Video
24
Jan
New short video of our work
A short version of this video is being broadcasted by German television n-tv. I hope you enjoy the video!Image
23
Dec
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2020!
It is hard to believe, but Christmas is right around the corner – even though there seems to be no snow in sight. My family and I wish you a merry Christmas, a wonderful Christmas time and that all your wishes for 2020 may come true!
The climate change and its consequences were a major topic in the media this year and many of our customers have requested our advice. Everybody able to
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19
Dec
Forest status report 2019: Only 1 tree out of 5 is healthy – How you can help your trees to survive
The last blog was about the miserable state German forests are in and the damage caused by enduring periods of summer heat and heavy storms. The secretary of environment of North Rhine Westphalia just released the official forest status report and describes the situation as follows: Compared to the already bad year before the situation has even got worse in 2019. Only 1 tree out of 5 is healthyImage
18
Dec
Are all forests doomed to die?
I have always loved taking long walks through the woods – to find some relief from stress enjoying the beauty of nature. As a young man I was very lucky to be educated in Sherwood Forest and I probably have worked on some trees which were already there when Robin Hood was still around. Sherwood Forest benefits very much from the fact that this forest has not been exploited by the wood industryImage
25
Aug
“The smallest car receives the biggest price”
While I was enjoying sunny summer holidays in Italy together with my family my sons Kevin, Alex and Luke Blackburn were busy back home visiting customers and working on trees leading our teams. It seems that my sons have not only inherited my passion for tree care and climbing. They enjoy our little collection of British classic vehicles just as much as I do. It was great fun and a great joyImage
24
Dec
Merry Christmas and a happy New Year 2019!
Together with my family and along with the whole team we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year, good luck, health and success for the coming year. May all your wishes come true und may 2019 be a good year. See you soon in 2019!Image
23
Sep
Only six months to Brexit / Can Gary Blackburn save his “Little Britain”?
Dear friends of “Little Britain”, the recent media response in the English-speaking world has been tremendous with coverage from the BBC, British Forces BFBS and even RT UK. As many of you will already know my little collection of Cornish telephone boxs, double decker busses, Robin Hood and his hide away, Merlin, the Queen and Mr. Bean and his Mini on my private ground next to my company “Image
10
Sep
“Little Britain” shut down for now to be back soon
Dear friends and supporters of ”Little Britain“ please let me try to summarize what has been going on during the last weeks. “Little Britain“ has enjoyed tremendous support from all sides. Neighbors, that I had no personal contact to before, came by assuring me of their support. People on the internet - and in “real life“ - started petitions pro "Little Britain“ and collected all togetherImage
23
Aug
Neighbors and visitors demanding for „Little Britain“ to remain
Just a few days ago I returned from Scotland from my holidays – while my sons, the teams and the office were on duty for our customers – and I am still overwhelmed how much support there is for “Little Britain“ from nearly all sides. I appreciate this even more since this includes neighbors I haven’t even met in person before. People from the region further away are also among those supporters.Image
07
May
The Daily Star about our newest attraction at Little Britain (at Baumdienst Siebengebirge)
The Daily Star wrote about our newest attraction at Baumdienst Siebengebirge’s Little Britain.
Yes, I did it again ;-)
We now have two beautiful Double Decker Busses which will also be available for rent for company events and birthday parties!
