Classic cars at Golden Acres Landford on July 10

The annual judging event of classic cars owned by the Test Valley Motor Enthusiasts takes place on July 10 at Golden Acres Garden Centre, Landford – and visitors are invited to take part in the judging.
   Organisors expect around 60 vehicles which will be judged by club members in four categories – saloons, sports cars, motorcycles and miscellaneous (including stationary engines, tractors and commercial vehicles).
   Visitors to the centre can vote for another category – the car or motorcycle they would most like to take home – and results will be announced during the event.
   The cars will arrive from 1.30pm and judging starts at 3pm.
www.golden-acres-nursery.co.uk
www.romseynet.org.uk/motorgroup/index.html

Groveley Detection: solution for large HVAC ducts at Morecambe Bay

Specialist engineers at Groveley Detection have provided a solution for monitoring flammable gas ingress into some larger-than-average HVAC ducts for Centrica Plc.
   A survey was commissioned for the Central Platform on the South Morecambe Bay Field to ascertain the best way to monitor HVAC ducts in line with the HSE Directive Offshore Information Sheet No. 5/2008. The solution was a combination of six Simtronics GD10PE infrared extended point gas detectors and GDA-aspirators.
   GD10PEs are specifically designed to monitor critical applications involving large volumes of high velocity air and can reach alarm levels as low as 3% LEL.
   For the wider ducts, two GDA-aspirators were fitted with GD10P infrared gas detectors connecting to self-compensating duct probes. In total six SCDPs were utilised for their ability to monitor the whole cross section of the ducts, in 1.6m and 3.05m lengths. Groveley can custom-build them to a maximum length of 4m.
   Groveley has worked with Centrica since 2003 to protect personnel and plant and has also provided training courses to Centrica staff on F&G detection equipment awareness.
www.groveley.co.uk       Picture courtesy of Centrica

Groveley Precision Engineering: awarded environmental management system ISO14001

Groveley Precision Engineering has achieved the environmental management system ISO14001 status, adding it to its ISO9001 certified quality system.
   Environmental initiatives have been introduced at the Christchurch-based company for a number of years and the decision to seek formal certification was taken in line with Groveley's commitment to the SC21 supplier improvement programme.
   This gives customers added assurance that the systems have been audited, authorized and certified by an independent external body.
   ISO14001 status confirms customer needs will always be met while continually maintaining environmental considerations.
   All employees were given ISO14001 training by RDA Consultancy, and Business Link Wessex assisted in part-funding the project.
   Managing director Peter Bennet said: “Our staff have relished the opportunity to make improvements to benefit both their own working environment and the company as a whole.”
   ISO14001 is an internationally-recognised environmental management system which works alongside the ISO9001 quality management system.
www.groveley.co.uk    Photography by Phil Dowding

Groveley Detection: GDA-aspirators supplied to Statfjord B platform

Hazard detection experts Groveley Detection has supplied three custom-made gas detection aspirators to SEC AS based in Norway.
   The single and dual channel aspirators were fitted with H2S detectors and will be used on Statoil's Statfjord B platform. Statfjord is one of the oldest producing fields on the Norwegian continental shelf, and the largest oil discovery in the North Sea.
   GDA-aspirators use minimal compression fittings which help reduce maintenance costs by reducing leak paths. These compression fittings should never need altering - no other aspirator manufacturer offers such a system. The GDA-aspirators will be utilized to monitor gas turbine exhaust ducts.
   Statoil have a number of GDA-aspirators on other platforms in the North Sea including Statfjord C, Kvitebjorn and Troll A.

   www.groveley.co.uk    Phtography by Harald Pettersen

John Browns garden centre: 3X school receives £200 cheque from Unwins Seeds

Delighted schoolchildren from Three Legged Cross First School received a £200 cheque for gardening equipment during a visit to John Browns garden centre in Three Legged Cross.
  The centre had nominated the 3X school for the ‘Gro-Sure Challenge for Schools’ from seed company Unwin, which aims to inspire children to try growing from seed and enjoy achieving great results, while supporting local schools.
  The children attend the school’s gardening club and were presented with free Unwin t-shirts.
  Alongside its £200 cheque, Unwins will also provide the school with information and online support for Key Stage 1 and 2 requirements on gardening.
  Emma Green from John Browns said: “The benefits for children of gardening and growing from seed are endless, from enjoying practical activities outside and the excitement of watching seedlings grow, to enjoying the taste of fresh and healthy homegrown vegetables.”
  The school could now win an additional £1,000 by entering pupils’ drawings or paintings of ‘how their dream garden will look in 2050’ into a regional competition.
www.golden-acres-nursery.co.uk
www.threeleggedcross.dorset.sch.uk
Photography by Phil Dowding

MyoFit publicity photography

New exercise studio MyoFit approached us to handle publicity cut-out photography for exciting window graphics in Poole, Dorset.

