Landscape Juice

Did your landscaping association stay open over Christmas?

Watching my Twitter stream this morning it's apparent that the majority of businesses in the landscape sector shut down for two weeks over Christmas. It makes sense and I have to admit that it was the one time of year during my landscaping career I was happy to close the office door for a few days and not be too bothered about the phone or email. During my annual summer holiday it was different as I always fretted and kept in touch with the office, just in case. But at Christmas I always felt able to switch off and enjoy... Read more →

BALI in crisis as member takes a swipe at merger talk

The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) appears to be heading for a crisis as one of its members warned other organisations about trying to get close. Writing in the November edition of the Pro Landscaper magazine (page 24) managing director of ISS Facilities Services Landscaping, Phil Jones, said that having seen the BALI board in action at the recent BALI AGM that he said he came away feeling far from being part of 'well-run, professional organisation'. Jones said that at the AGM meeting lacked engagement, clarity and management professionalism. It was more like a scene from the Vicar of... Read more →

Marshalls uses Twitter to name and shame poor performers

Perfect Paving Systems of Stourbridge removed in August due to poor workmanship and customer service— Marshalls Register (@MarshallsReg) September 2, 2014 Paving manufacturer Marshalls has taken to Twitter to name and shame two Marshalls Register member businesses that fell foul of its required standards. Perfect Paving Systems of Stourbridge was removed from the Register in August "due to poor workmanship and customer service" and Prosser & Craik Paving Contractors of Saltburn were removed from the Register in July for "failing to adhere to the guarantee t & c's" The move to name and shame comes after the APL Vice Chairman... Read more →

BALI has lost its way says founding member

Managing Director of ISS Facility Services Landscaping, Phil Jones, has criticised BALI saying he believes the organisation "has lost its way and no longer does any good for its larger members, except for those perhaps who are represented on the Board of BALI and a few others". Speaking in the February issue of the Pro Landscaper Magazine (page 15) Jones also said "I see sufficient indications that we are still an insular group of people who have a passion for what we do, but with an inability to effectively engage with the outside world". This is the first time I... Read more →

Pro Landscaper forced to remove untrue distribution claim

Pro Landscaper has been forced to remove a claim that its magazine is sent to the entire membership of the Society of Garden Designers. In a joint statement with the SGD issued yesterday, publisher James Pembroke said: It has come to our attention that ProLandscaper have been claiming to advertisers that their magazine goes to all SGD members. We can confirm that this is wholly untrue. Jim Wilkinson, the publisher of ProLandscaper has written to Juliet Seargent, the chairman of the SGD, to confirm that they have never been given the membership list, so can never have reached all our... Read more →

New chairman and social committee at the APL

It may have taken them a while but the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) appears to be putting social media at the heart of the organisation. Recent changes to the APL committee have seen the introduction of new blood. Traditionally APL committee roles always appeared to have gone to a close group of people. The most obvious positives from the recent appointments are that all of the new committee members have social media experience. Good luck to Paul Baker (vice chairman), Richard Bickler, Dave Sewell and Claudia de Yong. Incumbent chairman Mark Gregory has been re-elected for a third term.... Read more →

The APL's Mark Gregory gets shy about talking landscape

What exactly is the APL playing at these days? I just can't fathom them out. APL Chairman Mark Gregory was on the telly again this week but it was supposed to be undercover: although it wasn't! In a rather bizarre episode of BBC's Don't get done, get Dom 18 April, Gregory appeared as a mystery landscape expert with a disguised voice and hidden face. The BBC hid Gregory's identity and gave some limp explanation about protection where as the HTA boasted he was aappearing on the programme. Anyone who knows Mark will immediately recognise it as him but one wonders... Read more →

The APL isn't well marketed says its members

In a recent poll on the APL LinkedIn group only 33% of those polled thought that the Association of Professional Landscapers is doing a good job of marketing the organisation. One of the biggest problems, according to members, is that the general public don't know what the APL is or what it stands for. APL member, Matthew Miller said: " I agree the APL does represent the highest quality members within the industry, is pushing up professional standards and does have all the checks and balances within its structure to ensure that the consumer can be assured of this. "However... Read more →

Landscape industry set to be further polarised?

In a statement set to cause further concern amongst landscapers and garden designers, APL chairman Mark Gregory has called for the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) and the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) to join together and form one unified landscape association. Gregory also said that they [APL] should forge closer ties with the Society of Garden Designers (SGD). A combined APL and BALI would only represent less than 5% of the whole of the landscaping industry but close association with traditional horticulture trade press means only those who operate within these organisations will be promoted. In an article... Read more →

Holland Landscapes recognised by APL award

A father and son partnership from Essex wins top prize at the APL annual awards. Chris (father) and Paul Baker of Holland Landscapes have been recognised by their landscaping peers at the Association of Professional Landscapes' annual awards, held at the Kensington Roof Gardens, for a project construction in the garden of a 14th century property near Colchester, Essex. The new £28,000 project won in the £15-30,000 category as well as taking the supreme award - best in show. Highly commended went to The Millbrook Garden Company and commended went to Outdoor Creations. The original garden consisted of an existing... Read more →