Landscape Juice

SGD appoints Juliet Sargeant to chair

The Society of Garden Designers has appointment Juliet Sargeant as chair with immediate effect a week after the resignation of Charles Rutherfoord. She has been a member of the Society since 2000 and a long-standing member of council. The new appointment comes as the SGD faces a crisis, with many members unhappy at council's handling of proposed name changes. Charles Rutherford quite saying he couldn't 'represent this council'. More news when I have it. Read more →

Society of Garden Designers in crisis

@mcquegardens @paulhensey Not heard anything. Looks like a crisis situation for SGD @landscapejuice— Janine Pattison (@janinepattison) September 15, 2012 The Society of Garden Designers starts the new week in crisis after the shock resignation of its chairman Charles Rutherfoord. Rutherfoord quit last Wednesday after just eight months into the job, informing members via a 'curt' email late at night. The reason, or reasons, why Rutherfoord has left the job remain unclear but he is quoted as saying he cannot represent 'this council' any longer. At this point one can only speculate but one issue which appears to be causing consternation... Read more →

Charles Rutherfoord resigns as Society of Garden Designers' chairman

Charles Rutherfoord has resigned as chairman of the Society of Garden Designers. In an email to all SGD members late last night, Rutherfoord announced he is 'stepping down' with immediate effect. No further details are available at the moment but I will bring further news as and when I have it. I have asked Charles Rutherfoord for a statement. So where does this leave the SGD? Rutherfoord was only appointed in the job in January 2012, taking over from Annabel Downs who held the post for three years prior. In taking up his post Rutherfoord said: "The Society is at... Read more →

Travis Perkins bucks the construction trend despite record wet weather

Builders' merchant, Travis Perkins has bucked the construction market trend to post increased profits for the first six months ended 30 June 2012. Despite tough trading conditions the company, reported a rise in revenue and profits. Our first half performance has been robust, with overall results in line with our expectations, despite the unseasonably wet weather experienced during the second quarter. Geoff Cooper, Chief Executive, commented: "Whilst weather patterns normally average themselves out over any trading period, it has been difficult to ignore the impact on the results of the first half trading of the wettest 3 months since records... Read more →

Seven million front gardens concreted over to provide parking for cars

The rise in the number of vehicles and the shortage of parking spaces means millions of front gardens have been paved over to make room for cars. Figures analysed by the RAC Foundation show around 80% of Britain’s 26 million dwellings were built with a front plot. Almost a third of these plots have been turned into hardstanding. This means seven million front gardens now contain concrete and cars rather than flowers and grass, a total area roughly equivalent to 100 Hyde Parks or 72 Olympic Parks. Houses built between 1919 and 1964 are most likely to have a front... Read more →

Adam Pasco steps down as Gardeners' World magazine editor

There are big changes taking place at Immediate Media Company. After twenty-two years as editor, Adam Pasco has decided to step down. Lucy Hall takes over as editor after ten years as Pasco's deputy. With overall responsibility for the editorial direction and leadership of BBC Gardeners’ World magazine, Hall will work with web editor Daniel Haynes to develop content. (image: Lucy Hall) Lucy Hall says: “So much of gardening is about sharing a passion for plants and the outdoors. So it’s very exciting to be involved in our expanding online and digital formats, which, alongside the printed magazine, are fantastic... Read more →

Marshalls domestic results decline 14% after wet period

Landscape material manufacturer Marshalls have reported a drop in sales for the period April 2012 through to the end of June. The group cites poor weather as the main reason during what Marshalls says is a very important business window. Sales to the domestic landscaping market were down 14%. The weather impact has resulted in an estimated reduction in sales in the second quarter of approximately £10 million (equivalent to 6 days' installations). Due to the £8 million investment in Belgium, net debt has increased to £84 million (2011: £71 million). Marshalls says: "In response to continuing macroeconomic uncertainty the... Read more →

BBC Rogue Traders loses its credibility after presenter found guilty of fraud

It is surely time to close down the long running Rogue Traders after one of its own presenters was today found guilty of benefit fraud. BBC Rogue Traders' presenter Dan Penteado today pleaded guilty at Bournemouth to eight offences of council tax and housing benefit fraud totally £24,000. Penteado was warned by the court that he could face jail and he was granted bail pending reports. The prosecution, told how the offences went back to 2007 after Penteado filled in claims forms whilst not declaring bank accounts. He then repeated this fraud in subsequent years right up to 2011. Over... Read more →

The SodShow lands Greensax as a sponsor

I'm pleased to see my mate Peter Donegan's (and not forgetting Brian Greene of course) SodShow going from strength to strength. You may remember I visited Peter in March last year and appeared on the SodShow? If you haven't listened I'd recommend tuning in on Friday. Brian and Peter make a great double act. Peter's the horticulture expert and Brian doubles as the hapless gardening enthusiast - although it's just an act, this duo are like the Two Ronnies of radio. The SodShow is one of the most popular podcast shows regularly beating off international competition claiming the No.1 spot... Read more →

Sunshine brought out shoppers in May say GCA

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) says outdoor furniture and barbecues were the top sellers during May as sunshine brought shoppers out. Results from its barometer of trade, which are compiled using members’ sales figures, show a 9.5% increase in furniture and barbecues compared with May 2011. Phil Slinger, GCA Chief Executive, explained: “Dismal weather at the start of the month turned to glorious sunshine, which boosted sales across the UK garden centre industry and helped to turn around what could have been a woeful May. “As soon as the sun started shining outdoor furniture and barbecues were flying out of... Read more →