. It would seem ‘sanitation’ is the new buzzword at the company, too. “So far, we’ve spent around £3K on sanitising equipment,” says Graham. “All of the vehicles have a COVID-19 pack in them, which includes masks and hand sanitiser. We’ve been scouring the land trying to get this sort of material, which has become scarce and at a premium. “April followed the lockdown, and sheer hard work and determination yielded 45% of budget – which is 45% better than zero in Johnsons eyes! The garden centres reopened in mid-May,

RAINBOW OF PLANTS

and after a frantic fortnight, May sales totalled 95% of target. June so far has tracked May, and as landscaping, construction and Scotland now gradually return, we are hopeful of maintaining sales into the autumn. It is possible that the market will contract by possibly around 10% in a recessionary environment.” Graham says the team has also been buoyed by the industry’s response to the pandemic. “We’ve seen a revived HTA, in terms of taking up the mantle and lobbying hard on behalf of the industry. BALI has also been extremely active and vocal, and we’ve seen a number of notable figures working hard to raise the profile of the industry. Our press, such as Pro Landscaper, has been magnificent in terms of support. “Maybe there is opportunity for our industry to come together and promote an external lifestyle as a new wellness vocation. People may start looking at our industry as something that has a tremendous amount to offer.” But he adds that everyone needs to play their part: “We’ve had difficulties with some not responding to requests for outstanding sums of money for previous trade. Without maintaining this chain of payment, the whole chain collapses. We’ve had to keep paying our suppliers, but we are not a bank in isolation. We’re reliant on communication, working together and trying, where possible, to fill our obligations.” By ensuring it’s doing its bit to keep the industry afloat, and going above and beyond to keep staff safe, Johnsons is proving itself an exemplar in the current crisis.

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NURTURE

NOEL KINGSBURY EXPLAINS WHY VIRTUAL CHELSEA SHOULD BE THE START OF A WIDER TRANSFORMATION OF THE SHOW

ack in 2012, I wrote a blog post suggesting that the centenary of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show would have been a good occasion for either moving it, drastically changing it, or perhaps even scrapping it. In short, I – and many others – have felt that it no longer effectively celebrates British horticulture or garden design. This year, it seems as if my wish has been granted. The ‘Virtual Chelsea’ was developed by the Royal Horticultural Society with admirable speed and flexibility, the virus crisis having knocked it off the pedestal of its usual complacency about the show. The virus crisis has forced, or enabled, many of us to re-think our business models. With a colleague, I have an educational workshop business – we moved much of its content online. For one of our events we had a ‘full and frank’ about Chelsea and a critical look at what kind of shows could replace it, with a number of people from the garden world, including a member of the RHS General Council. The Chelsea showground no longer attracts many nurseries and is simply too small for the effective display of show gardens. The only reason the RHS keeps it on, it would seem, is as a cash cow. What other models are there?

NOW, PERHAPS, IS AN IDEAL OPPORTUNITY TO RE-THINK HOW WE CELEBRATE GARDENS AND LANDSCAPE One we discussed was trialled at Westonbirt Arboretum for a number of years back around the turn of the century, with show gardens on display all summer long. These are, of course, far more realistic for the general public, though they need regular maintenance. But in a way, that is all part of the story, and perhaps should be part of the interpretation offered for each garden. Why did this model not work? A variety of reasons, but one could well be that the gardens concerned were closer to installation art rather than garden

54 Pro Landscaper / July 2020

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CHANGING

C HELSE A design, a field seen by many onlookers as so much pretentious nonsense. What about the German model, of summerlong events on a huge scale? These were tried in Britain back in the 80s, but the political will to really make a success of them was lacking. A German contributor on our online forum, however, pointed out that they were hugely expensive, and were arguably losing public interest and support. A more modest version of them might be appropriate for Britain, though, as part of their remit is to leave a legacy public space – as indeed happened here with the 2012 Olympic Park being reborn as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Such projects are on a landscape scale, and so can be a great opportunity for the industry to show off what they can do, and all for the public benefit, while smaller-scale plantings offer an opportunity for the nursery industry to plant out their wares and the whole project. Running all summer can offer a space for shorter-term events like conventional flower shows and exhibitions. Short-term shows like Chelsea originated in the need for nurseries to exhibit and sell products, and even with the best will in the

world, their carbon and other environmental footprints will be huge. Events which last longer and even better leave a legacy, trade such a footprint against longevity or permanence. As landscape scale events, they need political support, which makes them a whole different ballgame to the normal show. Their social impact for all society, though, can be enormous, and given the RHS’ elite-level clout, the necessary support for a new model of garden show could surely be found. Now, perhaps, is an ideal opportunity to re-think how we celebrate gardens and landscape. Pictured: The Olympic Park of 2012 showcased some of the most innovative British landscape and planting design, and left a legacy. So much better than a five-day wonder show.

ABOUT NOEL KINGSBURY Noel Kingsbury is a freelance designer, writer and researcher who has long promoted naturalistic planting design. He also teaches at Boston Architectural College.

www.noelkingsbury.com

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NURTURE

TRAVEL FREE SHOWS L

VIRTUAL EVENTS ARE A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE INDUSTRY, PARTICULARLY IN ENGAGING A NEW AUDIENCE, SAYS LEWIS NORMAND

ast month I wrote about how the horticultural industry, where possible, is embracing technology to either thrive through lockdown or grow out of lockdown in a changed world. This idea of forced change driving ingenuity has been on my mind throughout the month, and as I write this, we are a couple of days into the first ever Virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show. I’m not going to pretend that I have seen a huge amount of what has been going on around this, as I am pleased to say that I have returned to work and we have lots on, but I have watched some of the Zoom conferences organised by the RHS. These tours, discussions, Q&As and other remotely viewed horticultural events, as well as the work undertaken by individuals to share examples of their previous work on show gardens and discuss their projects, has been excellent and a really valuable resource. Indeed, our own Jim Wilkinson has been hosting the Pro Landscaper Online Summits over the last month, producing meaningful and interesting discussions that enable a great many more people to experience these than would ordinarily be possible. While we may prefer to meet in person and the atmosphere of a crowded room might benefit the tone of an argument, I am now firmly of the opinion that a great deal of live digital

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content could be added to our calendar each year as a standard. If and when a vaccine is found for COVID-19, I hope that we don’t forget the value of this resource going forward. The idea of international horticulture meetings discussing themes and ideas, digital shows and exhibitions, guided tours and interviews being available to anyone anywhere with an internet connection, is such a fantastic development that I hope grows and progresses.

A GREAT DEAL OF LIVE DIGITAL CONTENT COULD BE ADDED TO OUR CALENDAR EACH YEAR AS A STANDARD I believe this could be monetised in some cases and that there are advantages to smaller businesses and charities to be seen through this. Larger companies and organisations can promote themselves inexpensively through good content and can even offer unique content to subscribers. Most importantly, though, this is a great unifier and equaliser. We can all have access to those people, companies and gardens that want to be visible and communicate with the outside world. We can all engage with them, discuss ideas, ask questions, meet their teams and see their work. We can do this from our desks at home or on our phones at work. We can even do it while sitting on our sofa in our pants. Now that is how we grow as an industry; engage with our cohort and connect with a much wider audience for capital, social and intellectual gains.

The idea of ‘travel free shows’ will appeal to some potential users on the grounds of the reduced environmental impact, others for the savings in personal expense and time off work during busy periods. Some will appreciate their ability to drop in and out of the bits they like and want to be a part of. I am sure a completely new audience who wouldn’t or can’t attend all manner of shows would engage with them. Importantly, I can see children and even schools interacting with elements of this and would hope that some content was produced with this in the forefront of their minds. These children represent the ‘next generation’ of garden owners and professional horticulturists; we are always trying to encourage them with varying degrees of success. If we capture their attention, their hearts and minds when young, it is so much easier to keep them involved in later life. There are a great many opportunities to add to our show season. Some would be for the professional, some the amateur market – many would overlap both groups. All could add to the collective experience and engage with a far bigger audience than a physical show could ever accommodate. Afterall, all the world’s a stage!

ABOUT LEWIS NORMAND Lewis has worked in a wide variety of roles within horticulture over a 20-year career. He has lectured on garden design and horticulture, and designed gardens in the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Since 2011, Lewis has focused on nursery sales, now working as sales manager at Bernhard’s Nurseries, and has helped to launch a number of new plants into the UK plant market. He is a specialist supplier to show gardens, supplying more than 100 gardens at major shows.

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NURTURE

GOING WILD

Will there be a demand for quality green space post lockdown? Will there be funds unspent in lockdown? Well, those being paid weren’t spending on travel, holidays, new cars etc., so will those funds have been blown fully on Amazon and alcohol? Those with gardens will have enjoyed them and hopefully learnt to value them more and want more. The nation’s sanity has been aided by access to our open spaces, with some folk driving many miles to beauty spots. However, the urban

NICK COSLETT PONDERS WHETHER COVID-19 WILL ALTER OR RESET OUR PERCEPTIONS OF THE NATURAL WORLD

population without a garden has had to rely on public open spaces. These have been crowded, at times, and social distance not maintained. Has our perception and value of our green space changed? Does the urban population appreciate and value its parks more? And will this lead to better investment in the future? The staff at Domino Park in New York encouraged social distancing by drawing circles on the lawn. Almost immediately, folk used these as intended and avoided spatial conflicts. Other innovative ideas have sprung up, with Ikea designing children’s play houses and forts for use in lockdown. So, can our UK green spaces teams match these ideas? Or has austerity driven away all innovation? Dr Helen Hoyle carried out some research on how people respond to green spaces and naturalistic and traditional parks. Females were more appreciative of higher levels of naturalness, while males tended to prefer spaces where there was more design and control – i.e. neat and tidy. People were also very responsive to an abundance of flower colour (natural/native or not) in green spaces (remember the Olympics) and appreciated

PUBLIC AT THE 2012 OLYMPIC PARK ENJOYING COLOURFUL PLANTINGS

the benefits to biodiversity. But, invertebrates appreciated a wider diversity of species. Research also found a preference amongst the public for species rich meadow-style planting over traditional herbaceous borders and formal bedding, with the effect being stronger for women. It also showed that women found planting more mentally restorative to walk through than men, regardless of planting style. Helen proposed there was great opportunity in green spaces to move to a less manicured approach. So, reducing mowing and planting up more moderately natural plantings with colourful flowers which supports pollinators and other invertebrates, would result in a win-win for both people and wildlife.

