23 April 2008 UNEARTHED at Coles Nurseries, Thursday 11 September 2008 Experience trees and shrubs, with practical advice from a bank of nursery experts. An interactive hands-on display of UK nursery stock – small shrubs to extra heavy standard trees for UK landscaping and planting schemes. Following our successful Treefest event in 2006, we are now hosting Unearthed – The Essential Guide to Specifying UK Trees and Shrubs for Landscaping. Unearthed takes place at our Leicestershire nurseries and is supported by The Horticultural Trades Association. The day will incorporate practical demonstrations, seminars and nursery tours as well as enabling the visitor to experience “nursery stock” at first hand, unlocking the mysteries of plant specification and quizzing the growers themselves! It will also provide an ideal platform for networking with other industry professionals. Targeted at: LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS, TREE SPECIALISTS, HORTICULTURISTS, ARBORICULTURISTS, LANDSCAPERS & CONTRACTS MANAGERS, PLANNERS, GROUNDS, PARKS and ESTATES MANAGERS and any individual or company involved with TREES, SHRUBS and PLANTING, we expect, as with Treefest, over 200 visitors from all over the UK. Visitors can book a place for £15 each (£5 for students) and a donation from the proceeds will be made to Perennial, Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society. To receive a booking form, please register online at: www.unearthedlive.co.uk or call us on 0116 241 2115. Tickets will be sent upon receipt of the entrance fee and a completed booking form. 03 January 2008 In a presentation made by the Board of Directors at Coles Nurseries Head Office in Leicester on 13 December 2007, employee Jim Bishop received a gold timepiece in gratitude for over 35 years’ loyal service to the company. Now responsible for one of the company’s most recently established tree nurseries at Queniborough, Jim is part of a 30-man team growing, treating, maintaining and preparing field-grown trees for sale to the landscaping market across the UK. Jim’s 35 years’ service has also seen him work on sites in Barkby, Gaddesby and Thurnby. Presenting the award, James Coles, Managing Director, thanked Jim for his consistently high quality work ethic and praised his loyalty and commitment to the Coles company. 02 October 2007 WINNER OF THE HORTICULTURE WEEK “OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRIBUTION” AWARD 2007 Presented on 1 October 2007 at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, the Most Outstanding Environmental Contribution Award punctuates a progressive season of tree and shrub production at James Coles & Sons (Nurseries) Limited, Leicester. Judges commended the “good, solid, positive steps towards reducing cost while improving the environment and creating new habitats”. A number of key green strategies have come to fruition in 2007. One such strategy was a water management programme at the main container and field-grown tree unit at Gaddesby, Leicestershire. With cost-effective irrigation and water recycling in mind, Coles invested £90,000 in a 10-million-gallon lagoon. Over 50,000 cubic metres of heavy clay were moved, creating a new plateau alongside existing production beds. Phragmites australis reeds were planted at the lagoon edge to enhance biodiversity, with the gentle slopes allowing the establishment of diverse flora. Fully established and into its second filling and drawing season, the 6m-deep lagoon ensures the largest container area is now self-sufficient in water. The savings made will have paid for the investment within three years. Other initiatives include trials of green waste compost as a soil conditioner and structure improver, reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and increasing natural resistance to pests and diseases previously countered with chemicals. Rotational green cropping has seen Phacelia tanacetifolia planted on 10 hectares of rested production land at Thurnby, which will enrich and condition the soil ahead of planting the next tree crop. A compost tea concentrate has also been trialled at Coles.After a couple of seasons experimentation, Coles have seen impressive results in plant growth, pest and disease resistance, winter hardiness of certain crops and reduction of applied chemical pesticides and nutrients. By moving forward in environmental management, Coles is adapting a more holistic approach. Progress is monitored closely, new ideas considered and a greater awareness promoted in the hope that the power of the natural environment will lead to stronger, healthier crops produced on fertile land, sustainable for many years. 22 August 2007 As the planting season for bare-root trees approaches, specifiers of plant material for commercial landscaping and large-scale construction schemes reach for their reference books and start defining their planting plans. One of the most important reference documents of its’ type, the Coles Catalogue 2007-8 will be available from September 2007. The 68 page brochure lists over 5000 standard stock lines in bare-root trees, container trees, shrubs, specimens, conifers, bamboos, grasses, fruit, roses and herbaceous perennials, all in a structured and consistent manner with sizes and form in line with the National Plant Specification. The newly-expanded Container Tree ranges are included, with many varieties available in large quantities in 45 and 65 litre containers (established trees up to 4.5m in height). Clients are encouraged to submit planting plans for quotation on a project-by-project basis, as the Sales Team at Coles endeavour to price in line with market changes and availability and will offer advice on plant selection and suitability if required. To assist the specifier, Coles have now produced a CD version of their Catalogue in PDF format, searchable by keyword and enabling the landscape architect and plant buyer to view and print sections where required. Available by calling 0116 2412115 or emailing marketing@colesnurseries.co.uk, the brochure and CD will be mailed out to its’ existing client base throughout September 2007. 15 March 2007 Finding the Right Plant Want to know which trees would be suitable for a street, a motorway, or a list of evergreen shrubs, or those ideal for ground cover? Coles Nurseries now have Availability Lists according to planting conditions, e.g. situation, soil type, purpose. . Download the Complete List or Request specific availability and choose the list you require. You can also submit a Stock List Request which will be sent directly to our Stock Control Manager who will tailor one accordingly and send it back to you. Just click on the DOWNLOAD AVAILABILITY button at the top of the screen. 