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06
Mar
DMAX and Deutsche Welle cover "Little Britain" and the Centurion tank
The winter has returned and covered „Little Britain“ with snow. Despite freezing temperatures our little exhibition proves to be as attractive as before. Especially during weekends lots of walkers come by to visit on their way through the Kasbachtal (Kasbachvalley). And the media are continuing their coverage on “Little Britain” as well. I would never have dreamt to eventually become part of aImage
29
Dec
Our family visit to the Somme in search of my grand-uncle who died 100 years ago
At the end of the year we look back and remember those moments and encounters that were most special to us. I hope 2017 has been a good year for you as well. It truly has been a great year for me and my family. You might have heard of “Little Britain” at my company ground of “Baumdienst Siebengebirge”? “Little Britain” is the place of Robin Hood’s hideaway, Mr. Bean’s Mini, the Queen is there, aImage
04
Oct
Gary Blackburn and family joining a seminar with Prof. Dr. Claus Mattheck in the Lüneburger Heide
It has been a family tradition for very many years to pay a visit to the Lüneburger Heide in the north of Germany and join a seminar lead and inspired by Prof. Dr. Claus Mattheck. Every year we gain new insights into the bio mechanics of trees and so much more. I had the pleasure getting to know Prof. Mattheck already in the eighties, when we were working on pruning and securing trees in the “Image
09
Sep
One of Great Britains most regarded journalists came by to visit Gary Blackburn’s “Little Britain”
When Robert Hardman called me on the phone I first thought this was some kind of hoax - as I am not part of the royal family. At least my parents never told me ;-). So therefore why would Daily Mail columnist Robert Hardman ask for an appointment to come by to do an article on “Little Britain”? Well, Robert arrived from London right the next day and we sat down together with my wife Monika andImage
05
Sep
Gary Blackburn's Little Britain goes international
Our "Little Britain" story at Baumdienst Siebengebirge has not only been covered by British tabloid press giants like The Sun but also many mainstream international news agencies and news networks.
Read the articles (or watch the videos) by clicking the links.
The Sun
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22
Aug
The General Anzeiger Bonn reports in English about "Little Britain's" latest aquisition
The German media has been in a frenzy over the past few weeks, reporting of our latest acquisition to "Little Britain". The story has now crossed the language gap back to English as the General Anzeiger Bonn began reporting the story to all it's English speaking readers.
You can read their article here:
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13
Aug
Germany’s most popular media cover „Little Britain“ at Baumdienst Siebengebirge
After the German Press Agency (dpa) had discovered our „Little Britain“ as a fabulous topic for the weekend my telephone didn’t stand still any more. Some of Germany’s most popular media picked up the story and covered our „Little Britain“ at Baumdienst Siebengebirge. Like "Bild am Sonntag":Image
10
Aug
TV, Press & Radio cover "Little Britain" at Baumdienst Siebengebirge
Our „Little Britain“ including the Queen, Robin Hood's Hideaway; Mr. Bean's Mini and the Centurion-tank all covered with flowers is being widely covered by German TV and radio. I very much enjoy this as well as countless visitors of Baumdienst Siebengebirge and wanderers through our beautiful Kasbach-valley have enjoyed our little exhibition. You will find the latest TV reports here:Image
29
May
The Tree of Imagination - an alternative to tree stump removal
After the majestic oak tree in the heart of the village suddenly died, the people of Lower Peover decided to pay homage to the trees contribution towards the village by giving it a new purpose - to inspire the thoughts of children and all those still young at heart.Image
26
May
A 320 million year old tree receives a visit from Baumdienst Siebengebirge
At Baumdienst Siebengebirge we love veteran trees, a passion that has led us to become the regions leading specialist for veteran tree care. When I was recently near Stanhope in the United Kingdom with my family, a visit to the Stanhope churchyard could not be resisted. For there stands the fossilised remains of aImage
13
May
TV Show DMAX: 52 tons of a childhood's memory on their way to Baumdienst Siebengebirge
Do you enjoy standing in front of a camera? I rather prefer working up 30 meters high in a tree than talking into a microphone. But when the German TV Station DMAX asked for permission to accompany me when my 52 ton childhood dream would be brought to my home at Baumdienst Siebengebirge I just could not say no. The reason is that the Centurion tank (of Swiss army origin) was to become the newImage
11
Apr
A new permanent visitor to the Queen! Mr. Bean as guest at Baumdienst Siebengebirge!
Exciting news: Together with my sons William and Kevin I have been to England for a few days to meet somebody, who will soon be joining Her Majesties inner circle. Welcome Mr. Bean!
From Sunday
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23
Jan
Being guest on the Isle of Skye as a young tree worker
A year ago today my son Luke returned from Scotland. My friend and highly regarded Scottish colleague Alasdair Mackay had invited Luke to visit him at the Isle of Skye to work together with his tree surgeons team. The Isle of Skye is the largest of the islands in the Inner Hebrides and one of the most beautiful landscapes worldwide.Image
15
Jan
The snow turned Baumdienst Siebengebirge's site into a winter's dream
We have had snow for only a few days. But this was enough to turn Robin Hood's Hideaway & associates into a winter's dream. And I am privileged to be allowed to let you know: The Queen is amused :)
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01
Jan