News

by Shona Young

10 Years at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show

It has been a very busy start to the year for Nutscene 1922! We have only recently launched a new website and have already been halfway across the world to numerous trade shows, such as Ambiente in Frankfurt and Source British in LA. It is fitting that as this post is being written, there are considerable preparations ongoing within the offices here in Angus. Currently we are gearing up for another show as the summer season approaches. In less than a month we shall be attending the holy grail of gardening events - The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2017. However, this will not be our first time attending the prestigious gardening exhibition. It will in fact be our tenth anniversary as we first attended the event in 2007. We are extremely excited and have promised to ensure it will be one of our most notable appearances yet! Having recently explored our archive within our HQ in Kingsmuir near Forfar, we have unearthed some memorable images from some of our previous appearances. We would love to share some of these memories with you, our faithful customers! Nutscene 1922 Travel to Chelsea Our love affair with Chelsea began in 2007! We were first time exhibitors and were extremely excited to be attending the most prestigious flower show in the world. Having been established nearly 100 years ago, it was felt among the company that this was the stage that Nutscene deserved; the 5 day Chelsea flower show was an exhibition where the Nutscene brand belonged and could flourish! It was and is the grandest stage that we could showcase our products and it's now an event that we look forward to every year - a real highlight in our calendar if you will! 2009 - A Rustic Theme In 2009 we adopted a rustic and rural inspired theme. We introduced terracotta gardening accessories, we decorated the stand with hessian sacks with the stand appearing as a gardeners potting shed. We painted our stand walls in a wine coloured burgundy in order to highlight and showcase our fantastic array of products which ranged from our core range of twines to our range of innovative garden finials.  Below is an image of our Chelsea stand in 2009. The proud arm that collected each of the 6 wristbands for the Chelsea Flower Show in 2009. 2010 - Nutscene explores and showcases its heritage as a business Below: Its all hands on deck as Nutscene CEO Shona gets the paint brushes out to touch up the Nutscene stand. Every year, several month's work of preparation goes into the Chelsea Flower Show - right up until the last second! The presentation of each stand is judged to a very strict criteria and so it is vital to plan, plan and plan some more!   Above - Chelsea 2010 - The finished article! We must admit, we feel we thoroughly deserved an award for this stand! As you can see below, we were awarded with a certificate of merit for excellence in the presentation of it. It was yet another accolade to add to the proud history of Nutscene 1922 - but it would be by no means the last! What made this stand so special was that we looked to the past for inspiration. As a featured centrepiece, we used imagery of the Verdant Work's ladies (c1911) that worked in the textile mills in Dundee. Nutscene 1922 tie its roots to Dundee, with Verdant Works being one of the largest factories in the city at the height of the 'juteopolis' era. 2011 - Same Show - Different Theme Below: Our stand from 2011 where we adopted a very new, striking and fresh look! Our effort from 2011 was aesthetically softer. We introduced an array of flowers to decorate the stand and used whits, greys and slates to act as base colours. Our range of twines were the focal point and added a vibrant burst of colour! Below: After a long day it was time to down the tools and pack up for the night. We were in eager anticipation of the show opening in 2011 as we downed the curtain for the night!     2013 - Year of the Punk Revival! A punk revival occurred in 2013! After our trip to Las Vegas we were inspired, and introduced new packaging and a new style of branding! We also launched a new product, which payed tribute to the centenary celebrations of the 2013 Chelsea Flower Show.     Below - now that is one colourful trade-stand! Neon twines were introduced as was the Nutscene Chelsea Tin'o'Twine - one of our boldest and most talked about innovations which was launched in time for the 100 year anniversary of RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Above - A friendly looking pair of punks enjoying the festivities as the show comes to a conclusion. 2017?  Well we personally cant wait for the show of 2017. The event will take place between the 23rd to the 27th of May and we will be adding another 5 wristbands to our archive for certain! It's now less than a month away as planning and preparations are being finalised. There will be no spoilers on this page with regards to our plans, but one thing is certain, Nutscene will be bringing the colour to 2017! Are you attending The Chelsea Flower Show this year? If so, look out for us (you cant really miss us with all of the colour and eccentricity!) and come and say hello! Do you have any stories from Chelsea that you can share with us? We would love to find out what people’s personal highlights are and what they are most looking forward to!  