ABOUT NICK COSLETT Nick initially trained as a landscape architect, then parks manager, and for the last 20 years, he has worked with Coblands and Palmstead nurseries, running the Soft Landscape Workshops. He’s also been involved with BALI as national and regional chairs. Now, he is a BALI National Landscape Awards judge and Chalk Fund trustee.

©Marcella Winograd

THE URBAN POPULATION WITHOUT A GARDEN HAS HAD TO RELY ON PUBLIC OPEN SPACES

©Nick Coslett

s I write, we’ve had two full months of ‘lockdown’ and the pent up energies are getting eased out. It’s good to see landscapers working again and nurseries supplying the garden centres instead of their compost heaps. Though many nurseries and growers will have suffered loss of market and sales, hopefully they can keep selling through the summer and make up for the lost weeks. Although the roads are busier and sites have reopened, the need to maintain social distancing remains in place and we need to keep any second wave at bay. Social distancing will need to be a fact of life for many months now, perhaps until a vaccine is found and administered. This will impact greatly on work practices, travel and any large gatherings. Digital socialising may have become the norm but it’s still better face to face.

SOCIAL DISTANCING CIRCLES AT DOMINO PARK, NEW YORK

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NURTURE

THE IRST SUSTAINA LE GA ES RE OGNISING THE VALUE O LONGTERM, SPECIES RICH LANDSCAPES

DELIVERING THE

NEW NORMAL

JAMES HEWETSON-BROWN SAYS A NEW APPRECIATION FOR OUTDOOR SPACES PRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE LANDSCAPING INDUSTRY AND FOR IMPROVING BIODIVERSITY

n 1970, Joni Mitchell prophetically sang: “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone”. Never has this statement held more truth. COVID-19 has infiltrated our communities and impacted on virtually every aspect of our lives. With the country still under lockdown, having access to green space has become an increasingly important part of our days and the UK population has sought out the natural landscape as a means of adding calm and creating some solace at what has been a challenging time for everyone.

IMPROVE AWARENESS WIT H N OT I ES GE T THE ESSAGE A ROSS

The impact of outdoor space on health and wellbeing has long been documented. When public green spaces were officially designated in the 19th century, never would our forebears have imagined how crucial these areas would become in helping to buffer the effects of a pandemic in 2020. If nothing else, the current situation teaches us that it is possible to make huge changes to the way we impact on, and interact with, the world we inhabit. Restrictions on travel, work and industry have meant emissions have decreased dramatically. The cost has been high, but COVID-19 has highlighted what can be achieved to benefit the environment and understand its true value.

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What can we, in the landscaping industry, do to ensure this awareness is capitalised on and taken forward? As landscaping professionals, we have a huge opportunity to contribute to the future. Never before has our ability to influence and educate been so important. It is within our grasp to shape how future landscapes evolve.

COVID-19 HAS HIGHLIGHTED WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED TO BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT Biodiversity and the need to rigorously address climate change will become the pillars of future landscaping design. Policy is changing to accommodate this as we are seeing with the Biodiversity Net Gain initiative. But as an industry, we cannot be disappointed if we do not present these benefits and highlight the value we add to projects in an accurate and robust way. COVID-19 has highlighted that our industry is not the least important sector of a project, but rather the most important. The recent series of Pro Landscaper Online Summits has reiterated this. To press home this message, perhaps we need training to convey the benefits of the landscape on health, biodiversity and climate. EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION ©THE SURREY WILDLIFE TRUST

Is there enough scientific research on, for example, carbon capture and biodiversity improvement? As an industry, are we communicating and explaining these critical benefits and values to customers? To conclude with an example, we have recently replaced an old barn. Two years ago, we planted a small wildflower meadow near the barn and as part of the recent works undertaken, scaffolding was stored on top of the wildflowers with no thought given to them. Would a perfectly manicured lawn, offering much less in the way of

AVOID DA AGING NATURE EDU ATE AND PRO OTE TO RE OGNISE A VALUABLE SPACE WHEN YOU HAVE IT!

biodiversity, have been treated with the same level of disregard? A mind-shift is needed as the world slowly reawakens to a new normal. It is my firm belief that this mind-shift is achievable. To quote Einstein: “We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

ABOUT JAMES HEWETSON-BROWN James Hewetson-Brown is founder and managing director of Wildflower Turf Ltd. The concept of Wildflower Turf was developed in 2003 and the company now produces innovative turf products that have considerable benefits to specifiers, installers, estate managers and landowners. www.wildflowerturf.co.uk

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BRITISH SUGAR TOPSOIL “British Sugar TOPSOIL’s general purpose topsoil, Landscape20, is BS3882:2015-compliant and, as with all TOPSOIL products, rigorously tested and analysed by an independent laboratory on a regular basis to ensure it is safe and consistent. Designed for general landscaping projects, including seeding and turfing, Landscape20 has a low stone content and an absence of physical and chemical contaminants and pernicious weeds. “Acting on feedback from customers, British Sugar TOPSOIL designed HortLoam, a planting topsoil with enhanced organic matter and nutrients, ideal for flower, shrub and vegetable beds, and for tree planting. Recently launched SubSoil completes the range for all landscape applications.” www.bstopsoil.co.uk

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BOURNE AMENITY

W E P U T T WO Q U E ST I O N S F R O M E X P E R T S O I L S C I E N T I ST T I M O’ H A R E TO S O M E O F T H E LEADING SOIL SUPPLIERS IN T H E U K . W E A S K E D : I S YO U R S O I L S U I TA B L E FO R E V E R Y L A N D S C A P E A P P L I C AT I O N ? A N D A R E YO U R S O I L S T E ST E D A N D F U L LY C E R T I F I E D O N A R EG U L A R B A S I S ? H E R E ARE THEIR RESPONSES

MCM “Plant health starts with soil Soils Aggregates Waste health. That’s why MCM supplies topsoil, subsoil and specialist blends for plant suitability, conditions and ultimate landscaping goals. “To offer the right blend, for the right plants, in the right place, we discuss soil specification before supply and provide regularly updated testing to British Standards, verified and certified by an independent soil scientist. From natural to low pH, low fertility and ericaceous options to lightweight roof substrates, rootzone and free-draining soils for SuDS, we source and supply the right blend. And the results? Customer confidence, consistent high quality and adherence to specifications project after project.” www.mcm-se.com

“Our soils are tailored for the specific environment, projected usage and longevity. Whilst we have a range of ‘standard’ soils, today’s landscaping requirements are often very specific and need a high degree of attention to detail. We work with clients to create customised blends, taking into account specific site requirements to ensure that the materials are high performance. “We have around 15 different soil blends that are routinely tested three to four times per year, alongside the rigorous testing programmes that most of them are subjected to as part of highly specified projects. It is no longer possible to pass off six-month old data sheets for a project, and the budget we set aside for testing has more than doubled in the past five years.” www.bourneamenity.co.uk

BURY HILL “There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to soils, with differing planting and landscaping applications increasingly requiring a specialist soil to cover the myriad of industry needs. For example, you would not use a rich organic blended planting soil for turfing or seeding, and nor would you use a natural ericaceous soil for wildflower seeding. “Bury Hill Landscape Supplies produces more than 30 different soils to meet the increasing needs of the landscape and horticultural industries. All our soils are fully tested to the British Standard and beyond, with many of our premium soils guaranteed to be totally contaminate free.” www.buryhilltopsoilandlogs.co.uk

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ver the last few months I’ve been on a personal development rollercoaster; I’ve worked more hours than ‘normal’, bonded with people I’ve never physically met and loved every minute – well, apart from the first week freak out, when I thought that everything I’d spent the last 15 years building was about to fall down. I like to think I’m pretty forward thinking, but as it turns out, I’m not as radical as I’d like to think. When external influences recently forced me to be more inventive – with 50% less staff and no office comforts – reinvigoration and reflection (mainly at weekends) during lockdown has really motivated me to shake things up. It’s mainly because I’ve been forced to think differently or do tasks that are no longer part of my job. For me, it’s been like the TV series ‘Back to the Floor’. For the first time in years, I’ve been performing jobs I (inefficiently) delegated (or abdicated) such as dealing with initial enquiries and data entry. I was astounded to realise how many different places we have to capture something as simple as a client’s email address – six different pieces of software in total! After doing the job for about two days, I soon realised that we have major inefficiencies and things had to change, fast.

