News and events
Results of the Branch membership survey
In July 2009, the South East Branch wrote to all its members to guage opinion on the direction and policies the new branch should set out to implement. Out of 813 LI members in the region, 129 surveys were completed. The results of the survey, together with demographic statistics about the branch's membership can be found in the About us section of this website (link here). Information gained from the membership survey formed the basis for some of the branch's policies and pledges, which were adopted in October 2009, and can also be found in the About us section of this website (link here).
Upcoming events
Now that the branch committee has been confirmed at our AGM, a new season of branch events will be announced in the next few weeks. Check back here soon to find out what is in store for you.
Event reports
Tour of Denbie's Vineyard, and Branch AGM
On Sunday 27th June, members of LISE met at Denbie's Vineyard near Dorking. After our brief and informal AGM (minutes of which are available to download here), we were given a fascinating guided tour of the Vineyard, and of course sampled the wine!
Visit to Scotney Castle, near Tunbridge Wells
Members of the LISE Branch, Easthub met-up on the 12th June 2010 for a great day exploring Scotney Castle's National Trustgrounds, stately home and ruined
medieval castle. The estate warden demonstrated the state-of-the-art wood-chip boiler, and East hub co-ordinator David Sculley explained how the UK's first land-bridge was created at the estate. Bathed in sunshine all day, it can only be concluded that LISE's East hub members must indeed be righteous!
The LI and the Reform Group: A Discussion
On Tuesday 30th March 2010, a good number of LISE members met with Edward Hutchinson RIBA CMLI and others for a stimulating debate about the way forward for our institute. All present agreed that their purpose for attending was to contribute in a positive way to the future of our profession. The Reform Group was able to give reasurrance that it acts only with good intentions, and that it wishes to engage all members with their Insitute, regardless of the various opinions about what our future priorities should be. Those who came along had the chance to air their views, concerns, ideas and aspirations, and take part in an energising discussion about how our profession can emerge from the difficult times that currently face us. For more information, check the event flier (link here).
The LISE Annual Pub Quiz!
Well done to the team from Hampshire County Council, who won the branch pub quiz, held this year on the 24th February at the Willow Tree Inn, Winchester. As ever, this event was very well attended, and a fun time was had by all (not to mention friendly rivalry amongst the many local teams of Landscape Architects). Many thanks to our regular quizmaster Vincent Mount, and his assistant "what's on the board" Liz Ford!
LISE New Year Lecture: 'Paddling through the Landscape', a talk by Kim Wilkie
Our new working relationship with the School of Landscape at Kingston University was kick-started on Tuesday 26th January 2010 with a talk by the distinguished Landscape Architect, Kim Wilkie. Based around the very topical subject of how Landscape Architecture can weather the current economic and political storm, Kim provided much food-for-thought on the future shape of the Landscape and how the profession should respond.The lecture, hosted by Kingston University, was well attended, and it was a pleasure to welcome many students to an LISE event. An event report will soon be published here.
'Landscape from the fire', a talk by Richard Bent, FWBC.
On Monday 14th December, Richard Bent, 3 times National Champion Blacksmith, spoke to a large group of Landscape Architects at the Winchester Discovery Centre. In a fascinating 
and light-hearted talk, he shared his experience of creating metalwork sculptures and features for the landscape, and how he has worked with Landscape Architects to understand or create the right setting for his work.
An event report will soon be published here.
'Contracting Perspective of the Landscape Profession – Warts and All!’
On 19th November, Will Clark, Managing Director of Gaving Jones Limited, delivered a fascinating talk, to enlighten those present as to the challanges faced by landscape Contractors. Will shared his frustrations, and the rewards of his work, which proved to be an eye-opener to those present, broadening the perspective of Landscape Architects in order that we can improve the effectiveness of the way we work with those responsible for bringing our designs to reality. The talk was organised by the Thames Valley Landscape Group, on behald of the SE Branch.
'Flood Risk Assessment', a talk by Luke Strickland,
Senior Environmental Engineer at Giffords
Following several recent flooding events, the issue of flood defense and drainage is now on the national agenda. Luke's talk on the evening of 21st May, at the Slipper Sailing Club in Emsworth, Hampshire, covered the requirements for Flood Risk Assessment according to PPS 25, as well as exploring the different forms of Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) promoted.
An event report will be published here soon.
Narrow Boat Trip on the Wey Navigation /
South East branch AGM
On Sunday 3rd May, a well-attended LISE event took a 1 ½ hour long cruise along the Wey Navigation at Guildford, exploring the earliest river to be made navigable in the UK, with views of historic sites and the SSSI's, (and a very nice Ploughman's lunch!). Photos of the Narrowboat trip can be seen by clicking on the image opposite.
Following on from the narrowboat trip, the branch's AGM was held in the Weyside Pub, (next door to the Boathouse). After a briefing on Branch matters, LI President, Neil Williamson, and Chief Executive, Alasdair McCapra took questions on the future direction of the Institute. Members had the chance to air their views, and discussed how we as a branch should respond to the issues that the Landscape Institute currently face.
Minutes of the AGM can be downloaded here.
Wilderness and Inner Space Conference
A successful conference was held on 13-14 December 2008, at the University of Kent in Canterbury, organised by the Wild Analysis Forum. To find out more see the flyer.
The South East branch was pleased to support the event. Please click here to read a conference report written by Joshua Peacock (Working Group member for LISE) and Susan Lowenthal (Chair of LIL).
Guided tour of Chichester harbour
On a breezy but bright day in June 2008, members of the South East branch went on board a solar-powered boat to be guided around the SSSI of Chichester harbour. Click on the imageto read more...
To see more photos of the event, click here
Branch newsletters
Every few months, South East branch members will be kept up-to-date with the latest news and developments in branch business. At present, two newsletters have been distributed since the branch came into existence in April 2008. They can be found in the links opposite.
News
Calling all landscape and wildlife photographers...
Any amateur landscape and wildlife photographers living near the Bracknell area might be interested to see details of this year's Parks and Countryside Photo Competition on the Bracknell Forest Council's website. The theme is linked to twenty ten being the International Year of Biodiversity, and is simply Biodiversity in Bracknell. Terms and conditions can be downloaded via the web page, and an exhibition of winning entries will be held at South Hill Park Arts Centre early in 2011. http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/leisure/leis-parks-and-countryside/leis-local-parks-photo-competition-2010.htm
The Chilterns AONB Management Plan
In November 2008, the board of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty published it's Management Plan leading up to 2013. To find out more, read the press-release by clicking here.
Manual for Streets
One year on from the publication of the Manual for Streets (MfS), the research organisation behind it, WSP Group, have issued a briefing paper to review the issues emerging from the application of MfS. To read the review, click here.