Saturday 24 December 2011
That's Christmas: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
That's Christmas: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the team behind the That's Team of online magazines! We hope that you are able to get and to giv...
Monday 12 December 2011
The National Trust reveals The Angel Garden at Mottisfont
The National Trust, the organisation dedicated to preserving the cultural and environmental treasures of the UK, has announced that a host of angels have taken up residence in the historic gardens of Mottisfont in Hampshire, as part of a unique Christmas sculpture trail.
The Angel Garden has been inspired by Mottisfont's original human-size mosaic angel, which lives in a leafy corner on the south side of the house. Created by renowned artist Boris Anrep in 1947, the face of the angel is that of the woman he loved - Mottisfont's charismatic owner, Maud Russell.
Now nine more artists have created their own very different angel sculptures to join Anrep's and form a trail around Mottisfont's beautiful grounds. Five of the angel sculptures at Mottisfont are new commissions created especially for the project which opened earlier this month.
Louise Govier, visitor experience and communities manager at Mottisfont said: "Working with the artists and seeing how they have interpreted the angel brief differently has been fascinating.
"Each has been influenced in different ways by the building, landscape and people at Mottisfont.
"Every angel is different in style, colour and size and will bring a special atmosphere to Mottisfont this Christmas. We hope visitors will feel enchanted and uplifted as they explore the gardens discovering these wonderful angels and that it puts them in the Christmas spirit."
Made of different materials, including wood, steel, thatching straw and acrylic, the eight artists have taken their inspiration from the surroundings, the history and the people who work at Mottisfont. One of the artworks to be seen for the first time is Ed Elliott's sculpture Greer (from the Celtic for 'watchful' or 'guardian') which is carved from London Plane timber sourced from the Mottisfont estate. It depicts a crouching human-size muscular bodied angel with a huge 14 ft. wingspan. The wing tips brush the earth as if he has just landed in the grounds behind the North Garden.
Ed Elliott, sculptor said: "This work questions the deeper psychological concept of the angel; the paradox between power and beauty, solidity and weightlessness, and the burden of existing as an immortal being."
Nigel Williams' steel Ferric Messenger angel rises from the waters of the famous River Test to greet visitors as they cross the bridge into the gardens.
The tubular body sports a halo, and wings that are studded with dozens of bolt heads - evidence of the artist's involvement in automotive design.
The finish, now a rich orange/brown sheen, is an important element of the sculpture, which has been partially rusted and will continue to change and develop during the exhibition.
In addition to the nine angels on the sculpture trail, there are also hundreds of tiny angels for children to find around The Angel Garden, and free creative activities designed for families.
FACTFILE::
The National Trust cares for 300 inspiring historic houses, gardens and winter gardens across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. From former workers' cottages to the most iconic stately homes, and from mines and mills to theatres and inns, the stories of people and their heritage are at the heart of everything it does. People of all ages, individuals, schools and communities get involved each year with its projects, events and working holidays and over 62,000 volunteers help to bring the properties alive for the Trust's 4 million members, who enjoy family days out at locations throughout the country. Find out more at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
The Angel Garden has been inspired by Mottisfont's original human-size mosaic angel, which lives in a leafy corner on the south side of the house. Created by renowned artist Boris Anrep in 1947, the face of the angel is that of the woman he loved - Mottisfont's charismatic owner, Maud Russell.
Now nine more artists have created their own very different angel sculptures to join Anrep's and form a trail around Mottisfont's beautiful grounds. Five of the angel sculptures at Mottisfont are new commissions created especially for the project which opened earlier this month.
Louise Govier, visitor experience and communities manager at Mottisfont said: "Working with the artists and seeing how they have interpreted the angel brief differently has been fascinating.
"Each has been influenced in different ways by the building, landscape and people at Mottisfont.
"Every angel is different in style, colour and size and will bring a special atmosphere to Mottisfont this Christmas. We hope visitors will feel enchanted and uplifted as they explore the gardens discovering these wonderful angels and that it puts them in the Christmas spirit."
Made of different materials, including wood, steel, thatching straw and acrylic, the eight artists have taken their inspiration from the surroundings, the history and the people who work at Mottisfont. One of the artworks to be seen for the first time is Ed Elliott's sculpture Greer (from the Celtic for 'watchful' or 'guardian') which is carved from London Plane timber sourced from the Mottisfont estate. It depicts a crouching human-size muscular bodied angel with a huge 14 ft. wingspan. The wing tips brush the earth as if he has just landed in the grounds behind the North Garden.
