Scotland AGM Event
BALI Regional Event
- Venue:
- SRUC College
- Date:
- 30 Jan 2026
- Location:
- Peter Wilson Building, King's Buildings, W Mains Rd, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG
- Opening times:
- 11:00am - 3:30pm
To start the year, the first regional AGM event will be held in Scotland. SRUC College have kindly allowed us to host at the college where we will deliver the regional AGM, and our CEO Wayne Grills will share BALI updates
details
Our Head of Policy & Public Affairs, Amy Cobbett will also be joining to discuss the upcoming election in May and welcome discussion with attendees. Alongside this we have Tony Clapcott from Harrowden, who are also stockists of Kress and so will combine a talk with demos on Kress products.
The key speaker of the day will be delivered from David Knott, Curator of Living Collections at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. David has a wealth of experience from his vast career in the industry. On the day hear him highlight the challenges being faced in the industry, offering potential solutions.
Schedule
11:00am Arrival and refreshments
11:30am Regional AGM and CEO Wayne Grills BALI Update
12.20pm Amy Cobbett, Head of Policy & Public Affairs – Talk covering the Scottish election in May 2026 and BALI’s manifesto ahead of the election
12:45pm Lunch, Buffet lunch of sandwiches and crisps
1:30pm Harrowden and Kress talk and demo
2:00pm David Knott, Curator at Living Collections of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh - Horticultural Challenges and Potential Solutions, Skills, Biosecurity, Climate Change and Skills.
2:45pm Networking
3:30pm Finish
David Knott
David started his horticultural career at Branklyn Garden, Peth and then attended the National Trust for Scotland’s Threave School of Practical Gardening. He then spent a year working in the USA at Longwood Gardens before returning to study at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. He then became Assistant Head Gardener at Brodick Castle Gardens, then Head Gardener Castle Kennedy Gardens. He re-joined RBGE in 1988 as Garden Supervisor at Logan Botanic Garden and in 1992 Curator of Dawyck Botanic Garden. In 2008 he became Curator Outdoor Living Collections Inverleith and in 2010 Curator Living Collections RBGE. He has studied and collected plants in China, Nepal, Japan and Korea. He is a member of the RHS Woody Plant Committee, is currently Honorary President of the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, Scottish Branch Chair of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and chair of the Scottish Horticultural skills group.
Harrowden
Harrowden began as four separate turf businesses serving distinct parts of the country. Now they’re a national horticultural grower specialising not only in turf, but wild flower turf, sedum and topsoil. To add to this, they are a national distributor for all things horticultural – plants, seeds, tools, bulbs and everything you need to plant, prune, feed, spray and spread. They’re culture of innovation means they focus on continuous improvements, depot development and maintaining an ever-expanding product portfolio.
Harrowden does not use plastic netting on any of its lawn turf varieties. Their turf is grown on some of the best soils in the UK and relies solely on the turf itself to maintain its structure.
They have a wide range of industry leading turf, Meadowmat® wildflower turf, Enviromat® sedum matting and core landscaping products which are suitable for a host of applications, and they strive for consistency from planting to the delivery of the end-product. All their farms can irrigate during dry spells and they can switch supply between farms if severe weather conditions threaten.
As one of the largest turf producers in Europe we negotiate the best prices and demand the highest quality seed, inputs, equipment, and haulage, passing the benefits on to our customers.
Kress
Kress has only ever focussed on battery electric tools. Their tools have been designed to be electric from the outset with purpose-built motors known for durability and quality.
If you have been putting off the switch to electric – now is the time with Kress. Whether its cutting, sawing, mowing or pruning you can charge quickly and easily.
So why choose Kress? Unlike traditional brands that are adding cordless models to their core ranges Kress has been manufacturing electric motors exclusively for almost a century. Not only do Kress tools rival traditional petrol-operated equipment in terms of power, but they can also dramatically reduce operating costs and carbon footprint
As a national distributor for Kress, we can offer both the 20v range and the 40v range. Kress offer a dedicated battery electric solution where efficiency is key, but efficiency with quiet and effective operation. Kress means an eco-friendly solution for every garden task – mowing, strimming, pruning, edging and pressure washing. All with fast charging – 8 minutes – and fast turnaround.
Key features:
- Environmental Sustainability
- Convenience and Portability
- Reduced Maintenance
- Quiet Operation
- Enhanced Safety Features
- Versatility and Performance
- Longevity and Durability
Kress Battery Electric Garden Tools represent a paradigm shift in the world of gardening and landscaping. By combining efficiency, sustainability, and innovation, these tools offer a host of benefits. Whether you’re passionate about environmental conservation, seeking convenience and portability, or simply striving for professional-quality results, Kress tools all have something to offer.