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As the rest of the team adapted in their expanded roles (now we’re not travelling, where did all that time come from?), I focused on some of the transformational tasks which came from the transactional ones I’d ceased to perform. A great mentor and friend of mine once told me that, as a leader, if what you’re doing right now is not transformational, you shouldn’t be

I SOON REALISED THAT WE HAVE MAJOR INEFFICIENCIES AND THINGS HAD TO CHANGE

fall into the trap of using rewards and punishment as a motivation to ‘trap’ people, whereas a transformational leader will use their genuine enthusiasm for the vision to get people on board. Finally, you’ll be extremely proactive – and I’m guessing as the business owner you probably are by nature, so that one pretty much comes naturally. Whether it’s becoming a transformational leader or continuously performing transformational tasks, the most important thing is being conscious of when you’re slipping back into a transactional task. If you’re overwhelmed but intrigued, begin carrying out some small transformational tasks such as templating emails, automating some simple repetitive tasks and contracting out to specialists. You’ll be surprised how the ‘Compound Effect’ (great book, by the way) saves huge chunks of time. And now, how many times do I have to enter Mrs Smith’s email address? Never, because Mrs Smith kindly does it for me when she enquires.

A B O U T L E E B E S TA L L doing it. I’d also like to add that performing a transactional task, however basic, is no bad thing, as long as you do it only a couple of times and then transform it into a highly efficient task – or, better still, automate it. So, how do you become a transformational leader? The first thing is to have a vision; this has to be bigger than you or your company if it’s to get your staff and clients excited. Yes, you need goals, but we’ll leave those for the transactional leaders. Transactional leaders also

Lee Bestall has been designing and managing the construction of gardens in his signature style for more than 10 years – and his honest, genuine passion is infectious. He regularly writes gardening and outdoor-style articles for magazines, is brand ambassador for Spear & Jackson and a stand-in presenter for BBC Radio Sheffield’s Gardeners’ Question Hour. www.bestall.co.uk

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K ATARINA OLLIK AINEN E XPL AINS HOW VECTORWORKS L ANDMARK CAN HELP WITH CRE ATING A PL ANTING SCHEME

very design or build project is unique, but there are always some common denominators. These are the elements you ought to have precise workflows set up for, and Vectorworks Landmark’s design and BIM software has been developed specifically for the landscape industry to help with this. It focuses on the particular tools needed for creating outdoor spaces without compromising collaboration with architects and planners. A major benefit of Landmark is that you can manage all steps of the design process within the same environment. You don’t need to export the 2D plan to a separate programme to build a 3D model, and you don’t need to export the finished drawings for post-production to get a slick presentation. You design it once, with millimetre precision, and then you manipulate this model in different ways to illustrate the various aspects of the project.

LANDMARK IS SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST GEOMETRY But Landmark is so much more than just geometry. Have a look at the Plant Tool — one of the cornerstones in Landmark. A plant in Vectorworks consists of three parts: the 2D geometry, the 3D geometry and the data. You’re in full control of the 2D/3D look, and you can add all the information you deem necessary to the data part. Vectorworks will then use the data while doing the heavy lifting of collating plant schedules and maintenance guides. Now, for bulb or mass planting of large areas it would be rather tedious to place each plant individually. This is where the Landscape Area Tool takes over. Imagine the landscape area as a box where you place your selected mixture of DATA VISUALISATION WILL HELP IN BOTH DESIGN DECISIONS AND PRESENTATIONS TO CLIENTS. COURTESY OF VECTORWORKS, INC.

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A LANDMARK IN LANDSCAPE DESIGN

plants – close the lid, label it and then treat it as one single unit instead of hundreds of individual plants. Vectorworks can let you see all the plants in your schedules, so you don’t have to worry about them. And, if you’ve ever planted up a steep slope, then you know how easy it is to get bitten on the quantities. The difference between surface area and projected area can be substantial. However, if THE PLANT AND LANDSCAPE AREA TOOLS CAN GIVE YOU DETAILED you use the Landscape Area INFORMATION ON PLANT QUANTITIES WITHOUT THE NEED FOR PLACING Tool on a site model, it’ll EACH PLANT INDIVIDUALLY. COURTESY OF VECTORWORKS, INC. automatically consider the slope and adjust the plant quantities. clarify the design intent in advance will be well This connection between geometry and data worth the time and effort. According to the is invaluable. You can take this in any direction construction company Skanska, its average you want. Let’s say you’d like to keep an eye on cost savings on a BIM project are around 25%. the percentage of wildlife-friendly plants in This shows an important point; the ability to a scheme. First, add a marker to the ‘friendly’ predict issues for a build can be a ‘make it plants, either by putting them in a class of their or break it’ vertex for a project of any size. own or by adding it to the plant data. Then, Another significant point is how clear and when you visually want to show the percentage, informative drawings help you communicate use one of my favourite commands – Data with the client. When they can look at your model Visualisation. Here you can produce a picture and understand the design, they’ll feel more showing the wildlife-friendly plants in one included in the project and be better suited to colour and non-friendly plants in a different provide constructive feedback. You’ll also have colour. Again, you don’t have to draw anything an easier time explaining your decisions. extra; you only ask to see the embedded Remember, it’s all about communication. information in a specific way. Nothing on your original planting plan is touched or altered. But how is this going to benefit me? To be organised is imperative if you run a business – the more a project is tested ‘on paper,’ the easier time designers and contractors will have on-site. There are enough unforeseeable things that will pop up, and anything you can do to

ABOUT KATARINA OLLIKAINEN Katarina Ollikainen is the landscape industry specialist at Vectorworks UK and is involved in the continuous work on BIM implementation. Her main focus is on workflow, collaboration and information exchange, as well as working with the development team on making Vectorworks Landmark as user friendly as possible. Katarina’s most recent job was as senior designer for Ann-Marie Powell Studio where she had the opportunity to run some of the studio’s largest projects.

www.vectorworks.net

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ONE SIZE FITS ALL COMPATIBILITY AND SUITABLE INFRASTRUCTURE ARE PROBLEMS THAT NEW TECHNOLOGY MUST ADDRESS, SAYS ANGUS LINDSAY

ith the uptake in the use of electric power tools now starting to gather momentum and several of the main manufacturers updating their product lines to give smaller, more powerful and longer lasting batteries along with a more professional range of tools, all is looking good for a cleaner, quieter and safer option to 2-stroke. But, like the mobile phone industry, there is the problem of compatibility. Similar to the mobile phones we use, there is no standard approach to the way these units are charged, other than they all plug into the wall. The same is true of the batteries, which are currently not interchangeable. So, you either standardise with one manufacturer or accept that you may get problems down the

BATTERY BARROW, I SUPPOSE IT WILL HAVE ITS USES

line. Alternatively, if you want to use a range of equipment, then have different sites using equipment from individual manufacturers, but you may end up with a drawer full of different

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batteries and chargers, as is the case when we change our phones. Things are moving very quickly in this marketplace; where there was once scepticism over the cordless drill this has now become the must-have power tool for every builder, and I can see the same happening with grounds maintenance equipment. The humble battery pack now powers everything from angle grinders to coffee makers, and power barrows to pressure washers, though I do feel some of these items are a bit of a gimmick.

THERE IS NO STANDARD APPROACH TO THE WAY THESE UNITS ARE CHARGED I think it’s safe to say that battery power is here to stay as a viable alternative to fossil fuel, and its use will only increase as we all change our working practices in line with client demands and the need for us all to do our bit to reduce emissions and improve operator safety. So that’s all fine then, as long as the infrastructure is in place to cope with charging all these batteries as well as the electric vehicles and other equipment, and don’t forget the kettle. Suitable infrastructure will still be the Achilles’ heel when it comes to a quick uptake. On a more serious note, the uptake of electricity as a viable, alternative power source will require us to think and operate differently. For a start, depots will need to be laid out to accommodate vehicle and machine charging points, and as these will need to be fixed points, so there will need to be more in the way of orderly parking for your vehicle fleet, unless you want miles of extension cables running across the ground. You’ll need to consider backup batteries for your power tools as, unfortunately, electricity doesn’t come out of a can, though

HYBRID POWER, NOW THAT MAKES MORE SENSE

you may want to consider in-vehicle charging. Staggering the charging and utilisation of vehicles will be necessary so you don’t overload the electricity supply, and you don’t want to be in a position whereby you can’t operate because your batteries are all flat. Also, consider what you will do when you run out of juice in the field. Personally, I think there is an interim step for larger equipment and vehicles – a combination of hybrid and electric power so that, as you phase out diesel, it is replaced with petrol or diesel electric hybrid powertrains, with a view to eventually going fully electric as and when the infrastructure allows, and of course the equipment becomes available. However, I still think it will mean a change to working practices and a more ‘little and often’ approach for the maintenance of grounds, and a change in the design of landscapes to accommodate the move to a new generation of equipment; solar panels on vehicles? Charging points in parks?

