Landscape & Amenity Product Update November 2021

Record-breaking 2,127 sites fly the green flag across the UK

after these national assets. As the scheme marks its Silver Jubilee, four of the seven parks that received their first Green Flag Award when the scheme was launched in 1996 and have flown it every year since – Worden Park in Lancashire, Cockington Country Park in Torbay and Queen’s Park and Highgate Wood in London - will be raising their flags again today.

spaces on their achievement. To meet the requirements demanded by the scheme is testament to the hard work of the staff and volunteers who do so much to ensure that their site has high standards of horticulture, safety and environmental management and is a place that supports people to live healthy lives.”

The search has started to find the UK’s favourite green spaces by voting for in the Green Flag Award People’s Choice Awards. Over the last few years, more than ever, we have all come to understand just how important it is to have a great park or green space on our doorstep. They have been a place to escape to, to meet friends in, to exercise in or simply to have a quiet moment in.Voting is now open and closes on 14th November 2021, with the top ten winning sites announced at a virtual awards ceremony on the 23rd November 2021.

A total of 2,127 parks and green spaces have collected a coveted Green Flag Award for 2021 as the scheme celebrates 25 years as the international quality mark for parks.

After 18 months that have seen green spaces become lockdown

lifelines, playing a vital role for people across the country as places to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely, the news that a record number have achieved the Green Flag Award standard is testament to the hard work and dedication of those tasked with looking

They are joined by parks and green spaces as diverse as the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, Scottish Power Renewables Whitelee Windfarm, Belfast Botanic Gardens and Bwlch Nant yr Arian in Ceredigion. Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the 2,127 parks and green

SALTEX celebrates 75 years

Seventy-five years of groundscare equipment is on display at SALTEX’s 75th anniversary show, which takes place at the NEC, Birmingham on November 3 and 4. The new show feature, entitled a History of Groundscare Equipment

(stand C065), will display vintage and classic groundscare machinery and tools covering 75 years of the profession. With so many machines being showcased, it will certainly offer a nostalgic walk down memory lane for visitors.

Vintage enthusiasts will be in for a treat as the collections will include a wide array of mowers, sprinklers, rain gauges, sorrel rollers, drag brushes and soil testers.

SALTEX Enquiry 2

In celebration of this year’s announcement the scheme asked parks, buildings and monuments around the UK to #GoGreenForParks to show appreciation for the spaces that mean so much to people. Landmarks including Alexandra Palace and Bradford Town Hall took part.

Green Flag Award Enquiry 1

Paul Todd, International Green Flag Award manager said: “Over the past 18 months, probably more than ever, we have all come to understand the importance of our precious parks and green spaces and to value those that have been a lifeline for us in difficult times. The People’s Choice Award is your chance to show how much your favourite park means to you. Make your voice heard and vote now.”

Perennial launches free physiotherapy service for people working in horticulture

Perennial, the charity for people working in, or retired from, the horticulture industry, is launching a free physiotherapy service available to people working in horticulture.

Following a trial period, the service, delivered in partnership with leading community services healthcare provider Connect Health, will help to build better futures for people in horticulture and their families.

The biggest issue facing people in horticulture is back and joint pain (according to the Perennial Health & Wellbeing Survey 2021).

By encouraging people to get help early, Perennial hopes to improve the physical wellbeing of those in the industry which can also impact other areas of life including the ability to work, and ultimately personal finances.

Once referred, the individual will receive a 30-minute initial consultation with a qualified physio via Connect Health’s PhysioLine service. The physio will then create a treatment plan for that individual, which could be carried out via the PhysioLine service or through face-to-face appointments.

Perennial Enquiry 3

Welcome...

As the winter months roll in it will be good to welcome many of you back NEC Birmingham and the return of the SALTEX exhibition.

Following an extended period of challenges unlike any other, the 2021 version of the show is a time to celebrate –both the 75th anniversary of the event itself and the continued resilience of our wider industry.

These are still uncertain times but the industry has continued to grow, evolve, innovate and make progress to maintain its world-leading reputation and position.

This month we have a varied set of features and our Professional Groundscare supplement, perfectly highlighting just how diverse our industry is and the major impact it has on our local communities.

