Latest news with #NickBurton
BBC News
16-07-2025
- BBC News
Grenfell survivors visit cladding firm Arconic's Pittsburgh HQ
Two bereaved survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire have travelled from west London to the US headquarters of cladding manufacturer Arconic. Nick Burton and Marcio Gomes made the trip to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to mark the recent eighth anniversary of the tragedy, which claimed the lives of 72 company was criticised by the Grenfell Tower public inquiry for its role in the refurbishment of the 23-storey tower block.A recent Netflix documentary also alleged a senior executive based in Pittsburgh was aware of the sale of its aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding for Grenfell Tower. Arconic has always denied wrongdoing and maintained its product was not unsafe. Others were to blame, it has claimed, for the incorrect installation and usage. Pittsburgh, known as the Steel City of the USA, is the home of Arconic, a multibillion-dollar global manufacturing cladding Reynobond PE 500 was used on the outside of Grenfell Tower. It was made of ACM - sheets of thin metal with a flammable plastic core. 'Systematic dishonesty' The fire at Grenfell Tower in North Kensington started in a kitchen on the fourth floor and in less than 20 minutes climbed 19 storeys to the top of the tower. The public inquiry found the cladding was the "primary cause" of the rapid spread of the fire and should not have been used on a building of that inquiry concluded Arconic promoted and sold the product knowing it presented "a significant danger" and behaved with "systematic dishonesty". Nick Burton was rescued from the 19th floor of Grenfell Tower with his wife of 30 years, Pily. Soon after she suffered a stroke and when she died became the 72nd victim of the says it was important for him to go to Arconic's Pittsburgh headquarters."For all these years they're going about their business making record profits," he says. "We wanted to give them a wake-up call and show them we are still here."Nick's friend and fellow survivor Marcio Gomes escaped from the 21st floor with his two young daughters and his then wife, who was heavily was carrying their baby son - who they'd called Logan. But while she was in a coma Logan was stillborn. He was the youngest victim of the fire. Marcio says it was "emotional" to be in the city of Arconic's HQ. "There was a lot of anger and rage but also power and strength."Nick and Marcio spoke to people on the streets of downtown Pittsburgh about their personal stories and how a local company was connected to says it was positive to meet locals who were "fantastic and really lovely" and that engaging with them was "amazing".They made the trip with friend and campaigner Moyra Samuels. "The reception was really welcoming," Moyra says. "People wanted to listen. We didn't get any negative responses, so it was really hopeful." The group also met some firefighters from a local fire department. "They knew about Grenfell but they didn't know about the links to Arconic," Nick are tougher fire safety restrictions regarding the use of ACM cladding on high-rise buildings in the US. "They had training about cladding fires but the fire chief told us Grenfell would probably not have happened in America," Marcio adds. The group's visit was documented by Pittsburgh filmmaker Chris Ivey. He's been following the Grenfell justice campaign for many years and highlighting Arconic's connection locally. He says he wants to "educate people in Pittsburgh but also to do justice to the community in London that has been suffering for so long".Over the past few years, he's put on local exhibitions and documentary films about Grenfell, laid flowers outside Arconic's offices on the fire's anniversary and also driven video billboards by the homes of their executives."Arconic have kept Grenfell very quiet in Pittsburgh," Chris says. "Even when I try to talk to local politicians, they hear it but they don't respond."If it's not happening at home they disregard it and people say 'we didn't know about this'," Chris says. "Well, they didn't want you to know." Arconic rejected this suggestion and told the BBC it had made several public statements about Grenfell, which were also made available to its local its website, the company has posted: "Arconic Architectural Products (AAP) is a leading manufacturer of composite material, pre-painted, light-to-heavy gauge aluminum and bonded sheets."With manufacturing facilities in Europe and North America, our products are produced with precision and contribute to distinctive building facades around the globe."The panels used on Grenfell Tower were manufactured by Arconic Architectural Products SAS at a factory in Merxheim, another statement made in response to the public inquiry, Arconic said: "AAP sold sheets of aluminium composite material as specified in the design process. This product was safe to use as a building material, and legal to sell in the UK as well as the more than 30 other countries in which AAP customers purchased the product."We reject any claim that AAP sold an unsafe product. AAP did not conceal information from or mislead any certification body, customer, or the public."On the eighth anniversary of the fire, Arconic said it had "made financial contributions to settlements for those impacted, and we support all efforts to strengthen regulatory oversight in the construction industry".It added that it would "fully engage with ongoing legal processes".Arconic also said American senior executives were "not responsible for products, process, markets and certifications" in other countries. "As president of the Alcoa Building and Construction Systems, Diana Perreiah supported the management of AAP SAS in relation to financial matters and strategic oversight only. She was not responsible for the performance and day-to-day running of the business." The group's visit ended with a video projection of flames at night against the outside of Arconic's office building."It looked so real," Nick says. "We never wanted to burn their building down. We need to make that clear. But to look at their building and see the flames projected, it was very emotional.""This isn't just about Grenfell," Marcio says. "This is about going forward. We need to be able to hold these companies to account.""Someone has to be prosecuted," Moyra adds. "That will bring us a sense of justice, healing and peace."The Metropolitan Police investigation into what happened at Grenfell Tower is still ongoing. They Met has said it expects it to conclude by the end of 2026.
