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Man repaints road markings and Essex County Council orders him to remove them

A FRUSTRATED resident who repainted a white line to stop motorists blocking his driveway has been told to clean it up – or else.

John Howard took matters into his own hands after Essex County Council refused to repaint the line outside his home, which stops motorists obstructing his and neighbours' driveways.

A single solid white line was painted on the road more than ten years ago after residents complained they were being blocked in by customers visiting car showrooms in Ipswich Road, Colchester.

When it faded, Mr Howard called the council to ask them to repaint it, but was… Continue reading

The National Gardens Scheme

The National Gardens Scheme (NGS) is one of those great British institutions like fish and chips, cricket, morris dancing, Victoria sponge and Alan Titchmarsh. The idea of spending the weekend wandering around other people's gardens appeals to us on so many levels. It satisfies an inquisitiveness; it allows us to compare our gardens to others; it gives us the chance to admire great design and plantsmanship; it is a chance to eat excellent cake in convivial surroundings and to pick up something unusual and interesting at a plant stall. For the owners it is the opportunity to show off all… Continue reading

Paving over front gardens

I seem to be bucking a trend among homeowners. Rather than paving over my garden, I have 'un-paved' it, unlocking the earth and growing a range of plants to provide habitats forwildlife.

The paving of front gardens is becoming increasingly common in urban areas where parking spaces are at a premium and there's a lack of availability of public transport. The popularity of low-maintenance gardens among the time-poor is also a factor. The RHS estimates around 12 square miles of London are lost to the practice, while a quarter of North-East front gardens have disappeared under concrete. I cycle, rather… Continue reading

Cute Pathway Idea

I went to Dyrham Park at the weekend and noticed these cute little pathways on their kitchen garden area. I’m guessing it’s Willow bent over to make little arches and then tied together at the joins. Very decorative, I thought. A little too rustic for my garden but still, very neat.

Continue reading

Grand Designs Live: Extend to the extreme

This year’s Grand Designs Live celebrates hi-tech and low impact, from earth buildings to amazing glazing, says Sarah Lonsdale

What does the idea of "home" mean to you? Is it a quiet cocoon where you can withdraw from the hustle of the noisy world? Is it a sleek fashion statement, something you can show off at dinner parties? Or is it a utilitarian structure, within whose wipe-clean walls you can raise your children safely?

Our relationship with the roof and four walls that surround us for most of the day varies according to our psychology, whether we yearn for peace,… Continue reading

Don, 90, reverses Merc through garage wall into back garden

A GREAT-grandad reversed into his garage - and straight through its far wall into his back garden.

Donald Lambdin, 90, accidentally hit the accelerator pedal as he carefully backed his Mercedes C280 into the garage.

He gripped the steering wheel "for dear life" as the car hurtled between the side walls before crashing through masonry and plunging 6ft into the sunken garden.

The shaken ex teacher was trapped in the wrecked car - said to be a "total write-off".

Firemen called to his house in Plymouth, Devon, had to cut its roof off to free him.

Donald, who lives… Continue reading

Bamboo Screens for the Garden

I have just returned from a very jolly trip to South East Asia. (Not that you would have noticed I was away: gardenersworld.com is such a slick and well-oiled operation that my blogs kept appearing, in my absence, as if by magic.) Mostly I was loafing around looking at things but, being a conscientious and dedicated fellow, I also kept an eye open for things that might interest you. Bamboo, for example.

In this country we most commonly grow the Phyllostachys bamboos, especially Phyllostachys nigra, with black stems, and P. aureosulcata f. aureocaulis. I have used them as screens, specimens… Continue reading

Ethical Pioneer Reaffirms Commitment to Fairstone in India

Marshalls has been a pioneer regarding the ethics of Indian sandstone since 2006 and has today reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to the communities in the quarrying region of Kota, Rajasthan. Working with local specialist non-governmental partner organisation (NGO) Hadoti Hast Shilp Sansthan (Hadoti) in India, Marshalls will continue to support a range of projects which it has been funding for the past four years. These include six schools attended free by 179 children of quarry workers and the wider community; six health centres in the heart of Bhundi allowing access to information and free medicines for workers and their families;… Continue reading

14th annual garden and patio show underway

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - Friday morning a crowd lined up outside of the Trademart as people anxiously awaited to get inside for the garden and patio show. And once folks finally made it in, they were surrounded by everything imaginable for their gardens and patios.

Chairman for the show, Ray Bailey says, "we have garden art, we have herbs, we have vegetables, we have trees, we have landscape architects down here, we have horticulturist."

Stephany Brown and her grand kids had their hands full as they explored the show. Brown says the event is something she never misses. "Oh, I love to come… Continue reading

Marshalls recognised as a Business Superbrand for 2011

The announcement today of Superbrands 2011 confirms Marshalls plc as one of the UK's leading business to business brands. The announcement follows a robust research process administered independently by The Centre for Brand Analysis, which analysed the views of an Expert Council and 2,000 UK business professionals.

Of the thousands of brands initially considered only the top 500 are deemed to be Business Superbrands. Stephen Cheliotis, Chairman of the Expert Council & CEO, The Centre for Brand Analysis, comments: "Congratulations to Marshalls on achieving Business Superbrands status. This status confirms the strength and potency of the brand in the UK."