From street furniture to soft landscaping, this month’s issue shines a spotlight on the latest product innovations, news and case studies highlighting the best practice that characterises every aspect of the industry.

In our Professional Groundscare supplement we also take a detailed look at natural turf management and the products and services currently available to help produce high-quality surfaces all-year-round. There are also different features on fertilisers, line-marking and the rise of technology in that product market, as well as the latest handheld tools to help complete a range of different tasks.

So welcome to our November issue, welcome to winter and above all welcome back to SALTEX and exhibition season. We hope to meet up as many of you as possible at the event before attention turns to another show making its return – BTME in 2022.

Paul Groves,

Council set to expand number of protected green spaces

Residents in Wrexham will benefit from 37 local parks and green spaces which are protected for good after Wrexham County Borough Council agreed plans to secure the future of ten country parks.

The Welsh authority will follow the lead set by Liverpool City Council in England and City of Edinburgh Council in Scotland by recognising the benefits that green spaces provide to people, place and planet.

There are already 27 protected green spaces in the town and by protecting a further ten parks across the county borough forever, Wrexham will become the landowner with the most protected spaces in Wales. Ahead of the COP26 conference in Glasgow later this month, the benefits that green spaces deliver for the environment are identified by the Council as a key driver

behind their decision, alongside the positive community, health and wellbeing benefits that parks are proven to provide.

Wrexham County Borough Council Lead Member for the Environment and Transport, Cllr David A Bithell, said: “I’m pleased that fellow councillors approved the report which will protect these parks from any future developments and will support our pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030.

“It also recognises the significant contributions the country parks play to our communities and to the well-being of residents who can now benefit from them for generations to come.”

Wrexham County Borough Council last expanded their portfolio of protected green space in November 2015 when Bellevue

Park was secured as a Centenary Field in memory of those who lost their lives during World War I.

They also protect 20 community spaces in Wrexham as Owain Glyndŵr Fields to mark the 600th anniversary of the legendary Welsh statesman. The ten spaces to be protected under the new commitment include the largest country park in the Wrexham area, Alyn Waters Country Park, as well as Tŷ Mawr Country Park, which is set below the arches of the Cefn Viaduct, and numerous areas of importance for conservation.

Bonc Yr Hafod Country Park is landscaped on the spoil heap from Haford Colliery and along with Stryt Las Country Park is one of a number of green spaces in the area to be home to a population of rare Great Crested Newts. The Council’s Executive Committee have also agreed to

receive proposals for expanding the portfolio further in future.

Welcoming the plans, Chair of Fields in Trust Cymru Committee, Nick Cooke QC, said: “Through the pandemic we’ve realised just how valuable parks and green spaces are to our health and wellbeing, yet across the UK only 6% of parks are protected and access to them is not fairly distributed. We need to champion and support these precious spaces by protecting them for future generations to enjoy. That is crucially important, because once lost, they are lost forever.

“We welcome the pioneering decision by Wrexham County Borough Council to protect these ten green spaces for the health, wellbeing, community and environmental benefits this will deliver for Wrexham residents.”

in Trust Enquiry 6

Kubota tractor supports the air ambulance

A new Kubota L1-452 HST tractor has joined the armoury at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

A charity that relies on generous donations from the public, Wiltshire Air Ambulance has been supported by local Kubota dealer Howard & Sons, who have gifted the brand-new Kubota tractor for the next two years.

The 45hp tractor, which is powered by the latest Kubota Stage V emissions legislationcompliant engine, will be used to transport the fuel bowser around the base for refuelling the helicopter.

It will also aid the upkeep of the charity’s land, with a 1.5m cut Kubota FA 1500 finishing mower used to cut the large final approach and take-off (FATO) area and the option for a snow plough in wintry conditions. The tractor’s hydrostatic transmission makes for ease of operation, while its 1750kg rear linkage lift capacity can be matched to a wide range of implements.

Devizes-based Howard & Sons is a family company which has been involved in the agricultural industry for three generations.

Under new management. Four big signings for Origin.