Daily Record
27-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Inspirational North Lanarkshire garden takes shape at new home
The Down's Syndrome Scotland garden will be located at the Watch US Grow charity within Palacerigg Country Park, Cumbernauld. Work has started to give an award-winning garden from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show a permanent home in North Lanarkshire. The Down's Syndrome Scotland garden will be located at the Watch US Grow charity within Palacerigg Country Park, Cumbernauld. This has been funded by Project Giving Back, a unique grant-making charity that supports cause-driven gardens at RHS Chelsea, ensuring their legacy continues by relocating them to community sites across the UK. Watch US Grow supports young adults with Additional Support Needs with gardening and life skills, and they will be involved in recreating and then maintaining the garden, which will be open to the public from next year. Designed by Nick Burton and Duncan Hall of Burton Hall Garden Design, the garden takes visitors on a journey through the life of someone with Down's syndrome. It highlights their many unique qualities while also challenging visitors to appreciate and understand the barriers that people with Down's syndrome still face as they strive to live their best lives. It was inspired by Duncan's eight-year-old nephew, Liam, who has Down's syndrome and is supported by Down's Syndrome Scotland. The garden was awarded a Silver Gilt medal for small show garden and the People's Choice for Best Small Show Garden. North Lanarkshire Council Leader Jim Logue and Convener of the council's Environment and Climate Change Committee Councillor Helen Loughran visited the garden site to meet the team involved. 'The garden is truly inspirational, creating a picture of the qualities of people with Down's syndrome as well as the challenges and barriers they face on a daily basis,' Councillor Logue said. 'The young people from Watch US Grow will benefit hugely from being involved in planting and looking after the garden and we're proud to have the garden here at Palacerigg Country Park for visitors to enjoy for years to come. 'We also hope it raises awareness of and sparks discussion about the issues faced by people with disabilities in our communities.' The double award-winning garden will officially open in May 2026 when it will be in full bloom, recreating the stunning garden that was seen by the thousands of visitors to RHS Chelsea last month. 'For a charity like Watch Us Grow, who use gardening to educate and improve people's lives, there is no greater opportunity than this,' said Tom Harten, General Manager at Watch US Grow. 'The Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden will now become an integral part of Watch Us Grow and the work we do. It will be maintained by adults with Additional Support Needs, which will include Down's Syndrome but also Autism and a range of other learning disabilities. 'This is so great for so many including the two charities, Watch Us Grow and Down's Syndrome Scotland, and the garden designers but also for North Lanarkshire, Palacerigg Country Park, the local community and garden lovers all over Scotland who may like to visit. I would like to thank Down's Syndrome Scotland for recognising the work we do and choosing to partner with us to look after this amazing garden.' Eddie McConnell, who is the Chief Executive of Down's Syndrome Scotland and who lives locally in Cumbernauld, joined the Leader and the Convener in their recent visit to the garden at Watch US Grow. He said: 'We are thrilled to bring our Chelsea Garden to Palacerigg Country Park and to partner with Watch US Grow and North Lanarkshire Council who have been so supportive of our efforts to create this unique public space for everyone to enjoy.'
BBC News
20-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Garden inspired by boy with Down's Syndrome wins Chelsea prize
A garden inspired by a young boy from Dumfries and Galloway has won a RHS Silver Gilt medal at this year's Chelsea Flower Show. Scottish-based designers Duncan Hall and Nick Burton said they were "over the moon" to be presented with the award for the "Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden", which was inspired by Hall's eight-year-old nephew designers said the garden aimed to celebrate the joyful, unique qualities that people with Down's syndrome bring to society while highlighting some of the daily challenges and barriers they will be on show in London until 24 May before it is relocated to its permanent home in North Lanarkshire. Designed for the Scottish charity Down's Syndrome Scotland, the garden is part of a collection of show gardens being displayed at the prestigious flower and Burton said the garden incorporates a weaving path that takes visitors to two distinct areas reflecting the contrasting moods of calmness and this path, a water pool appears to be a barrier to progress, symbolising the daily challenges faced by people with Down's a submerged bridge within the water pool allows the 'barrier' to be overcome and allows visitors arrive at a welcoming shelter designed to look and feel like a warm and comforting 'hug'.The 'hug' has been designed to reflect the compassion, kindness and joy that comes naturally to so many people with Down's syndrome, the designers said. Hall and Burton said they where delighted to win their first silver gilt medal, and hoped visitors would take a moment to look a little closer and see the deeper meaning behind what the garden stands for. Hall said: "We hope our garden will allow people to reflect on the daily challenges faced by people with Down's syndrome, so they can reconsider misconceptions about their abilities, and appreciate the many joyful, positive qualities they bring on a greater level to society."Eddie McConnell , the chief Executive of the charity Down's Syndrome Scotland, said: "Duncan and Nick have captured the spirit of people with Down's syndrome brilliantly in their garden design while not shying away from some uncomfortable truths."People with Down' syndrome, like so many disabled people, still face prejudice and discrimination and that needs to stop."
