01 Feb 2018

Greeting me on Day one here was basically a neglected and very sorry looking garden… the Current and new owners ARE NOT to blame!! but very much looking forward to sorting it out. the only installment they have done was the new summer house looking rather lonely! the existing open sided Blue Gazebo was left behind from the previous occupiers , but on inspection appeared to be in good solid order so seemed a shame to destroy it, instead it was relocated to the the top left corner.

A raised shrub bed was installed first using timber sleepers with access steps, two concrete bases have been laid ready to accept a shed and a greenhouse. Drainage was required to take the garage rain water, raised vegetable planters were built and installed to combine tidiness and ease of use.

A Paving circle was laid which includes a rotary line slot, the rest has been laid to hard core for now until phase 2 starts in April which will include Purbeck stone walls and a new Patio.

 

21 Jan 2018

Well, after 4 months (inc Xmas break) this very interesting project is finished bar some final detail around the pond, old concrete paving and borders were discarded and the new layout was constructed, a large area of lawn was changed into flowing shrub beds packed with a good seasonal plants, ( Planted by the ever hard working Jane ‘customer’, good work Jane! ) a pond was dug to approximate shape and levels by Roger ( Customer and very keen helper! before i arrived) from then on the pond was shaped, footings and concrete block wall’s  installed by myself ready for Arron ( A B Aquatics ) to install the liner pump, and complete the pond stone work.

The new Indian Sandstone Paving ( Umbra Grey ) was installed to wrap around the house meeting the driveway, Purbeck stone was used throughout the project to build various walls hugging the paving.

My favorite feature of the lot has to be the stone circle created to give a seating area lapping up the evening summer sun!

Oak pergola frames have been installed by Roger mapping out a garden walk way.

Finally the driveway was cleared ( much to Jane’s delight ) and a layer of 20mm Quantock grey stone was spread.

A big thanks to my 2 collegues helping me out with all the work, and a massive thank you to customer’s Roger & Jane for there hospitality and help along the way.

More spring/ summer pics to be added…

 

 

 

 

 

18 Aug 2017

An old gravel area plus a section of lawn was used to gain space to create this stunning new patio using Buff blend Indian Sandstone, a Pergola was erected to provide some shade once the customer has selected and planted some climbers to cover the top.

A Pine sleeper retaining wall was built incorporating a set back in step.

Fantastic Couple to work for and enjoyed an ‘afternoon tea in the summerhouse on occasions’ had a few giggles between us along the way making the whole job more delightfull.

 

01 Feb 2017

A beautiful out-look over the River Stour deserved a nice new patio to view it from!

After many layers of the dreaded concrete found under the existing tired patio was broke up and removed,new levels were graded to form a decent enlarged base to lay some new Umbra grey sandstone, the result transformed the area for many years to come.

 

 

28 Nov 2016

An old Gravel area at the rear of the property was transformed into a clean slabbed space suitable for outside entertaining, small slabs where left out and in-filled with Quantock 20mm stone to allow the customer to plant groundcover scented plants.

 

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06 Jun 2016

Well…. this lot took some sorting out! Confronted with a new extension the goal was to construct a new Sandstone patio on one level wrapping around the new extension (which was a converted outbuilding) Easy they said! Really…. what about the 4ft drop in between!. After digging out the excess waste to find the levels a retaining wall was built with concrete blocks at the back and faced up with natural and local flint along with second hand bricks from around the Estate (nightmare for the brickie my brother, as the bricks were of different size) All worked out well in the end with the Garden leveled off and seeded.

 

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14 Jan 2016

My last project from November 15 to Jan 16, starting with the relevant planning permissions obtained by the Project manager. A tree surgeon came in to take out 4 trees and thick Rhododendrons, i then removed the stumps/roots to the bank area and leveled the top area, next up was a piling company who inserted the galvanized steel poles over 2 meters deep to obtain the correct loading pressure, the 6 piles are capable of taking 10 tons in weight when combined. A local steel fabrication company then built a frame and welded it to the poles, next was spreading 10 tons of type 1 stone and compacting it, some new slabs were laid to complete a hard perimeter edge. A new 4ft close board fence was erected by me with sleepers forming a retaining edge to the top of the bank.Ducting was installed for the Electricians to feed a  cable through to power the new Log Cabin. A Water feature was then installed  before the next specialist company came in to lay a resin/rubber surface. New work/store sheds were erected then finished off with myself erecting a 6ft close board fence to the front. The whole point of this project was to make use of a lost overgrown corner and erect a new Log Cabin giving much needed outside covered space for the children that use the Hospice, I would just like to add what a wonderful job the staff do for the children and could’nt ask for a better bunch of people to have the pleasure of being involved with.

 

 

 

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09 Oct 2015

The final phase is now complete of a beautiful garden enhancing the recent build/renovation of a Bungalow in Broadstone, following the pictures through the front has been transformed from a build dump site to an attractive asset, the driveway was relieved of the tired tarmac and replaced with a decorative stone, moving to the back a Graphite indian sandstone patio was built over a natural purbeck stone wall, the pond was dug out and finished in the spring, the last phase has just been completed by adding stone edge borders followed by raised oak timber beds and an upright structure, a feature timber circle was installed giving a unique focal point to the corner of the property, using up the patio stone off-cuts a path was created connecting the patio to the lower seating area.finally Cotswold Cernery stone was added to give the garden a spacious and low maintenance appeal with well stocked shrub beds. The customers off this property have put in considerable time and helpful labour to achieve their goal and i believe few could argue its not been achieved!!!

 

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