In this issue we introduce our new services of Soil Injection and Stretch Marquee Hire. We also give some...
May I take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
I’m sure you are busy in the run-up to the holidays so I’ll endeavour to keep this Quarterly newsletter brief and relevant.
Our 3 areas of focus are:
- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Garden Square lighting – including our concerns re the proliferation of 240v Fairy Lights
- The incredible Electric Leaf Blower released by Stihl this year – all of the power, none of the noise / pollutants
- All the security measures we added to a Shed to keep a would-be Grinch away from our fancy new Leaf Blower
If at any point you find this newsletter no longer welcome/relevant-to-you, please feel free to let me know, or unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of each newsletter.
Conversely, if you’ve been forwarded this newsletter by a friend/colleague, please feel free to sign-up to receive emails directly going forward by visiting the Newsletter section of our website.
Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year,
Tom
As we approach the Winter Solstice, what better time to focus on environmentally sensitive, non-disruptive lighting for Garden Squares?
We’ve spent large portions of 2025 fixing and/or replacing year-round lighting in Garden Squares, pioneering some new techniques along the way.
In this article we share our thoughts on what sort of features stand the test of time, and dangers to look out for with legacy lighting infrastructure – especially so called “professional” 240v fairy lights…
For decades the run-up to Christmas around Garden Squares has been dominated by the (justifiable) noise of professional-grade petrol blowers collecting acres upon acres of fallen leaves.
The (oft tin-eared) complaints of the rich and famous regarding these blowers has also garnered plenty of media attention over the years.
However 2025 saw a revolution that seems to have gone largely unreported – an electric blower that (finally) matches the performance of petrol models with none of the noise or pollutants.
Don’t believe me? Check out the following video of the revolutionary Stihl BRA 600 Battery Backpack Blower (made Time’s list of top 2025 inventions) in use at Gloucester Square.
However the move to this equipment is not straightforward, with significant cost and practicality considerations, especially for Contract Gardeners frequently working on sites without power.
In this article we look at the steps Gloucester Square and their Contract Gardeners have taken to move to an Electric Fleet of Gardening Tools, and the considerations for other Squares looking to follow-suit.
With endemic tool theft levels across the capital, no Committee or Contract Gardening Company can invest in fancy new equipment without considering the security of their sheds.
Regrettably we’ve seen a handful of sheds targeted over the course of 2025, including one successful break-in (seemingly cut-short by an alarmed camera).
In this article we look at the various features that we’ve be added to Garden Sheds and rate their effectiveness at deterring theft.
I’ve had a bizarre desire to write a Railings Guide for some time now (glutton for punishment).
There were several good guides already available online (such as Westminster’s Railing Guide), but all were at least 20 years out of date, heavy on conversation yet light on practical guidance. The ‘Blowtorching paint off cast iron railings might be appropriate’ type of advice [subtext – they’ll probably crack under heat, you’ll inhale carcinogenic fumes along the way, and little Timmy will no doubt stop by unannounced to help himself to some 2nd degree burns].
Over 30 pages later the guide certainly isn’t perfect, it needs more photos for one thing. Though I hope it will serve as a helpful reference document for Garden Committees. Railings are, after all, an extremely expensive bit of kit that need looking after.
We’ll keep updating the guide over time – so whenever you want the latest version, please go to following page and complete the form – a copy will be emailed to you automatically.
Looking Ahead: Q1 2026 Newsletter
Our overarching focus with these newsletters it to provide content helpful to Committee Members / Garden Managers.
Some current thoughts for the Q1 Newsletter include:
- Good vs Bad irrigation systems (& hosepipe ban watch)
- Resident and wildlife friendly Water Features
- Playground regulations and the reputable suppliers
- Ideas for maximising shed storage and organisation
If there are any topics you would like us to cover in the next issue please do let me know.
Subscribe to Future Newsletters
Related Posts