The National
20-05-2025
- General
- The National
Scottish garden designers win prestigious award at Chelsea show
Nick Burton and Duncan Hall, known professionally as Burton Hall Garden Design, were awarded their first Silver Gilt medal for their Down's Syndrome Scotland garden at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show. The garden, which is set to be permanently relocated to Palacerigg Country Park in North Lanarkshire following the show, was inspired by co-designer Hall's nephew, Liam, and aims to highlight the unique qualities of and challenges faced by those with Down's syndrome. READ MORE: Last chance to see 'vibrant' bluebells at this 'stunning' Scottish woodland The pair said of their win: 'We are over the moon to win our first Silver Gilt medal at RHS Chelsea for our 'Down's Syndrome Scotland Garden', which has all been made possible by the generous funding provided by Project Giving Back. 'We hope visitors are drawn in by the garden's lush, woodland planting, but also take a moment to look a little closer and see the deeper meaning and themes woven into its design. 'We hope our garden will allow people to reflect on the daily challenges faced by people with Down's syndrome, so they can reconsider misconceptions about their abilities, and appreciate the many joyful, positive qualities they bring on a greater level to society.' References to Down's syndrome can be found throughout the garden, including a 'hug' structure decorated internally with cushions co-designed by the Down's Syndrome Scotland community and benches featuring 21 slats and three sets of legs to represent the chromosomal cause of the condition. READ MORE: Wildfire in Scottish Highlands beauty spot rages on after 'extreme' warning One bench features a plaque engraved with a Gaelic proverb, which translates to 'hard as the heather, lasting as the pine', and was chosen by the designers as a representation of the 'hope of fulfilled potential' for people in the Down's syndrome community. A number of other Scottish designers assisted with the project, such as Edinburgh-based cabinet makers Laurence McIntosh and ceramic artist Frances Priest.
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Charity's show garden will be relocated to Cumbernauld park following appearance at Chelsea Flower Show
After the event, which takes place on May 20-24, the display by Down's Syndrome Scotland will be moved to Palacerigg Country Park with the assistance of local charity Watch Us Grow, which works with adults who have additional support needs. A charity's show garden will be relocated to a park in Cumbernauld following its appearance at this year's Chelsea Flower Show. After the event, which takes place on May 20-24, the display by Down's Syndrome Scotland will be moved to Palacerigg Country Park with the assistance of local charity Watch Us Grow, which works with adults who have additional support needs. The new site for the show garden will be adjacent to the existing Watch Us Grow house and garden and was previously used for goat grazing. Designed by Nick Burton and Duncan Hall of Burton Hall Garden Design. the garden takes visitors on a journey through the life of someone with Down's syndrome and highlights their many unique qualities and barriers they face. Features of the garden will include a building created by Old School Fabrications in East Lothian. This was commissioned to feel comforting and reflect the compassion, kindness and joy that come naturally to many people with Down's syndrome. A ground-level water pools with submerged bridge will represent the difficulties often faced by people with Down's syndrome, expressing their resilience and determination. Durability will be symobolised by a Scots pine on the other side of the pool. The cause of Down's Syndrome is a third copy of chromosome 21. The design of the garden representes these numbers, with three water features and three seating areas, while bespoke benches by traditional craftsman Laurence McIntosh have three feet and 21 slats. Ceramic artist Frances Priest has provided 21 tiles and the garden will also feature a bunting display of 21 'odd, knitted socks', which resemble chromosomes, will be hung inside the garden building. North Lanarkshire Council will support the relocation project. The restorative justice team has begun preparing the site, and it will also work with the two charities to support its long-term maintenance and training of volunteers. The council will also use its communications resources to increase public awareness of the relocated garden and its launch event, in order to attract visitors. The show garden will also benefit from various recent improvements to the park itself, such as improved pathways, additional play areas and updated signage.
