Kingcombe Aquacare Logo Water Management for Landscapes, Fisheries, Leisure and Conservation   Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd  

Specialists in Water Management for Landscapes, Fisheries, Leisure and Conservation

News

 

Company News For 2009:

July 2009

Confined Space? We have a dedicated team, give us a call and see if we can help you.

June 2009

Our Engineering team has been working at Bushy Park again. click here to see what the project involved.

We recently completed works for a private client near Swindon building a Water Garden click here to view the latest photos. 

Thank you for all of your applications, we have now filled all of our previous vacancies. If you are interested in working for Kingcombe Aquacare please check our recruitment page from time to time.  .

May 2009

Are you looking for work? Do you have what it takes to work with the UK's leading specialist water management company? If so, please have a look at our recruitment page for more information.

April 2009

We haven't posted information regarding our latest projects for some time. We will soon be updating this section with an overview of the broad range of work completed during the last 17 months. Please return soon for an update.

Company News For 2007:

December 2007

We are recruiting again! If you are handy with plants or you are experienced as a receptionist please visit our recruitment page for more information on our latest vacancies. Thank you.

September 2007

We are recruiting! If you are an experienced groundworker, a mechanical/electrical fitter or an estimator/quantity surveyor and you are looking for a new challenge then we may be able to help. Visit our recruitment page for more information.

July 2007

5th July 2007

The Glasshouse is now open to the public and we have updated the Wisley image gallery with the latest photos. Please have a look to see Her Majesty The Queen walking around during her visit to officially open the exhibit. There is also a link at the bottom of the gallery page to the RHS website where you can learn more about The Glasshouse.

June 2007

14th June 2007

June the 14th was an important day for Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd, we attended the official reception to mark the completion and opening of "The Glasshouse", RHS Wisleys bicentenary project.

As a Company we have been involved with this project since being asked to price and advise on a concept scheme in Oct 2000 whilst working on the restoration of the 7 acre lakes. Numerous meetings and consultations followed over the years until finally we arrived on site to commence the earthworks that provided the platform layer for the Glasshouse to sit on.

Since then we have constructed and lined the 4,000m2 reflecting lake, installed pipes and chambers, weirs and pumps, and poured many tons of concrete. We brought all the services onto the site and provided ducts for telephones and computers. Inside The Glasshouse, we built the structure to accept the rock cladding that forms the central spine. Our staff constructed the tropical lily pool and the spectacular cascade. We laid miles of ducts and pipework and created the planting beds ready for the fantastic displays of specimen flora. The adaptable team unloaded lorry loads of palm trees, broke rocks and searched for archealogical remains.

It was with a deep sense of pride and satisfaction that we attended the celebrations that marked the culmination of this project and the handing on of our hard work for the public to enjoy. Over champagne and canapés we had time reflect on the trials and tribulations, the triumphs and disasters that mark the progress of any construction scheme.

However we discover that we haven’t quite finished, the windows have to be washed ready for the official opening by HRH the Queen in two weeks time.

May 2007

31st May 2007

Much has happened already this year with and our teams have been involved in a wide variety of projects throughout the UK. Our 20th Anniversary year promises to be our busiest yet with all teams committed now until the end of September. Most recently, following an assessment by an independent body, Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd has been awarded ISO 14001 certification. This certification has only been achieved by less than 1% of UK businesses and this prestigious award is supported by the Government and recognised world-wide.

Said a delighted Kevin Ackerman, Environmental Manager "We have always been proud of the service we offer our clients and the way we conduct our business with regard to environmental matters. Now with the award of ISO 14001 certification, this has been confirmed by outside experts who are used to judging standards on a daily basis in a wide variety of trades and industries".

Chris Virgo, who undertook the assessment for QMS Quality Management Systems, paid particular tribute to "the investment in people and training that enables Kingcombe Aquacare to provide an efficient and environmentally friendly service to their customers."

