Hardscape were proud to be involved with the supply of hard landscaping materials, both externally and internally, to Edge Hill University's 'The Hub' which is a brand new campus facility with excellent dining, retail and social experience facilities for all our students, staff and visitors. The scheme had a ‘fast tracked’ completion schedule so the decision was made to utilise material that was in UK stock. Hardscape supplied Tower Sawn and Tower Flamed sandstone paving along with Tower Sawn sandstone steps to create a peaceful environment for students and the faculty employees to enjoy.

The recently announced BBC Wales' new drama village will be known as Roath Lock. The name was revealed as part of a topping-out ceremony to mark completion of the building shell in Cardiff Bay. At the ceremony for the new studio complex in Cardiff, BBC Cymru Wales Director Menna Richards paid tribute to those working together to deliver the new project. "It's exactly 12 months since we confirmed our plans to build a drama centre in Cardiff Bay," she said. "There's still a lot more work to do, but once completed, Roath Lock studios will become a focal point for the creative industries in Wales - brimming with energy and talent - and we are all extremely proud to be a part of the project." She praised the partnership between the assembly government, Cardiff council and igloo Regeneration - as well as the construction team from Vinci. Hardscape supplied Neland Kessel Red Multi clay pavers and Kellen Lavaro concrete kerbs covering most of the area surrounding the studios.

Leicester Square is a significant London destination. It is considered the home of British cinema and is the venue for many film premieres and special events. The exciting contemporary new design has been developed with the aim of re-establishing Leicester Square as London ’s premier square and “The Home of Cinema”. The intrinsic English landscape qualities of the gardens have been retained and create the focal point of the scheme. The new lighting design will reinforce the sense of place and extends and enhance the uses of the gardens, the square and the connecting streets around. Hardscape are proud to be intrinsically involved in the supply of hard landscape materials and bespoke associated features to the scheme liaising with both the architects, Burns and Nice, the contractors, SIAC, and the client, Westminster City Council. The scheme is due to be completed in the Spring of 2012.

David Palmer, from Nelson, designed the five-tonne sculpture, which now sits within Market Square, Nelson, Lancashire which serves as a modern salute to Nelson’s historic weaving industry. David said: “I’m thrilled to have the chance to design and fabricate something for my hometown. “It’s made of the same material as the famous Angel of the North. “It’s a weathering steel called COR-TEN™ which oxidises in the elements to become a warm orange colour. “This means the feature will incorporate an illuminated centre piece - I hope local people will see it as our own ‘Shuttle of the North’. Hardscape started working with Pendle Borough Council on this project in early 2008 with the aim to completely regenerate Nelson town centre over 2 phases of work. An eliptical basalt amphitheatre where the Shuttle was positioned, was designed by Pendle Borough Council then drawn and manufactured by Hardscape. Further to the amphitheatre there was 4000m2 of Yorkstone paving and granite kerbs/setts used. The phase was finally completed in August 2011.

The Stone Federation GB are now accepting entries for the Natural Stone Awards 2012. The 16th Natural Stone Awards are being held to celebrate the use of this attractive, traditional, yet vitally modern buiding material. Anyone involved in a project, clients, professionals, trades and stone suppliers alike, can submit an entry, and what better way is there of getting your work recognised while also showing your appreciation of the work of the rest of the team. There are five categories: New Build (load-bearing and modern, non-load bearing), Repair and Restoration, Interiors, Landscaping and Craftsmanship. Call for entries by: 27th April 2012. You can download a copy of the entry form here: http://www.stone-federationgb.org.uk/Awards.aspx

Friday 20th January 2012 saw the Official Opening of the Hardscape Ireland offices on Holywood Road, Belfast. Guests were invited to the offices to meet with Directors and management of Hardscape including Mathew Haslam (MD), Mark Bevan (Director), Glenn Bradley (Regional Manager for Ireland) and Dave Butler (Marketing Manager). Guests were treated to a tour of the premises and enjoyed a drinks and fine buffet selection. Naomi Long MP from East Belfast's Alliance Party kindly offered to do the official opening unveiling a commemorative plaque for the ocassion. Pictured above from left to right are: Judith Cochrane MLA, Glenn Bradley, Naomi Long MP and Chris Lyttle MLA.

The second Natural Stone Sustainability Awards, launched by the Stone Federation GB as part of its ongoing sustainability strategy will be held at Ecobuild, Excel in London on Thursday 22nd March 2012. Its aim is to illustrate the sustainable qualities of natural stone and to recognise and reward outstanding achievement, awareness and innovation in sustainability in the natural stone industry and will act as a benchmark for achieving best practice in this sector from its extraction to all its uses. For a downloadable copy of the entry form please visit www.stonefed.org.uk or email admin@stonefed.org.uk

Congratulations to Jack Moody Ltd for being a winning nominee at the BALI Awards 2011 for the Five Ways Community Park, Birmingham scheme in the 1(K) HARD LANDSCAPING CONSTRUCTION, COST UNDER £300,000 category. Hardscape supplied hard landscaping materials to this scheme! Hardscape's sister company, Stockscape sponsored the event and were proud to introduce the winning nominee, The Landscape Group for the 1(M) HARD LANDSCAPING CONSTRUCTION, COST OVER £1.5 MILLION category. A great lunch and a great event - congratulations to all the category winners!

Hardscape are now certified members of The Construction CPD Certification Service. CPD (Continuing Personal or Professional Development) is the term that describes a commitment to structured skills enhancement and personal or professional competence. Hardscape are proud to be able to offer this service as from 1st December 2011 to play a major part in the development of individuals who actively engage in the CPD process. For further information and to consider booking a Hardscape CPD Seminar please contact Anthony Collins: acollins@hardscape.co.uk or telephone 0845 260 1748.

Hardscape have always promoted boots on the ground activity at origin sources. Engaging was primarily to ensure material quality but also merged well with our aim to implement the 9 Base Code Principals of the Ethical Trading Initiative throughout our supply chain. Glenn Bradley our Regional Manager for Ireland (but who also manages our ETI work) is presently 'on deployment' to our sandstone process yards in Rajasthan overseeing block stone acquisition and tests of calibrating machinery. On a quick ground situation report Glenn said "Post monsoon, all is as ready as it can be for quality supply of sandstone material for on time delivery throughout 2012. With our ethical role in the region it was fantastic to see rescued child labourers steal the show at the Delhi half marathon yesterday where a group of 40 young rescued people participated to prove their rights & ability to a fair life. A serious well done to Child Fund India who work with companies like ours and others to free supply chains of Child Labour."