Landscape Juice

Capel Manor brings the gardens to life

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Capel Manor College is a hub of activity, in a surprisingly relaxed place, being 15 miles from central London, writes Carol Miers.

Driving on the A10 the GPS said my destination was a right turn ahead, but until I saw the estate wall and entrance there was no sign of its whereabouts. It was only after the Manor gates that there was a marked change of atmosphere.

Capel Manor is hosting the Creating Landscapes show on 25-26 October 2011 and I thought I would take you around to find out what kind of place it is.

Identifying Roman pottery and artefacts course at Merrist Wood

Anyone interested in gardens and landscapes will surely be interested in the history of the land they are working or gardening on?

It's always fascinated me what building might have stood or what trees or plants grew there. I've also been inspired over the years by the engineering and industrial spread of the Roman Empire throughout the British Isles.

The Romans were very active where I lived and a Roman road passed just 200 metres, in the field behind my house in Oakhanger and I once watched two metal detecting enthusiasts scour the area and actual find several small Roman coins.

Greenkeepers diploma in the workplace

Diplomas in greenkeeping, sports turf and golf course upkeep are now available 100% on the job, writes Carol Miers.

Speaking to Mr David Golding the education director at the Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC) he explained the government changes: "It's training off the job, on the job.

"The NVQ's in Great Britain have now been branded by the government as Work-based diplomas. To the outside world the standards haven't really changed. The advantage to us is that whether it's horticulture or landscapes or even sports the skills and knowledge can only be really delivered in the workplace, and now the title spells that out,” he said.

New landscape management event at Oakridge conference

Landscaping and horticulture gets a lot of press and publicity in the south. Both of the major garden shows - Chelsea and Hampton Court - are located there; Scotland hardly gets a mention.

I am delighted to say that a new event is to be launched this autumn for everyone connected with the horticultural industry in Scotland.

The Oatridge Conference will combine a forum for discussing some of the most pressing issues facing the industry today alongside the Scotgrow trade show.

An open letter to the APL and BALI - A time for change

I write to you on behalf of all good landscapers and garden maintenance workers everywhere who are employed within the horticulture trades.

Times are hard - for many it will not get better; for some businesses and individuals, things will never improve and they will be forced to give up what they love; for others, time has already run out.

Courses available at Sparsholt College Hampshire

Having attended Sparsholt to take a greenkeeping qualification in the early nineties I can certainly vouch for its beautiful setting nestled deep in the Hampshire countryside.

The college has expanded greatly in recent years and now offers a greater selection of courses.

Study for a garden design degree at University College Falmouth

University College Falmouth is offering, from September 2010, a Masters Degree course in garden design.

The part-time two year course is aimed at garden designers, landscape architects or designers who are looking for a diversity and/or a specialism; the new course, described as a 'blended learning MA in garden design', is set over four thirteen blocks with at least one overseas trip with intensive workshops and lectures.

Scottish horticulture college drops fees to attract more students

Barony College near Dumfries will dip into its own coffers to pay the fees for any United Kingdom students who have been deterred from applying for the one year one-year National Certificate courses because of the high cost and the accessibility issues.

The college, which specialises in land-based vocational course including horticulture and arboriculture says that Scottish students have their fees met by their government but anyone south of the border does not qualify for the same and therefore must stump up £1080 for the twelve month courses.