Our older news stories are below in chronological order.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) have announced that The Landscape Agency have been appointed to prepare a detailed Management Plan for the 500 acre YSP site with a view to removing it from English Heritage's 'At Risk' register next year.
The report will help further enhance the landscape at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, with particular focus on reconnecting the landscape between Bretton Park, the formal pleasure grounds and the area used by YSP. The plan will look at historical development of the site as well as its current condition in terms of ecology, trees, land management and access.
Patrick James, Managing Director of The Landscape Agency said: "Yorkshire Sculpture Park is already a wonderful setting for sculpture as well as a place for people to walk and visit. We are delighted to put together this plan to help further enhance the landscape."
The report, funded by Natural England's Environmental Stewardship Scheme, is due to be completed in April 2010. Proposals set out in the plan will also form part of a ten-year programme of works to enhance the landscape at the park.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park is keen to put positive steps in place to secure removal from English Heritage's 'At Risk' register. Peter Murray, Executive Director of YSP commented: "We are extremely pleased that Natural England is funding this crucial piece of work. This is a unique opportunity to protect and enhance the historic landscape that Yorkshire Sculpture Park sits within and to ultimately remove us from the 'Heritage At Risk' Register."
Margaret Nieke, Historic Environment Advisor for Natural England who are funding the report added: "This is an exciting opportunity for us. Tackling ?Heritage at Risk? sites and issues is a key priority for us and we are delighted by the strong working partnership that has already developed at Yorkshire Sculpture Park. This work will help place YSP firmly back on the map as an important and well-cared for historic park."
Wisley celebrated its millionth visitor in December while Harlow Carr visitor numbers reached over 250,000 for the first time in its history.
Wisley saw record numbers in 2009, welcoming its 1 millionth visitor. Jenny Kingston from Guildford, an RHS member for five years, was feted with Champagne and flowers as she became the millionth visitor in 2009 to pass through the garden. Jenny was visiting with her husband and two young children.
"2009 was a bumper year for Wisley," said Jim. "We have introduced new events and horticultural displays that can be enjoyed by all ages, and new family attractions such as our ?Wild at Wisley? play area and activity cards have really ensured that even young visitors can get up close to nature and learn about gardening."
Harlow Carr also had a lot to celebrate after welcoming more than 250,000 in one year for the first time in its history.
"We're all absolutely delighted!" says Liz Thwaite, Head of Site. "We know from our own research that visitors love Harlow Carr for many reasons: for gardeners of all levels we provide inspiration and ideas to try at home. For others, the garden provides a relaxing and beautiful place to spend time with friends and family."
The garden hopes to continue this success in 2010 as it celebrates its 60th anniversary and officially opens the eagerly anticipated Bramall Learning Centre.
Leading landscape architecture practice The Landscape Agency has announced it is launching a new sister company The Tree & Woodland Company.
The Tree & Woodland Company will offer solutions to all tree and woodland management issues and aims to become dominant within the arboricultural world. Services offered will include managing landscapes and woodlands; veteran tree and hazard assessment; arboricultural ecology; planting; project management and work implementation.
The newly formed company, based in Stoneleigh Park, near Warwick, will be staffed by those currently working on arboricultural contracts for The Landscape Agency. All existing arboriculture work will be transferred across. The company has been formed in response to identifying further potential in this area and will build on its existing broad client base including private estates, public organisations, the commercial sector and land agents, as well as other architectural practices. Existing clients include The National Trust, English Heritage and the Royal Parks.
The new company will be headed up by Andrew Bowman-Shaw, formerly Arboricultural Director at the Landscape Agency. He commented: "I am delighted to be fronting The Tree & Woodland Company. I see great opportunity for us to become major players in the industry, am thrilled to be developing the business and look forward to the challenges ahead".
The Landscape Agency Managing Director Patrick James added: "Establishing The Tree & Woodland Company gives us a great chance to continue to develop our work in this sector and we feel confident we can offer a fantastic range of services to our clients."
The Landscape Agency was an award winner at the BALI National Landscape Awards held in London in December. The award was presented to Alistair Baldwin, Director of Design, for his work at Nether Lypiatt garden, near Stroud, Gloucestershire. Alistair was responsible for preparing and implementing a landscape masterplan and re-design of this well-known garden that provides the setting for the Grade I listed, early 18th century house.
The Landscape Agency secured the award within the category for 'A domestic garden scheme construction cost between ?100,000 and ?250,000'.
The BALI judges noted, 'this award is given in recognition of the contractor, designer and client working in harmony to produce an exceptional award winning scheme'.
The Landscape Agency has announced today that Matthew Wilson will be joining the company as Associate Director of Design as of November 2009. The Landscape Agency is recognised as one of the leading landscape design practices in the UK working on projects relating to the restoration, conservation and future development of landscapes in Britain.
Matthew Wilson has been working at the Royal Horticultural Society for the past 10 years. He began his career with the RHS as Curator at Hyde Hall in Essex before being promoted to Head of Site and Curator at the Society's Yorkshire garden Harlow Carr. Most recently he has held the post of Head of Creative Development for the RHS, working across all four gardens. Matthew is also a radio and television broadcaster, writes regularly for many national magazines and newspapers and is an award-winning author.
Patrick James, The Landscape Agency's Managing Director, commented: "I am delighted that Matthew Wilson will be joining us at such an key time in our development. As an innovative landscape practice Matthew can only help build on our impressive portfolio of projects. We look forward to working with him with great excitement and anticipation."
Matthew Wilson added: "After 10 rewarding years with the RHS I'm thrilled to be joining The Landscape Agency. I was hugely impressed, as a client, with the way in which the practice went about developing the RHS garden master plans, and I can't wait to contribute to the many exciting projects they are developing."
"Matthew's appointment as Associate Director of Design for The Landscape Agency reflects the company's key focus on landscape design commissions relating to Estates and Gardens, the Heritage and Leisure sector and private individuals."
Matthew's extensive experience will help build on The Landscape Agency's existing portfolio in both of these sectors. Current clients in this area include the RHS, National Trust, English Heritage, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Lowther Castle in Cumbria.
Alistair Baldwin, Design Director for The Landscape Agency, added: "Matthew's knowledge and experience will strengthen our team as we continue to deliver a range of landscape projects related to our core sectors, namely Estates and Gardens and Heritage and Leisure."
Matthew's appointment will also see him heading up The Landscape Agency's new London office in Clerkenwell working alongside existing offices in York and Warwick.