The studio, headed by Josh Pocock, is dedicated to injury prevention, intervention, rehabilitation and performance enhancement - transforming clients' bodies into everything they can become.

www.myofit.co.uk

Dorset churches connect with J.John

International Christian evangelist J.John addressed church leaders from around south Dorset in Wareham on Thursday, March 31.
   The event was part of the build up to ‘Connect’, the second annual week of worship, teaching and ministry, to be held at Holton Lee between July 13–17 this year.
   Connect 2011 will build on the success of its launch event in July 2010 when nearly 2,000 people attended, representing around 30 churches and fellowships.
   Around double the number of attendees are expected this year.
   Speakers will include Russ Parker, Brian Draper and Angela Seaton-Mills, plus Labid Madanat, head of the Bible Society’s three branches in the Bible Lands, and Victor Kalisher, Bible Society director in Israel.
   The Connect 2011 programme will include seminars, interest groups, activities, evening celebrations, and a family-focussed weekend with camping, a youth and children’s programme.
   Worship bands from local churches will lead worship in the afternoon and evening main tent sessions.
   Organiser Rob Richards said: “Last year’s event exceeded our expectations in every way and feedback from church leaders ever since has been extremely positive. We know around double the number of churches are getting involved."
www.connect2011.org.uk   Photography by Phil Dowding

Guide show: Guides perform show songs at Cadnam Garden Centre

Local Guides descended on Cadnam Garden Centre to perform songs from their upcoming production ‘Memories of Showtime’.
   Members of the New Forest North and Southampton West divisions promoted the show, which takes place at Southampton Guildhall in seven performances between April 12-16.
   Brownies and Guides from eight divisions across Hampshire West will perform a song and dance extravaganza which includes around 80 songs, put together by a new production team which developed the show from snippits of previous Showtime performances.
   Assistant branch manager at Cadnam Garden Centre, Michelle Savage – who as a teenager performed in the 2000 show – said: “We love supporting our local community and it’s great to see young people actively involved in such a great production – and I encourage people to buy the tickets to go and see the show!”
   One of the show's co-ordinators Julie Broomfield said: “The girls have been rehearsing every Sunday since September and it’s a brilliant show. It’s our seventh production, with a cast of 175 from all over Hampshire West.”
   Tickets cost £10 for children and concessions; £15 for adults and are available online or from the Southampton Guildhall Box Office.
Photography by Phil Dowding

John Browns garden centre: You cook WHAT on a BBQ?

Staff from John Browns garden centre are cooking cheesecake and chocolate brownies on their BBQs following a special training course with BBQ manufacturer Weber!
   Jeremy Green, manager at the at Three Legged Cross centre, said: “You can use many modern BBQs just like a normal oven, albeit with a little less heat control.
   “You can cook some gorgeous food like pizza, curries, garlic bread, various puddings – even pavlova – outdoors on charcoal, gas and electric BBQs.”
   If you’d like advice on cooking more adventurous food, Jeremy and his staff are available to offer suggestions.
   Their training also covered new outdoor smoker cookers which are now on display at John Browns.
www.golden-acres-nursery.co.uk   
Photography by Phil Dowding

Airflow: new business expands plastics moulding division

New business gained at Airflow Ventilators has led to the Hampshire manufacturer opening a second contract plastics moulding manufacturing site in Verwood, Dorset, to make large builders buckets, domestic caddies and mop buckets for its Plumbuild range.
   And within months of opening, the new plant has moved to 24/5 production to cope with volumes of work, and aims to shortly add extra injection moulding machines and take on five new staff.
   Airflow PMD (Plastics Mould Division) also operates from a second site close to Airflow’s headquarters in New Milton, Hampshire. At that site, production and assembly has also just increased to double shifts. Across the two sites, the moulding division operates 14 machines ranging from 25 to 485 tons.
   Airflow managing director Lionel Huish said: “We have manufactured plastics in-house since internalising the moulding process for our plumbers and builders products in 2001 and it has grown steadily.
   “Now PMD handles contract plastics moulding for high street products that are sold around the world - products as varied as Christmas tree stands and the container of a world-famous lip balm.
   “Our team works closely with its moulding clients and gets involved at an early stage, including product concept, modeling, CAD design, liaison with toolmakers, moulding to a maximum machine size of 485 tons, assembly, testing and packaging.” 
   The company’s original ventilation business – Airflow (Nicoll Ventilators) Ltd – now operates 24/7 at New Milton producing its ever-expanding, own-brand product range for builders and plumbers merchants, which includes buckets and tools. During 2011 it will develop its manufacturing process and increase its marketing to the plumbing/building sector.
   Since employing 20 new staff during 2010, Airflow now employs 50 staff across its three manufacturing sites.
www.airflow-vent.co.uk    Photography by Phil Dowding

