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We’re thrilled to share that we have been shortlisted for the Pro Landscaper Business Awards 2025 in the Supplier and Service Provider category. Being recognised among the industry’s best is a true honour and a testament to our team’s dedication.
A huge thank you to Pro Landscaper, our hardworking team, and everyone who supports us. We can’t wait for the awards ceremony on the 25th of April, and we wish all the finalists the best of luck!
At Long Rake Spar, we’re always striving to bring our customers the highest quality decorative aggregates and landscaping solutions. As we step into 2025, we are excited to introduce seven brand-new premium products designed to enhance outdoor spaces, landscaping projects and sports surfaces.
Artico White (8-10mm)
Artico White is a creamy white premium marble. It has a lovely rounded finish and looks gorgeous in decorative borders, giving a sleek, polished look.
Azzurro Blue (8-12mm)
Azzurro Blue is a stunning blue/grey, premium rounded marble. The subtle mix of grey shades combine to create arguably the most beautiful aggregate available.
Spanish Gold (12-20mm)
Spanish Gold is a predominantly white and creamy angular marble with bronze and occasional grey stones. Perfect for a variety of uses, such as driveways, footpaths, beds, borders and ornamental ponds.
Mediterranean Pebbles (20-30mm)
Mediterranean Pebbles are a mix of rounded pebbles. These attractive stones are an eye-catching addition to any landscaping project. They are suitable for decorative rockeries, garden borders, raised beds and ornamental water features.
Grano Dust (0-4mm)
This finely crushed aggregate is a must-have for creating solid, level bases for paving, patios, and artificial grass, offering both practicality and performance.
Sports Sand (0.3-1mm)
A washed and graded premium dry sand for use with artificial grass and sports surfaces. Specially chosen for its excellent natural drainage properties.
Schist Tumbled Edging (400x60x80mm)
Schist Tumbled Edging perfectly combines functionality with rustic charm. Crafted from premium-quality schist stone, it blends effortlessly with a variety of garden styles.
The grandeur of Cameron House, Loch Lomond, set the stage for an unforgettable evening as members of the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) gathered to celebrate Burns Night in true Scottish style, braving one of the worst storms for numerous years to attend. Among the distinguished attendees was Shane McCormick, National Sales Manager, who looked the part in his traditional kilt alongside his wife, Denise, as they prepared for a night of cultural celebration and valuable industry networking.
Joining them in the festivities was Andy Maxwell, Area Sales Manager for Scotland and the North, accompanied by his wife, adding to the evening’s camaraderie and excitement. The BMF Burns Night Supper provided the perfect setting for professionals in the builders’ merchant industry to come together, exchange insights, and strengthen business relationships while honouring Scotland’s most beloved poet, Robert Burns.
From the iconic Address to a Haggis to the stirring sounds of bagpipes filling the air, the event paid homage to Scottish traditions in spectacular fashion. The evening was a blend of fine dining, engaging conversations, and a shared appreciation for the rich heritage that Burns Night represents.
With a mix of professional networking and cultural festivities, the night at Cameron House was truly one to remember. The BMF Burns Night Supper once again demonstrated the power of bringing industry leaders together in a setting that celebrates both business and tradition.
We’re thrilled to share the success of this year’s Christmas Jumper Day! Our team came together in a joyful display of festive spirit, donning their most colourful and creative Christmas jumpers to support a meaningful cause.
Thanks to everyone’s generosity, we’ve raised an impressive £71 so far—and the donations are still coming in! Every contribution makes a difference, and we’re incredibly grateful for the support from our wonderful participants.
If you haven’t had a chance to donate yet, there’s still time to spread the holiday cheer. You can make your contribution here: https://bit.ly/3Dg0uP2.
Let’s keep the spirit of giving alive this season and continue making a positive impact together. Thank you to everyone who helped make Christmas Jumper Day such a success—we couldn’t have done it without you!
We proudly participated in the NBG Conference on the 18th and 19th of November 2024. Held at the prestigious Celtic Manor Resort, the event brought together industry leaders and partners for two days of collaboration, networking, and innovation in the builders’ merchant sector.
Located on Stand S72, our team, comprising Shane McCormick and Cate Kennewell, engaged with attendees, showing our new products and innovations for 2025.
“The NBG Conference is an unmissable opportunity to align with industry peers and showcase what sets us apart in a competitive market,” said Shane McCormick. “This year’s event has been exceptional in terms of the quality of conversations and the enthusiasm shown by visitors to our stand.”
Cate Kennewell added, “The energy at the Celtic Manor was incredible. We had some really productive conversations and received great feedback, which shows how much innovation is driving the industry forward. Events like this are vital for building relationships that drive mutual success.”
This year’s NBG Conference featured a charity football match, a supplier summit, a welcome dinner, the exhibition, followed by the gala dinner – all tailored to enhance the collaborative spirit of independent merchants and suppliers. The event underscored the importance of innovation and partnerships in overcoming challenges within the industry.
As we reflect on a successful two days at the conference, the team is already looking forward to building on the connections made. We thank the organizers, our fellow exhibitors, and all the attendees who visited our stand, and we look forward to continuing the momentum created at the conference.
For more information or to discuss collaborations, please reach out to our team directly.
We are thrilled to announce that Andy Maxwell has joined Long Rake Spar, bringing a wealth of experience in the industry. Andy will be covering Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the North East as an Area Sales Manager and budding up with Sammy Bright in the busy Sales Office. Andy’s extensive background working with builders’ merchants makes him a valuable addition to our team, and we’re excited to see the expertise and fresh perspective he’ll bring to the business.
