B&Q and Homebase Websites Rank in Bottom Five for Online Shoppers

A survey of 96 shopping websites taken by more than 14,000 consumers ranked Homebase.co.uk and B&Q's DIY.com as 92nd and 95th respectively, revealed Which? this week. The rankings were based on customers' satisfaction the last time they shopped on the site, incorporating price, product stock, delivery, website usability and the returns process.

Read more: B&Q and Homebase Websites Rank in Bottom Five for Online Shoppers

Results from the Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2012

Store of the Year 2013 – The Food Store, Ballyhaunis Road, Claremorris, Mayo
Best Store (under 1,000sq.ft) – The Irish Whiskey Collection, The Loop T2 Dublin Airport, Dublin
Best Store (1,000-2,500sq.ft) –McGovern's, Bedford Row, Limerick
Best Store (2,500-5,000sq.ft) – The Food Store, Ballyhaunis Road, Claremorris, Mayo

Read more: Results from the Retail Excellence Ireland Awards 2012

New Extension to Teagasc Advisory and Education Centre in Ballymote

The newly extended and renovated Teagasc advisory and education centre in Ballymote, County Sligo, was officially opened by John Perry TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Small Business, at the Department of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation.

Read more: New Extension to Teagasc Advisory and Education Centre in Ballymote

Students Discover there’s No Waste with Horse Manure

During their studies on Estate Maintenance, the Level 2 Diploma in Horse Care students became curious to discover what happens to all the horse manure that is produced at CAFRE's Enniskillen Campus. The students embarked on the short journey to Maguiresbridge to visit Sue Prenter at Lady Muck organic manure.

Read more: Students Discover there’s No Waste with Horse Manure

Enrich is First Green Compost Producer to Receive SI 441 Quality Standard

Enrich Environmental Ltd the first to receive the new Compost Quality Standard SI 441 for there peat-free composts. It was a great honor to receive it from Minister Phil Hogan on the 17th October. Enrich have long being known for there quality products over the years, this new Quality Standard for Compost has given our customers the reassurance that the products can be relied upon as they were produced to the highest standards

Read more: Enrich is First Green Compost Producer to Receive SI 441 Quality Standard

The Sodshow: The Landscape Juice, A Mowerthon and Phil Voice

Listen to The SodShow, Dublin’s only garden radio show. Live every Friday @ 3pm – or after tea-time in podcast

» listen to The Sodshow: The Landscape Juice, A Mowerthon and Phil Voice

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UCD Earth Institute Industry & Enterprise Showcase

We are taking this day to highlight the quality and diversity of research on the earth and environmental sciences taking place within the Earth Institute - UCD's newest research institute. We are delighted that Enterprise Ireland are joining us to open the day, and we will also have speakers from Tullow Oil, Mainstream Renewable Power, Bioplastech and the EPA.

Read more: UCD Earth Institute Industry & Enterprise Showcase

Plant Nurseries Patronising Garden Designers - by Phillip Voice

I've just read Hort Week's article 'Tales of stowaways and complacent landscape designers from Palmstead Nurseries at BALI conference'. I thought it a touch patronising that Richard McKenna and Nick Coslett should criticise garden designers for not visiting nurseries more often to see how trees grew.

Read more: Plant Nurseries Patronising Garden Designers - by Phillip Voice

ECO-UNESCO’s Leadership and Strategic Sustainable Development

What?
This training course focuses on how to take leadership in planning for Sustainable Development. The programme is of particular relevance to those wishing to build and take strategic actions on a personal, organisational, business and/or community level toward Sustainable Development.

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RHSI Gardening Talk on Alpines

 
The Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland is presenting a gardening talk. The topic is 'The Crevice Garden - a new way to grow Alpines' and it will be given by Billy Moore . It will take place in Wesley House, Leeson Park, Dublin 6 on Wednesday 7th November at 8pm.