January 2007

We would like to wish all of our past and current clients a very Happy New Year! Last year was our busiest yet and included some superb projects that demonstrate the broad range of work Kingcombe Aquacare undertakes. The unfortunate flip side of this is that we have not been able to update our web site as regularly as we would have liked! We have created a page with photos and a small amount of text to summarise 2006. There are a few points that are are worth a special mention so be sure to have a read! Please take a look by clicking here. 2007 is already turning out to be a very busy and exciting year. Keep visiting our news page for updates.

Company News For 2006:

September 2006

8th September 2006

Lydiard Park Project Complete

Our engineering team have finally completed all of the major works at Lydiard Park. The later stages included the fabrication and installation of a douglas fir timber bridge and a green oak fishing platform. Both lakes have also been stocked with aquatic plants.click here to view the latest photos.

Frome Lake De-silt Completed

This huge project is now complete. Check the gallery for recent images by clicking here.

7th September 2006

Bicentenary Glasshouse Project continues at RHS Wisley

Our team at RHS Wisley are striding forward having completed much of the major works. We have installed in the region of 6000 square metres of Firestone EPDM membrane, surcharged with as dug soil from the original excavations. Meanwhile work on the internal water features is progressing. The central area within the glasshouse is a huge rock formation with a waterfall and pool. Once complete, visitors will be able to wander up around the rock to view the plants. Paths will lead into a root zone where it will be possible to experience life within the root zone! More photos will be added shortly. Click here to view the Wisley gallery.

New Life Given to Old Pond

We have recently completed a project in Dorset for Norburton Hall. Visitors used to be greeted by an unsightly leaking concrete pool as they made their way up the drive. This was really letting the side down compared with the rest of this fabulous guest house. Our clients decided enough was enough and called in the Waterscapes team! Click here to see more of this project. To visit the Norburton Hall web site click here.

 

Swimming Pond Underway

The recent buzz surrounding swimming ponds, pools which have clean water without the use of chemicals, has prompted one of our existing clients to take the plunge! We are constructing a pond consisting of a defined swimming area set within a larger, shallow, heavily planted area. Click here to learn more.

May 2006

23rd May 2006

The Frome Lake De-silt Continues

Following some very wet weather towards the end of last year we dismantled the pipe line and left site. Returning this March, we re-mobilised all of the pumping equipment and pipe line. Since then our engineering team have been pumping a huge amount of silt out of the lower lake over a mile to a designated dumping ground. To view images of this huge project click here .

RHS Wisley BGP Continues

We are now due to return to this project in June of this year to complete the reflecting lake and construct the internal water features. To view images of the glasshouse click here or visit the RHS website by clicking here

22nd May 2006

What a busy Winter and Spring it has been. So busy in fact we have been unable to update our site until now! Below is a selection of the work we have undertaken. Some are new projects, others are a continuation of our larger engineering work.

Water Garden for The Summer Lodge Hotel

Last Autumn we were invited to submit a design for a natural pond and cascade feature to be constructed at The Summer Lodge Hotel in Dorset. Our design was accepted and early this year we started work on site. Battling against the unfavourable weather and restricted by narrow access, our Waterscapes team managed to complete the work to an important deadline with the minimum of disruption. The result is a garden where guests can relax by a natural looking pool whilst enjoying the sights and sounds of gently cascading water. By installing a range of Hunza low voltage lighting we have enabled the guests to continue enjoying this feature after dark.

For more images of this project please click here.

Construction of Weed Harvester Launching Ramps for the Environment Agency

Our Engineering Division has been busy on the Somerset rivers constructing boat ramps for the E. A. Using our specialist long reach excavator and the "Aquatractor"  as a work platform we were able to undertake this work safely to a very high standard in a short space of time. Please visit the galley by clicking here to view extra photos of this work.

Lydiard Park Continues

During the Winter work continued at Lydiard Park in Swindon. Despite one of our excavators getting stuck the silt removal and edge revetment is complete. The new spill way connecting the two lakes is also complete. Our team are about to fabricate a bespoke bridge and we are also due to undertake aquatic planting of the two lakes.The landscape is coming together well and the lakes will soon look stunning. Click here to visit the updated gallery.