Fields

Kubota Enquiry 7

HTA calls for action on labour shortages and post-Brexit trade controls

The Seasonal Workers Pilot should be extended in the short term to the ornamental sector to help with seasonal labour recruitment. If not, the shortage of labour is likely to result in increased prices, trees being left in the ground and plants not being processed. These were the findings from a recent meeting of the Horticultural Trades Association’s (HTA) grower group, the Ornamental Management Committee.

At the meeting, members shared their experiences of struggling to recruit seasonal workers. Agency staff being deployed to other sectors, a low take up and retention of roles that are advertised locally and being based in rural areas a recruitment challenge, were familiar stories.

Increased wages have been introduced by growers to help recruitment, but there is a concern of wage inflation impacting businesses. Committee members said that they want to recruit more as their businesses are expanding, with gardening continuing to be a growth sector, but it’s key to get

the labour into the businesses to help meet this demand.

With the furlough scheme finishing last week, this may increase the number of people interested in seeking work with the sector. One member also reported launching an 18-strong apprenticeship scheme and a workplace academy, which will help them address issues of developing a future full-time workforce.

During the meeting members also called for the government to work with the industry on a more self-regulatory, more collaborative approach to plant import inspections and checks to help develop enhanced biosecure supply chains for cross-border trade. This will reduce the increasing bureaucratic and cost burden being placed on UK horticulture businesses. The HTA will propose this solution in its response to the recently published government Plant Health Strategy.

There was scepticism that the proposed Border Control Posts from July 2022 for post-Brexit trade would be ‘fit for purpose’.

Struggles with importing key crop protection products was also raised as an issue frustrating growers as they seek to maintain health plants. A cross-trade body approach to government was approved.

Sustainability was also on the agenda, with the HTA agreeing to highlight to the Environment Agency the importance of water abstraction to the industry, alongside continuing their Roadmap plans to improve water efficiency. Members also endorsed continuing collaboration between the HTA and NFU to highlight growers’ needs on exemptions for certain plants and facilitating knowledge exchange between growers in adapting to peat reduced mixes.

Jonathan Whittemore, ViceChair of the OMC, who chaired the meeting, said: “We’re a ‘green economy’ sector in growth, providing the very products that help tackle climate change and achieve Net Zero. Growers have always focused on recruiting locally, providing meaningful work to many.

“However, given the seasonal nature of our industry we need a more flexible approach from government. We’re asking for an extension of the Seasonal Workers Pilot to help bridge the current shortfall. It shows a lack of knowledge of horticulture to put an arbitrary divide between edibles and ornamentals through the Seasonal Workers Pilot scope. We want to work collaboratively with the government in how to develop a future-facing workforce, but a level of recognition of the industry’s immediate needs is crucial if we’re to progress and grow.”

Horticultural Trades Association Enquiry 9

Two Land Trust sites share Site of the Year for 2021

The site has been at full capacity most days in the last year, with thousands enjoying time in this green space in Northumberland.

them to deliver weekly health walks at Beaulieu for those at risk of isolation and loneliness.

Weetslade Country Park, which sits on the site of the former Weetslade Colliery, won for its improvement in all aspects of the site over the last year.

Northumberland Wildlife Trust, the Land Trust’s Managing Partner at Weetslade, have created a new area for ground nesting birds and re-wetted the ‘old saltmarsh’ on site to encourage wildlife to flourish

The picnic areas and all site furniture and signage has been improved to provide a better visitor experience.

In addition to this, a new catering concession has been a huge hit with visitors, leading to a huge increase in visitor numbers.

The joint winner of this award is nearly 300 miles south in Chelmsford. Beaulieu is a residential development in which the Land Trust has managed the green space for the last five years, and in addition to managing the green space the Trust has led an active events programme for the community.

As part of the Trust’s charitable aims, in addition to protecting and enhancing the green spaces and helping bring the community together, the Trust works with local schools, colleges and universities to offer a safe and exciting space to support learning.

The Trust also works with Walk for Health, enabling

The management of Beaulieu and activities held there provide jobs for three apprentices and opportunities for local businesses to get involved in community events such as the Christmas mini-markets.

Alan Carter, Director of Operations at the Land Trust said: “With over 80 sites across the country which have wowed us all over the last 18 months, it was a difficult task to choose just one site to claim Site of the Year.