by Shona Young

A Trip into the Archive

With the The Chelsea Flower show in just a matter of weeks, we have spent some time in recent weeks getting all nostalgic, scanning our archive looking for inspiration from the past. With a proud heritage that spans more than 90 years, Nutscene have seen numerous transitions within the company and have subsequently adapted and innovated as the world has developed. We would love to share some of our memories, photographs and stories with you!  So where did it all begin? The company began in 1922. The city of Dundee had been importing jute to manufacture twine, canvass and hessian sacking and the industry was booming. The city had been experiencing rapid expansion in the 100 years prior, and was commonly known as ‘jutetropolis’. This name was derived from the importation of jute and how it was impacting the growing population, the growth in the local economy and the rising employment levels in the city. The Dundee Heritage Trust host a wonderful exhibition at Verdant Works which beautifully transports you back 100 years to when the industry was thriving and Dundee was the home to a major industrial scene. Below is an image of some of the female work force from Verdant Works c1911. By the end of the nineteenth century the vast majority of Dundee’s population worked in the jute industry. At its peak It was responsible for an estimated 50,000 jobs and most notably, the large-scale employment of female factory workers. Dundee was supplying the whole world with jute. There was an estimated 131 jute mills located across the city. But why was Dundee such a prominent jute supplier?  To start with, Dundee was a major ship building port. This enabled opportunity for the quick importation of raw resources from India and the subsequent exportation of jute based products to the world.  With an industrial port in the city, it appeared pragmatic to begin the mass importation of jute and so the industry within the city began to rapidly gain momentum. Furthermore, with coarse linen’s already in production within Dundee, there was a work force readily available that was experienced and could adequately transfer their skill set. With significant world trade growth, the demand of jute based products was never higher - especially as many products were transported globally in the hessian sacks that were made from jute. Soon however, the jute in Dundee essentially cannibalised its own market and 1924 saw the industry take a downturn. Competitors from India were harvesting and refining the jute plant there and then for a much lesser cost. Many of the skilled workers from Dundee had already emigrated to India to work in the jute factories of Calcutta. The promise of higher wages and the opportunities for promotion persuaded many to leave their home and travel to India. Factories in India began to undercut the Dundee firms substantially and soon many Scottish factories began to close. Arguably, this resulted in one of the worst periods in Dundee’s history - unemployment was at an all time high with many more of the factories closing in the subsequent years. Nutscene and their Origins Since jute merchants Robertson Ireland and Co. first patented the Nutscene brand in September 1930, the company has not looked back. Nutscene has survived, beating the odds as it continues to flourish today. Nutscene has been involved in the manufacturing and processing of jute twines and ancillary products for the gardener since 1922. The company patented the first “pull from centre spool” of garden twine, which has been copied by many but never equalled.   Since the beginning, Nutscene has been renowned for its quality of products. The name was stemmed (excuse the pun) from the fact the twine was green in colour, thus ‘not seen’ when it was tied to the plant. Initially, Nutscene were based out of the Braehead Works in Dundee, but later moved up the A90 to Forfar in Angus in 1988.  Early adverts and our first company logo for the brand can be seen below and are proudly kept within our archive at our offices in Kingston near Forfar. This logo was attached to the original Nutscene Trade Mark application which was successfully awarded in 1930.  1939 was a time when the UK was at war and taxation was high, but Nutscene’s sales were rapidly increasing due to stabilised pricing. Many businesses in the UK struggled during WW2. With resources scarce, it proved a difficult time for many companies to prosper. Dundee was fortunate as it sustained little damage during the duration of the war compared to many other cities across the country. The port of Dundee was however, home to some of the allied submarine fleet. Above we can see a flyer from 1939 sent by Nutscene to potential retailers. It was sent in April - a time just prior to the outbreak of war. It informs customers of how “Nutscene prices are stabilised so that your margin of profit is certain”. The above image is from 1968 when the firm was based at the Braehead Works in Dundee. It features the image of a gentleman (we call him Wilbert) tying his sunflower with Nutscene twine. Wilbert has been used countless times in promotional literature by Nutscene and is somewhat of a mascot for the company. His gentlemanly attire, moustache and smoking pipe epitomise what Nustscene was seen as - a luxury twine that was the gardeners best friend.  This concludes our early tour of the archive. We are still uncovering so much content that has been filed away for safe keeping through the years. But we will leave you with a little poem that we recently came across: The Nutscene Poem (Sep 1995) Where would the british gardener be, Without his Nutscene twine, Tomatoes, Dahlias and Sweet Peas, Are all held up just fine. His jacket would fly open, And trousers would fall down, Gates would all hang off the latch, And dogs would run to town. And when it comes to cars, There’s nothing quite so fine, For doing all the little things, As a piece of Nutscene twine. It holds the doors and bonnet’s shut, Keeps manifolds off the ground, If it wasn’t for the Nutscene twine, Bits would lie all around. Our 4 X 4 it goes like new, And is the smartest seen, Because its made like Nutscene twine, In British racing green!