Mina Road Park Stream Improvement Project

Working for the Mina Road Park Group in conjunction with Bristol City Council we devised a plan to help improve the aquatic environment in the Horfield Brook, St Werberghs, Bristol. This stream was in desperate need of attention as it was heavily silted and infested with, well, all manner of rubbish from shopping trolleys to washing machines! We started by removing silt from the entire stretch and replacing it with a gravel substrate. This was to promote aerobic conditions and to help encourage invertebrate life. This in conjunction with marginal planting and the construction of a stone riffle should help to boost the natural life within the brook.

To help involve the community we fabricated two small dipping platforms. The idea is that school groups can visit the brook to see what aquatic life has taken residence since the improvement works. Take a look at the gallery by clicking here.

Company News For 2005:

November 2005

16th November 2005

Wey and Arun Canal Bank Stabilisation and Leak Remedy

Working for the Wey and Arun Canal Trust our team were instructed to supply and install over 50m of stone gabion revetment. We have also undertaken over 200m of bentonite trenching to remedy a leak. The work has only just been completed and we are awaiting more images. Click here to visit the gallery.

Northampton Hospice Water Feature Commissioned

Working for builders Stepnell Ltd, We have just completed the installation of two recirculating water systems situated at the entrance to the newly built Cynthia Spencer Hospice. Featuring calming fountains, monolith stones and a brick cascade, this feature is designed to create an oasis next to which patients can relax. Click here to view images of the project.

New Specialist Excavator

We have added yet more equipment to our fleet in the shape of a 15 tonne long reach excavator. This will be used primarily on our larger engineering sites. The image below shows the machine in action at Lydiard Park.

15th November 2005

Restoration Project at Lydiard Park, Swindon

Following an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Swindon Borough Council secured a grant for a £3 million pound park restoration project. After being appointed Main Contractor for the lake restoration work our Engineering team have mobilised to Lydiard park. We have started work on this ambitious project and you can see the progress by clicking here.

August 2005

27th August 2005

Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd Are Moving!

Following 20 years of trading from St Francis Farm in Hooke, company growth sparked a hunt for new premises. We are now moving to much larger and more accessible headquaters in Crewkerne, Somerset. With increased space both for our office and workshop staff, we aim to improve our efficiency and continue delivering our high standards of workmanship.

June 2005

30th June 2005

Stage One Of The Bicentenary Glasshouse Project is Complete

Our Engineering Division have just completed the initial groundworks for the Bicentenary Glasshouse Project at RHS Wisley (Click here to visit their website). Dutch specialists, Smiemans are now on site erecting the glasshouse. We are due to return in May 2006 to complete the reflecting lake. Click here to view more images of this project

Here is the site on mobilisation
A few months later and this aerial photo shows the dramatic change to the landscape

May 2005

30th May 2005

Kingcombe Aquacare Construct Silver Medal Winning Show Stand At Chelsea

On our first outing to the Chelsea Flower Show, Kingcombe Aquacare constructed a "Malasian Garden" for Raymond Blanc of Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, Oxfordshire. Click here or visit our Waterscapes pages for more details and photographs.

March 2005

29th March 2005

Our Maintenance Division Clean Up an Oxfordshire River

We have recently completed the restoration of a section of a small river which flows through the outskirts of Oxford. The heavily overgrown water course was full of litter and other obstructions, impeding the flow and reducing the quality of the habitat. Click here to see the transformation!

Our Engineering Division Head to RHS Wisley

Within the next week we mobilise to RHS Wisley to commence the initial groundwork for their high profile Bicentenary glasshouse. Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd are the principle contractors for the initial groundworks and construction of the lake. We will also be responsible for the installation of the internal pumping and filtration systems. We will provide progress updates with photographs as the work continues.

Where are Waterscapes?

Our Waterscapes team have just completed the construction stage of wildlife pond and stream. Click here to read more and view the photo's.

We have a busy Summer ahead with some very interesting projects in the pipeline. Keep visiting the Waterscapes page for updates.

