NEWS insideSTORY
BULBS OF HOPE: DOBBIES TO RAISE 10K FOR ALZHEIMER’ S RESEARCH UK
Dobbies Garden Centres has launched a brand-new charity bulb collection at its Gillingham store, aiming to raise £ 10,000 for its national charity partner, Alzheimer’ s Research UK, which would fund up to 278 hours of vital lab research.
The limited-edition 15 Bulbs Collection is designed to create a captivating sensory garden including the Allium Purple Rain that engages the senses of sight and touch; Tulip Blushing Apeldoorn, with its colourful bobbing flowers; and Tulip Purple Rain, adding a bold and dramatic finish to displays.
£ 3.5M WETLAND PROJECT SETS BENCHMARK FOR NATURE-FRIENDLY HOMES
From each pack sold, £ 5 will be donated to Alzheimer’ s Research UK to help raise funds to find a cure for dementia. Through various instore donations, charity walks and event ticket sales, Dobbies has raised almost £ 30,000 for the charity since 1 March 2025.
Redrow South East recently welcomed Natural England to its flagship Crown Hill View development in Ashford. The visit marked the official recognition of the £ 3.5 million Conningbrook Wetland- a best-in-class example of nature-led housing developments in the UK.
The wetland features 140,000 reeds across 3.2 hectares on former agricultural land. Delivered by the premium housebuilder and its partners, it is one of the first of its kind in Kent, designed to prioritise biodiversity through the offsetting of nutrients, while creating much needed energy-efficient new homes.
“ At Crown Hill View, we’ ve brought forward a scheme that proves sustainable development is not just possible, but scalable,” said Chris Lilley, managing director, Redrow South East.“ Through close collaboration with Natural England, Quinn Estates, local stakeholders and our delivery partners, we’ ve embedded biodiversity gain and nutrient mitigation from the outset, while also delivering high-quality, energy-efficient homes for local families.”
Natural England, the government’ s adviser for the natural environment, provided advice to Redrow to ensure the development could be achieved while supporting nature recovery and managing impact on water quality.
The first phase of the development, which is estimated to be completed by the end of autumn, consists of 147 homes with over 40 homes already occupied. The development will also feature a Co-op delivered by Quinn Estates, a bowls club and a primary school.
The launch coincides with World Alzheimer’ s Month, highlighting awareness of the disease and encouraging donations. By supporting Alzheimer’ s Research UK’ s’ Think Brain Health’ campaign, Dobbies hopes to educate on the benefits gardening can have on the brain and inspire garden living.
“ If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia- either by caring for someone with the condition, developing it ourselves or both. At Alzheimer’ s Research UK, we’ re committed to finding a cure for dementia and Dobbies is helping us to achieve this by raising vital funds for research,” said Paul Glazier, head of corporate partnerships at Alzheimer’ s Research UK.
ONE BILLION STRAWS RECYCLED: KENT’ S SUSTAINABILITY SUCCESS
Oltco, the UK’ s leading sustainable resin-bound surface specialist, is proud to contribute to a major milestone in Kent and Medway: the recycling of the equivalent of one billion plastic straws through Oltco’ s world-first, award-winning innovation, Recycle Bound.
Since introducing Oltco’ s unique offering to the region, the Maidenhead, Kent and Medway teams have installed Recycle Bound surfaces throughout the area, transforming local driveways, patios, pathways and commercial spaces into durable, visually striking surfaces while actively helping to reduce plastic pollution.
Launched in 2019, Recycle Bound was developed to address the growing issue of plastic waste. This innovative resin-bound solution combines stone with waste plastics such as straws, drink bottles and food packaging, repurposing them into high-quality surfaces for homes and public spaces.
“ It’ s clear that sustainability really matters to people here. It’ s been an honour to provide a product that not only enhances outdoor spaces but also helps reduce plastic waste,” said director, Jaye Crooke.“ Reaching the milestone of one billion recycled straws is a major achievement for Oltco, and I’ m proud that Maidenhead, Kent and Medway have played a part in this nationwide success.”
Oltco’ s network spans more than 50 franchise areas across the UK and the Maidenhead, Kent and Medway team continues to be at the forefront of the movement, combining sustainability with stunning design. www. insidekent. co. uk • 193