A B O U T A N G U S L I N D S AY 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 working as a contract instructor for Massey Ferguson in Yemen. He has an Agricultural Engineering and Mechanisation Management MSc from Silsoe, and joined Glendale as machinery manager in 1994, then idverde UK in 2009.

angus.lindsay@idverde.co.uk

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18/06/2020 09:41

HS2: On the

©HS2 Ltd

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right track? S I N C E H S 2 WA S F I R ST A N N O U N C E D I T H A S FAC E D H E AV Y C R I T I C I S M FO R I TS S K Y R O C K E T I N G C O STS A N D L A R G E E N V I R O N M E N TA L I M PAC T. W E D E LV E I N TO T H E P R OJ EC T ’ S G R E E N C R E D E N T I A L S A N D I TS P OT E N T I A L B E N E F I TS TO T H E L A N D S C A P I N G S EC TO R A N D F U R T H E R A F I E L D

or the last 10 years, HS2 Ltd has been pushing for its controversial high speed railway to be built. The infrastructure would better connect London with the Midlands and the North, and would cost a somewhat reasonable £56bn. But amid soaring costs – which the Financial Times revealed could reach an eye-watering £106bn, according to a leaked report – the project has come under fire. And despite being hailed as one of the most environmentally friendly infrastructure projects in the UK, 66,000

HS2 WILL HELP CONNECT 30 MILLION PEOPLE ONCE IT’S UP AND RUNNING

©HS2 Ltd

people have signed a letter from The Wildlife Trusts which asks the Prime Minister Boris Johnson to reconsider the enormous impact the new railway could have on nature. In fact, a whole campaign group – Stop HS2 – was set up in 2011 to persuade the government to scrap

the project entirely. Some protestors from the group, as well as from Extinction Rebellion, even spent lockdown camping in one of the ancient woodlands threatened by HS2. Despite fierce opposition, HS2 was given the green light in February following the Oakervee review (see boxout), with plans to limit spending but no reference to its green credentials. So, how could HS2 benefit the UK now it’s back on track? Will there be a negative impact on the environment? And what is being done to negate the colossal infrastructure’s effect on its surroundings? Stretching 345 miles up the country, HS2 will help connect 30 million people once it’s up and running, according to HS2 Ltd. Commuters between Birmingham and London will spend 49 minutes less on the train when the first phase is completed – and it’s this phase which has been given the go ahead. The second phase of the project,

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connecting Birmingham to Crewe then onwards to the North, will still have to vie for approval; it would reduce journey times to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester, with future phases being considered to domestic locations to the south and east of London, the Channel Tunnel and continental Europe. Less time sitting on a train and better connectivity aren’t the only advantages. With three new stations being built to support Phase 1 of the new infrastructure, as well as a major expansion of London Euston, more than 170,000 jobs are expected to be created. The areas surrounding the stations will be developed, with London’s Old Oak Common station being part of a new neighbourhood (see boxout), a new urban quarter to be created around the Birmingham Interchange station in Solihull, and £724m being spent on regenerating 141ha around Birmingham Curzon Street. The figures are impressive and go some way to convincing the public that the multi-billionpound project – which current HS2 chair Allan Cook argues will cost more like £80bn – is a necessity rather than a luxury. Demolition and construction already began last year at the three station sites, and despite the brief delay the Oakervee review caused, it’s looking like HS2 will go the distance – albeit seven years behind schedule, predicts Cook (and that’s not even taking into account the delays coronavirus might have caused). This doesn’t mean campaigners aren’t still actively fighting for the project to be derailed. Once Boris Johnson revealed the decision to

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TIMELIME

carry on with the project, Extinction Rebellion’s co-founder Gail Bradbrook called it a “cop out by Boris and the government in dealing with our climate and ecological emergency”. She argued that whilst the campaign group supports investment in infrastructure, HS2 “is not green, it is not smart”. She adds that “public transport needs to be improved where it makes sense, in particular the north of England needs help with its transport infrastructure, and this has to be done in a way that is sustainable and supports our move to a biodiverse and carbon neutral future.” Buckinghamshire County Council was equally outraged by the announcement. Leader Martin Tett released a joint statement with Aylesbury Vale District Council’s leader Angela Macpherson saying it is “the wrong decision, not just for Buckinghamshire but the country”. Both Tett and Macpherson have opposed the scheme since the start, “not just on environmental grounds but mostly because the business case has never stacked up and still doesn’t”. The environmental impact could be huge, though, if a report by The Wildife Trusts is anything to go by. The assessment, published in mid-January, found that the high speed rail would significantly impact or even cause the loss of 108 ancient woodlands, 26 large landscape-scale initiatives, 33 sites of special scientific interest and a whopping 693 classified local wildlife sites. As a result, the organisation

concluded that “the proposed HS2 scheme will be devastating to the natural environment”, arguing that the government is failing to mitigate the infrastructure’s impact.

GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO REALISE THAT HS2 WILL COST FAR MORE THAN MONEY ADAM CORMACK, HEAD OF CAMPAIGNING AT THE WOODLAND TRUST

It followed this up with a letter to Downing Street highlighting the risks of HS2 on the environment and signed by more than 66,000 people. Adam Cormack, head of campaigning at the Woodland Trust, which supported the letter, said: “Government needs to realise that HS2 will cost far more than money, and that destroying our precious ancient woodlands is a grave mistake that will be looked back on in shock by future generations. “Our ancient woodlands and the unique species they support are on borrowed time. We need the Prime Minister to stop the clocks and listen to the views of thousands before it’s too late to save these sites from destruction. It’s time to rethink HS2.” The Woodland Trust was further incensed when a pest controller was seen flying hawks over Broadwells Wood in Warwickshire – a 3.2ha

JANUARY

MARCH

JANUARY

HS2 Ltd forms to consider the potential for connecting London, the West Midlands and the North

Published white paper identifies preferred route as between London and the West Midlands

Government announces HS2 will go ahead and will be built in two phases. Phase 1 route confirmed

2009

2010

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2012

NOVEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER

2013

2014

2015

HS2 funding bill is approved

Government announces two funding programmes to offset disruption of Phase 1 on local communities and businesses

Phase 2a route confirmed

ancient wood which HS2 has been permitted to fell as it falls along the Phase 1 route – in March. The hawks were being flown to deter birds from nesting, which the Woodland Trust says indicates that HS2 is felling the wood sooner than late autumn, when it would be dormant. This comes after the government announced last October it would be deferring work on five of the ancient woodlands until autumn/winter this year and would be carrying out measures to protect wildlife. “By employing tactics that skirt the law, HS2 yet again appears to be a cowboy operation and not an exemplar of best practice expected of a government-backed project,” said lead ecologist for the Woodland Trust, Luci Ryan. The government is insisting it is limiting the damage, though. Whilst the Oakervee review was taking place, Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps halted the removal of ancient woodlands unless they were proven to be necessary to avoid delays or keep costs down. It also argues that only 43 out of 52,000 ancient woodlands in England will be affected by the Phase 1 route and that the majority (80%) of the area of these 43 woodlands will remain untouched. More than 9km2 of new woodland will be planted too, creating a “green corridor” along the route, and 4km2 of wildlife habitat will add 30% more habitat than prior to the project. There will be a particular focus on reintroducing declining species, such as black poplar, which the Forestry Commission says is the most endangered native timber tree in Britain.

AUGUST

2016

Crowders Nurseries wins the contract to grow seven million trees for the first phase of HS2

NOVEMBER FEBRUARY

2016

2017

Phase 2b route confirmed. Enabling Works Contract awarded for Phase 1

Royal Assent granted for the High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Act 2017 by Parliament

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OAKERVEE REVIEW Amid soaring costs and calls for the project to be scrapped, HS2 faced yet another blow in August 2019 when it was brought to a halt to allow an independent review into whether it should proceed

To help build this green corridor, Lincolnshirebased Crowders Nurseries won the contract in 2016 to grow seven million trees over a 10-year period, the largest contract in the family-run nursery’s 218-year history. “The planting carried out so far has created 47 new habitat sites along the route,” says chief executive Robert Crowder. “These will help to offset some of the vegetation clearance required for the work and provide habitats to relocate wildlife away from the construction corridor.

Douglas Oakervee, a civil engineer who has chaired both HS2 and Crossrail, was appointed to lead the review, with Lord Berkeley as his deputy and a panel of experts providing their support. The team were to consider the infrastructure’s benefit and impacts, as well as its affordability and efficiency, its deliverability and scope, and its phasing. Six months later, though, the project was back on track. Following the review’s publication on 11 February, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that HS2 was being given the green light and work on Phase 1 would begin in April. He said: “I am drawing a clear line under the mismanagement of the past – HS2 must be delivered more efficiently and cost-effectively so that communities feel its benefits more quickly, particularly those in the North.”

THE PLANTING CARRIED OUT SO FAR HAS CREATED 47 NEW HABITAT SITES ALONG THE ROUTE

The Prime Minister also outlined certain measures to revive the public’s trust in the project and to keep the costs down. These included appointing a dedicated minister for HS2 – later revealed as Andrew Stephenson, Minister of State at the Department of Transport – to provide regular reports to parliament, improving the transparency of the project. HS2 Ltd’s was also to be redefined to give it “maximum focus to successfully delivering Phase 1 and 2a, and making new delivery arrangements for Euston station and the design and construction of Phase 2b, to ensure better value for money and on time delivery”. To read the full review, visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/ oakervee-review-of-hs2

ROBERT CROWDER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CROWDERS NURSERIES

“The main works civil contractor’s landscape approach will help to integrate the railway into the landscape, providing screening and softening the impact of new structures or framing views contributing to HS2’s green corridor. Planting has also been designed to deliver a zero-net loss to biodiversity. The project will provide many new habitats and create new links between existing habitats that will benefit wildlife in the long term.”