Ed Elliott, sculptor said: "This work questions the deeper psychological concept of the angel; the paradox between power and beauty, solidity and weightlessness, and the burden of existing as an immortal being."
Nigel Williams' steel Ferric Messenger angel rises from the waters of the famous River Test to greet visitors as they cross the bridge into the gardens.
The tubular body sports a halo, and wings that are studded with dozens of bolt heads - evidence of the artist's involvement in automotive design.
The finish, now a rich orange/brown sheen, is an important element of the sculpture, which has been partially rusted and will continue to change and develop during the exhibition.
In addition to the nine angels on the sculpture trail, there are also hundreds of tiny angels for children to find around The Angel Garden, and free creative activities designed for families.
FACTFILE::
The National Trust cares for 300 inspiring historic houses, gardens and winter gardens across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. From former workers' cottages to the most iconic stately homes, and from mines and mills to theatres and inns, the stories of people and their heritage are at the heart of everything it does. People of all ages, individuals, schools and communities get involved each year with its projects, events and working holidays and over 62,000 volunteers help to bring the properties alive for the Trust's 4 million members, who enjoy family days out at locations throughout the country. Find out more at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk.
Massive savings on garden sheds: York Timber Products Winter Sale is now on
There’s nothing better than a garden shed for making your outdoor space neat and at York Timber Products garden sheds are currently on offer during the winter sale for as little as £169. There’s a wide choice of garden sheds, playhouses, cabins, dog kennels and even garden offices on offer – all in top grade timber, with clean & stylish designs.
As well as prices of hundreds of products in the main catalogue being reduced, York Timber Products, who are a family-run business, offer to make up custom designs, so you can get the perfect shed, kennel or playhouse to meet your needs.
Sharon Sutcliffe of York Timber Products says: “Garden tools and furniture can be expensive, so it’s important to look after them. We speak to people all the time who have found themselves having to replace garden chairs and rusty tools that have been left out in the elements in the rain and snow.
“As the snow is set to come soon, we want to remind people to find a home for their garden valuables sooner rather than later.”
Sales items include -
Tool share wooden garden shed – only £169
• Superior 12mm finish shiplap cladding :63x32 mm Heavy Duty Framing
• Double Doors
• Key Lock
• Tongue & Groove Floor & Roof (NOT the cheaper OSB Board)
• Factory Applied Treatment
9 Pane Log Lap Hobby House Garden Shed – only £539
• Attractive 9 Pane Opening Window
• Solid Ledged and Braced Door with Key Lock
• Superior 16mm finish Heavy Duty Log Lap Tongue &
Groove Cladding
• 63x32mm Heavy Duty framing
• Tongue & Groove Floor & Roof (NOT the cheaper OSB Board)
• Strong 40kg Green Mineral felt
• factory applied treatment (red cedar)
• Galvanised Fixings
FACTFILE:
From the Headquarters in York, this family-run company specialises in supplying quality timber buildings, play equipment and garages for customers across the Yorkshire region. Their focus is on providing a friendly, personal service has given York Timber Products a warm relationship with both their customers and other professionals within the trade.
All their summerhouses, playhouses, garden sheds and gazebos are expertly crafted at our on-site workshop using only the highest quality timber.
Being in control of the manufacturing process provides the further benefit of allowing York Timber Products to customise designs to meet individual requirements, so if you can’t find exactly what you're looking for,they can work together with you to develop the ideal solution for your garden.
York Timber Products Show sites can be found in –
Escrick, York, Hull, Harewood (Leeds) and Doncaster
Website: http://www.yorktimberproducts.co.uk/
Wednesday 7 December 2011
Zeno Perfetti wins National Trust and London College of Garden Design competition
Zeno Perfetti
Open to 2010 and 2011 graduates of the London College of Garden Design, Zeno Perfetti’s impressive vision for the National Trust Garden Collection stand scooped the top prize.
Turning the design brief on its head, {{Perfetti showcases the National Trust Garden Collection within a garden setting, but adds a sense of drama and mystery}} by displaying the products as surreal sculptures.
“I wanted to create something unexpected” Perfetti explains, “in my design the products have become interesting, sculptural elements displayed on lawn or gravel areas enhanced by decorative, upright and coloured posts.”