February 2005

15th February 2005

Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd Maintenance Division Continues To Set The Standard.

Our Maintenance Manager, Scott Rice

Following our latest six monthly service and supply meeting with Arlington Business Services, our Maintenance Division has, once again, exceeded their standard of expectation.

Their report indicated that in every month we exceeded their 80% threshold for completing work orders on time. For 8 of the past 12 months we have acheived a 100% record.

This displays the high level of commitment given to our clients and ensures that the water features in all of the 11 Arlington Business Parks are maintained to our and their high standards.

 

 

 

 

14th February 2005

Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd Due To Commence Landscape Restoration Project.

A view of the lower reservoir from the dam before work commences

Next Week our Engineering Division starts work on a major lake restoration project near Frome, Somerset.

Situated on a private estate, t he two reservoirs, which date back to 1775, lie within a designated wildlife site. They are currently in the late stages of eutrophication being almost dry and heavily populated with scrub alder and willow.

Working in conjunction with DEFRA, the project will be carried out in phases until late summer to ensure that the engineering works continue with the minimal amount of disturbance to wildlife.

A total of between 70-80,000 cubic metres of silt are to be removed. The silt in the upper lake will be mechanically dug and hauled to a specially created storage bund. The lower lake will be pump de-silted over a distance of 1.5km to an area of land that is deficient in top soil. Please visit our engineering gallery over the next few months to see photos of the project during its various stages.

Visit our Engineering gallery or click HERE for more images of this project. Photos will be added over the next six months as the project continues.

Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd Retain Investors In People Status For Another Three Years

Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd have been an IIP registered firm since 2002. Following a review earlier this month we have retained IIP status for another three years. Within the report the high level of commitment to staff training and areas of good practice are highlighted.

The report stated; "Directors and Managers have a strong commitment to staff training and professional development."

We believe that our continued dedication to workforce development will benefit our clients directly through our well trained, motivated and efficient teams.

The assessor commented; "Development is provided to enhance skills and knowledge of the individual, provide an opportunity to develop specialist interests, and ensure that the company remains a leader in its field, both in terms of expertise and quality of service."

11th February 2005

Waterscapes Complete Dam Renovation Project at Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons, Oxfordshire

Driving in the sheet piles

Our Waterscapes team has recently finished restoring a failed dam at the prestigious hotel, Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons, Oxfordshire. Their watergarden needed urgent attention due to a serious leak on the dam of the main reservoir pool.

Due to  access restrictions the project involved sheet piling without the use of machinery . We devised a methodology to pitch and drive L8 trench sheets by hand, backfilling with 25 tonnes of concrete via wheelbarrow. A stone wall was then built to disguise the piles.

This work was carried out with the minimum of disturbance to the high profile gardens and ensures that the ponds, cascades and waterfalls will be at their best for the busy Spring and Summer months and beyond.

The successful completion of this project won us the contract to waterproof the dam on their famous Japanese Garden. Once again access restrictions were overcome to allow us to widen the existing leaking dam.

Our team installed a timber post and rail revetment, in keeping with the oriental theme, and backfilled with compacted clay. As before we were able to complete the works without the need for any reinstatement as a protection layer was installed before the work started.

For more pictures of this project visit our Waterscapes gallery or click HERE

Company News For 2004:

November 2004

29th November 2004

Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd achieve QMS ISO 9001 Registered Firm Status

Simon Parker from Quality Management Systems (QMS International PLC) presents Wendy Gordon with the ISO 9001 certificate

Following countless hours of hard work Wendy Gordon, General Manager of Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd, has put into place the necessary procedures to gain the company ISO 9001 status. We are very proud of this fact and it is testimony to Wendy's dedication and hard work as only 3% of British companies can claim to be ISO 9001 registered.

We have not gained this status just so that we can congratulate ourselves. It is another assurance to any potential client that we are a highly professional organisation with procedures in place to ensure that our work continually meets with their high standards.

