< Previous20 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYHOMESWith Christmas and New Year on theway, the lounge quickly becomes thefocal point of any home. Far fromsomewhere to stick the in-laws, it’stypically where presents are opened, thetree lights twinkle and the family slumpon the sofa following the festive scoff.Watching ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ with thehousehold is a Christmas past time, sowhy not do it in style?When it comes to the lounge – orliving room, if preferred – it’s all aboutavoiding clutter. One too manybookcases will tip the careful balance andrender an otherwise airy space feelingclosed in. Mirrors are a great way to let inmore light and trick the eye into thinkinga room is bigger than it is. Pastel shadescan also create a breezy ambiance thatwon’t clash with the bold gold, red andgreen of Yuletide. Remember, there’s awhole house to display novels, knick-knacks and art works in, so it doesn’t allhave to be crammed in one room. Style in time forCHRISTMASWith the jolly holidays a slew of parties and get-together, the loungehas to work overtime to impress, but fear not, a few simple changes canbring out the most of any living space. 20-21_Layout 1 16/11/2015 14:50 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY21HOMES1) This simple storage solution from Fundamental Berlin is a way of tyingthe room together while displaying ornaments in a quirky assortment. 2) Sofa.com offer a contemporary take on the classic Chesterfield style,offered in a range of house fabrics or in three luxurious leathers. 3) Subtle design makes this solid wooden media unit from OrchidFurniture a handsome and essential cabinet for any entertainment system. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ALENA OZEROVA123PHOTO JAMES NEWELL20-21_Layout 1 16/11/2015 14:50 Page 222 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYWith 2016 fast approaching youmay be starting to think aboutyour New Year resolutions. Oneof them could be that you want to look ata change in career, perhaps garden designand landscaping is for you. There aremany different routes that can get youinto the career which is shown by thevaried backgrounds that our teammembers have. Our Contracts Manager and GardenDesigner, Chris Simeoli, started his journeyalong his career path by gaining a nationaldiploma in Horticulture from De MontfordUniversity. He has worked in the landscapeindustry for a number of years where hehas learnt and developed many skills thatrange from plant propagation to gardenconstruction and design. Chris has thebenefit of seeing a project from beginningto end, as he will be a part of the initialconsultation process from which he willdesign the garden. He will then overseethe construction of that garden to ensurethe vision of the client is met. We also have three team supervisors,Craig Holyoak, Gavin Francis and MaxWallhead. They have all come fromdifferent backgrounds with Craigattending Riseholme College where hegained a qualification from the RoyalHorticultural Society, Gavin whoundertook a plumbing NVQ at DoncasterCollege and Max who also attendedRiseholme College and gained aHorticultural Diploma.Gavin decided that plumbing was notfor him and started at Fullers undertakinglabouring duties, but after showing anatural aptitude and building up acomprehensive set of skills he is now asupervisor. While Max was studying heworked at a Golf Club and so hedeveloped additional skills in grass andGARDEN ADVICEFROM A HOBBY TO A CAREERChris SimeoliCraig HolyoakGavin FrancisMax WallheadFROM A HOBBY TO A CAREERPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/PAUL MAGUIREEver wanted to get intolandscaping yourself? Ed Fullerfrom Fullers Forestry andLandscaping shows you justhow varied the backgrounds ofmany in the industry are. 22-23_Layout 1 16/11/2015 14:47 Page 1DECEMBER’SGARDEN DIARY1. Prune climbing roses by cutting away diseased or damagedgrowth.2. Plant you Tulip bulbs if you haven’t already – but only if theground isn’t frozen3. Start to winter-prune your Wisteria4. Lift and divide established clumps of rhubarb5. Prune fruit trees6. Lift leeks and parsnips before the soil becomes frozen7. If you have a greenhouse, now is the time to clean itthoroughly8. Spike lawns with a garden fork to improve drainage andaeration9. Get your lawnmower and shears serviced and sharpened.10. Keep clearing leaves off the lawn to prevent dead patches.