… Continue reading

Algae in the garden

Everything, it seems, has gone green. I'm not just talking about the gorgeous shoots and leaves that are beginning to unfurl. No, I refer to the green film of algae coating steps, paths, stepping stones, flower pots, planters, benches, tables, chairs and the climbing frame... Even thecompost and the foliage of someevergreens are covered.

Algae is harmless, but it's beginning to depress me. Its seemingly unstoppable spread is caused by the super-soggy weather we've had over the last few months. The soil is saturated in many areas and, with rain continuing to fall, the air is pretty damp, too.

So,… Continue reading

Tips on Avoiding ‘Cowboy’ Contractors

Many consumers across the UK are being duped by un-reputable ‘Cowboy Contractors’ who cold call on homes offering driveway and patio installations. Here, Marshalls offer their advice on avoiding these rogue traders. 

Marshalls tips to AVOID being duped by a cowboy contractor: 

• Be VERY wary of installers who arrive on your doorstep looking for work or who can ‘start tomorrow’. Reputable installers usually need many weeks’ notice before they can start as not only are they busy, but they need time to plan your job and order suitable materials 
• Professional contractors do not solicit business by cold calling… Continue reading
  14, February, 2011 - 17:05 | Comments (0) | Read Full Article
  
  

  Marshalls chief to pave the way for responsible business in the region

  

  Business in the Community (BITC) has recently announced the appointment of Graham Holden, Chief Executive of Marshalls plc, as its new Regional Advisory Board Chairman for Yorkshire and Humber. 
  
  Graham Holden has taken an active role on the Regional Advisory Board since its inception in October 2008. He was announced as the 2010 Prince’s Ambassador in Yorkshire and Humber for his leadership and commitment to responsible business in the region. 
  
  Within Marshalls, Graham has instilled a culture of employee volunteering and the company is now a major driver of Calderdale Cares. He has also been the driving force… Continue reading

  09, February, 2011 - 11:22 | Comments (0) | Read Full Article
  
  

  Gardening theft

  

  The mailbox at Gardeners’ World magazine is brimming with letters and emails from gardeners who have been victims of theft. From these letters alone, it would seem that thefts from gardens and allotments are becoming more widespread, while gratuitous vandalism on allotments remains horribly common. Thefts range from handfuls of fresh fruit and veg to expensive garden tools, while whole sheds are reported to have been torn down and burned for ‘fun’. As gardens and allotments are quieter now than they are than in summer, they may be more at risk of falling prey to opportunistic thieves and vandals.

  My… Continue reading

  07, February, 2011 - 12:48 | Comments (0) | Read Full Article
  
  

  Marshalls Chooses Thrive as Charity of the Year

  

  Marshalls, the UK’s leading hard landscaping manufacturer, has chosen Thrive as its official Charity of the Year for 2011.

  The  Thrive charity, which helps people with disabilities harness the benefits of gardening, will work with Marshalls to raise much needed funds to enable disadvantaged individuals to truly enjoy their gardening experience.Marshalls, who until recently sponsored the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show, has supported and encouraged children and adults to become involved with gardening in both schools and homes for many years, so it was a perfect fit to support the Thrive charity.

  Neil Davidson, Marshalls’ CSR Manager, said: “After reading… Continue reading

  17, January, 2011 - 10:34 | Comments (0) | Read Full Article
  
  

  Double Award Nominations For Marshalls

  

  This Autumn sees Marshalls shortlisted for two very exciting awards! First up is the Sustainability Awards. In the running for Sustainable Manufacturer of the Year, Marshalls will find out the result at the Sustainability Awards ceremony on 30 November at the Royal College of Physicians in London.
  The awards have been organised by Building magazine and the UK Green Building Council and they recognise and reward outstanding achievement in sustainability in the built environment. Marshalls has been shortlisted for its approach to sustainability and the successes of the last year, including carbon labelling of commercial products and recognition for biodiversity… Continue reading

  06, January, 2011 - 19:54 | Comments (0) | Read Full Article
  
  

  Marshalls Celebrates National Carbon Footprint Day With More Carbon Labels

  

  On National Carbon Footprint Day (2 October), leading hard landscaping firm Marshalls has unveiled a further 1,565 official carbon labels for all its commercial paving products. 

  Earlier in 2009, Marshalls revealed carbon labels for over 500 products in its domestic range. Then, it was the first company in the world to label an entire range of products and the first in the hard landscaping industry to work with the Carbon Trust’s labelling scheme. 

  Now, Marshalls’ carbon labelling programme has extended to commercial products which will enable public bodies and local authorities to understand the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted… Continue reading

  11, November, 2010 - 15:28 | Comments (0) | Read Full Article
  
  

  Guidance on the permeable surfacing of front gardens

  

  What is the problem with paving front gardens? Serious flooding in 2007 affected the UK. This resulted in loss of life, disruption of peoples’ lives and caused damage estimated at about £3bn. In many cases the flooding happened because drains could not cope with the amount of rain water flowing to them. The effects of climate change mean that this kind of heavy rainfall event (and subsequent flooding) may occur more often in the future.

  The drains in most urban areas were built many years ago and were not designed to cope with increased rainfall. Paving front gardens further adds to… Continue reading

  28, October, 2010 - 13:10 | Comments (2) | Read Full Article