October 2004:

08th October 2004

Makeover for Barbican lakes

It is not generally appreciated that the Barbican complex, in the City of London, includes 2.5 acres of lakes and water features. The lake had been installed as part of the original design, which was a landmark building for the late 1960 and early 1970s. However the mechanical and electrical infrastructure - which had been installed at that time to manage the water, including the pumps, fountains, waterfalls etc., - was becoming increasingly expensive to maintain and operate, and water quality was not meeting the expectations of the residents or visitors.

Read the whole article here

07th October 2004

Warning as killer weeds endanger our plant and water life

Foreign, water-borne weeds are already beginning to clog our rivers, lakes and ponds. As this invasion of pernicious and environmentally deadly flora reaches epidemic proportions, Brussels has banned the only known weed killer that can eradicate some of the worst offenders.

Read the whole article here

July 2004:

15th July 2004

"We renew budgets every year and the first thing to be included is our contract with Kingcombe Aquacare. Our water features are a significant ingredient of the course and their visual impact is an important factor within the overall ambience. The team from Kingcombe keep it that way, leaving me time to concentrate on what I know best." These words, spoken by Don Wilson, course manage of Park Golf & Country Club, were extracted from an article that appeared in the July 2004 issue of Greenkeeping.

Read the whole article here

May 2004:

WORK IN PROGRESS AT THE BARBICAN CENTRE.

Harvesting the fish at the Barbican CentreThe humane removal of all the fish was the first stage in a six-week operation by Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd. to de-silt and rejuvenate the 2½ acres of ponds which form a significant landscaping feature of the Barbican Centre in the City of London.

Carrying out the work on behalf of the Corporation of London, the company first had to harvest the fish - which were mainly carp - before taking them to other lakes around the country. The fish had already passed a health check and the Environment Agency had given its consent for their movement.

"We catch them by transmitting a low amperage current through the water which is harmless, but enough to stun them for a few minutes," said Scott Rice, the company's fisheries and maintenance manager. "They are then scooped up with nets and transferred to specially aerated tanks for their journey to pastures new. They become fully conscious after only a minute or so."

The lakes at the Barbican Centre include a number of fountains and other water features. After the clean-up operation Kingcombe Aquacare will be installing a new and more energy-efficient pumping regime and refilling the ponds ready for restocking with more appropriate fish in the spring.

January 2004:

13th January 2004

ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY NOMINATES WATER MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS.

After satisfying stringent criteria relating to health and safety and environmental issues, as well as demonstrating their skills and experience, water management specialists Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd., have been nominated as a Framework Contractor by the Environment Agency.

"Because of a reduction of their in-house team, and to reduce the cost and complexity of the procurement process, the Environment Agency has established a partnering framework with a selected group of contractors," said Chris Keech, engineering director of the company, based in Hooke, Dorset.

"Kingcombe Aquacare will be one of four contractors who will carry out a range of works on rivers and other water features in the North Wessex area on behalf of the Environment Agency," he continued. "We consider our appointment as a major milestone in the growth of the company. It demonstrates that we have the skills base, environmental credentials and administrative infrastructure to handle the wide range of tasks required of us by the Agency

Established almost 20 years ago, Kingcombe Aquacare are leading specialists in the design, construction and maintenance of lakes and water features for landscape architects, local authorities and private clients. In addition to creating and maintaining waterscapes, the company offers a full range of specialist skills for aquatic weed control, fish husbandry, environmental impact assessment and related aquatic services.

Company News For 2003:

December 2003:

4th December 2003

WATER MANAGEMENT CONTRACT AWARDED FOR ARLINGTON BUSINESS PARKS.

After a six-month comparative trial - against one of its leading competitors - water management specialists Kingcombe Aquacare Limited, of Hooke in Dorset, have been awarded the contract to maintain the water features at ten of Arlington's business parks around the UK.

The award of the total contract to Kingcombe Aquacare was the result of an internal Supplier Satisfaction Audit completed by all of Arlington's customer support managers, one of whom wrote: ' Since the start of the (trial) contract, the service supplied by Kingcombe Aquacare has been impeccable. Long may it continue!'

