Landscape Juice

Marshalls online shop 7% discount code for Landscape Juice readers

Earlier this week the new Marshalls Shop went live and I've managed to secure landscapers a 7% discount when they buy online.

Just add the code LANDSCAPEJUICE at checkout.

This shop will sell a broad range of non core range products including:

· Greenhouses

· Granite garden furniture

· Gwrhyd Welsh Stone flooring

· Gwrhyd Welsh Stone walling

· A limited range of reconstituted walling

There are plans as part of phase 2 to introduce a number of new categories including masonry and monoliths from our Gwrhyd Stone quarries in West Wales.

All orders benefit from free mainland UK delivery and a one year guarantee.

And the code again LANDSCAPEJUICE

Visit the Marshalls Shop now

Level 3 weather alert for much of England and Wales

The Met Office has issued a severe weather warning for much of the UK with fresh outbreaks of snow. There is currently a level 3 alert in one or more regions of England

The following was issued on Thursday 9 February 2012 at 10.19am.

There is a 100% probability of severe cold weather/icy conditions/heavy snow between 1000 on Thursday and 1000 on Monday in parts of England. This weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services. Please refer to the national Cold Weather Plan and your Trust's emergency plan for appropriate preventive action.

A cold day with outbreaks of light rain in northern parts leading to icy conditions. During this afternoon and overnight snow, bringing potentially disruptive accumulations, is expected across many central and southern parts. Once this snow has cleared cold or very cold conditions are expected to dominate into the weekend, before turning milder on Sunday. Please refer to the latest Met Office warnings for the most up to date information.

Fire at River Cottage HQ destroys barn

A fire last night has gutted the events barn at Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall River Cottage Devon HQ.

No one was hurt in the incident but as yet the cause is unknown.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall was not at home at the time. A statement has just been issued from the River Cottage HQ:

A serious fire severely damaged the main barn at Park Farm, River Cottage HQ late last night in Axminster. Thankfully no people, or animals were hurt. The cause is as yet unknown.

The River Cottage team are shocked and upset, and are dealing with the damage today. Hugh is away on a long distance filming trip and will be informed as soon as he can be contacted. We would like to say a big 'thank you' to the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, who were on the scene quickly and worked hard to contain the fire.

Our Canteen and Deli, located in the centre of Axminster, is unaffected and remains open today. Cookery School courses will not be running in the short term. Anyone booked on to a course will be contacted by the River Cottage events team as soon as possible. • For more information please contact Dawn Bebe, or Simon Whittam on 0207 873 2316

Keep uptodate with all the latest news about the fire via Twitter: @rivercottage

Aura Landscapes win three awards at the Marshalls Register regional awards 2011

Southampton based Aura Landscapes have scooped three awards in the Marshalls Register regional awards.

(image: Mike Warman picking up his awards from Marshalls)

The honour was won for best engineering achievement, best driveway transformation over seventy square metres and best patio transformation over thirty-five square metres.

Marshalls Regional Road Shows, not just about the awards

Writing on his Landscape Juice blog afterwards, owner of the business Mike Warman said:

Having attended our first Marshalls Register Roadshow last night and receiving our awards we were pretty impressed to find that it wasn't all about the awards but about helping the register members build a better business and adding value to what we as landscapers offer.

The whole evening was full of interesting and inspiring presentations that left us motivated, inspired and feeling supported as a business by the company. To those who couldn't make it you missed out on some great new ideas that we will certainly be implementing within the company from:

Crystalclear succeed in Marshalls Register regional awards 2011

Crystalclear were awarded best driveway transformation under seventy square metres and best patio transformation under thirty-five square metres at last night's Marshalls Register regional awards.

Writing on his Landscape Juice Network blog, last night after receiving his award, owner of Crytalclear Mick Gammage, said:

"Once again we feel proud and very honoured to receive these prestigious awards from David Jessop the Marshall's Register operations manager, Glen Grundy the Marshall's north west regional assessor and Justin Handby the Marshall's register north west installer development manager".

Sustainable wood supply from Esgair Timber Company

Peter Bottoms once earned his living in Ceredigion’s tourism industry, but now he’s embarking on another life after buying a forest in mid-Wales.

The one-time owner of Aberaeron’s aquarium and commercial shell fisherman, also offering boat trips to see the dolphins, sold up five years ago and began looking for woodland with the potential to develop into a forestry business.

The search ended 18 months later when he bought Esgair forest, a 245 hectare estate – 200 hectares being commercial woodland – nestled between two Welsh government woodlands near Pantperthog, three miles north of Machynlleth.

“With fossil fuels becoming increasingly expensive and finite in the long term, and with the adverse impacts of CO2 emissions and climate change, I believe sustainable forestry, timber and woodfuel production has a good future.

Together for Short Lives is Marshalls' charity for 2012

Marshalls has chosen children’s charity Together for Short Lives as its official charity of the year for 2012.

Together for Short Lives is the only charity working across the UK to help ensure that every child and young person unlikely to reach adulthood and their family has the best possible care and support whenever and wherever they need it.

The charity was given a boost in 2011 when it was chosen as the beneficiary of The X Factor charity single, ‘Wishing on a Star’, which reached number one in the official UK top 40 chart.

Neil Davidson, CSR Manager for Marshalls plc said:
“The great thing about this particular charity is that it gives Marshalls an opportunity to fundraise and engage on a local as well as national level. As a major plc we have sites across the country – from Sittingbourne to Fallkirk – so we want to ensure that whilst the business is raising funds, local sites are building lasting partnerships with local children’s hospices and other care providers.

Landscape Juice Network members hand over charity cheque to Thrive

A group of Landscape Juice Network members, who've worked their socks off raising money for the garden charity Thrive, were last week treated to a day touring the charity's Reading HQ.

The organisers, John, Gary and Rowly, were joined by Sally, Tanya and Craig talking to staff members and trustees about their day-today work helping disabled people teaching them the techniques and practical applications so that they may take part and enjoy gardening.

A research programme underpins Thrive’s work to provide evidence and improve understanding.

Thrive's work has helped individuals accomplish many things. Thrive says: "Gardening can help rebuild a person’s strength after an accident or illness, and can provide a purposeful activity for someone coping with a difficult period in their life."

LJN members raise £1,421.00 through a day of The Many Faces of Fu Man Pugh.

The Landscaper expands to meet demand

The Landscaper magazine says it's set for further expansion in 2012 and says advertising revenue is increasing year-on-year.

Terry Ellacott has joined the team as Sales Executive.

Editor David Curtis said: "Terry has a strong background in marketing, client management, trade show and conference organisation as well as every aspect of digital promotion."

“I’m delighted to be joining The Landscaper. I have always been fascinated by the industry as I appreciate how it impacts on all of our lives.

The magazines succinct no-nonsense editorial approach and forward marketing plans offer massive potential,” says Terry

Eden Project recall bracelets containing deadly poison

Visitors to the Eden Project in Cornwall who bought a strung seed bracelet from the Eden shop have been urged to return them.

The seeds come from the Abrus precatorius and contain the poison Abrin.

The advice given on the Eden Project website is:

Seeds from contain the poison abrin which is very toxic.

Ingestion of any quantity of chewed, crushed or drilled (such as in a necklace) seeds should be regarded seriously because, if fully absorbed, even small amounts of abrin can be fatal.