New school suffers pupil burns attacks

Bex Okotel with burns victim Alice in hospital in Uganda

When Poole-based Christian charity Child of Hope opened a new school in a Ugandan slum last week, it was expecting to celebrate - but was rocked when two of its pupils – one aged four – were set alight in two separate incidents.
  The school, run by Bex Okotel – who lived in Poole – and her husband Moses, opened on February 7 with funds raised from the UK, including many individuals and churches in Dorset.
  The two girls had burning paraffin thrown on them and the eldest, Alice (10), has suffered horrific burns from the neck down. The youngest, Maria, is just four years old.
  Fortunately Maria is not as badly burnt as Alice but is having to stay in hospital for a few days. Her right arm, shoulder blade and back of her head have significant burns.
  The woman who threw the deadly paraffin/petrol mix on Maria (and possibly Alice too) is now in police custody and Child of Hope is working with the police.
  It appears her husband works at a petrol depot and may have been stealing petrol to sell in the slum, to 'water down' paraffin that is commonly used to light homes at night.
  As soon as Bex and Moses heard about the latest incident with Maria, Bex rushed to find her and took her to hospital, while Moses went straight to the police with the burnt clothes.
  The Child of Hope school was built to provide free education, healthcare, food and clothing for nearly 200 of the poorest children living in Namatala slum, in Mbale, eastern Uganda.
  Its premises are currently just one floor and and will be extended to another floor during 2011, and a third in 2012. By then it will educate around 600 children.
  Phil Dowding, chairman of Child of Hope UK, said: “What these two children have suffered is terrible and our Ugandan team is working with the police to bring the individuals to justice.
 “But in the meantime, nearly 200 children are exploring their new school building with an enormous smile on their faces. Most would not have gone to school, possibly ever, so their long-term hope is infinitely more secure with a good education behind them.”
www.childofhopeuganda.org

Kittens born in the roof of Golden Acres garden centre

A stray cat was looking for a warm place to have her kittens and found the ideal spot – a tiny space in the roof above a computer room in Golden Acres garden centre at West Parley, where she gave birth to five kittens.
   The cat had been spotted a few times beforehand and cries were eventually heard coming from the roof space.
   Staff member Chris Woods and a colleague removed the kittens, with some resistance from the mother until she realised she was not being separated from them.
   They called the Bournemouth & District branch of rescue organisation Cats Protection, which came and took the mum, along with her two black and three tabby kittens, into its care.
   Chris said: “The mother is in very good condition and affectionate; she is certainly not a wild cat. She found a very good spot to have her babies.”
   Cats Protection started in 1927 and now helps more than 215,000 cats and kittens every year through its network of over 250 volunteer-run branches and 29 adoption centres. Branches take in cats and ensure that they receive all the veterinary care and attention that they need to help them get back on their paws.
www.golden-acres-nursery.co.uk  
www.bournemouthcats.org.uk
Photography by Phil Dowding