“Weetslade and Beaulieu stood out as green spaces which have supported their surrounding communities and benefit the local environment and economy.”

Land Trust Awards Enquiry 10

Beaulieu and Weetslade Country Park shared the coveted title of Site of the Year at this year’s Land Trust Awards.

Through

thin

LX-Series:

■ Newly designed operator’s platform or insulated cab with ergonomically placed controls, making long working days a breeze.

■ Kubota’s robust HST transmission guarantees reliable and ef cient work, ensuring maximum productivity.

■ Equipped with a 4-cylinder, Stage V Kubota diesel engine; for high ef ciency, low fuel consumption and emissions

■ Optional attachments include: LA545 loader with swift tach function /1.53m mid-mount mower deck with rear or side discharge.

Snickers Workwear – work together with you for climate control

New styles from Snickers Workwear deliver winter warmth and cooling comfort when you need it. Not only will you stay warm with Snickers Workwear’s 37.5 Technology clothing, you’ll look and feel cool too.

With styles for both professional tradesmen and women, they excel at ventilation to keep you cool and moisture transportation to stop you getting cold. They work together to keep you working comfortably wherever you are on site.

The 37.5 Technology fabric is a very quick-drying material that captures and releases moisture vapour – like your sweat - for superior coolness and dry working comfort. It’s integrated into selected Snickers Workwear base- mid- and top-layer garments to keep you working at your best whatever the weather.

After all, keeping a balanced work temperature is not just about staying cool and in great shape, it’s a matter of your wellbeing and job safety.

Bringing more precision to winter road gritting

Amazone now offers the IceTiger, an innovative new mounted spreader for the application of salt and brine with the highest precision and which represents a completely new development.

The new conveying technology, via a belt floor, makes the application of salts with different moisture contents possible, even in very small quantities, as well as for the application of slippreventing materials such as grit or sand.

The IceTiger, when used in combination with the comfortable ISOBUS control, becomes a precision machine for winter grit spreading.

Working widths from 2 to 8 m are possible from the precision spreading disc.

The IceTiger can therefore be perfectly tailored to the demands of the area needing treating. The Smart Precision System also offers a significant

advantage from the electric delivery point adjustment via ISOBUS.

Enquiry 15

An Origin story for SALTEX 2021

Origin Amenity Solutions may be new to SALTEX but its group members are well known, highly regarded and trusted companies.

Working together, but retaining their individual identity and areas of expertise, Headland Amenity, Rigby Taylor, Symbio and TurfKeeper, offer practicing turf professionals, the widest, most comprehensive choice for achieving success across all aspects of plant health; growth, protection, appearance, control and sustainability.

Complementing and supporting these industry-leading companies is a new UK based, research and development led Turf Science & Technology Centre that positions Origin Amenity Solutions as the leading force within the amenity industry.

Based in Essex, the OAS Turf Science & Technology Centre, employs its own R&D Manager and technicians, supported by the groups Agronomy and Technical Manager, to undertake in-house research, development and field trials to identify, assess and demonstrate the benefits of both

existing and future products and technologies under UK conditions and practices. In addition to extensive trial plots, laboratory and glasshouses, a Rain Bird irrigation system is installed as is a Davis weather station and below ground Soil Scout digital soil monitoring. Education will also be a key focus for the Centre, having extensive facilities for educational conferences and small group seminars.

This exciting development places Origin Amenity Solutions at the head of the drive to meet the ‘challenge of change’ and its continuing drive for excellence across all aspects of the industry. As part of a major agronomy led Plc, the group can call upon the expertise from other parts of the Origin group, including fertilizer manufacturing, speciality product formulation, innovative line marking machinery and paint manufacturing and digital technology.

Come and talk to us on the SALTEX stand G060 over a cup of coffee or tea - you will be made very welcome.

Rigby Taylor Enquiry 14

Dura Products announce Life Cycle Assessment results

Sustainable construction innovators, Dura Products, has today confirmed its sustainability credentials with the release of new Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for its Durakerb, Duradrain and Durachannel products.

The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) – conducted by independent sustainable consultancy Fishwick Environmental Ltd – reveals that Dura Products’ DuraKerb – a revolutionary, lightweight and environmentally-friendly kerbstone – has a carbon footprint of just 1.06kg of carbon dioxide (CO2) per kg.