A zero-plastic tree planting policy has also been implemented. Andy Barnwell, director of Ezee Tree Limited which is providing sustainable tree guards, adds that community engagement opportunities will be created for those likely to be impacted “as HS2 demonstrates it is leading the way on innovative and sustainable initiatives that will have a positive impact on our environment and landscapes”. Most of the plants supplied so far have been 40-60cm tall, but Robert says that “larger trees

APRIL

MARCH

DECEMBER

2018

2019

HS2 launches hunt for station designers and Euston development partner

HS2 becomes the UK’s first infrastructure project to be awarded a BREEAM Infrastructure (pilot) Scheme Certificate for Phase 1

Sir Terry Morgan ousted as chairman of HS2 Ltd and Crossrail Ltd

Jim Crawford, managing director for the first phase of HS2, quits

2017

2018

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JUNE

have been supplied for specific uses such as the creation of new bat flight lines connecting existing habitats and woodlands together”. He adds that Crowders is growing 36 native species using seed sourced from three different provenance zones, including northern France, to increase climate resilience of the planting schemes. “Planting will follow on from earthworks, so we have a few years before planting work is at peak, when we expect to provide more than one million trees a year,” says

AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER

2019

Government announces there will be an independent review of the HS2 project

Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps orders halt to removals of ancient woodlands for HS2 during review

Government announces work on 11 ancient woodlands will be deferred

FEBRUARY

APRIL

MAY

2020

Oakervee review is published and HS2 is given the go ahead

Work on Phase 1 due to begin

HS2 Interchange station becomes first railway station globally to achieve BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ certification

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OUR GOAL WITH HS2 IS TO DESIGN AND BUILD THE MOST SUSTAINABLE HIGHSPEED RAILWAY OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD P E T ER M ILLER, E N V I RO NM E NT DIRECTOR, HS 2 LTD

Fund (BLEF) throughout the construction period as well as during the first year of Phase 1 services being operational. Richard Kay, chairman of Green-tech which will be supplying landscaping products to the multi-billion-pound project, says: “The landscape HS2 will pass through is diverse and includes urban, semi-urban, rural and historic areas. This will not be without its environmental impact and challenges but the opportunities for our industry as a whole – from architects and designers to suppliers and contractors – are immense. It’s an opportunity for tree and hedgerow planting, wildflower meadow creation as well as providing an opportunity to create

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high-quality green spaces, water course ways and focus on habitat creation and biodiversity.” Thanks to its “ambitious sustainability strategy” for Phase 1, HS2 was awarded a BREEAM Infrastructure (pilot) Scheme Certificate in March 2018, becoming the UK’s first infrastructure to do so. HS2 Ltd’s environment director Peter Miller said: “Our goal with HS2 is to design and build the most sustainable high-speed railway of its kind in the world, working in partnership with our supply chain and local communities to leave a positive legacy for future infrastructure projects both in the UK and beyond. This certificate is a testament to our sustainability commitments and to the lasting benefits of the HS2 project.” More recently, the Interchange Station in the West Midlands became the first railway station globally to achieve the BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ certification, a mark of the building’s ecofriendly credentials. So, what’s next for this divisive infrastructure? Services along the Phase 1 route are scheduled to be up and running by the end of 2026, and the government is under mounting pressure to deliver the second phase soon after. Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham City Council, said that whilst he welcomes the result of the Oakervee review, it is “disappointing that the second stage to link Birmingham with the North faces yet another review...The people of the Midlands and the North have been neglected for far too long and HS2 is a once in a generation opportunity to rebalance the UK economy.” Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, had a similar response. “The Prime Minister gave a firm timetable for HS2 from London to Birmingham, however there was no such commitment for the North. We want to see the construction of Northern Powerhouse Rail fast-tracked, in line with the commitment the Prime Minister made in Manchester shortly after entering office. We cannot be left waiting years for this investment and the resulting jobs.” It’s clear there is a demand for HS2, and a case for it being an essential investment by the government – to bridge the north-south divide, to provide employment opportunities, to increase connectivity and bring a boost to companies such as Crowders that will benefit from the long-term contracts. It also promises environmental gains, despite the impact it could have on existing areas. But there remains to be at least 66,000 signatories who are dissatisfied with the pledges made by HS2 Ltd, and it’ll be an ongoing journey for the company to fully convince the public of its green credentials.

OLD OAK COMMON Of course, a swish new railway needs a few swish stations to accompany it. Old Oak Common isn’t just a new station, though. It’s part of a wider neighbourhood being created in west London. It is one of the country’s largest redevelopment sites, with more than 25,000 homes planned and 65,000 jobs expected to be created. The site will include a public space set to be three times the size of Trafalgar Square.

The station itself will be one of the largest transport interchanges in the UK and the largest subsurface station. Architects WilkinsonEyre and consultants WSP have collaborated to design the new infrastructure, which will sit on two levels; below ground, six high speed platforms will be built, each 450m long. At ground level, eight conventional rail platforms will be created, including those for the elusive Elizabeth Line being built (somewhat slowly) by Crossrail Ltd. HS2 Ltd reckons 250,000 passengers will pass through the station each day and that it will boost the economy by a whopping £15bn over the next three decades. Groundwork began on the site – the former Great Western railway depot – last year as part of Phase 1 of the project, with services expected to start running in 2026.

Robert. “Early works for Phase 2a (Birmingham to Crewe) will require an additional 700,000 plants and we’re now in discussion with HS2 as to how we can provide these through our existing contract.” As a result of the substantial contract with HS2, Crowders has also been able to run an apprenticeship programme as of last year, in partnership with local college Riseholme which is providing off-site learning. “We are excited about the benefits for us and the industry at large by encouraging young people into horticulture. This kind of innovation and opportunity should help us recruit more candidates in the future.” On top of this, HS2 Ltd is hoping to reuse 90% of the 130 million tonnes of material that will be excavated during construction, and more than half of the route between London and Birmingham will be below surface level to limit its impact on views of the natural environment; the tunnel under the Chilterns, for instance, will stretch nearly 10 miles. The government also announced two funding programmes in 2014 to help counteract any disruption caused by the first phase of the project to local communities and businesses. A total of £40m is being split across the Community and Environment Fund (CEF) and the Business and Local Economy

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that clear specification of what is needed prior to them installing is worked through with the landscaper and designer to include foundations, electrics, and water management. The Camargue’s design provides sun protection and ventilation according to the needs of the environment and the client. The roof consists of extruded aluminium blades which can be rotated and opened by remote control. The blades provide protection against rain, sun and wind. When the roof is closed it becomes water resistant, with rainwater channelled around the roof and then dispersed down the legs. Thanks to an ingenious zip system, the Fixscreens designed in this project are

windproof in every position and insect-proof when closed. Screens come in 50 colours, allowing customisation to individual designs and the ability to create any atmosphere you choose. The Camargue is customisable to the millimetre on both span and pivot, allowing Garden House Design to work with landscapers and garden designers. This project was a joy to work on from start to finish and a great collaboration between client, landscaper, designer, and specialist. The clients are still in touch and regularly pop through photos or emails to say how much they are loving their canopy. For more information on this project and Renson’s complete range of louvered roof canopies and outdoor projects, simply contact its premium ambassador Garden House Design on 01903 774774 or email info@gardenhousedesign.co.uk

ABOUT RENSON Renson is dedicated to creating healthy spaces since its early beginnings in 1909. Renson is a trendsetter in ventilation, sun protection and terrace coverings, devising healthy and comfortable environments for indoors and outdoors.

www.renson-outdoor.com

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www.prolandscapermagazine.com

16/06/2020 17:40

EDUCATE

CUTTING

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AllEdge PREMIUM ALUMINIUM LAWN EDGING

WITH SO MANY EDGING OPTIONS AVAILABLE, WE TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF KINLEY’S EXCELEDGE EDGING PRODUCTS AND WHERE THEY ARE BEST USED

Kinley’s AllEdge aluminium edging range provides a high-end finish for garden lawns. Its sleek, smooth face and concealed fixings brings the ultimate in contemporary style and finish to a lawn or border edge. It features a round and square edged profile, allowing you to choose what finish you’d like. There are also three fixing stake lengths to choose from, 300mm (which is supplied as standard), 450mm or 600mm according to the depth of fixing required. AllEdge aluminium border edging has flush fitting joints to suit substrate conditions.

AluExcel Borderline SUITABLE FOR DEFINING SOFT LANDSCAPING SUCH AS GARDENS AND GRAVEL PATHS

Borderline garden edging provides very strong and almost invisible connections between sections. It is also much easier and faster than rival products to install, in rigid or curved boundary lines. This steel lawn edging is ideal for heavy traffic spaces.

Contour HEAVY-DUTY ROLL TOPPED STEEL ANGLED GARDEN EDGING

A perfect choice for demanding locations such as driveways and paths. The heavy duty, roll-topped steel angle edging is suitable for hard landscaping and available in a flexible or rigid format.

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ALUMINIUM ANGLE EDGING FOR HARD LANDSCAPING

AluExcel aluminium garden edging is produced from the highest grade, 100% recyclable aluminium alloy. So, not only is it the best quality product on the market, it is a strong, durable edging that fits in with ecological obligations – making it a definitive answer for hard surfaces. The quality material and tough design means it won’t warp when installed next to hot tarmac – saving time and avoiding the expensive mistakes of cheaper alternatives. An aluminium border edging can help landscapers complete landscape projects in just one day.

Verge HEAVY-DUTY STEEL GARDEN LAWN EDGING

This heavy-duty steel garden edging is often selected for prestigious projects with an emphasis on strength and durability. It is also available as bespoke planter walls. Suitable for driveways and garden paths, Verge is flexible, as well as strong and robust, making it perfect for any garden project.

Pro Landscaper / July 2020 73

16/06/2020 17:31

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18/06/2020 14:07

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18/06/2020 09:44

PEOPLE

K AT R I N A

GORING GREENSWARD "My favourite place to visit during lockdown has been just a short stroll from Goring beach. The Goring Greensward woodland, which is often cared for by local volunteers, has been my closest access to green space (other than my garden), and provides a peaceful and calm setting surrounded by various maple and oak trees, bluebells (in spring) and a vast range of melodious birds."

NINA

WALTHAMSTOW WETLANDS

OUT & ABOUT

LOCKDOWN GREEN SPACES RACHAEL

GOODWOOD “I’ve been lucky enough to be on lockdown in Goodwood, which will forever be one of my favourite places to be. It’s pretty easy to see why, and with thousands of acres of fields and forests right on my doorstep, I’ve been able to get out and not see another soul – bar herds of cows and flocks of sheep.”

