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Johnsons Nurseries Supplies Plants For Rockliffe‘s Multimillion-Pound Transformation



One of the UK’s largest plant nurseries, Johnsons Nurseries Ltd, has continued its long-standing relationship with the five-star luxury resort, Rockliffe, supplying more than 17,000 plants and trees for its newly landscaped grounds as part of its multimillion-pound transformation.


Set within 375 acres of historic parkland near Darlington, Rockliffe has undergone an extensive transformation, including the restoration of its Grade II-listed Old Hall, enhanced accommodation, new dining experiences, and the creation of a standalone restaurant pavilion named Atlas.


The ambitious project has seen the resort's gardens and outdoor spaces transformed to complement the renovated and new buildings, creating an attractive and welcoming environment for guests.


The landscape and planting scheme was designed by Colour Landscape Architects, while Johnsons Nurseries supplied an extensive selection of shrubs, trees, instant hedging, ornamental grasses, flowering perennials and topiary, creating year-round interest throughout the newly landscaped grounds.


Among the varieties supplied were mature Scots pines, multi-stem Amelanchier lamarckii and Magnolia trees, alongside instant Carpinus betulus hedging and ornamental Taxus baccata topiary. The planting scheme also features an extensive mix of flowering perennials and ornamental grasses, including Anemone 'Honorine Jobert', Geranium 'Rozanne', Rudbeckia 'Goldsturm', Calamagrostis and Deschampsia, providing seasonal colour, texture and movement throughout the gardens.


The landscaping was carried out in-house by Rockliffe’s Estates team, led by Head of Engineering & Estates Phil Mennell.


Despite one of the hottest and driest summers, the team worked tirelessly to establish thousands of plants and trees, extensive hedging and new lawn areas, overcoming challenging conditions and tight deadlines to complete the grounds ahead of the resort's reopening.


Group Managing Director at Johnsons Nurseries, Graham Richardson, said:

"We're incredibly proud to have supplied the plants for Rockliffe’s newly transformed gardens as part of this prestigious development."

"From the restoration of the historic walled garden to this latest transformation, it's rewarding to see how the grounds have evolved. The finished gardens look fantastic, and we're delighted to have played a part in creating outdoor spaces that guests can enjoy for years to come."


Phil Mennell, Head of Engineering & Estates at Rockliffe, added:

"This has been one of the most ambitious landscaping projects we've undertaken at Rockliffe, and I'm incredibly proud of what our Estates team has achieved. Working closely with Johnsons Nurseries has been invaluable, ensuring we had the quality and variety of plants needed to bring the designs to life."

"It's been fantastic to see the gardens transform, and I'm looking forward to watching them establish and mature for our guests to enjoy for many years to come."


Emma Fletcher, Director at Colour Landscape Architects, said:

 “Johnsons have been a great support on the delivery of the new gardens at Rockliffe, assisting us on species choices and availability from early design stages and providing flexibility in deliveries to align with the challenging project programme."

"We are delighted that the completed gardens have been so well received, and a large part of that is the impact that the planting beds and stock have had.”


The completed gardens complement the resort's historic parkland setting, enhancing the guest experience and marking another chapter in Johnsons' long-standing relationship with Rockliffe, which reopened at the beginning of September.


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Residents across Leicestershire who need support with rising food and energy costs can apply for a slice of a new £7.2m pot.


Leicestershire County Council was been awarded the money by the Department of Work and Pensions and is urging people who are struggling to pay their bills to apply. Eligible households can receive an average of £200 in vouchers.


This means that the council has now made £22m of wide-ranging support available to help ease cost of living pressures. Over half-term, 14,000 children across Leicestershire could also benefit from £15 school food vouchers.


Councillor Louise Richardson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing remarked that "Prices remain sky high so it’s important we’re helping households with essential costs. As well as offering school food vouchers during the holidays, making sure no child goes hungry, we’re supporting local charities, including helping local foodbanks to purchase food."


“Global economics are beyond our control but we’re committed to supporting our residents and I’d encourage people to apply," she added.

This week, the council was the only local authority invited to speak at the Work and Pensions Committee at Westminster. On Wednesday (7 June), Richard Hunt, the council’s head of catering, hospitality and country parks, talked to the committee of MPs and set out the wide-ranging cost of living support provided.


The council’s support includes:

  • Energy efficiency grants and advice - through the council’s Warm Homes scheme

  • Community fridges – run by volunteers, the projects in Wigston, Coalville, Loughborough, and Hinckley, are continuing to support their local communities by providing donated food for free to anyone who needs it

Applications need to be made through a professional or support worker – or through one of the following organisations:

  • Registered charities and voluntary organisations

  • Schools/education settings

  • Food banks

  • Care organisations

  • Children’s Services

  • Adult Social Care

  • Housing

  • Revenues and Customer Support

  • Public Health

  • Care and NHS professionals including nurses and GPs

  • District and borough councils

  • Citizens’ Advice

The money is from the Government's Household Support Fund. Find out more on the council's Cost of Living webpage here

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