April 2010

Distinction in Book-Keeping Examination

Congratulations to our Accounts Administrator, Tracey Harding, who has achieved a distinction in her IAB computerised book keeping examination.

February 2010

Transform Team Enters Three Peaks Challenge

When Transform created a garden at the Chase Children’s Hospice, some years ago, we were in awe of the work carried out there. So when our trade organisation, BALI (British Association of Landscape Industries), suggested we might like to enter the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for charity and challenge ourselves at the same time, Chase Hospice was our first thought.

The Three Peaks Challenge requires us to scale the three peaks of Ben Nevis (4408ft), Scafell Pike (3209ft) and Snowdon (3560ft) in 24 hours, that’s 10,000 feet of climbing and 25 miles walking in just 24 hours!

The BALI team has a target to raise at least £10,000 for Greenfingers and Chase Hospice. We will be training over the next few months in preparation for the event in July.

Glynn Bawden, Sam Day, Craig Tate-Grimes

If you would like to sponsor us, please contact Craig Tate-Grimes on 07740 785114 or email craig@transformlandscapes.co.uk

Press Release - October 2009

Transform Landscapes wins national award

Haslemere, 06 October 2009: Haslemere based, Transform Landscape Design and Construction, is delighted to be a winner in the British Association of Landscape Industries Annual Awards in the Domestic Garden Scheme – Maintenance category.

The winning garden, which is located outside of Guildford, was designed by the award winning garden designer, Fiona Lawrenson. The client and designer asked for a high standard of maintenance to maintain an informal but structured look, paying particular attention to herbaceous perennials, pleeched trees, tabletop trees and hedges.

“We have been maintaining gardens in Haslemere and surrounding areas for many years and so are thrilled to have won this award in a national competition; it recognises the hard work and expertise of our dedicated team”, said Charles Blumlein, Soft Landscaping and Maintenance Manager at Transform Landscape Design and Construction Limited

Christ Church Garden

We were delighted to work with Bankside Open Spaces Trust, a charity working to improve urban open spaces in London, to improve the garden at Christ Church (off Blackfriars Road).

Clear Water Revival article in The Independent (April 2009)

Click here for an excellent article on the advantages of natural swimming pools which appeared in The Independent.

Natural Pools and Ponds

We are delighted to have become a partner of Clear Water Revival (CWR) to build natural swimming pools and ponds in Surrey. CWR offer completely chemical free pools and ponds which can be heated to 28 degrees C. The water in these pools is clean enough to drink and need never be changed. The company offers 5 distinct pool types to suit all needs from a conventional swimming pool to a swimming pond. Not only do these pools and ponds provide a much healthier swimming environment but they also remove the need for harsh chemicals and require significantly less maintenance than a chemical pool for a similar cost. Have a look at the fantastic designs on their website www.clear-water-revival.com. More soon...

 

Is this the oldest Kiwi plant in the country?

Recently we carried out a winter prune of a Actinidia chinensis in Haslemere, Surrey. Both the male and female plants are well established. The female plants had fruited abundantly and we think that this could be one of the oldest plants in the country. We sent some pictures to the RHS and got the following reply:

"According to an article in The Planstman in 1984, Some Notes on Actinidias and their Propagation, by Philip McMillan Browse, Actinidia deliciosa (syn. A.chinensis) was only introduced into the British Isles in 1900 (from China by E H Wilson). Virtually all early plants were males, and it was not until 1911/1912 that a female was identified and introduced into cultivation. The article goes on to say that the popularity of the plant declined between the two world wars, but that as it tolerates neglect, mature plants have survived since early introduction, although no specific sites or ages are listed. I also checked in the book Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles by W.J. Bean, which often gives such data, but unfortunately nothing is listed for this species. The Plantsman article does, however, suggest that kiwi plants will live to be of considerable age." Dr Dawn Edwards, Botanist.

A DAY OUT AT WIMBLEDON

An exclusive behind the scenes tour for Simon Gray and Charles Blumlein conducted by Head Groundsman, Eddie Seaward.

It’s not everybody’s cup of tea to go to Wimbledon in the winter, but, if you want to see just what goes on behind the scenes and what lies beneath the ‘hallowed turf’’, you go whenever the opportunity arises.

Thanks to our local turf industry expert David Jenkins, a visit was arranged and armed with notepad and camera we arrived at the gates.

You might think that Wimbledon goes a bit sleepy over the winter but not a bit of it. A number of major works were underway on various courts including the construction of the new roof for Centre Court, the major focal point of the ground. The new roof is impressive to say the least. This year’s crowds for Centre Court will be as much in awe of the roof opening and closing (particularly if it’s a showery match) as they will be with the tennis.

We were intrigued about the construction method, as the whole roof is built whilst remaining clear of the sacred lawn tennis court. The turf you appreciate is sacrosanct and on no account (new roof or no new roof) must it be so much as breathed on by any but a privileged few. A couple of the builders working on the roof project thought it would be fun to walk across the centre court. They were fired on the spot and immediately escorted off the premises.

You may think, when you walk over a fine lawn that its pretty simple stuff after all, grass just grows doesn’t it? Well talking with Eddie, even from my professional experience, we realised that there is no more manicured, more wired to sensors, more subject to spot checks or more thoroughly controlled growing environment than the turf of Wimbledon.

The turf itself is a blend of dwarf perennial ryegrass designed for excellent wear tolerance and to bounce back after rigorous usage. Wimbledon, as you can appreciate is all about having the best and most resilient turf for the annual tournaments. Nothing else matters.

'Children in Need' Day 2008

Our second Children in Need fundraising day was a great success and we are delighted to have raised £1,160.00.

Our team gave their services free of charge for the day in return for donations to the appeal. In two hour slots we mowed lawns, pruned, repaired steps and patios, tidied up leaves and gave gardening advice. Our customers were delighted with our work and the team thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Transform joins Surrey Trading Standards 'Buy with Confidence' Scheme

We are delighted to have been accepted on to the 'Buy with Confidence' Scheme by Surrey County Council Trading Standards Department.

The aim of the scheme is to help customers avoid disreputable businesses by providing a list of reputable local businesses all of whom have been independently checked by staff at Trading Standards against the Scheme rules.

The checks include Criminal Records Bureau checks on all staff who attend customer sites and an independent survey of a selection of customers. Further information on the scheme can be obtained at www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk

Exam success

Congratulations to our Book Keeper, Tracey Harding, who achieved two A grades in her IAB book keeping examinations. We already new that she is top notch but it's great to see her expertise professionally recognised!

Contact

Simon Gray
Transform Landscape Design and Construction Limited
Tel: 01428 652222
Mob: 07740 785110