In addition, its Duradrain heavy duty combined kerb and

drainage system (CKD) comes in at just 1.47 per kg. The final product to undergo the same analysis is Durachannel, a heavy-duty linear surface drainage system, which has a carbon footprint of 1.71 per kg.

The company has long advocated the benefi ts of its plastic kerbs, thanks to their high recycled content and lightweight composition.

The announcement further demonstrates how the products are helping the construction industry embrace a dramatically lower environmental footprint over concrete-based alternatives.

Amazone

Rigby Taylor’s 100 years of experience on show

With over a century of product supply and customer support Rigby Taylor will again be introducing inventive solutions for turf health problems.

Previous Innovation Award winners, the company has once again succeeded in bringing to the industry the latest, most advanced line marking robot and impact paint partnership.

Also on the stand will be featured Rain Bird’s leading irrigation rotors and controllers, POGO and Soil Scout, above and below ground monitoring devices, advanced tetraploid grass seeds and cutting edge granular fertilizers and innovative liquid nutrient supplements.

Skill, knowledge and expertise are the hallmarks of Rigby Taylor’s industry presence.

From its early pioneering of robotic line marking technology, for which the company was awarded the IOG Innovation award, the company is now the leader in both GPS autonomous robotic line marking systems and walk-behind machines.

The introduction of the TinyLineMarker robots has revolutionized pitch line marking. Over 50 sport surface templates are now available, allowing lines to be marked out faster and more accurately than when using pedestrian markers; including all football and rugby size pitches, American football, tennis, crickets and athletic fields / multi-lane running tracks.

And, as well as a faster more accurate applied lines, Impact award winning ready-to-

use paints has raised the bar way above what is available elsewhere with whiter, brighter and longer lasting lines.

The company also has strong links with organisations such as the GMA, BIGGA and BALI.

Such support has seen the company sponsor awards that recognize the achievement of those that work within the profession, including sponsorship of GMA Young Groundsperson of the Year and BIGGA Greenkeeping Championship Team Performance of the Year.

Visit us at SALTEX (stand G060) and talk with our technical team on how we can be of help.

Rigby

Nursery celebrates 30 years of quality accreditation

Commercial nursery Johnsons of Whixley is celebrating achieving the BSI ISO 9001 Quality re-accreditation for the 30th year in a row.

The North Yorkshire familyrun business, which is celebrating its centenary year, has secured the ISO 9001 Quality Management, which they have achieved since 1991.

The company have also re-achieved ISO 14001 Environment Management standards since April 2010.

Johnsons supply 5-6 million plants throughout the UK each year with their plants

embellishing their surroundings and making a positive contribution to the environment.

The ISO 9001 Quality Management is a clearly defined set of business processes, which defines Johnsons’ commitment to creating products and services following pre-defined standards.

ISO 14001 is the international standard that specifies requirements for an effective environmental management system for businesses.

Johnsons of Whixley Enquiry 19

Taylor E nquiry 18

Stunning solar powered Park & Ride goes green in more ways than one

Green-tech has made a significant contribution to the UK’s first fully solar powered Park & Ride facility on the outskirts of Leeds in West Yorkshire.

Designed by Mott Macdonald in partnership with main contractor BAM Nuttall, the brand new Stourton Park & Ride heralds in a new era of clean, green public transport.

Served by a fleet of fully electric buses that run into the city centre every ten minutes and forming part of the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme, the Park & Ride will help towards a net-zero carbon economy for the city by lowering carbon emissions, improving air quality, and reducing congestion.

A photovoltaic solar canopy covers a third of the site, which powers the terminal building, street lighting and vehicle charging points, and feeds excess electricity back into the local grid. The site provides 1,200 parking spaces along with 26 fast electric vehicle charging ports and 4 rapid chargers.

Care was taken to reduce the visual impact of the site from all directions, and over 11,000 trees have been planted in and around the park & ride site with an impressive 54:1 replacement ratio.

The main central area includes raised Corten steel planters, shrubs, hedges, specimen and evergreen trees to provide

year-round coverage, creating a soft, open and welcoming environment.

