EVENTS
BALI Landscape awards 2021 One of Europe's largest landscaping awards ceremony returns in December. The British Association of Landscape Industries’ (BALI) prestigious National Landscape Awards, returns on Friday 3 December 2021. Entries are now open alongside several exciting new announcements for the 45th year. Registered BALI members are invited to submit their entries now. For the first time they can also enter online, (including their submission pack) thanks to a new entry system, alongside the returning postal option. Due to the effects of COVID-19, Contractor, Designer and International members, for 2021 only, now also have the opportunity to submit a scheme that has achieved practical completion in the last 24 months, instead of the normal 12 months. There are 33 categories in total, including a brand-new Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Enhancement category. The judges will be looking for projects that demonstrate a significant contribution to conservation or enhancement of biodiversity, embodying the principles of sustainable development using innovative concepts. Chair of the judging panel, John Melmoe, says: “We are delighted to introduce this new category for 2021. We will be looking for evidence of any biodiversity net gains and clear definitions of innovation or environmental designs. The long-term management strategy must be clearly defined, including proof of
Special Award 2020 - Smart Landscape Design Best Newcomer to BALI
monitoring processes. On behalf of my fellow judges and I we look forward to seeing some truly remarkable projects in this category.” For full details and entry guidelines visit www.baliawards.co.uk.
New dates for Festival of Turf With the Roadmap out of lockdown now in place, The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has rescheduled its Festival of Turf from June to 21 & 22 July 2021. The Festival of Turf will welcome BIGGA members and others in the turf industry to the 30-acre Warwickshire Event Centre, near Royal Leamington Spa. As social distancing restrictions are anticipated to have been removed by then, the organisers hope bring to life the “festival” with a wide range for vendors and trade stores.
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COVID-safety measures will remain in place, such as enhanced cleaning regimes and hand sanitising, plus any other requirements as defined by government guidelines. However, limits on visitor numbers and social distancing measures may no longer be required. BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton explains: “The Roadmap out of lockdown announced by the Prime Minister provided incredibly welcome news for the country and the association’s members, not least because it provided a date for the reopening of golf courses in England and a potential return to normality for us all. It also presented an opportunity for BIGGA to host the Festival of Turf as the spectacular of sports and amenity turf maintenance that we had hoped for when we first announced this event last year. “Although the published roadmap only serves as a guideline and the timings are subject to change, everyone at BIGGA is excited about the opportunity to provide an improved exhibition experience for our attendees. “We always intended the Festival of Turf to be an opportunity for BIGGA members and their colleagues in the turf industry to reunite after so long apart.”