by Ryan Hampton

Garden Tips for Stormy Weather

June 7th 2017 On the 22nd February 2017, just prior to Storm Doris battering the UK, we wrote a blog post which aimed to give some advice to gardeners during a period of predicted bad weather! Little did we know that we can now refer to this post in June as it still holds relevance! What is up with this recent weather!? It was just this morning that I fulfilled my morning dog walking ritual which takes place at the Forfar Loch every morning, and to my surprise the place appeared as though a tornado had struck... Trees were uprooted, tree debris lay scattered all over the pathways with litter, foliage and other victims of the wind adding testament to the destruction of the previous night! Heavy wind and strong showers have been a daily occurrence in recent days. So much for summer.... The UK is known for its unpredictable and sometimes volatile weather but nevertheless we still love to complain about it at any given opportunity. It is simply what we do. But on a serious note, with summer having started, and the first blossoms of the year having come and gone, a major storm like last night can seriously hinder our gardening efforts. Heavy wind and gales are responsible for a huge percentage of damage to property across the UK. But there are numerous ways in which we can combat this invisible, yet destructive force! 1 - Take your property, where possible, indoors. Potted plants, garden decorations and hanging baskets should be stored either in a garden shed, garage or house. Furthermore, remember to close and lock down the door. The wind is likely to damage an open door and is also likely to heavily disrupt both your sleep as well as your neighbours. No one likes the sound of a banging door in the middle of the night! It's just not nice. 2 - Ensure that property that cannot be stored away from the elements are fitted securely. We have all seen the videos of a trampoline getting carried down the street by the wind. Although this can be somewhat humorous, it is also incredibly dangerous. I came out of my front-door this morning to find my wheelie bin had been dragged, against its own-will I presume, onto the lawn. Now that's a good 15 metres from where he usually lives! On the plus side it was bin collection day yesterday, and so an empty bin avoided my lawn resembling a landfill site. Avoid this by securely tying down large pieces of equipment, or dismantling and storing them accordingly. Rope, chain and breeze-blocks could all act as temporary anchors to ensure you do not have to go searching the neighbourhood for your children’s Wendy House.  3 - Ensure you have done all you can to protect your plants. You have invested time and money into growing them - don’t let the elements destroy them without a fight! Use twine (we happen to sell a variety of beautiful twine on our website) to tie back plants to give them the best chance to stay alive in harsh conditions. Be careful not to tie them too tightly though as this could prompt them to snap under severe tension during high winds. The creation of a wind breaker could also help reduce the force of wind that hits your plants and they are relatively simple to construct. If you couple a windbreaker with tying your plants, you will greatly increase their chance of survival! Above is an image of Nutscene’s thick chunky twine in Dove Grey - useful for jobs requiring a sturdy cord. Available at: https://nutscene.com/products/nutscene-twines-gardennew-chunky-jute-twine-dove-grey-nutscene-product 4 - Ensure your trees are pruned. In areas where heavy winds are common, ensure large trees are pruned so the wind can pass through the branches and the tree is effectively more aerodynamic. Falling trees are responsible for killing people every year - by taking an afternoon to prune, you could help avoid an accident or damage to structures, roads, cars etc.  5 - Ensure your plants are watered during high winds. If they are damaged by the wind, they will suffer severe trauma - ensure they are watered regularly as the water they hold will evaporate faster when damaged and during gales.  We hope this post will be useful to you… Make sure to follow us for more hints and tips in the future! Nutscene - for more than just gardening.

