more than just green fingers “98% of our staff are now qualified gardeners and tree surgeons,” said Alan Brownbridge of Greenarc Ltd, the horticultural contractor Alan was commenting on the details his codirector Tyrone Serra gave me on the amount of training courses Greenarc’s operatives had been on, and the qualifications they obtained. Alan himself is a qualified horticulturist with 33 years’ experience, whilst Tyrone’s strengths lie in administration. Alan and Tyrone set up Greenarc 17 years ago, having persuaded the government of the time to give them a try-out. They got more than just that — they were given a ten-year contract to beautify Gibraltar, and were provided assistance in the form of premises at the end of the Convent garden. All of this was on condition they would prove themselves, and as everyone can see, they have done so over and over. They first set about pouncing on any small area, from roundabouts to tiny corners and scraps of dusty land — some just two or three square metres in size — and planted, planted and planted. Palm trees, shrubs, grass and flowers began to appear everywhere and the difference to Gibraltar was phenomenal. Not only did they establish these multicoloured patches everywhere but they maintained them to a high standard, including keeping them rubbish-free — a constant battle against those members of the public who treat these beauty spots as litter bins. With such visible displays of their work to be seen, their fame soon spread; so they soon had clients such as private estates, sports grounds, and the MoD. The gardens at the back of the new St Bernard’s Hospital and the planted areas in front of it are the work of Greenarc; as is the landscaping across the road at Morrisons “We have qualified groundsmen who look after sports fields for our customers,” Alan says. But, as I said at the beginning, almost all of the staff are qualified. For example, five operatives have just spent four months on an intensive tree-surgeons’ course at Merrist Wood College in Surrey, part of Guildford University. “Tree surgery is a skilled business,” Tyrone told me. “You not only have to know the correct way to prune various trees — do it wrong and you could kill them — but there are other aspects such as safe working, controlled lopping and tree felling, and use of machinery.” The course also included treetop rescue work. “Qualified tree surgeons always work in pairs, so that if one gets into trouble the other can rescue him, get him safely to the ground,” Tyrone explained. This led him to add that another two of their operatives had been to the National Access and Rescue Centre in the Lake District for a Rope Access Technicians’ course. This is mainly intended for getting at work where the only way is by climbing down cliffs. On this note, I was interested to learn that Greenarc also cuts and maintains firebreaks for the MoD and does vegetation control for them on Middle Hill. “Five of our lads have been to the leading Writtle College at Chelmsford, Essex, to get certificates in the use of chemical and pesticides, something that is now required under EC law,” Tyrone told me; then added that another three tree surgeons and a gardener had recently been to Seville to master the skill of pruning palm trees using a new access device called a bicycle. No, you don’t try to ride it up the side of the tree; Tyrone said that formerly spikes were used as a climbing aid, but these damaged the trees, especially with repeated use; but this device has flails that wrap around the tree and allows a safe climb with its own working platform. Tyrone admitted it was very hard to describe but it was the latest tree-climbing tool. Obviously you need training for all the skills listed above, but here’s a surprise (or it was to me): you can’t use tools such as lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, strimmers or chain saws, amongst others, in a public place without an EU certificate of training, so that’s another course Greenarc’s staff have attended. And most of them are sent on first aid classes as well. Then there is Christine Gilder who has just obtained a National Diploma in Amenity Horticulture and Plant Propogation from Pershaw College; while one of the newer recruits to the colourful world of Greenarc is Ian McCormack, who has a Higher National Diploma in Arboriculture. With so much brain power looking after the Rock, it’s no wonder it’s as beautiful as it is. Greenarc is in the street between the Convent and John Mackintosh Hall, called Convent Ramp. They are available for all sizes of work, from private residence garden maintenance up to the largest that will fit into Gibraltar; and their phone number is 200 43134.

ned and Produced by JD Web Solutions