GAN 2011 new product awards

Awards were announced at the horticultural trade show GAN 2011 on February 9 for the best new products and services that will make an impact on the UK market this year.
   Best New Plant was won by Kernock Park Plants with its newly-bred hardy perennial Iberis in pink, ‘Absolutely Amethyst’. This new variety starts to produce breathtaking amethyst, pink puffs of flower in late March through mid May on neat mounds of green foliage.
   Then Scotts Miracle Gro took Best New Retail Product with its Rose Clear Ultra, its new-generation systemic insecticide and fungicide for combined control of pests and diseases on ornamental plants.
   Best Technical Product or Service was Electronic & Technical Services for its Evaposensor and interface for mist and irrigation control - which also won the Best Overall New Product category. The unit enables accurate matching of water use to plant requirements, automatically adjusting mist, fog and irrigation applications according to the plant environment and weather.
   And Country Garden Plant Sales won the award for Best Stand.
   Simon Edwards, group operations director, said: “This show was a great event, with more visitors than last year.”
   However the success has made it increasingly difficult for organisor Golden Acres to release space in its nursery each year – and has announced this February’s show was the last one.
   Simon added: “Feedback from exhibitors and visitors was excellent and although we’re sad that GAN won’t now appear in the UK’s horticultural diary each year, we’re glad it’s gone out on a high.”
   GAN has evolved from a nursery open day in 1994 to become the largest horticultural trade show in the south as well as being the first of the year.
   In 1998, 77 exhibitors occupied 150 stands and by 2010 figures had grown to 174 exhibitors’ occupying 235 stands.
www.ganshow.com    Photography by Phil Dowding


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Pictures from top:
• Electronic & Technical Services’ Evaposensor and interface for mist and irrigation Control.
• Scotts Miracle Gro: RoseClear Ultra.
• Kernock Park Plants for its ‘Absolutely Amethyst’

Golden Acres: expansion in bedding production

Golden Acres has expanded its bedding production area at its Bournemouth nursery to accommodate increasing demand in bedding plants.
   Following a 20 per cent increase in production over the last five years, the nursery has reorganised its growing area to allow for further expansion.
   The nursery supplies the group’s own four garden centres in Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, along with many other centres and retail outlets across the south.
   However the success has made it increasingly difficult for the nursery to release space for the southern horticultural trade show GAN, which operates every February from the site – and Golden Acres has announced this February’s show was the last one.
   Simon Edwards, group operations director (pictured), said: “Those of us that have worked to make this event what it is are immensely proud of what has been achieved and are extremely grateful for the support that all the exhibitors and visitors have shown us over the years. I know that many friendships have been forged and more importantly a great deal of business has been done.”
   GAN has evolved from a nursery open day in 1994 to become the largest horticultural trade show in the south as well as being the first of the year.
   In 1998, 77 exhibitors occupied 150 stands and by 2010 figures had grown to 174 exhibitors’ occupying 235 stands. 
www.golden-acres-nursery.co.uk   Photography by Phil Dowding

More exhibitors set sights on GAN’s new product awards

With southern horticultural trade show GAN 2011 just a few days away on Wednesday, February 9, the last entries are in from exhibitors for the New Product awards.

Latecomers for New Plant Variety include:
• Coprosma ‘Tequila Sunrise' from New Place Nurseries. An evergreen shrub with a compact growing habit, with small glossy green leaves that transform through a range of vibrant foliage colours during the year.
• ‘Thymus Worfield Gardens’ from Worfield Gardens Wholesale Nursery – a white variegated thyme recently discovered at a Shropshire alpine nursery. Evergreen, cushion forming with aromatic leaves and easy to grow.
   
Entries for Best Technical Product or Service include:
• The Melcourt Sylvamix range of peat-free growing media.
• Fargro’s MET52 Granular - a CRD-approved microbial pest control, to control black vine weevil in ornamentals and soft fruit.
• Agralan now offers ready-made hives of native British bumblebees (Bombus terrestris audax) for outdoor pollination.
• Jumbo Ellepot from Ellegaard A/S – an environmentally-friendly substrate bio paperpot for the landscape and retail sectors.

And final entries for Best New Retail Product include:
• Growth Technology’s Orchid Myst, which produces a fine spray for orchid care. Ready to use, no mixing, no measurements, just a few squirts a couple of times a week for a great flower display.
• Two entries from FSUK at DRIVALL - a durable shovel with large polypropylene scoop with an aluminium profile for snow/garden amenity use - and a range of fibreglass pots and planters.
• The Granomax 5 from Agralan distributes granular material in controlled and regular patterns. Great for fertilisers to lawns and gardens, salt to de-ice frozen surfaces and sand to absorb spilt oil in the workshop.

Products will be judged during the one-day show and awards made on the day.The venue will be Dorset’s Golden Acres Nursery near Bournemouth International Airport.

www.ganshow.com

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Pictures (top to bottom):

• Thymus Worfield Gardens from Worfield Gardens Wholesale Nursery.
• An adult Black Vine weevil - controlled by Fargro’s MET52 Granular.
• A selection of of FSUK at DRIVALL’s fibreglass pots and planters.
• Native British bumblebees from Agralan.