by Shona Young

Nutscene - Original & Authentic Jute Products from the Field to the Factory

The Multi-purpose Twine that is the gardener's best friend!  On the spool yet there's no wool... Nutscene Twine - I'm sure if you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest you will have heard of us! For nearly 100 years we have manufactured the highest quality of garden twine, whilst always looking at the bigger picture and reinvesting into product development. After all, the world doesn't stay still, irrespective of the fact that we still use the same machinery used in 1922! Nutscene are a company of first's. We have reinvented the twine industry over the years and we were the first to bring coloured twines to the market. We have introduced crafting twines, garden twines, baking twines and chunky twines. Furthermore, we continue to innovate our products to ensure the highest quality of user-experience for our clients - both trade and private. Innovations such as the Tin of Twine and the Reclaimed Mill Bobbin have changed the way the user interacts with the product and has ensured tangle-free convenience for gardeners across the nation. Subsequently, a number of firms have attempted to emulate the Nutscene formula - attempting to put their own unique spin on our famous twines, but all have failed to stand the test of time and quality like Nutscene have, and somewhat ended up in a spin themselves! To this day, Nutscene continue to push forward, breaking boundaries! As we say... often copied, never equalled!    Our twines are world famous. We currently export to over 23 countries and we can proudly say that our product is both sustainable and vegan friendly. Yes - no wool or synthetics used here! The sheep can keep their coats! With more and more of us conscious about the welfare of animals, Nutscene can genuinely say that no animals are exploited nor used within the manufacturing process of our twines. It all comes from a rather special plant - JUTE! From plants for plants... The Jute Plant that we use is harvested in Bangladesh and we import the yarn and reprocess it to our own unique specifications. Jute is responsible for a significant portion of the Bangladeshi economy; Bangladesh is the largest exporter of raw jute in the world and the nation also provides the highest quality jute too! The mill that we are in partnership with employs around 5,000 people and they are continually praised nationally for their efforts in CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), winning numerous awards regarding exportation and how their employees are treated and cared for. It is for these ethical beliefs that our partnership with this firm continues to blossom.   Raw jute is a plant that grows at a rapid pace. There literally is no better product on the  market to safely tie back your stems. There will be no contamination, bruising or damage to your plants with Nutscene twines. Soft, strong and lives fairly long - there is no substitute. That is our promise! Everyone these days talks about sustainability when describing their products, but few actually give reference as to how they are sustainable. Its almost become a buzz term whereby business owners feel they can exploit their clientele by talking about how they have addressed their ethical concerns. For example, animal products such as wool may appear sustainable, but the use of this in products is to the detriment and exploitation of the animal. Further research revealed that as the sheep get older, they produce less and less wool and are subsequently likely to be sent to the slaughter at a younger age. All this so we can profit from the natural resource of the sheep? Doesn't seem fair... That is just one example - we are not saying that all sheep are treated in such a manner but what we are trying to say is that Nutscene products are friendly for vegans and those who feel strongly about animal welfare. By all means, excess wools should be utilised to provide clothing etc, but at the same time, animals should not be treated unfairly purely for human gain. Nutscene are proud to disclose that the jute plant takes around 120 days to harvest after sowing. 