Read more: RHSI Gardening Talk on Alpines

UK Ash Dieback 'Beyond Containment'

The Environment Secretary Owen Paterson will host a summit on ash dieback today. The meeting, involving tree health experts and other "key stakeholders", will provide updates on the problem and what is being done to tackle the infection.

Read more: UK Ash Dieback 'Beyond Containment'

Organic Trust 2012 AGM & Conference Resounding Success!

The 2012 AGM & Conference of the Organic Trust which was held in the peaceful surroundings of the Camphill Community Organic Farm at Grangebeg, Dunlavin, Co Kildare, saw record attendance levels. The excellent facilities provided in 'Colmcille' – the Grangebeg Community Hall – provided the perfect surroundings to conduct AGM official business early in the day.

Read more: Organic Trust 2012 AGM & Conference Resounding Success!

Why Sheila Gallagher Thinks GM Potatoes are a Bad Idea

"I think to even consider growing GM potatoes is outrageous. As we move into this new century, we have such an opportunity, on this island of ours, to become one of the world leaders in good healthy organic food. It is frightening to think that a small group of irresponsible people can have the power to destroy this.

Read more: Why Sheila Gallagher Thinks GM Potatoes are a Bad Idea

Coillte's Clonbur Woodland Wins National RDS-Forest Service Award for Biodiversity

Clonbur Woodland is a 300 hectare woodland on the shores of Lough Mask in Galway and Mayo, which has been restored under joint Coillte and EU LIFE funding in recent years, and it won the top award in the Biodiversity Category of the RDS Forest Service Awards 2012, at a recent ceremony.

Read more: Coillte's Clonbur Woodland Wins National RDS-Forest Service Award for Biodiversity

Seamus Florists Sundries Open Day and Christmas Flower Demonstration by Samantha Foran & Jenny Murphy

All the fantastic arrangements will be raffled at the end of the day with proceeds going to Cancer Care. Aquaflor will be here on the day selling fresh flowers so you can stock up for the week ahead!

Read more: Seamus Florists Sundries Open Day and Christmas Flower Demonstration by Samantha Foran & Jenny...

SEAI and SIPTU Host Conference on Sustainable Energy

Sustainable energy is important for protecting and supporting jobs in Ireland. That was the message from a conference focussed on sustainable energy and jobs hosted by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and SIPTU at Croke Park on Thursday, 1st November. 200 business leaders and major Irish employers attended the conference aimed at raising awareness of the jobs potential associated with sustainable energy and how Ireland can best maximise this.

Read more: SEAI and SIPTU Host Conference on Sustainable Energy

Growth in the UK Online Market through Smartphone and Virtual Stores

The UK online food and grocery market will be worth £11.1bn by 2017, almost double its current value of £5.6bn, according to new IGD research. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.6% between 2012 and 2017. This growth is largely being driven by customer uptake and shopping frequency on Smartphone and tablet formats.

Read more: Growth in the UK Online Market through Smartphone and Virtual Stores

Stroketown House & Castletown House: Winter Lecture Series

The Centre for the Study of Historic Irish Houses & Estates, in association with the Office of Public Works, presents a series of public lectures at Castletown House, Co. Kildare and Strokestown House, Co. Roscommon.

Lectures run between October 2012 and April 2013.

Read more: Stroketown House & Castletown House: Winter Lecture Series

Hozelock Acquired by Exel Industries

Gardening equipment supplier Hozelock has been bought by French spraying specialist Exel Industries, but will continue to manufacture in the UK. The acquisition will mean "a formidable proposition in the market for gardening products," said Hozelock.

Read more: Hozelock Acquired by Exel Industries

Planning Permission Approved for £50m Development

Environment Minister Alex Attwood today approved planning permission for a £50 million development at the historic 'Castlebawn' site in Newtownards. This is a further 'Article 31' (major planning application), one in an ongoing series of major planning announcements being made by the Minister.

Read more: Planning Permission Approved for £50m Development