Kelburn Garden Party and Kelburn Psychedelic Forest Carnival
Service: Public liability, employers liability, hired-in equipment and cancellation Insurance
From: Integro Entertainment & Sport Insurance Brokers (Manchester 0161 302 0056 / www.integroentertainment.com)
Details: The annual programme of installations, music and performance events at Kelburn Castle features a diverse program of activities. Kelburn Arts delivers the Kelburn Garden Party and the Psychedelic Forest Carnival and has been a client of Integro Entertainment & Sport for over seven years. Integro works well in advance of both events to ensure the appropriate policies are in place so that should anything not go to plan it is there to support them.
Feedback: “We use Integro as our insurance broker because they take the time to understand that our unique programme of art installations, music and performance means our requirements can be complex. They always work hard with us to ensure we have the cover we need, and we look forward to working with them again next year.”
Undisclosed Castle Venue in West England
Service: Ecology and landscape architecture
From: Diversity Environmental Consultants (01452 771010 / www.diversity.biz)
Details: A sought after venue for weddings, corporate events and outdoor activities, this castle estate in the west of England features historic parkland, gardens, and a range of natural habitats including a river of international importance for wildlife.
The owners are currently in the process of converting and refurbishing a collection of old farm buildings into high quality accommodation. Prior to building works commencing, planning consent had to be obtained from the local council and legal permissions relating to the protection of wildlife and other natural resources received from government agencies such as Natural England.
Working closely with the architect and client from early design stages, Diversity Environmental Consultants helped navigate the project through a series of complex environmental issues to achieve a successful planning outcome. This in turn has enabled building work to start on time so that accommodation can be ready for the next booking season.
The services have included: ecological surveys of habitats and protected species (bats, great crested newts, otters and reptiles), environmental management plans, protected species licensing, arboricultural assessment, and landscape design for the gardens, access roads and parking.
Feedback: Architect George Chedburn said: “Resolving issues relating to ecology and landscape is fundamental to a project of this nature being successful. Diversity Environmental Consultants provide the level of ecological and landscape architectural expertise needed, while being sensitive to the needs of the client and other team members.”
Hawarden Castle Pavillion
Service supplied: Event management and logistics, lighting, sound, power,
furniture and staging
From: Event Equipment (01829 289888 / www.eventequipmetltd.co.uk)
Details: Event Equipment not only has a phenomenal amount of AV equipment, power infrastructure and furniture available, but also a proven ability to manage events from the planning stages to completion. The company’s relationship with Hawarden Castle Estate has grown over the years and it is now an integral part of its annual festival, The Good Life Experience.
Set within the Hawarden estate, with views of two castles and rolling historic parkland, the site is one of Wales’ most unusual and beautiful event spaces. Event Equipment works closely with the Gladstone family and their team to ensure the festival is a fantastic weekend for all visitors, year after year.
Logistics and layout is key as Event Equipment supplies power to the camping and glamping fields, all the food outlets and traders, the marquees hosting live demonstrations and workshops, and multiple live music stages.
Although The Good Life Experience is about getting back to nature with a certain simplicity, the Event Equipment team loves building the framework into the land, lighting the historic castle to enhance its buildings. The company specialises in different lighting displays for different clients, and especially enjoys working with unique features of a site.
Feedback: Vicky Gladstone, The Good Life Experience events manager, said. “The Good Life Experience has thoroughly enjoyed working with Event Equipment for the last seven years and appreciates all their hard work, creativity, help and advice as we have. I would not hesitate to recommend Event Equipment, whatever the size of the job. We have also used their services at two of our other businesses. Professional, friendly and helpful, always.”