Green-tech has a good working relationship with both Mott MacDonald and BAM Nuttall, and supplied all the stakes and crossbars, canes, tree belting and blocks to support the trees in the central area. All Greentech square-sawn softwood and machine round stakes are FSC Certified and available from stock.

To protect the new perimeter planting from browsing animals and the elements

Green-tech supplied 6,000 recyclable tree and shrub shelters, 450 square meters of 100% recycled jute Ecomatt mulch matting, as well as

275,000 litres of ornamental bark for the planters and beds. The Ecomatt allows air and water to pass through the layers whilst suppressing weed growth and acting as valuable insulation around the root area.

To ensure the best chance of successful establishment, Green-tech supplied 200,000 litres of soil improver to help optimise the structure and fertility of the soil, as well as over 300 sets of irrigation pipes with Aria inlets and Mona reservoir tanks. On the more exposed trees, Green-tech DropMan anchor systems were used, holding the tree stable without the risk of soil contamination from sleepers or kerb stones.

Green-tech Enquiry 21

Kioti to exhibit new K9

SALTEX 2021 will see the UK exhibition debut of the new Kioti K9 side-by-side utility vehicle.

Keeping the spacious, threeperson seating as per the previous ROPS, the new K9 model is supplied with a factory-fitted, air-conditioned luxury cabin.

Ventilation and internal air circulation for the heater and air conditioning is sorted by the fan unit and strategically positioned vets.

As per the non-air-conditioned cabin already available in the UK the front glass screen

can be fully opened. The new model features manual winding handles to open the windows of the driver’s and passenger door windows.

Other new features include improved CVT clutch with engine braking. Electric power steering, optional radio, rear and front work lights as standard and homologation for 50km/h.

The new model promises reduced vibration and noise levels plus enhanced hand brake performance.

Harry Flower

Head Gardener, Blundell’s School, Tiverton

LTP launches new ECOPROTEC sealer for hard landscaping

LTP has introduced a new water-based impregnating sealer for outdoor paving.

ECOPROTEC External Paving & Stone Sealer is designed to protect all types of natural stone and concrete in outdoor settings.

Like all ECOPROTEC treatments, it’s designed for the landscape and contract market, and is manufactured in the UK.

Key benefits include high performance and high coverage rates, combined with low odour and low VOC for a safe, eco-friendly treatment.

ECOPROTEC External Paving & Stone Sealer is suitable for smooth, honed, rough cut and polished paving.

It’s applied to clean, dry surfaces - using a light pressure sprayer, foam roller or paint brush – and the finish created is natural, breathable and subtly enhances the colour of the paving.

Treatment provides protection against staining and strongly repels water, oil and grease.

When applied before grouting, it also protects against fixing residues and promotes easy cleaning.

Other new solutions for outdoor paving include ECOPROTEC Porcelain Tile Protector –a water-based barrier for unpolished, textured surfaces.

This new treatment is designed to protect tiles from staining and it allows easy removal of residues from cement and resin-based jointing compounds, as well as stubborn organic matter.

It also improves and increases the working time of grouts and jointing compounds - and a further coat after installation helps promote easy cleaning.

LTP Enquiry 24

New sprayer from Makita

Removing the effort required to pump, this lightweight 18V 5-litre sprayer delivers up to 0.45L/min, allowing for efficient spraying with comfortable paddle control.

The telescopic spray wand with a rotatable H-shaped dual head design allows the user to quickly switch between mist and jet spraying modes depending on the task.

Delivering up to 8hrs runtime on a 6.0Ah battery, the clever Auto-Stop feature helps to minimise any unnecessary

drain on the battery by shutting down the power when the handle isn’t engaged.

The machine has been designed with user comfort in mind and includes a shoulder harness and an ergonomically optimised tank body that sits comfortably at the user’s hip.

Furthermore, the handle features a lock-on function to hold the trigger in place - ideal for larger jobs where continuous spraying is required.

Makita Enquiry 25

STIHL updates petrol pole pruner range

STIHL has upgraded its petrol pole pruner range with the introduction of the new HT 105 and HT 135, providing professional users with greater durability and efficiency, helping to tackle tree maintenance and arborist work with ease.