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY23GARDEN ADVICESpecialised Servicesin Garden DesignLandscaping andTree MaintenanceBacked by a highly-skilledand experienced team,we’ve built our reputationon an ability to provide our clients with professional, tailored gardening and forestry solutionsFREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTATIONSCall 01522 868717 or 07867 510544info@fullersforestry.co.uklwww.fullersforestry.co.ukwww.landscapinglincolnshire.comFULLERSForestry & LandscapingPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/LIANEMPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/JGADElawn care. He too has shown natural aptitude and has built uphis skills whilst working with us. Craig initially was an apprenticecarpenter and so he is very skilled in all areas of woodwork. Histraining means he has chainsaw and hedge laying skills as well ashorticultural knowledge. His knowledge combined with hisenergy and enthusiasm makes him an ideal supervisor. At this time both Craig and Gavin are undertaking a work-based diploma through Riseholme College so that their skills canbe recorded and they have something quantifiable for theknowledge they have. A landscaper needs to have a wide range of skills, as they carryout hard landscaping as well as soft. The skills required for hardlandscaping include brick laying, slab laying, block paving,creating retaining walls, decking, gabions, fencing, raised beds,creating ponds to name a few. If you are interested in just the design process it is good toknow how to construct something first. While a design may lookamazing it is only worth something if it can actually be achieved.Therefore it may be worth getting some skills in constructioneven if you ultimately only want to design. This will ensure thatyour clients can have what you produce but it will also help buildworking relationships with landscapers.If you are thinking of starting a career in landscaping and/orgarden design then there are a number of courses available atlocal colleges and universities. However some companies may belooking for someone who they can train. It is sometimes moreabout having the right attitude and the desire to learn anddevelop than years of experience. You also need to be preparedto work in all weathers and be physically fit. As a career I would recommend it, as when you complete agarden it provides both self and client satisfaction. 22-23_Layout 1 16/11/2015 14:47 Page 224 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYREADERS’ GARDENS“Due to our exposed location thegarden is open to strong winds” explainsJohn “and this provided us with a bit of achallenge as we needed to find plantsthat would not only thrive in suchconditions but also achieve year roundinterest. It was also evident we’d need toimprove shelter around the garden byway of trees and hedges. Although reasonably well tended, thegarden needed more structure. Theprevious owner seemed to have plantedthings in a haphazard fashion withoutreally taking into account the floweringseasons and, while the herbaceousborders were reasonably well stocked,they didn’t really provide the splash ofcolour we were looking for; even whenthe plants were in bloom”With only a modicum of experience ingardening, work started with backgroundplanting: plenty of hardy trees andshrubs such as Redbud, Persimmon,Dogwood, Willow, Viburnum and Holly.The plan was to create shelter for theplants within, without creating too muchshade in the process thereby creatinganother problem for the garden. The result is quite stunning with thearea now split into separatecompartments adding interest andkeeping the visitor wondering what’saround the next corner. There’s a formalarea, an orchard, a pond, a sun garden, awinter garden, a Laburnum tunnel, patioarea and herbaceous area. As Johnexplains, “The patio, in summertimebecomes an oasis of pinks and purplesand look great in the sunlight but alsoserves to brighten cloudy days and createa wonderful setting to enjoy the gardenin an evening. The Laburnum tunnelbeckons the visitor to walk through itsmagnificent display of bright yellowflowers and lead you to another part ofthe garden where an array of orangesand reds blossom welcome the visitor.The garden really is quite breathtakingand one can only imagine the hours thatgoes into keeping it tamed but as KimInsists, “It really doesn’t take me too longat all as John and I spend time in thereBurstingwith colourThirty five year old John Penrose and his wife Kim have had onlyfive short years to make their mark on their garden – which hasbeen achieved with dogged determination and attention to detail.24-26_Layout 1 16/11/2015 15:06 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY25READERS’ GARDENStogether and it’s become a passion ofours. Thanks to the weed control matJohn has laid in many of the borders wedon’t have to spend too much timeweeding and we find we spend less timewatering too, so