120 days from being placed in the ground to harvest... wow! Now for a plant, that is lightening quick, especially if we consider the strength that the plant grows to in such a small space of time!   Jute is a natural resource and is available in Bangladesh all year round, growing especially fast during the monsoon season due to the increased rainfall. The Ganges River Delta is at the centre of jute production and it is here where 'the golden fibre' thrives, largely due to the perfect growing conditions for the plant.  Additionally, by choosing to import raw jute, Nutscene contribute to the UK economy in the form of import taxation. This tax is fed back into the economy and is why the government encourage the importation/exportation of goods. Nutscene have been praised in their efforts in global trade, and we pledge to continue to venture further and further afield! After-all, how long is a piece of string...!? As long as you want it to be.   Right - enough of the formalities as what we here at Nutscene have, is a product steeped in history. The story of our brand dates back to 1922 when we patented the original Nutscene greentwist twine, somewhat the crown jewel of our quickly growing archive. At that stage, Nutscene were based in Dundee, a city renowned as the home of 'jute, jam and journalism', but have since changed location to Forfar, a short ways up the A90. From here, we operate a medium sized factory and employ a local workforce that specialise in the reprocessing of the jute that we import. We employ 12 people who perform various duties within the factory and offices - from manufacturing to marketing, the whole team is involved in and plays a pivotal role in the legacy of a proud and prestigious company. From the field to the factory if you will!  Its all the more impressive if you consider twine as an unlikely spin-off from the famous juteopolis movement in Dundee. Its quite incredible that the founders had the foresight to establish a business based on garden string, yet the business has since gone from strength to strength! Our ties to the Great British manufacturing industry are stronger than ever, especially as many skills are lost due to the emergence of new machinery and industrial technology. Nutscene continue to manufacture quality twines the original way, passing on skills that would otherwise be lost in the midst of time, all the wile ensuring that our products are priced fairly within the market. After all, we actually care about the welfare of the environment!  The Future? So what shall it bring? If we go back 100 years and asked what the future would bring I think we would get a very different answer! Our twine products have been used in a variety of projects - from fashion to parcel packaging. Our product has also been utilised by 2017 New Gen award winner Nicholas Daley. Nicholas was so taken by Dundee's jute industry, that he created his own fashion range - The Juteopolis collection, as part of his fashion label. This range has been critically acclaimed and has since been at the forefront of the London fashion scene. It bears special relevance to Nicholas due to family ties within the Dundee area. Nonetheless, in order to move forwards, sometimes it's necessary to have a glance in the rear-view. Nutscene are the last remaining jute processing company that was born in Dundee. We truly are the innovators and curators of twine. With our centenary on the horizon, there is no doubt that there soon will be a celebration of all things twine, but in the meantime, we will continue to travel the globe, spreading the word of the famous old Nutscene twine. Some things change - some things don't. The quality of our product is one of those and it will never be compromised. We pledge to continue on as guardians of the slender stems.    