Kingcombe Aquacare offers a wide range of water management services and according to managing director John Colton, the work required by Arlington involves maintaining the waters to the same high standard as their surrounding landscapes, keeping aquatic plant life under control, general fish husbandry and maintaining all the fountain pumps in good order. "Ongoing and regular maintenance is vitally important if water features are to compliment and reflect the quality of the landscape in which they sit," he said. "We are delighted to be Supplier Partners of Arlington. We won this important contract against stiff competition because we were able to provide our client with a proactive and high level of service and a thoroughly professional approach to all aspects of their water management," he concluded.

The business parks included in the new contract are situated in Birmingham, Coventry, Hatfield, Oxford, Theale, Bracknell, Gloucester, Farnborough, Bristol Aztec West, and Solent, near Southampton.

September 2003:

16rd September 2003

WHERE THERE'S MUCK …

Ref: Eastville 8aWhen being up to your knees in mud is an everyday affair, it came as something of a surprise to John Colton managing director of Kingcombe Aquacare, when one of the directors of BBC TV's 'A Life of Grime' asked if he would mind his employees being filmed as they rejuvenated a Victorian boating lake in Bristol.

"Trudging around in mud and slime is nothing new to us," he said. "We have been sorting out people's water management problems for the last 18 years and, although it may not appeal to everyone, this kind of work is our bread and butter." His company, based in Hooke, near Beaminster, Dorset, which specialises in every aspect of water management, had been asked to de-silt the 100-year-old lake in Eastville Park, by Bristol City Council.

Ref: Eastville 10a"We try to mechanise the process as much as possible," continued Mr. Colton, "but sometimes there is just no avoiding getting 'stuck in'. It's something I usually prefer to delegate!"

Another aspect of the operation at Eastville Park which caught the director of the programme's eye and one that had to be carried out before any de-silting could begin, was the capturing of all the lake's fish. "We do this by electronically stunning the fish, netting them and then putting them into tanks to be transported to a temporary home. They are not harmed in any way and are returned to the lake when our work there is completed. The largest one we caught at Eastville Park weighed an impressive 15lbs," concluded Mr. Colton.

Ref: Eastville AfterThe 'Life of Grime' programme highlighting Kingcombe Aquacare's de-silting operation at Eastville Park lake was screened on BBC 1 at 9pm on Tuesday 23 September.

August 2003:

11th August 2003

New general manager appointment

Wendy GordonWendy Gordon, a specialist in information technology and project management, has been appointed to the new position of general manager at Kingcombe Aquacare Limited - the UK's largest water management experts - whose headquarters are in Hooke, near Beaminster, Dorset.

Responsible for assisting with the running of the operational side of the business, Ms. Gordon will also be reviewing office and managerial procedures and processes to improve general efficiency and effectiveness during the build-up towards the company's application for BSEN ISO9000 certification in the near future.

"Wendy brings many years of IT and managerial experience to Kingcombe Aquacare," said managing director John Colton. "She has worked in a variety of different types of businesses including hospitals, engineering, public utilities and major software companies, as well as working very closely with local government. Her flair for leadership and management combined with her experience in the planning and scheduling of resources will prove invaluable to us as the company continues to expand."

Ms. Gordon trained at both the Cranfield School of Management and the Tavistock Institute, London and lives close to the Kingcombe Aquacare offices in the village of Hooke.

May 2003:

13th May 2003

New Saudi lake ready for filling

A new 3.5-hectare public amenity lake in Saudi Arabia - the result of British expertise and design skills - will shortly be ready for filling.

Situated in the heart of Riyadh, Salam Park lake is being constructed by local contractors using 35,000 square metres of 1mm thick Firestone waterproof membrane protected by a geotextile material, specified by and under the supervision of leading British water management specialists Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd. on behalf of the Arriyadh Development Authority.

