First, let me say welcome to GoY.
If your Acers and other plants are growing in the ground, there is no need to provide extra protection at the roots during winter. All are fully hardy and will not die in an average British winter - even a severe one here should not kill them, although a very severe winter may mean you lose some topgrowth on evergreens such as Pieris particularly, but the roots will still be viable and active.

Ok, thanks are you still there Bamboo, I have a new pieris not sure on the type ot has no name on it, Has green leaves with dark and light green on each leaf with new shoots been a salmon pink in spring. I am just about to plant it somewhere now, do you think it will be okay in a large trough with 2 goldcrest

The only goldcrest I know are birds but would recommend you plant your Pieris in the ground not a trough.

Ha Ha no they are a slow growing type of tree (Conifers) Quite lovely but I have only ever seen them in the ground, but have had 1 in a pot for 2 years and have neglected it and it still looks good. Evergreen too. I have a hunch that I should put it in the ground, its was costly too. I just dont know where, am thinking I will move an established Azaelia that looks rather dull.

If you're saying the leaves on the Pieris are variegated, one or two of those tend to be more cold sensitive than other varieties. There are also a couple of new varieties which are smaller than the others, so its hard to say quite where to plant it without knowing exactly which one it is. Certainly, Pieris do quite well in pots for a while, preferably in ericaceous compost. As for planting in troughs, no - troughs should be kept for temporary plants such as bedding, or for small alpines/rockery plants/small perennials. Shrubs need a deeper root run.

Goldcrest conifer gets quite tall eventually, so be careful how near you plant it.

Ok Thanks all, the troughs are big the Rowlinsons (1.8 mtr long and 50cm high) ones I have put the goldcrest in as the gold crest I had last year in a large pot didnt really grow at all but still looks great. I really dont know what the Pieris is, but am not too worried as its the most common plant in peoples front garden, hence I bought a plant without a label. Anyway back to the question do you think it is safe to put the coco liners around the root base on top of the soil/ slate etc during hard frost?

It's safe, but completely and utterly unnecessary. The plants you mentioned in the ground will be fine with no extra protection at all.

Ok, Thanks Bamboo and all.