we can enjoy sittinglistening to the birds and enjoying theviews, rather than constantly trying tokeep it in check.”As can be seen from our images, a lowmaintenance garden doesn’t need to bebland or featureless. The trick is to applysome thought to the tasks we perhapshave always done in the garden anddecide if there’s a way to eliminate thesejobs through better design and planning.For instance, rather than planning a fencethat will need regular painting andreplacement every so often, you couldcreate a hedge that simply requiresannual clipping and, if kept to amanageable height, will undoubtedly paydividends. Likewise instead of collectingclippings from the lawn and creating amound of waste you could invest in amulching mower which is designed tochop the clippings before dropping themback into the lawn – this means nounsightly waste and less feeding for thelawn as some of the nutrients will bereturned. It does however mean youmight have to mow the lawn a day or soearlier each time or you’ll see theclippings on the surface of the lawn butwhen you compare that task withwalking back and forth with the mowerbox and buying copious amounts of lawnfeed every year it’s a win-win. 26 ÁThe patio, insummertime becomesan oasis of pinks and purplesand look great in the sunlightbut also serve to brightencloudy days and create awonderful setting forenjoying the gardenin an evening.“”24-26_Layout 1 16/11/2015 15:06 Page 226 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYREADERS’ GARDENSOther ideas such as installingpermanent edging to reduce the need forhand edging and removing any smallfiddly, narrow areas, to reduce time andeffort spent manoeuvring the mower orhaving to get out strimmers and edgingshears, which frees up time to allow youto get on with the more pleasant tasks.“The only trouble we had was decidingwhere and how to create shelter so thatthe vistas beyond the garden could beenjoyed,” recalls Kim, “So, at the front ofthe house, we created interest at groundlevel by setting ourself the challenge offinding a windproof mixedherbaceous and shrubplanting - we’re reallypleased with the resulttoo.“So what advice do Kim and John havefor someone wanting to improve theirown garden? “When buying plants,people should bear in mind the floweringperiods and buy plants for autumn andwinter interest as well as plants that looknice in spring and summer,” says John.Kim adds: “Yes, we’re all guilty of visitinga garden centre or nursery and spotting aplant that’s in flower, but often these arethe ones that are almost finished(especially if they are in a conspicuousspot by the garden centre’s entrance orexit.) So, do your homework and checkwhat soil it prefers, what site it prefers andwhat the flowering season is. That wayyou can be sure you’re buying the plantsyou want, not the ones they want youto.” 24-26_Layout 1 16/11/2015 15:06 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY27FAMILY BUSINESSWithin Lincolnshire there is anabundance of family businesses andfirms, many going back generations –and some centuries. But what is it thatmakes family firms such powerful forces,and how do they continue to weatherthe storm, while others falter? The family business is a curious entity.In a sense they are the same as everyother company, and yet if you visit thewebsite of a family firm – that very aspectis something they regularly boast about.“A family firm for over thirty years,” or“your local family firm,” however long abusiness has been going it seems that thewords “family business” are just as muchan advantage as the length of time acompany has been established. This has a lot to do with consumerattitude in many cases, with manyconsumers feeling that family firms offera more personal and customer-orientedtouch than their larger, more unfeelingrivals. There is logic behind this argumenttoo, as family firms often retain day-to-day control of the company, whichavoids the typical bureaucratic problemsfaced by a heavily spread out company.What’s more, few people care so muchabout a company’s reputation than theowner, and family firm’s pass that ethosdown through generations, creating abusiness culture that revolves heavilyaround core family values. Customers canoften recognise this, in the way jobs aredone – but also in how staff treat them. Another benefit to family businesses isthat the company often comes to reflectthe family itself, which makes it not onlyseem less oppressive or unapproachableto customers, but also to employeesworking there. The chain of command isoften well established and clear, with anygrievances quickly dealt with. As a resultof this many family firms experiencelower rates of staff turnover than thenational