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T H E P R O L A N D S C A P E R T E A M S H A R E S T H E I R FAVO U R I T E O P E N S PAC E S T H E Y ’ V E V I S I T E D D U R I N G LO C K D OW N

“I’d wanted to go here for a while, so as soon as the lockdown restrictions were lifted slightly, it was the perfect opportunity. It’s the most serene space – you can still view the skyscrapers and the cranes of London, but you’re surrounded by nature. My local at the moment, though, is the beautifully maintained Thames Barrier Park.”

KARA

HOME GARDEN “I’ve been spending a lot of time in the garden at home whenever I’ve had free time. It’s been nice to watch it all change from the wintery times in March to the summer months now, and I’m a particular fan of the roses, which are beginning to fully bloom.”

Pro Landscaper / July 2020 77

16/06/2020 19:47

PEOPLE

LIFE/STYLE

ADAM WHITE ON 4 JULY 2018, ADAM WHITE BECAME THE 43 RD PRESIDENT OF THE L ANDSCAPE INSTITUTE. ON 30 JUNE 2020, HE HANDED OVER THE PRESIDENCY TO JANE FINDL AY. HERE, HE SHARES SOME OF HIS CAREER HIGHLIGHTS AND GIVES AN INSIGHT INTO WHAT HIS FUTURE PL ANS ARE

WORK I’ve been lucky enough to work on some brilliant projects that stretch from the shores of Loch Lomond to the coast of Southampton. We are currently working on Northern Ireland’s largest nature play trail in Gosford Forest, which will be something special when it opens later this year. It will feature the tree house from our RHS Back to Nature Garden.

One project stands out – codesigning the four RHS Back to Nature Gardens with my business partner Andrée Davies and HRH The Duchess of Cambridge. The RHS Back to Nature Gardens reached a global audience of millions and highlighted the importance of time in nature for everyone, especially children. Colleagues Without shadow of a doubt the greatest decision in my career was accepting the challenge to move from Groundwork South East London to go and lead the design team at Groundwork West London, it was here that I met Andrée Davies. We instantly clicked and have both always shared the same belief that landscape architecture is

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and perseverance whilst making sure you allow time to recharge in nature with family and friends.

INSPIRATION about reconnecting people, place and nature. We often say that together we make the perfect landscape architect. Mentors My dad was a constant inspiration and always encouraged me to seize an opportunity. My A Level design tutor, Alan Evans taught me the difference in survey, analysis and design which has always stayed with me. It was in the 90s I first met the founder of Learning through Landscapes, Merrick Denton-Thompson OBE. He has gone on to become a great friend and I was honoured to follow him as President of the Landscape Institute (LI).

Best learning curve I’m not sure I would advise anyone to take on LI Presidency and agree to co-design four high profile RHS gardens in one year, whilst trying to stay involved in usual business activities and maintain a private life. What I have learnt is the importance of teamwork, honesty

As a child I was inspired by nature and plants, I still hold the same fascination. At 12 years old, I established a ‘friends of’ group in our village to help restore and regenerate the local pond. Thirty-five years on and I am still on a mission to reconnect families with nature. Being part of the RHS Green Plan IT project has been a real high in my career and I look forward to continued involvement. One of my priority missions as President was to inspire the next generation to choose a career in the landscape profession. Since I launched Choose Landscape in 2018, it has gone global and been embraced in over 25 countries. It is important that we continue to future-proof the skills needed by the profession to make sure we meet the needs of employers, clients and society. I am delighted the LI Landscape Apprenticeship will be launching later in the year; finally we will have a more inclusive and accessible route into the profession. I will continue to support the LI Diversity and Inclusion working group and use my voice and position to help inspire the change that is needed.

Collaboration One of my key priorities as President was to take a look at cross industry collaboration and raising awareness of plant health and biosecurity risks. Just under two years later, we launched the LI biosecurity toolkit for landscape professionals. Developed by the LI’s Biosecurity Working Group in partnership with the Society of Garden Designers (SGD), the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) and the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL), the toolkit aims to embed biosecurity best practice at every stage of a project. Supporting charities This year, I reached out on the LI’s behalf to strengthen our existing relationship with the Architects Benevolent Society (ABS) and form a new partnership with Perennial. As past President, I will ensure the LI forges stronger links with charities and encourages the membership to support their essential work.

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16/06/2020 20:11

PEOPLE

CAREER There have been some fantastic highlights throughout my career and many a result of new collaborations. These obviously include the collaboration between myself, Andrée and HRH the Duchess of Cambridge. However, nothing tops getting to know Sir David Attenborough and having him accept my invitation to the LI Awards in 2019. I still pinch myself when I get a letter from him, and

I’m delighted I got to present him with an LI Lifetime Achievement Award and make him an Honorary member of the LI. A very special highlight of the past two years was attending and

speaking at events to celebrate the LI’s 90th anniversary. For nine decades, the organisation has adapted to and supported its members through often seismic environmental, social and economic changes. I was honoured to be asked to give the opening speech on the first evening of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of Ian McHarg’s Design with Nature: A Celebration of Influence and Legacy. Ian McHarg’s seminal text ‘Design with Nature’ had a huge impact on the profession of landscape architecture, shifting its focus from an aesthetic basis towards a large-scale ecological approach.

One of my ambitions as President was to raise the profile of the UK landscape profession on a global scale. This involved being invited to be a key note speaker at the IFLA 2018 World Congress in several locations around the globe. The IFLA World Congress is the world’s biggest summit of landscape professionals and it has been a real honour representing the UK landscape profession and industry on such a huge stage. A major part of my presidency was making sure we equip members with the skills they need. This is more relevant than ever as we adapt to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2019, I was thrilled to announce the launch of LI Campus – the first dedicated online learning hub of its kind for the landscape sector.

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FUTURE

Climate change and COVID-19 are two very different challenges, but they have some key things in common. Both are global and both require countries to work together to find solutions. The global community has shown it can act to address a crisis. When we work together, we can overcome challenges. Both the climate crisis and COVID-19 require us to listen to experts, unite behind science and not play politics with people’s lives. Last month, I launched the LI Climate Crisis Action Plan and made the commitment that the LI will be net-zero by 2029. It’s vital that when the LI celebrates 100 years, we are certain our actions have worked to better safeguard life of all kinds – not just for now, but for the future too. Landscape professionals are uniquely positioned to tackle this crisis. We have the power to design, plan and manage resilient places and restore natural habitats – and be low carbon when we do so.

Being President has been a once in a lifetime experience, I definitely took my dad’s advice and seized every opportunity. He once said: “It’s not what you say, it’s not what you do, it’s how you make people feel.” I hope I have inspired those that I’ve worked with to keep collaborating, sharing best practice and inspiring the next generation. It’s a shame my last four months as President have been restricted to Zoom and WebEx. I was looking forward to speaking at several now cancelled events. In the meantime, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those that have supported me, and wish Jane Findlay the best of luck as the incoming President.

Pro Landscaper / July 2020 79

16/06/2020 20:12

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18/06/2020 14:02

PEOPLE

W H AT I ’ M READING Katie Flaxman DIRECTOR OF STUDIO 31

TITLE Wilding. The Return of Nature to a British Farm AUTHOR Isabella Tree

eading Wilding was driven more from a deep personal love of the wild than from a professional perspective, but how glad I am to have made space for it on both fronts. It is a book about the pioneering returning of nature to a British farm in Sussex. It is written by the compelling and articulate Isabella Tree who runs Knepp Castle Estate with her husband Charlie. She draws from the extensive knowledge of prominent professionals as well as a wealth of research in order to place Knepp firmly (but accessibly) in the domain of modern science. Wilding has been, for me, a life-changing read and is a book that will challenge everything you thought you knew about nature, farming and traditional conservation approaches.

In our work as a practice, my academic and health background compels us in our continual exploration of science which informs our design work, plant and material choices, but our designs also push beyond what’s been done before. We are nature focused with environmental and health ideals which are driven from research, but we also want to support our clients to look beyond what is conventional, traditional and what we already know. Wilding as a book resonated, because it too is steeped not just in the known, but the unknown.

A BOOK THAT WILL CHALLENGE EVERYTHING YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW ABOUT NATURE, FARMING AND TRADITIONAL CONSERVATION APPROACHES Isabella draws attention to the shifting baselines in nature conservation, food production and farming. She looks back further, deeper, and finds surprising parallels between nature, history and Knepp. I know from experience that although science is about discovery, science is also often led from a position of hypothesis. What is the question? What do I hope to achieve at the end? Knepp makes our scientist hearts anxious because it is not led by hypothesis, rather by nature. It is an

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unfolding, an opening of hand to see what might fly in and the ‘results’ have been nothing short of remarkable. Wilding compels us to learn with a child-like approach of not knowing. No hypothesis, just an open heart and a curious mind. Though many might consider ‘design’ and ‘wilding’ mutually exclusive, this book had me thinking at every page of the implications of the work being done at Knepp for professions like landscape architecture. We are in a rare position of responsibility working alongside custodians of the land and have the power to inform the choices they are making in relation to it. Most people don’t have thousands of acres to ‘wild’, but many do have small (or large) spaces which could form part of a much larger picture. On some of our projects for example, part of the landscape strategy has been to revive more ‘wild’ plant cultures. Clearing back existing (and likely introduced) foliage to allow the seed bank to flourish – showing indicative species that would be more suited and historically relevant to the site. Wilding has truly been a life-changing read, and raises brave and bold questions about how we manage our land, produce our food, preserve our soils and protect our planet for future generations. It flies the flag for the role of nature in health of both planet and person. The answers Wilding offers to some of the most important questions of our time, ask more of our leaders than perhaps they have ever had to give. Wilding is asking for courage. It’s asking for change makers (from individuals to professional organisations to world leaders) to dig deep and step headlong into the unknown, which perhaps in today’s world is the only place left to go.