12 September 2006 As the new season approaches for the planting of bare-root trees, Coles Nurseries commence their mailing of their new-look catalogue for 2006/2007. Detailing all stocked varieities of trees and shrubs, both field and container-grown, the catalogue is a vital reference tool for the specifier when selecting nursery stock. Standardising size, height and girth to the National Plant Specification, the catalogue also outlines Coles' latest developments in terms of production improvements, new product ranges and environmental strengths. If you have not pre-registered to receive your copy, please call 0116 2412115, email info@colesnurseries.co.uk or visit www.colesnurseries.co.uk, where you can submit your details online and can return weekly to download the latest availability of all stocked items. 09 May 2006 TREEFEST at COLES NURSERIES, Thursday 17 August 2006 Aiming to promote Tree Planting across the UK in urban and rural projects, Coles are hosting an event aimed at the Tree Industry incorporating practical demonstrations, seminars, nursery tours and a chance to witness the skills of open-ground tree production at the UK's largest tree grower. Some of the proceeds will be donated to Perennial, the Gardeners Benevolent Charity. For further information, please email LYNN HUNTER at marketing@colesnurseries.co.uk or call 0116 2412115. 14 February 2006 BEYOND 2012: Greening the Games: Sponsored by Coles The landscape and horticulture industry, through the Beyond 2012: Greening the Games campaign, wants to contribute to the success of the Games, promoting what’s best in the design and delivery of a green landscape appropriate for such a spectacle, but also one that is environmentally sustainable and contributes to the quality of experience of both those visiting the Games and those living in the East of London. Full use must be made of plants, trees and turf to secure lasting health benefits, provide ongoing skills development and create a green park to be proud of. At Coles, we are one of the sponsors of this campaign which aims to ensure the green landscaping and horticulture of the Olympic Park is carried out to the best specification, supplied by the best UK suppliers and contractors, to the agreed initial budget and specification and is maintained beyond the lifetime of the Games. To support this cause, please email greeningthegames@bellendenpublicaffairs.co.uk. 07 April 2006 Edward Garnier MP has responded to calls from local nursery stock grower, James Coles & Sons (Nurseries) Limited to back the 'Greening the Games' campaign, which is seeking to ensure that the Olympics and the Olympic Park is a showcase for what is best about British landscape and horticulture. It wants to see decisions made about funding and the ongoing maintenance of the Olympic Park to be made early by the Olympic Delivery Authority so that the appropriate turf, planting and trees can be secured in an environmentally stable manner. Welcoming the campaign, Edward Garnier said: "I fully support the campaign's objectives, which will raise the profile of British landscaping and horticulture in expanding world markets. This will benefit firms like Coles Nurseries which can only be good for the economy here in Harborough. I hope I can use my influence to ensure that this issue is given the serious hearing it deserves, both within Parliament but more importantly within the Olympic Movement." 25 January 2006 FULL-TIME VACANCY AT COLES PLANT CENTRE: Ideal candidate must be able to demonstrate retail experience and plant knowledge would be preferred, yet not essential. Willingness to learn and good customer service imperative. Competitive salary offered. Please apply in writing to MARK GODDARD, Coles Plant Centre, 624 Uppingham Road, Thurnby, Leicester LE7 9QB or by email to info@colesplantcentre.co.uk (providing full details). Please also visit www.colesplantcentre.co.uk to learn more. 17 November 2004 In gratitude for their support and attendance at their 90 Years' Experience in September 2004, Coles have presented a donation from the proceeds to Tricia Pruden of the horticultural charity, Perennial. Two generations of the Coles family met with Tricia at the company's head office in Leicester to present the cheque for £220. Perennial - Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society is the only UK charity that specifically caters for the needs of individuals within horticulture. As Coles have a long-serving workforce, some of whom were rewarded in this year's Long Service Awards at the event in September, it seemed fitting to choose a charity that provides support for any person working in or retired from any horticultural vocation. The company intends to nominate the charity wherever possible in its' future fundraising activities. Geoff Coles (chairman) and James Coles (Managing Director) presented the cheque on Thursday 4 November 2004. 25 January 2005 Voice for Amenity Horticulture is a forum for horticultural suppliers to the Amenity market in the UK. By collating opinion, comment, industry data and supporting information, we publicise regular bulletins to key trade influencers in journalistic, horticultural, political, environmental, social and legislative circles. The aim is to maintain a higher profile for our segment of the industry and to ensure all avenues of opportunity are explored for the maximum exposure. To contribute and remain informed, please visit www.voiceforamenityhorticulture.co.uk or email support@voiceforamenityhorticulture.co.uk 27 October 2005 Horticulture Week Awards 2005: Coles have added to their ever-increasing list of accolades with a Highly Commended at this year's inaugural Hort Week Awards. Awarded for "Continuous Improvement" in the category of Hardy Nursery Stock, Perennials and Trees, Coles were pleased with the acknowledgement, particularly as the judges singled out Coles' quality, integrity, efficiency and innovation as deciding factors. 02 March 2005 HTA NURSERY STOCK GROWER OF THE YEAR - 3rd TIME WINNERS in 2005! Coles Nurseries celebrated their 3rd win in as many years of entering the HTA Nursery Stock Grower of the Year Awards, presented in London on 24 February 2005. Received by James Coles (MD) and Lynn Hunter (Marketing Manager), the award further acknowledges a consolidated period of growth, improvement, investment and commitment to the industry, its' customers and its' staff. James Coles commended the 110 employees who allow the winning of such accolades to continue year after year, and extended his thanks to all of them for this years' continued success.