Press Release (25 September 2009)

Oatridge Conference to help the Horticultural Industry Weather Climate Change and Financial Storms

A combination of climate change and the biting recession has posed the horticultural and landscaping industries in Scotland with a unique set of challenges.

Bad weather and slashed budgets have created difficulties and uncertainty about what the future holds.

Now however the new Oatridge Conference aims to help all of Scotland’s growers, greenkeepers, garden designers, landscape architects and local authorities to overcome current problems by providing practical strategies for weathering the storm.

Amongst the speakers at the one-day event on Thursday, 26 November will be Brian Wright, director of FBD Consultancy, who will be addressing the conference on surviving the credit crunch.

He will be passing on advice to delegates on practising sound financial management in challenging times.

And Gillian Craig, senior associate with MacRoberts LLP will be talking on ‘Essential protections when contracting’ with an emphasis on getting paid for work carried out.

Donald Wemyss, horticultural landscaping consultant and part of the team behind the new event, says:
“The economic recessions has hit the horticultural trades at the same time as the cold winds of climate change are being felt.

“The Oatridge Conference is a direct response to calls from within the industry in Scotland for practical advice on how to weather both storms.”

Other speakers at The Oatridge Conference will be renowned climate change expert, Dr David Reay of Edinburgh University and Paul Mathers and Iain Gulland of WRAP which, along with pod compost (a product of Scottish Water Horizons), is one of the main sponsors of the event.
The full list of supporters includes ScotGrow, Lantra, BALI, the Institute of Horticulture and Bellwood Trees.

Chairing discussion on the day will be industry personality Jim McColl.
As well as a forum for discussion of issues affecting the industry, the Oatridge Conference will also include a trade event.