Ideal for de-limbing tree branches, removing dead wood and general maintenance, the new HT 105 and 135 long reach pole pruners replace the popular HT 103, 131 and HT 133 models, and feature a series of upgrades to improve the user experience.

Highly ergonomic and well balanced due to the weight of the square-cut telescopic shaft, the new models feature a robust square telescopic drive tube with a simple length adjustment mechanism, allowing users to adjust the pole length from 270390cm quickly and easily.

In addition, both the HT 105 and 135 feature a light-weight magnesium gearbox and a rigid branch hook that is a part of the magnesium housing, offering improved usability and product longevity.

Both models utilise a powerful, high torque 4-MIX engine, which not only offers excellent powerto-weight ratio, but also delivers a power output of 1.05kW (HT 105) and 1.4kW (HT 135) respectively.

Other features include lateral shaving ejection technology to prevent clogging and user downtime, a gearbox which boasts a marker line for a more accurate operation, as well as a foot stand to protect the engine housing from ground contact. Both models are compatible with the STIHL RTS harness for further comfort.

STIHL

DuraPost fencing solution for social care centres

Birkdale recently supplied its innovative DuraPost steel fence post system for the outdoor spaces at a number of social care centres in South East England.

Specified to provide a safe and secure fencing solution for each facility’s residents, the durable galvanised steel system also included stacked composite gravel boards to create a smooth fence panel.

Leading environmental services contractor, Chaffin Works, was employed to specify and install the new fencing system in each outside space. Chaffin Works approached its local fencing supplier, AVS Fencing, to ensure the ideal solution was selected.

Enquiry 26

Here, AVS Key Account Executive Greg Bristow introduced the Chaffin Works team to the DuraPost fence post system.

Birkdale Enquiry 27

Rothamsted’s new nature themed play area Green space seating from Marshalls for pop-up park

Harpenden Town Council and the PARC Friends of Group set their sights high when they decided to create a new flagship park at the existing Rothamsted play area site in the heart of the town.

They wanted to create a memorable inclusive play experience for toddlers, juniors, teenagers, and their families alike to enjoy.

The client had a budget of £300,000 for this project and wanted the play equipment to be grouped into four zones for three age ranges: 0-5, 6-11 and 11-15 years. The overarching aim of the project was to create a space where families and teenagers would like to spend more time because of the design and stimulating equipment chosen.

pleasing steel equipment. Now built the sizable area contains 65 play items, offering 350+ play experiences for 300+ users at any one time.

Marshalls Landscape Protection, part of hard landscaping manufacturer Marshalls Group, has designed, manufactured and installed inclusive outdoor seating as part of a Leeds City Council pop-up park, creating a welcome green space in the centre’s busiest shopping street.

Created using Marshalls Landscape Protection’s Distrikt timber seating range, the new seating area is located on an artificial grass installation located on Briggate - the busiest shopping street in Leeds.

Accessibility has been considered carefully too so that anyone can use the seating. Meeting DDA best practice, the design features strategically positioned armrests so that wheelchair users can transfer easily. At the opposite end, backrests have been incorporated to enable elderly users to sit down and stand up more easily.

Made in Britain, the Distrikt range is a customisable timber seating range. Unlimited options such as seating direction, arm rests and backs mean a free flowing seating arrangement can be configured as long as the project requirements.

The Distrikt range’s hardwood seating slats are manufactured using FSC®-certified Iroko Timber, which includes a certified chain of custody that tracks materials and products through every stage in the supply chain.

Supporting the slats is a steel structure with loop legs. The mild steel components are available in a wide range of RAL colours with unlimited customisation options.

For this project, the steel elements are powder-coated in Carmine Red (RAL 3002), providing a colourful contrast to the green, fake grass backdrop.

Marshalls Landscape Protection Enquiry 29

From the outset, it was decided to remove 90% of the equipment leaving a few well-loved pieces in situ in the teen zone.