by Shona Young

Raffia - From Madagascar to Scotland

From Madagascar with Love   Nutscene not only specialise in jute twines - but we also import a vast range of Raffia from Madagascar! But what is Raffia? Well the short answer is... Raffia is a natural wonder! Raffia is a natural fibre and is commonly used in the UK in crafting projects, twines, ropes, shoes, hats and other textiles. The Fibre itself is created from the underside of the frond leaf. Also known as Raffia Palm, this native to Madagascar possesses large plume-like leaves that are utilised within a variety of industries and is a major part of the south Asian economy. The tree has been said to harness over 800 uses, with the leaves used in thatching, construction, mats, baskets, fans and hats! The tree is so valuable to this area that in Cambodia the tree is seen as a national symbol! Nutscene's Raffia is created from the Palmyra Palm Tree and we have proudly supplied the nation with Raffia for over 25 years!    Making Raffia First and foremost, Raffia is created from sustainable sources. The Palmyra Palm Tree is part of the Borassus family, which consists of five giant fan palms which are native to the tropical regions of Africa, Asia and New Guinea. It is the stocks of the Palmyra leaves that create what we call Raffia. These stocks are essentially stripped to create a long, thin fibre which can then be dyed and woven into a textile! Pretty impressive for a palm tree stem! Within the Island of Madagascar, the palms are harvested deep inside the forest. The colourful raffia that we all know actually starts life pale green in colour, but soon after harvest, dries out and turns beige in colour. The strands or fibres are then transported to a sorting warehouse where they are ‘sorted’ and broken down into category. Categories include: colour, length, width and texture. This natural Raffia is the put into ‘Raffia Hanks’, spools or balls and subsequently dyed to the relevant colour before they are dispatched. The Raffia process is one that is time consuming, though the local expertise and knowledge ensure only the finest Raffia is exported from the Island. This resource is sustainable as strict laws limit the harvest period of Raffia, ensuring that it can only be harvested from June to October each year. This ensures that the plant can re-grow to its full strength prior to it undertaking any damage. Under these ideal tropical growing conditions, the plants grow at an extensive rate, though the local populace treat the tree with the utmost respect as it is a major contributor to their economy. Uses As well as being a popular crafting accessory, Raffia is also useful in and around the garden as the natural fibres are very gentle when tying back plants and can be utilised as an alternative to conventional jute twines. The natural fibres are very soft and pliable, yet incredibly strong, durable and easy to manipulate! It is for these reasons that Raffia is largely used in the textile industry and is a first choice for many flower and vegetable growers! Raffia is subsequently used for agricultural purposes and feature prominently in vineyards, gardens and florists. Raffia is also a first choice for many aspiring crafters. The attributes that are associated with Raffia are that of a strong, durable, flexible yet soft binding material. Furthermore, Raffia is also utilised by companies for packaging purposes. The fibre is extremely popular and is often used as filler in boutique goods such as fine whiskies, oils, jams, wines or even soaps! The rustic look of the product provides high aesthetic value to boutique goods and preservatives. It really can help enhance the packaging and look of your goods! Additionally, Raffia is also a favourite in gift-wrapping! Nutscene Raffia - More than one use... Our Raffia’s are used for a variety of purposes – some a little stranger than others! When Nutscene recently attended the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, we came across a trio of ladies who disclosed that they actually were rather partial to eating Raffia! Or at least they were when they were in school! But nonetheless, we certainly do not endorse nor recommend the consumption of Raffia – a natural product or not! In all the years that we have sold our Raffia, we have never heard of anyone eating it – it’s quite remarkable that we simultaneously bumped into 3 ladies who all had this rather strange guilty pleasure! For more on Nutscene’s Raffia visit: https://nutscene.com/products/nutscene-raffia       

by Shona Young

Urban Flowers by Carolyn Dunster

Urban Flowers by Carolyn Dunster is a book dedicated to ‘creating abundance in a small space’. It will be released on the 6th of April from various outlets across the UK. The book is designed to showcase how those living in metropolitan areas can make the most of their small existing garden. When the book was sent over to us for review, we were excited to see how Carolyn would present her wealth of ideas. Having read the book, we are incredibly impressed! It is clear from the outset that Carolyn is passionate about flowers. By creating a beautiful and tranquil space within a small inner-city garden, she  inspires keen city gardeners to create, innovate and enjoy their urban  environment. The book features many hints, tips and tricks which utilise a variety of everyday items that can be found across the home (such as tin cans!). The book also features tips for planting in gloomy areas and recommendations for the best way to make the most of your limited space. We were also delighted to see that Nutscene is named as one of the best places to source floristry wires, ribbon and twine on the ‘Useful Resources’ page – a true testament to our unrivalled quality.  Urban Flowers was an enjoyably and informative read – it really felt like you went on a journey with Caroline from the start to finish. Available from 6th of April.