On winning the competition, Perfetti said: "To create a garden space for the National Trust- a great British institution at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show-the largest flower show in the world is a dream project for me. I'm thrilled to be a part of the team."
Phillippa Green, Brand Licensing Manager at the National Trust said, “This garden is really exciting. By re-imagining the products in the National Trust Garden Collection range Perfetti makes us look again at everyday garden tools and showcases their design and craftsmanship.”
The garden – which includes products from Alitex Greenhouses, Gaze Burvill outdoor furniture, Oak Leaf Gates, Scotts of Thrapston Summerhouses and Westminster Stone - will be on display at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in July.
FACTFILE:
Nine British companies came together in 2010 to form the National Trust Garden Collection, offering a range of gardening items from summerhouses to spades, sales of which generate income for the Trust’s conservation work including that of its gardens.
Each item in the Garden collection takes inspiration from the extensive gardens, buildings, collections and land in the National Trust’s care and all are produced using traditional crafts and techniques. Examples include Scotts of Thrapston Summerhouses who base its licensed designs on outdoor structures cared for by the Trust, including the converted garden building used by George Bernard Shaw to create many of his masterpieces; and Gaze Burvill who concentrate on traditional wood crafts seen at many National Trust places to design and produce garden furniture.
Find out more at http://www.nationaltrustgardencollection.co.uk/
The London College of Garden Design aims to offer the best professional garden design courses available in the UK. Launched in 2008 by three of the UK’s leading garden professionals, the London College of Garden Design one-year Garden Design Diploma classes take place in the Orangery conference facilities at the world famous Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Find out more at http://www.lcgd.org.uk/
Tuesday 6 December 2011
That's Business: Snow blowers and ice treatment package the answer ...
That's Business: Snow blowers and ice treatment package the answer ...: Businesses and local authorities are increasing their efforts to stay open through the pred...
Great Christmas gift idea for the gardener in your life
A Christmas gift of a gardening course with some of the world’s best gardeners is just a click away as MyGardenSchool launches a unique online gift certificate
MyGardenSchool, the world’s first online gardening school, has today launched gift certificates for each of its 23 online gardening courses, just in time for Christmas. This makes it possible for people to buy an online gardening course as a gift right up until the moment they see their loved ones on Christmas Day. The beauty of a course from MyGardenSchool is that the world’s most acclaimed gardeners teach students how to absolutely everything in the garden, from keeping bees or hens; landscaping and design; growing vegetables, herbs and the perfect roses; building treehouses and ponds; taking beautiful photographs, and everything in between. This makes is possible to find a gift for everyone, from the most discerning gardener to the keen gardening, design or photography enthusiast to someone simply looking for a great new hobby.
Those wishing to buy a gift certificate for loved ones simply need to choose the online gardening course they would like from the MyGardenSchool website and click through to the individual course page. In addition to a course overview, details about the course tutor and a taster video, visitors will find a ‘Gift this Course’ button. The button leads buyers through the very simple ordering and payment process, and provides a printable certificate with an online code that enables recipients to book any course to begin at a time that suits them.
All MyGardenSchool courses cost £120, last four weeks and begin on the first Saturday of every month. The beauty of the course being online is that students learn at their own pace, and in the comfort of their own home. Each course includes step by step video tutorials, downloadable course notes, and the facility to chat with tutors and fellow classmates online, in a ‘virtual classroom’. The classroom may be ‘virtual’ but the camaraderie is real, and the technology is very intuitive and easy to use.
All of the MyGardenSchool tutors are outstanding in their field (and gardens), being accomplished gardeners and acclaimed gardening writers. MyGardenSchool tutors include multi-gold medal winner at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Andy McIndoe with courses in bulbs, shrubs and trees; Stephanie Donaldson, author and Gardens Editor of Country Living magazine with a course on organic gardening; leading garden designer and author, Hilary Thomas with a courses in planting design; photographer and author Sue Bishop with a course on flower photography; and John Brookes, prolific author who is often described as the world's most influential garden designer, with a course on garden and landscape design. The details of tutors, together with courses, can be found on the MyGardenSchool online gardening course pages.
FACTFILE:
MyGardenSchool Ltd is a unique global online horticultural classroom. Whether you want to grow organic veg, create enviable flower borders, nurture that perfect lawn, or simply give a good home to an egg laying chicken – MyGardenSchool offers a high quality range of gardening courses taught by some of the world’s top tutors and delivered right to your green fingertips. For more information, please go to the MyGardenSchool website
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