Pro Landscaper / July 2020 81

16/06/2020 17:44

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18/06/2020 16:16

PEOPLE

ARE YOU SAFE FROM

SUN EXPOSURE? AFTER FINISHING A YEAR OF IMMUNOTHERAPY FOR MELANOMA, SHANE MCCORMICK OF TALASEY GROUP SHARES HIS STORY OF FIGHTING SKIN CANCER AND WHY THOSE WORKING OUTDOORS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE DAMAGE CAUSED BY EXPOSURE TO UV RAYS

S FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM SKIN CANCER, THAT YELLOW THING IN THE SKY IS EVIL, AND IT’S LIFE CHANGING

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unday 7 June was National Cancer Survivors Day. It celebrated those who had overcome cancer and are now a source of inspiration to others. It took Shane McCormick a while to realise that he is one of those to be recognised on this day, and every year going forward. The regional sales director (south) for Talasey Group has fought cancer – twice – and in March this year, his immunotherapy for melanoma fortunately came to an end. For 12 months prior, Shane had been receiving treatment. Once a month, he’d have a blood test before receiving Nivolumab, a drug used to help the immune system kill off cancerous cells. The side effects, Shane says, can be severe, scoping everything from rashes to organ failure. “When I was having treatment, I felt ill within two or three days,” says Shane. “The anxiety of knowing I was going to be ill the next month and the month after that really wore me out, I was so fatigued.” After a year, though, Shane was declared cancer-free and his treatment came to an end; he will now have to attend a check-up every six months. However, the celebrations were somewhat short lived. His immunotherapy put him in the group of those at risk from coronavirus and he was told by the NHS to self-isolate for 12 weeks. “I didn’t go any further than the front of my driveway, not even to the shops,” says Shane. “We’ve been able to go out the last couple of

weeks, after we spoke to the hospital, and we’ve been making the most of it.” Shane’s not the only one making the most of the rising temperatures and lessening of lockdown restrictions. As temperatures soared to 28°C towards the end of May, thousands flocked to beaches across the UK, as well as nearby parks and green spaces, soaking up the summer sun. And with the construction industry being encouraged by the government to restart, landscapers, gardeners and maintenance SHANE RECEIVING TREATMENT

Pro Landscaper / July 2020 83

18/06/2020 16:03

PEOPLE

ENSURE YOU AND YOUR EMPLOYEES ARE USING SUN CREAM AND TOPPING UP THE COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY operatives throughout the country are able to get back to work and back outside. But how many are ensuring they’re protected from sun damage? Or are even aware of the dangers of spending hours under the sun without sun lotion? According to the Melanoma Fund,

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somebody is diagnosed with melanoma every eight minutes. This type of skin cancer is usually caused by damage from UV light from the sun, and you don’t need to be sunburned to be a victim. For Shane, taking care when outside has become a way of life. He admits a cupboard in his house is usually stocked with around 15 bottles of Factor 50 sun cream. “It’s pretty much hat on and Factor 50 from April to October,” he says. “For those who suffer from skin cancer, that yellow thing in the sky is evil, and it’s life changing.” Shane is now using his experience to warn others who work outdoors to take measures to protect themselves, and is now a trustee of Band of Builders, a charity which helps tradespeople who are going through a tough period. “You can’t turn back time, so be prepared. You should have sun cream in your van, there shouldn’t be any excuse to not do this. Men can be a bit worried about asking someone to help them put sun cream on their backs, but my melanoma was on my back, on a part I couldn’t have reached myself with sun lotion. And I got caught. I’m one of the unlucky ones, I suppose, and I can’t change what’s happened, but I can tell my story and make people aware of the dangers.” The Melanoma Fund’s annual ‘Watch Your Back’ campaign tackles the stigma Shane talks about. Supported by the likes of ambassadors Adam Frost and Mark Lane, the campaign encourages gardeners to protect their

WITH CLIMATE CHANGE SET TO MAKE OUR SUMMERS EVEN HOTTER, RAISING AWARENESS OF SUN PROTECTION HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT skin to avoid overexposure to UV rays, including areas they themselves cannot reach. More men die from melanoma, despite it being more prevalent amongst women, as men are less likely to check themselves for signs of the disease. The most common part of the body for men to develop the disease is on the back, and if detected and treated early, it is almost entirely curable. This year, the Melanoma Fund is focusing its campaign on aesthetics. CEO Michelle Baker says: “With climate change set to make our summers even hotter, raising awareness of sun protection has never been more important. We are focusing on sun damage this year, as ‘aesthetics’ can be more of a trigger to some than ‘health’. A tan may look fine for a short while, but it has its price, and your skin eventually pays.” Don’t let anything get in the way of you protecting yourself, and others, from UV rays. Ensure you and your employees are using sun cream and topping up the coverage throughout the day, and wear a hat when possible. For more information on how to make your workplace ‘sun safe’ visit the Skcin website (www.skcin.org).

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/06/2020 16:13

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PEOPLE

INTERVIEW

ANDY’S MAN CLUB SINCE ITS FIRST MEETING, ANDY’S MAN CLUB HAS CRE ATED A VIRAL ‘IT’S OK AY TO TALK’ CAMPAIGN. IT'S GROWN TO 28 CLUBS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IS SET TO CONTINUE TO GROW. AIMED PREDOMINANTLY AT MEN, THE CLUB IS A PL ACE TO GET THINGS OFF YOUR CHEST, WITH NO PRESSURE OR JUDGEMENT. MEN AGED 45-49 STILL HAVE THE HIGHEST R ATE OF SUICIDES, AND ALTHOUGH IT’S PROMISING TO SEE HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE ARE OPENING UP ABOUT THIS SUBJECT, THE NEED FOR SPE AKING AND LISTENING CLUBS LIKE ANDY’S MAN CLUB HAS NEVER BEEN MORE APPARENT. WE SPE AK TO THE CLUB ABOUT WHY IT BEGAN, WHAT VISITORS TO THE CLUB CAN E XPECT AND WHAT IT IS DOING TO HELP MEMBERS DURING THE CURRENT COVID-19 PANDEMIC – A TIME WHICH COULD BE INCREDIBLY DAMAGING TO OUR MENTAL HE ALTH.

#ANDYSMANCLUB SUICIDE IS THE BIGGEST KILLER OF MEN UNDER 45 1 MAN EVERY 2 HOURS

ALL OUR GROUPS MEET MONDAY 7PM TO FIND YOUR NEAREST GROUP VISIT OUR WEBSITE

WWW.ANDYSMANCLUB.CO.UK

JOIN THE CONVERSATION info@andysmanclub.co.uk andysmanclub WWW.ANDYSMANCLUB.CO.UK andysmanclubuk

@andysmanclubuk

We are a peer to peer support group for men. Come have a brew and a chat!

#ITSOKAYTOTALK www.prolandscapermagazine.com

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How and why was Andy’s Man Club set up? Andy’s Man Club was set up because founders Elaine Roberts and Luke Ambler lost a family member (son and brother-in-law, respectively) to suicide. As far as they knew everything was good in his life; he was planning a holiday and buying a house in the near future. But, sadly, he went out one night and didn’t come back. The devastation it caused through the family was too much and, as a town, this was happening more frequently. So, Elaine and Luke decided they would try to set up a small group for men to come to talk and open up. They got a room at a small venue, and the first week nine men turned up. This was followed by 15 men the second week, and has now escalated to 28 clubs in less than four years. Our overall aim is to halve the number of suicides in men under 45. I know that’s a massive task, but it’s something to strive for. Even if we only manage a quarter, we will have done something amazing. What could someone coming along to a club for the first time expect to experience? For someone attending for the first time, it can be quite daunting, so we have men in our tops outside each venue half an hour before the club starts to greet newcomers. Once inside the venue, men can grab themselves a cuppa and a snack and join a group. If there are more than 15 in a group, we split into smaller groups so it’s not too overbearing and the groups run smoothly. The men are under no pressure to talk, everything is done at their own pace. We have five questions weekly. The first three are always the same, then we try and mix it up a little with the last two questions – but we always try to end on a positive. We start with: “How’s your week been?” Then it follows on from there with: “What’s a positive from your week?” Then we have: “Anything to get off your chest?” These questions are asked as a ball is passed around and the men then choose either to answer or decline once the ball is in their possession. We have found this so effective that we have never changed how we work.

Why is Andy’s Man Club different from counselling groups or sessions? We are a peer to peer group; no one in our organisation is qualified professionally, we simply listen and talk. The men that facilitate the groups are volunteers that have walked through the door for the first time themselves at some point, and so know mostly how the men feel that attend, meaning they are totally non-judgemental.

OUR OVERALL AIM IS TO HALVE THE NUMBER OF SUICIDES IN MEN UNDER 45 How is the club helping people through the current coronavirus crisis? We’ve been really active online, with videos from members telling their story and content to help remind our followers, not just to be kind to each other, but also to themselves. We are also running the existing clubs online for any man that has attended previously, and are running a new members online club for any man over 18. All anyone needs to do in order to get access to this is email us.

CONTACT ANDY'S MAN CLUB Email info@andysmanclub.co.uk Twitter @andysmanclubuk Facebook andysmanclub Instagram andysmanclubuk

Pro Landscaper / July 2020 87

18/06/2020 14:38

JOBS

For full details on all jobs, please go to www.horticulturecareers.co.uk Call 01903 777 570 or email ben.cumberland@eljays44.com with your vacancy

ARBORICULTURE CONTRACTS MANAGER

PROJECT OPERATIONS MANAGER

Hi-Line is offering an exciting opportunity and a chance for a highly motivated team player to advance their career within a successful and growing Arboricultural Association approved company. It is seeking an experienced contracts manager to deliver arboriculture services in and around London. The role entails managing and delivering various sized arboricultural contracts on time and to the clients’ satisfaction. It also involves leading and supporting the arboriculture team in the safe and effective delivery of arboriculture services. A minimum of a Level 2-3 qualification in arboriculture or equivalent is required, as is a full, clean UK driving licence.