"The conditions created by the temperature extremes found in Saudi Arabia meant that we had to specify a waterproof membrane that was going to be able to cope," said John Colton, managing director of Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd., which is based in Hooke, Dorset. "We have designed and built countless lakes and ponds over the years and we believe that EPDM waterproof pondliner made by Firestone Building Products is the best membrane material on the market. It is tough and highly puncture-resistant, friendly to fish and plant life and most significant of all, is highly flexible and convenient to join on site - of paramount importance when waterproofing irregular shapes and around complicated structures or where ground conditions might place stress on the liner."

As Kingcombe Aquacare is a major user and regular installer of Firestone waterproof membranes, the company recently featured the product on its stand at EWx2003 where considerable interest was shown in the product by architects and landscape designers. "They appreciated that any material tough enough to withstand the rigours of the Saudi climate could solve their waterproofing problems also. We have already received two significant orders to supply and install 2,000 square metres of the liner from visitors to the stand," concluded John Colton.

April 2003:

24th April 2003

Huge success at EWx2003

The Kingcombe Aquacare stand at this year's EWx2003, held at the NEC recently, proved to be one of the busiest and talked-about displays during the three-day event.

Much of the interest was directed towards the company's new range of sculptural water features which dominated the stand - one of the largest at the show. Two working examples of the impressive and unique range of solid granite and marble fountains were on display. Visitors to the stand were mesmerised by the gentle and seemingly impossible movement of the precision-cut and polished stones which are cushioned and oscillate together by the power of water alone.

"We had a constant stream of people asking questions about how the solid granite and marble sculptures could be supported just by the power of water," said Kingcombe Aquacare's managing director John Colton. "We are following up several serious enquiries from architects and landscape designers who are considering using them to create focal points both inside and outside prestige projects."

Resting in self-contained units, they are low-maintenance and safe despite their size, weight and action. Costing anything between £250 up to £85,000 for the largest solid granite sculpture which freely rotates on its base, the intriguing and expertly balanced water features are machined and polished by stone masons to very fine tolerances.

Kingcombe Aquacare are leading specialists in the design, construction and maintenance of lakes and water features for landscape architects, local authorities and private clients. "These impressive stone sculptures, powered as they are by water alone, fit comfortably with our well-established core activities," concluded John Colton.

8th April 2003

New website crammed with water management information and help

A website aimed at aiding designers, specifiers and managers needing expert help with projects involving water has been re-launched in a more comprehensive form by water management specialists Kingcombe Aquacare.

www.kingcombe.com now carries detailed information on many aspects of water management including design, construction, restoration and maintenance of lakes, reservoirs, ponds and water features both in the public and private sectors. Other topics included on the revitalised website are aquatic weed control, fish husbandry and related environmental assessment services.

"We offer such a broad range of water management services that it is essential that our website reflected this," said John Colton, managing director of Kingcombe Aquacare, who are based in Hooke, Dorset. "We are considered to be the leaders in our field in this country and although we have already won overseas contracts, we are keen to extend our market place. An exciting, informative and easy-to-use website will go a long way towards fulfilling our targets for expansion at home as well as abroad."

The website also features a comprehensive portfolio of work already carried out by the company, news on current contracts and product launches, plus a full breakdown of the many areas where the company's experts can use their specialist knowledge to assist designers and project managers with water-based projects.

Amazing water-powered granite and marble statue range launched

A unique range of solid granite and marble fountains weighing up to 2 tonnes each, but which are cushioned and oscillate together by the power of water alone, has been launched by Kingcombe Aquacare Limited, the UK's leading water management company.

Costing anything between £250 up to £85,000 for a 150cm diameter solid granite ball which freely rotates on its base, the intriguing and expertly balanced water features are machined and polished by stone masons to a tolerance of 3 microns.

The range also includes a rotating ring fountain, a dancing and rotating pillar fountain and a dual motion fountain - all available in a variety of sizes to meet the needs and budgets of landscape and commercial architects seeking exceptional focal points to their designs.

Made to order and imported from India, the exquisitely worked stone shapes float gently on a bed of moving water. Resting in self-contained units, they are low-maintenance, safe despite their size, weight and action and are particularly suitable for siting at the entrance to prestigious corporate buildings or hotels - especially as they can operate both inside as well as outdoors.