average, and are able to keepkey employees for longer – developingthem into valuable Managers andDirectors. Agatha, a boutique in Lincoln which28 ÁKeeping it in the familyThe family firm is an incredible unit, mixing business and lifestyle to create somethingenduring and lasting – but how do such organisations continue to be successful? PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/POTSTOCK27-28_Layout 1 16/11/2015 14:51 Page 128 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFAMILY BUSINESSwill be celebrating their 20th year, says;“Running a family business takesdedication, passion and a belief in whatyou are doing. In the fashion industrysometimes being a small friendly businessis a massive advantage, as we can adaptto changes quickly, such as tradingconditions or new trends.” That isn’t to say that family businessesare without their difficult periods, or thatthey have an easier time than their rivals.One of the biggest difficulties faced bysuch companies is the very differentialsbetween family and business. This cancome from children not wishing to be apart of the family business, or evenwishing to be a part – but clashing withthe current owner. This can lead to tensefamily meetings, or even talking shop atthe dinner table. And it only gets worse ifthe problems continue, with someparents being forced to face theunenviable decision of how to discipline,or even fire, their own children. Forpeople who run family firms there isoften a need to separate the parent fromthe boss, even if that means makingdecisions to the initial detriment of one.It’s worth keeping in mind that a familymember can recover from a bruised ego,and might receive the company ininheritance at some point. Whereas acompany might not be able to so easilysurvive an errant employee doing thingswrong. That raises another complex issue inthe management of family firms however,the question of when – and how –retirement and succession will take place.In some cases the matter can be made alittle easier, particularly if there is onlyone heir, but as families become larger itgets far more difficult. Does the companyget split into equal shares? How about ifcertain members are not involved, or donot wish to be involved in the day-to-dayrunning of the firm? How do in-laws fitinto the equation, and what happens ifthose in line for succession don’t get on,or are at one another’s throats? All thesequestions family firms need to face atsome point or another, along with whenit will take place. It can be difficult togive away something a person hasworked on for so long and invested somuch into, especially when it seems likethe one it is being handed off tosomeone who is less experienced. Buthow can they gain the much neededexperience if they have no chance to takethe reins? Despite these problems, family firmscontinue to drive their way to successand are a core part of not onlyLincolnshire, but the entire UK economy.And of course, our very own LincolnshireToday is in itself, a family firm – whichwill be celebrating its 30th year comeJanuary. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/MINERVA STUDIORunning a familybusiness takesdedication, passion and abelief in whatyou are doing.“”27-28_Layout 1 16/11/2015 14:51 Page 2LINCOLNSHIRETODAY29FAMILY BUSINESSituated on Lincoln’s 5-6 High Street,opposite the Peugeot garage, Croft Carpetsrepresents a step back in time – with an old-fashioned customer oriented service that setstheir business ahead of the rest. Having been afamily business for over thirty years the companyhas weathered the good and the bad and kepton trucking, a testament to not only theirmanagement but also their staff and reputation.Offering a unique shop from home service,Croft Carpets even offers to bring the shop to acustomer’s door – but of course if that’s notenough, their showroom boasts a wide range ofcarpets, laminate flooring, real wood flooring and vinyls. Whatever you’re looking for, Croft Carpets offers a full service fromselecting flooring, measuring up and even fitting. Croft Carpet’s showroom in Lincoln stocks over 2,000 different carpets from such well-known brands Abingdon, Cormar,Kingsmead, Victoria, Moduleo, Lifestyle Floors and Brintons, but also has a wide range of oak wood flooring available. Not tomention curtains, blinds and other home fittings. Croft CarpetsA family business in Lincoln with over 30 years’ experience, Croft Carpets is aone-stop shop for quality home fittings. For more information visit www.croftcarpets.co.uk or call Simon Croft on 01522 523 004.Or you can visit the showroom in Lincoln directly on 5-6 High Street. Alternativelyemail simon.croft@live.co.uk SS29_Layout 1 16/11/2015 15:45 Page 1Next >