ISPAL pays tribute to two industry events, in the last few days.

LIW took its annual place in the minds and movements of many of us, last week; and on Monday night this week, Horticulture Week hosted the important Landscape & Amenity Awards.

The latter first - a crowded audience at the Royal Garden Hotel gave deserved applause to some outstanding achievements.

There were in all 16 Awards, covering projects in parks, streets & gardens, in both the public & private sectors and for both companies/organisations and individuals.

ISPAL congratulates Alan Barber on his Lifetime Achievement Award; Dean Lockwood for being Gardener of the year; and Luke Overington for winning Apprentice/Trainee of the year.

Leeds City Council must be proud of their Parks & Countryside Service which won two awards and also had two “Highly Commendeds”.

Other multiple achievers (with wins and final placings) were Blakedown Landscapes, The Landscape Centre and Hasmead.

At Leisure Industry Week, ISPAL’s CEO Sue Sutton was moved to comment; “It’s hard to believe that we in Britain are still slow to take up activities to improve our health, when there is such a selection on offer - surely everyone can find something that works for them?”

LIW provides, each year, a key inspiration to help achieve the government’s target of everyone being “active” for 3 x 30mins weekly. ISPAL will continue to press central and local Government to promote all the diverse ways our industry has to encourage more adults and children to get active.

The ISPAL stand enjoyed a very busy time; it was good to meet up with members, partners and of course new people.

We were able to feature in particular our brand new and vibrant Learning and Development Programme that will be running throughout the autumn.

If you missed us, do look at the Events programme for the next opportunity - or, just e mail us - at [email protected] - with your queries, requests or comments.

Photograph: Horticulture Week editor Kate Lowe, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Alan Barber and the evening's host, Bob Mills