NEW KNOTWEED ARTICLE PUBLISHED

Item dated 30/06/08

Wreford have provided an article on the dangers of disturbing Japanese knotweed on development sites, which was published in the current July-October issue of External Environment Product Review. The article, to be found on page 39 of the magazine under the title Japanese Knotweed – Do Not Disturb, details how knotweed is capable of growing from tiny fragments of itself. It highlights the hazards associated with initial site scrapes conducted on demolition and development projects where knotweed has not been previously identified. This kind of activity can result in knotweed being spread across the site, causing a significant increase in unbudgeted expense and delays to project schedules when the knotweed begins to grow. The article culminates in some basic do’s and don’t’s when dealing with this highly invasive plant. To read the full article, click here.

WREFORD OPEN NEW REGIONAL OFFICE

Item dated 23/06/08

Wreford have opened a new Midlands regional office in Daventry, near Northampton. The office, located in the Drayton Fields Industrial Estate with close links to the M1, M4, M6 and M40 motorways, houses the Japanese Knotweed Operational Department. Initially it will be staffed by a team of three employees, headed by Brian Taylor, Japanese Knotweed Operations Manager. However there is plenty of scope for future expansion with over 2,500 square feet of space available in total within the unit. As well as the main office on the first floor (and associated facilities, including a kitchen area), there is a meeting / training room situated in the downstairs section of the unit. Pictured is Matt Turner, who joined the Knotweed Department as Regional Estimator last month.

ANYONE GOT AN ARK? – PART 2

Item dated 04/06/08

Whilst the flood experienced by Wreford’s nursery premises back in March gave a little cause for concern, it paled into insignificance when compared to the flash flood of yesterday. Persistent rain for several hours saw the neighbouring Cadnam River break its banks and besiege the Hedging and Topiary Sales Office, as well as filling the car park, flooding part of the nursery and collecting around the site entrance (pictured). The next day the waters had disappeared as quickly as they had arrived. Staff at the nursery were observed building a large wooden boat to prepare for next time, though reports of them gathering animals two by two are thought to be false…

WREFORD’S LANDSCAPING TEAM PASSES ANNUAL INSPECTION

Item dated 22/05/08

At a private residential site on the outskirts of Winchester this morning, Wreford’s quality of landscaping work was examined and assessed as part of an annual inspection programme undertaken by the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL). The inspection lasted over two hours and we are delighted to report that Wreford passed with flying colours. The APL was created to meet the demands of the customer and to respond to the range of influences on the UK gardening market. Formed in 1995, the rise in APL membership reflects the increase in consumer demand for recognised professional landscaping services. As part of our membership of the APL, Wreford is also entitled to use the coveted ‘TrustMark’ logo.

WREFORD DONATE PRIZES TO CHARITY BALL

Item dated 12/05/08

Saturday 10th May saw the inaugural Dinner and Ball in aid of brainstrust, a registered charity, founded in 2006, dedicated to the furtherance of brain tumour research and treatment in the UK. The event was held at Highclere Castle near Newbury, set within 2,000 acres of parkland and home to Lord and Lady Carnarvon, 8th Earl and Countess. The event began with a champagne reception and included witnessing a silent auction of 20th Century works of art (including those by Matisse, Picasso, Chagall and Miro), highest quality food, live music and a tour of parts of the Castle. The centrepiece of the evening was an ‘Auction of Dreams’, hosted by Eric Knowles of BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, for which Wreford donated two pairs of 1.8m high, potted, Buxus sempervirens spiral topiary specimens. Other prizes included a Porsche Driving Experience at Silverstone, a genuine Persian rug, a week’s rental at a house in Florida, a weekend for two at the Abbey Hotel in Great Malvern and an original Renoir artwork. All items were subsequently bid for and won. Wreford are delighted to have been involved with this prestigious and successful event.

KNOTWEED ATTACKED BY LATE FROST

Item dated 14/04/08

Warm weather in March has seen the customary flush of new growth in Japanese knotweed around the UK. However, the unusual late frosts experienced in the past couple of weeks have brought its advance grinding to a halt. Fresh knotweed growth is highly susceptible to frost and stems have been found drooping, brown and lifeless as a result. For those of you currently popping open the champagne, however, be advised that it will only slow down the inexorable knotweed advance rather than stop it. The frost-affected stems may be dead but the plant will quickly replace them with new stems once the ambient temperature rises for a period of a week or so.

ROYAL SEAL OF APPROVAL

Item dated 04/04/08

HRH The Duke of Gloucester opened the new ‘Pavillion on the Park’ community centre in Kingfisher Road, Eastleigh this morning in front of an audience of over 200 people. The Duke was welcomed by Councillor Roger Smith, Mayor of Eastleigh, and entertained by three songs, performed in turn by a quartet from Quilley School of Engineering, sixty pupils from Nightingale Primary School and the Senators Junior Ensemble. The Senators provided a fanfare as The Duke unveiled a plaque commemorating the opening of the centre. Wreford were present, as they had provided landscaping works to the project, including the creation of a new wetland/wildlife area and the planting of a cherry hedge along Kingfisher Road. Wreford’s Hedging and Topiary Department supplied topiary specimens for the opening and these were in evidence around the front entrance to the centre. ‘The Pavillion on the Park’ is managed by Eastleigh Youth Trust and replaces the original youth and community building, opened in 1966, which fell into disrepair and was closed in 1993. The new £2.5 million centre is the culmination of eight years of planning, fund raising, consultation and negotiation. In his speech, HRH The Duke said the new centre was “a great opportunity for the children to learn one of the most important lessons in life: that by working together we can achieve far more.”