AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Gold Medal Winners Eco Landscape Garden Design at Ayr Flower Show 2007
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Another Gold Medal at Ayr Flower Show 2008 for top Ayrshire Landscape Garden Company
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Gibb of Galston specialise in the design and build of sustainable eco-gardens. These landscaped gardens featured at Ayr Flower Show are both excellent examples, they have been created using recycled and natural materials. Elements of the 2007 design include an Old Cartwheel, Old Railway Sleepers, Oak Whisky Barrels, Reclaimed Wrought Iron Gate, Old Stone Farm Troughs, a stumpery - this is a reclaimed tree trunk and is a lovely way of encouraging the birds and the bees to visit your garden, Sandstone Block Stepping Stones and flat Sandstone Flagstones. The Recyclded slates have created a shelter for hedgehogs and other wildlife, the garden seat is made from an oak sleeper.
The winning 2008 garden features a "Harvest Moon", this is a sphere which has been constructed using broken slabs and slate, old rhone pipes have created a raised bed for vegetables and reclaimed farm artefacts add character.
Natural, eco-gardens are interesting, encourage wildlife, they are sustainable and you can make your garden as unique and individual as you are.
Best Rural Retailer in Scotland 2007 in the Category of best Business Diversification to Landscape Gardening & Reclamation
Gibb of Galston was chosen as one of the winners in Scotland's Best Rural Retailer Awards 2007 for their "green" salvage and landscaping business. The annual competition, organised by the Scottish Countryside Alliance, recognises the best rural businesses across the country and the awards were presented at the Scottish Parliament.
According to the judges: "The company is an excellent example of salvaging old discarded unwanted items, reclaiming, restoring and re-using them. "They give new life to what others would treat as waste. If they clear out a garden, they keep the soil, screen it and reuse as top soil. They salvage plants, shrubs and trees, and old tree stumps are kept and sold on as superb garden features that attract insects and birds. They also offer a landscape design service and specialise in the use of wholly reclaimed or natural products. "They really do practice sustainability and all their working practices are green; they are an asset to their community, creating a great deal of employment and they contribute greatly to the local economy and vibrance of the village. The Gibbs also work with the local schools and youngsters to educate them about the importance of reducing waste."
SCA Chief Executive Tony Andrews said: "All the winners are a huge asset to their local communities and represent the best of rural enterprise. "The Gibbs work tirelessly and are often coming up with new and unusual ideas. They are worthy winners of the Best Diversification award for Scotland."
more info can be found at www.bestruralretailer.co.uk
Company History
Gibb of Galston is based at Threepwood Farm this is a working farm with both sheep and cattle and 420 acres of land now incorporating Middlethird Farm which was purchased in 2007. The management team at Gibb of Galston therefore understands and meets the needs of the country dweller i.e. Farmers, Pet Lovers, Walkers, Landscapers and Gardeners, it is the perfect location for a rural based retail outlet . There are two strands to the business: Suppliers of Animal Feeds and Pet Supplies; Suppliers of Natural and Reclaimed Landscaping Products and Garden Landscaping design and build services. We supply customer demand from a unique location in the heart of stunning Ayrshire countryside.
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Environmental & Landscape Enhancement
Development of wildlife areas: indigenous trees aesthetically planted to blend with the landscape and to attract wildlife; SUDS drainage of surface water, creating wetland to encourage a variety of species, Reed Bed with tertiary willow planting - an innovative and clean method of waste treatment, creation of walks, improved access to the Irvine Valley Paths Network, access to spectacular view points and areas of natural beauty.
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Energy Conservation
The use of forestry chippings and waste wood to fuel a Biomass boiler negating the need for fossil fuel to heat buildings.
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Reclamation
Gibb of Galston is currently a live demonstration site where customers can see examples of products that have been discarded, being reclaimed in a clean and efficient way and reused, giving value to something that had no value, i.e. demolition rubble being used to build roads; discarded trees and shrubs being regenerated for the purpose of landscaping around the farm; clean waste wood being used for fuel; waste earth being screened to provide quality top soil; old stone and interesting artefacts being salvaged and retailed.
FUTURE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The management team at Gibb of Galston have tremendous vision and believe that their site at Threepwood is a futuristic Eco-centre in the Irvine Valley, it is also a centre of education and a centre where the rich heritage, history and nature of the area will be promoted within the natural environment of a 420 acre working farm. To achieve this the following operational strands will be developed:
TOURISM: Threepwood Farm is situated 1.5 miles south of Galston and enjoys the most spectacular views right across the Irvine Valley to Ailsa Craig, Arran and Kintyre, the hills of Arrochar, Ben Lomond and beyond. With these views, beautiful gardens, riverside picnic areas, historic and nature walks and a wildlife site and with ample car parking, Threepwood Farm provides the perfect launch pad for tourism development in the Irvine Valley.
WALKING: There is a new 2,500 metre hardcored path which has been enhanced with the planting of 9,000 trees and several picnic areas along the Burn Anne. This is an upgrade and extention of the established walk through Cessnock Woods which connects with a much wider paths network. The visitors' experience has been further enhanced with a series of interpretation boards along the walk giving information on several special interest sites on Threepwood Farm. These depict the rich heritage and history of the area, special attention is drawn to East Threepwood, the ruin of an old farm steading which was the home of renowned Covenantor James Smith and is endorsed as a protected site by Historic Scotland. Another board depicts the rich agricultural and industrial history of the town of Galston and other Irvine Valley towns. From this viewpoint there is an aerial view of Galston and buildings of architectural interest are pointed out. Another board highlights the flora, fauna and wilflife in the area, the farm contains a Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) wildlife site along the Burn Anne. The Burn Anne is known for a special agate which is unique to this area and is used to make traditional Scottish jewellery, this is also highlighted. In addition to the interpretation boards a grant of £5,400 has been made for the production and marketing of promotional materials. A map of the walk has been designed and discussions are currently taking place with regards to the promotion of this leaflet by Ayrshire Tourist Board and also by Visit Scotland on their designated web-site. It is also proposed to promote the walk through Historic Scotland.
Special interest groups currently visit Threepwood i.e. gardening groups, ramblers, flower arrangers, walking groups, opportunities in retirement etc. Visitors relax in the gardens, enjoy the picnic areas, visit special interest sites, walk extensively, view the special demonstration gardens on the established farm which are used to try out new ideas and find out about the fascinating history of the area. In the future we propose to build on these groups and encourage others from a wider area to enjoy the unique experience that Threepwood will offer.
CENTRE FOR RURAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Due to the unique location of Threepwood Farm we are perfectly sited and have all the resources to facilitate learning in all aspects of rural activities. The surrounding area is steeped in History, the wildlife, flora and fauna is abundant, old and modern methods of farming can be demonstrated. Our future vision is to establish Threepwood Farm as an accreditation centre to deliver the ASDAN and John Muir Awards and to promote all rural crafts and occupations, giving participants real working experience on a working farm.
The management team have no doubt that the untapped potential for day visitors, walkers, special interest groups and educational partnerships is enormous and they are confident that they have the necessary skills to attract these markets and provide an excellent visitor experience at Threepwood Farm.