Based in Bristol, CPS Grounds Ltd is a well-established and expanding grounds maintenance company working primarily within the education and sports field sector. It has an exciting opportunity for an experienced projects/operations manager to take a senior role in developing, delivering and managing its landscape and outdoor projects department and getting involved in the daily operations of the business. The successful candidate will also be responsible for managing the team to deliver a high level of service to both new and existing clients. Applicants should be self-motivated to ensure projects are delivered in a timely and efficient manner.

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

COMMERCIAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE

LANDSCAPE ESTIMATOR

A client of Fresh Horticultural Careers is a leading UK amenity nursery looking for a commercial sales representative to join its team. The company has ambitious plans for the future, led by a successful and enthusiastic team of skilled horticulturists and experienced negotiators. It is looking for a sales person with drive and energy, and with empathy for the landscaping environment. The role is office based, with customer and site visits. The successful applicant will be responsible for returning customer quotes and tender enquiries, managing customer contracts, and recording and reporting on trends. They will need to achieve targets set by the commercial team.

Elite Landscapes is an award-winning, hard and soft landscaping contractor working in the south of England with exciting growth expected over the next few years. It has an opportunity for someone to join its estimating team at its head office in Burnham. The successful candidate will be assisting the senior estimator in preparing and submitting soft and hard landscaping tenders and will have a professional and proactive approach. They will be an effective communicator and be willing to learn new skills in tender preparation. This role suits a candidate with experience in a similar role with the ability to take ownership of their day to day responsibilities.

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

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS MANAGER

PROJECT MANAGER

The core business of this soft and hard landscape contractor centres around commercial landscape construction and maintenance, with project values from £100K to £5m. It is now looking for a construction contracts manager. Responsibilities include producing contract programmes through Microsoft Project, monitoring, amending and updating project operations accordingly and advising of any potential delays to the client team. It also involves preparing tender documentation, championing and ensuring compliance with site-specified policies, and leading supervisors in presenting and mentoring on the delivery of toolbox talks.

Outdoor Creations is offering a great opportunity to be involved with a growing business in the landscape industry. The successful candidate will enjoy the interaction that comes with being a key member of a small team and the responsibility of undertaking the management of the delivery of the landscape projects. The company is seeking candidates who have a good understanding of the practical, technical, financial and qualitative requirements within the industry, and have the ability to use this knowledge in order to manage the delivery of its projects. Good communication skills are important as is the ability to meet tight deadlines.

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

GARDEN MAINTENANCE MANAGER

HEAD GARDENER

Garden Club London is a multi-award-winning garden design and build company based in Vauxhall. It is looking to recruit a garden maintenance manager to oversee its small maintenance team, which exclusively looks after the gardens the company has built and planted. This is a hands-on role, initially dividing time between working in gardens to ensure high quality finishes, meeting clients and working in the office. It is a great opportunity for a motivated and articulate individual to join its team with excellent opportunities for growth and career development. Excellent knowledge of plant establishment and maintenance, including pruning and pest control, is required.

A client of Fresh Horticultural Careers is recruiting a full-time gardener to maintain the recently landscaped grounds at a new housing development in north London. Prior experience in garden maintenance is required, with a good understanding of horticultural best practice and previous experience with garden maintenance machinery. This is currently for a solo gardener, though this will potentially change as the development gets bigger, providing the opportunity for the role to grow into a team leader position. There is the opportunity to work with our other landscape teams on small projects and some occasional overtime required.

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

HI-LINE Location: London

FRESH HORTICULTURAL CAREERS Location: Norfolk

ELITE LANDSCAPES Location: Buckinghamshire

GARDEN CLUB LONDON Location: London

88 Pro Landscaper / July 2020

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CPS GROUNDS LTD Location: Gloucestershire

ELITE LANDSCAPES Location: Buckinghamshire

OUTDOOR CREATIONS Location: Kent

FRESH HORTICULTURAL CAREERS Location: London

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

18/06/2020 11:32

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18/06/2020 09:39

PEOPLE

90 Pro Landscaper / July 2020

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IN LOCKDOWN

T H E L I T T L E I N T E RV I E W

PRO LANDSCAPER ASKS QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS TO GAIN A SMALL INSIGHT INTO THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP OUR INDUSTRY. TO TAKE PART, EMAIL CONTENT@ EL JAYS44.COM

N E I L PA RS LOW

H O L LY YO U D E

Director, Light Visuals Ltd

Director, Urban Landscape Design

www.lightvisuals.co.uk

www.urbanlandscapedesign.co.uk

You’re self-isolating – who’s your favourite person to be locked up with? My favourite person to be locked up with would have to be my two children.

You’re self-isolating – who’s your favourite person to be locked up with? I couldn’t possibly say without either offending the husband or the dog!

One thing that’s changed in daily routine that will continue post-lockdown? I’ll continue to use click ’n’ collect for many of the supply outlets we use.

One thing that’s changed in daily routine that will continue post-lockdown? Working from home more – I get so much more done.

How many cups of tea/coffee are you now drinking per day? I now have three cups of coffee a day.

How many cups of tea/coffee are you now drinking per day? Quite a lot less actually.

Best new series/book you’ve discovered? After Life on Netflix (not to everyone’s taste, though).

Best new series/book you’ve discovered? After Life.

DIY or gardening? Most certainly DIY – a complete new build garden gym and office.

What do you miss most about pre-lockdown life? Not second guessing and risk assessing every move!

What time is ‘wine o’clock’? Open all hours.

DIY or gardening? Have had no time for either.

What is your background noise when working from home? I usually have chillout music playing in the background.

What time is ‘wine o’clock’? Usually around 8pm if I fancy it, normally earlier if there is an APL Zoom cluster on!

In hindsight, what would you have prepared in advance? I would have bought all the toilet rolls, haha.

What is your background noise when working from home? Silence, but sometimes have the radio on.

Is the government doing a good job of keeping you informed? Could be better, but overall informative.

In hindsight, what would you have prepared in advance? A home office in the garden – I’m currently in the kitchen!

What’s your predicted date for returning to normality? I’ve already settled into the new normal. Best new follow on social media? @MaylimLtd on Instagram

Is the government doing a good job of keeping you informed? To start with, yes; but I guess you have to just look for the info you need and make your own decisions.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

17/06/2020 19:12

PEOPLE

PAU L N E W M A N

ROBERT BARKER

SEAN BUTLER

Director, Paul Newman Landscapes

Owner, Robert Barker Design

Managing director, Cube 1994

www.paulnewmanlandscapes.co.uk

www.robertbarkerdesign.com

www.cube1994.com

You’re self-isolating – who’s your favourite person to be locked up with? Well, my wife and two sons, of course!

You’re self-isolating – who’s your favourite person to be locked up with? On the whole, it has been great to have my amazing wife and kids home so much – and of course the dog.

You’re self-isolating – who’s your favourite person to be locked up with? My lovely wife.

One thing that’s changed in daily routine that will continue post-lockdown? To appreciate going for walks and discovering things around me. How many cups of tea/coffee are you now drinking per day? Usually between six and eight. Best new series/book you’ve discovered? Too many to choose from but binging on Netflix. What do you miss most about pre-lockdown life? Socialising with friends and family, and going out for food and drinks. DIY or gardening? I have enjoyed both all of my life and will continue to do so. What time is ‘wine o’clock’? Depends on the weather! In hindsight, what would you have prepared in advance? A stockpile of hand sanitiser and sold it for a fortune!

One thing that’s changed in daily routine that will continue post-lockdown? Finally having time to bring our garden up to code has been great. How many cups of tea/coffee are you now drinking per day? I drink a lot of tea anyway, so still maintaining my Olympic standard.

Best new series/book you’ve discovered? ‘The History of Mathematics’ and ‘The Pyramids of Egypt: How Were They Really Built?’. Great books!

DIY or gardening? Gardening, but my wife always has a DIY list of jobs for me to do.

What do you miss most about pre-lockdown life? Going out for dinner and social drinks.

What time is ‘wine o’clock’? It’s ‘beer o’clock’ the minute my kids’ heads hit the pillows.

What time is ‘wine o’clock’? 5pm watching the latest government coronavirus updates sat out in the garden.

In hindsight, what would you have prepared in advance? Not sure about preparation but I won’t be taking certain things for granted again. Is the government doing a good job of keeping you informed? Daily updates are good, but unclear messages and one rule for some and another for others is not so good.

What’s your predicted date for returning to normality? This is a long way off yet and precautions will continue well into next year.

What’s your predicted date for returning to normality? Things shouldn’t return to how they were; we all need to reflect and move forward.

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How many cups of tea/coffee are you now drinking per day? I still enjoy a cup of tea first thing followed by several cups of filter coffee. Then lots of water during the day.

Best new series/book you’ve discovered? ‘Everything You Need You Have’ by Gerad Kite should be on the national curriculum.

Is the government doing a good job of keeping you informed? The daily updates are good, but advice to the nation can be confusing.

www.prolandscapermagazine.com

One thing that’s changed in daily routine that will continue post-lockdown? Finishing work early and enjoying more time in the garden.

What is your background noise when working from home? Classic FM. In hindsight, what would you have prepared in advance? Driven to France and got locked down in our farmhouse. Is the government doing a good job of keeping you informed? Absolutely, I can’t praise them enough. I feel proud of our country the way it’s helped businesses.

Pro Landscaper / July 2020 91

17/06/2020 19:13

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17/06/2020 19:31