John Colton, managing director of Kingcombe Aquacare, leading specialists in the design, construction and maintenance of lakes for landscape architects, local authorities and private clients, believes the remarkable stone water features will attract a great deal of interest: "These impressive stone sculptures, powered as they are by water alone, fit comfortably with our well-established core activities. As soon as we saw them, we knew that their size and weight, coupled with their clever use of water, would be a great talking point. In particular, the quality of their workmanship reflects our own values, and we are very pleased to be introducing them to the UK".

February 2003:

12th Feb 2003

Business park group appoints water management specialists

Arlington Business Services Ltd. has appointed specialist water management company Kingcombe Aquacare of Hooke, Dorset, to maintain the water features at six of its most prestigious sites in the UK - including the large lakes and fountains at the developer's own headquarters adjacent to the M4 at Theale, near Reading, Berkshire.

Other Arlington business parks covered within the new water maintenance contract include their Solent Business Park alongside the M27, their Oxford Park - rapidly expanding on the site of the old Cowley car plant - and their newest development at Gloucester, conveniently sited just off Junction 11a of the M5.

Kingcombe Aquacare offers a wide range of water management services. According to managing director John Colton, the work required by Arlington will involve maintaining the waters to the same high standard as their surrounding landscapes, keeping aquatic plant life under control, general fish husbandry and maintaining all the fountain pumps in good order. "Ongoing and regular maintenance is vitally important if water features are to compliment the landscaping," he said. "We won this important contract against stiff competition because we were able to demonstrate a proven 18-year track record in this specialist field. We feel that we are able to offer a highly professional approach to all aspects of water management, which will enhance even further the very obvious quality of the Arlington estates," he concluded.

11th Feb 2003

Leading waterscape specialists enter home garden market

Kingcombe Aquacare, the Dorset company that recently restored the central ponds and waterfalls at the Royal Horticultural Society's gardens at Wisley, has launched a smaller-scaled service to householders in the West Country who may want to add water landscaping and water features to their gardens.

Managing director John Colton said that his company, based in Hooke, Dorset, has spent the last 18 years building a reputation as the leading landscape water specialists in the country. "We are used to working on a large scale," he said, "but we know there are many householders in the West Country who could use our water management and construction expertise to create a beautiful water environment within their own domestic gardens.

The company has formed a new division called Kingcombe Waterscapes to provide this service to home owners. Ben Garner (27), who has worked for Kingcombe Aquacare for the last three years and is a specialist in all aspects of landscape design and construction, has been promoted to manage the new operation.

"We have designed, built and maintained a multitude of major projects over the last 18 years," said Mr. Garner, who has a degree in aquaculture and fisheries management. "We want to offer that same expertise to anyone who might be considering spending over £10,000 on creating ponds or cascades in their gardens. Larger projects would be passed on to our Water Engineering Division."

Kingcombe Aquacare has created and maintains features for major business parks, golf courses and private estates in the UK and abroad.

Intriguing water-powered stone features to be launched at EWx 2003

Water management specialists Kingcombe Aquacare Ltd will be launching a unique range of moving granite and marble water features on their stand D10 at EWx 2003.

The company, leading specialists in the design, construction and maintenance of lakes for landscape architects, local authorities and private clients, believes the impressive stone water features will attract a great deal of interest. Made to order and imported from India, the exquisitely worked stone shapes float gently on a bed of moving water. They are particularly suitable for siting at the entrance to prestigious corporate buildings or hotels - especially as they can operate both inside as well as outdoors.

John Colton, the managing director of Kingcombe Aquacare, commented that "these impressive stone sculptures, powered as they are by water alone, fit comfortably with our well-established core activities. As soon as we saw them, we knew that their size and weight, coupled with their clever use of water, would be a great talking point. In particular, the quality of their workmanship reflects our own values, and we are very pleased to be introducing them to the UK".

In addition to creating and maintaining waterscapes, Kingcombe Aquacare continues to offer a full range of specialist skills for aquatic weed control, fish husbandry, environme