Please join us in welcoming Andy to Long Rake Spar! We look forward to the contributions he’ll make as we continue to grow and strengthen our partnerships across the industry.
This November, four dedicated team members at Long Rake Spar are putting down their razors to raise awareness and funds for men’s health through Movember.
Shane McCormick, National Sales Manager for Natural Selection, Dan Travis, Managing Director of Grantex and Industrial Products and Dan McMahon and Glynn Jefferies, Area Sales Managers for Natural Selection are busy growing the ‘mo’ this month! With the goal of supporting essential issues like mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer, our colleagues are going to be sporting fresh moustaches for a meaningful cause.
Join us in cheering them on by contributing to their Movember campaign. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference in supporting vital men’s health initiatives. Please give what you can.
Donate Here: https://bit.ly/3UxcyAW
We are excited to share the highlights from our attendance at the FutureScape Show, held on October 15th and 16th. Our team was proud to showcase our latest innovations at Stand P62, where we introduced two new products that promise to elevate landscaping projects: premium product Savannah Rose chippings and a construction and landscaping favourite, Grano Dust. In addition to this we showcased exciting new technology due to be launched in 2025 to assist our merchant customers with their sales.
The FutureScape Show is the UK’s largest landscaping expo and trade event, which attracts a large number of professionals from across all sectors of the industry. This year was no exception with over 4000 visitors taking time out of their busy schedules to visit this two-day show. Our stand was buzzing with interest as attendees explored our new offerings and engaged with our knowledgeable staff.
Savannah Rose Chippings (shown below) are a stunning addition to our range of premium decorative aggregates for 2025. With its unique blend of warm hues, Savannah Rose is perfect for creating eye-catching garden pathways, decorative borders, and for creating striking features in outdoor spaces.
AR is coming to Long Rake Spar/Natural Selection. This ground breaking technology will assist our merchants with their sales with our Augmented Reality visualiser, helping merchant customers select the perfect product for their gardens. On show for the first time at FutureScape, this is due for release in 2025 and was met with great enthusiasm from customers.
We introduced Grano Dust at FutureScape Event also – a versatile product that serves as an excellent base material for various landscaping projects. Grano Dust provides superior compaction and stability, making it ideal for creating solid foundations for paths, patios, artificial grass and other outdoor structures. Its fine texture ensures smooth finishes.
The positive feedback from visitors at our stand has been overwhelming. Many expressed their enthusiasm for our new products Savannah Rose and Grano Dust, highlighting a need for these products in the market. We look forward to seeing these products in action next year and are excited to work with our merchants to bring these products to the marketplace.
Thank you to everyone who visited us at FutureScape Show 2024. If you missed us, please don’t hesitate to reach out for more information about Savannah Rose, Grano Dust, or indeed any of our other aggregates.
Yesterday, Long Rake Spar proudly attended the BMJ Awards dinner, which took place in London on Friday, September 27th. This prestigious event celebrates the top achievements in the builders’ merchant sector. Representing Long Rake Spar were Shane McCormick, Wendy Pearson, and Tammy Tidmarsh, who gathered to celebrate with industry peers and recognise the year’s best.
Long Rake Spar earned its place as a finalist in the Landscaping Supplier of the Year category, marking an outstanding achievement in a competitive field. Reaching the finals was a significant honour and a testament to the company’s ongoing commitment to quality and service.
Reflecting on the event, Shane McCormick commented, “It was an incredible experience to be there among such inspiring companies. Although we didn’t take home the award, it’s an honour to be recognised at this level. We’re grateful for the support of our customers and colleagues who helped us get here.”
Special recognition was given to the entire team at Long Rake Spar, whose hard work and dedication made the nomination possible. “Our team is at the heart of everything we do,” Tammy Tidmarsh added. “Without their commitment and expertise, we wouldn’t be celebrating this achievement.”
Long Rake Spar’s commitment to quality and customer service has consistently set them apart, and this year’s finalist position highlights its reputation as a trusted and reliable supplier.
We are thrilled to announce that Shane McCormick, National Sales Manager for Natural Selection, has been appointed as a Freeman of the prestigious Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants. This esteemed honour recognises Shane’s exceptional contributions to the builders’ merchant industry and highlights his commitment to excellence and innovation.
The Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants, one of the City of London’s ancient livery companies, is dedicated to promoting the highest standards in the construction supply sector. Becoming a Freeman is a significant accolade, acknowledging Shane’s leadership, expertise, and dedication to the trade. Beyond the ceremonial significance, this historic tradition also grants Shane the unique (and amusing) privilege of crossing his sheep over London Bridge toll-free – a nod to the ancient roots of the Freedom of the City.
“We couldn’t be prouder of Shane,” said Trevor Broadhurst, Owner and Managing Director of Long Rake Spar. “This honour reflects his tireless work and passion for advancing the industry. His dedication to building strong relationships and driving growth within the sector is an inspiration to all of us at Long Rake Spar.”
Shane shared his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “It is a privilege to be welcomed into such an esteemed organization. I am deeply honoured to join the Worshipful Company of Builders’ Merchants and look forward to contributing to its proud tradition of fostering excellence in our industry.”
This appointment not only celebrates Shane’s individual achievements but also underscores Natural Selection’s role as a key player in the builders’ merchant sector. Congratulations to Shane on this well-deserved honour and on his historic right to shepherd sheep toll-free over London Bridge!
Opening Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:30am – 5pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
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