The stunning themed design utilises a balance of natural wooden and aesthetically

This area has been split into 4 zones catering to differing ages as follows:

• Whimsical Woodlands area, designed for Toddlers (0-5 years) Lots of inclusive play equipment offering both tactile and sensory play experiences

• Fantastic Forest area (0-11 years) – To be used by all

ages to engage the senses through imaginative play

• Rambling Rivers area (6 – 11 years) – Full of independent and challenging play experiences

• Tree Tops area (10+ years)

featuring Fast-paced social play

The results are impressive, and the legacy of this play area will be around for a long time for the community and its children to enjoy.

Proludic Enquiry 30

Carbon-neutral pothole repairs across UK

Highway maintenance expert Red Stag Materials has had its EZ Street asphalt road repair product certified carbon-neutral – paving the way to a cleaner process for repairing Britain’s pothole-ridden roads network.

While traditional surface repairs have been achieved through the application of hot mix asphalt –which has to be kept heated at 180 degrees – EZ Street is a polymermodified cold asphalt, meaning that not only does it remove the need for heat, but it also helps operators reduce costs and the level of associated Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.

Confirmation of EZ Street’s carbonneutral status comes days before world leaders gather in Glasgow

for the COP26 summit which will focus on how to slow the rate of climate change around the world.

And Red Stag believes EZ Street can play a part by helping highways agencies and local authorities reach their climate change targets.

The coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on activity levels throughout England, but has been most acute across disadvantaged groups and areas of high deprivation. Sport England’s latest Active Lives Adult Survey covers the period from mid-May 2020 to mid-May 2021, which includes periods of national and tiered restrictions introduced to counter the coronavirus pandemic. The survey period ends before all restrictions were eased in July.

Compared to 12 months earlier, there were 700,000 (-1.9%) fewer active adults and 1 million (+2%) more inactive adults between midMay 2020 and mid-May 2021. While there are signs of recovery for activity levels as restrictions have eased, not all groups or demographics are affected or recovering at the same rate.

Existing inequalities have been widened, with some groups hit much harder by the pandemic than others. This is the case for women, young people aged 16-34, over 75s, disabled people and people with long-term health conditions, and those from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds.

Those living in deprived areas and also those in urban areas found it harder to be active.

Tackling these inequalities is already a focus and is a key feature of Sport England’s strategy, Uniting the Movement, and these results build an even more solid evidence base for why this work is needed and where resources and efforts should be focused. Sport and physical activity has a role to play in supporting economic recovery from the pandemic too.

Existing research already shows that for every £1 spent on sport and physical activity, nearly £4 is generated for the English economy and society.

Therefore, sport and physical activity can support the goal of levelling up communities and supporting the most disadvantaged people in society.

Tim Hollingsworth, Sport England’s CEO, said: “This latest Active Lives research paints a stark but unsurprising picture of activity levels throughout England. The decline, which is right across the board, ties in with when coronavirus-related restrictions

were introduced and access, opportunity and the capability to exercise were all massively curtailed. What is more concerning is that certain groups – those who have historically found it more difficult to access activity – were disproportionately impacted. And we know that once habits are broken, they are often harder to restart.

“The good news is that through our work to sustain the sports and physical activity sector during the pandemic, combined with the research and analysis that underpins our 10-year strategy, Uniting the Movement, we understand the scale and nature of the challenge. Sport England’s absolute focus is using our resources, advocacy and network to target communities –places and people – where raising activity levels will have the greatest affect. It is clear that the benefits of activity don’t just manifest themselves physically; the mental health and wellbeing of people is boosted, communities become more cohesive, and the economic impact creates added value locally and nationally, as well helping individual employment prospects.

“Sport England’s challenge now, working collaboratively with all our stakeholders, is to build on the work we have already started and ensure that sport and physical activity is central to tackling the inequalities in our communities, and create a movement that genuinely delivers for all.”

Five ICL Scholars announced

The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association and Partner ICL have revealed the five recipients of the sixth ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship ahead of the education programme’s return to in-person learning in January 2022.

The successful BIGGA members are: Kevin Butler, greenkeeper, Saunton Golf Club; Michael Gibbons, greenkeeper, Dunham Forest Golf Club; Abigail Laker, greenkeeper, Frilford Heath Golf Club; Michael Russell, greenkeeper, Preston Golf Club; and Jeremy Ward, head greenkeeper, Bradford Moor Golf Club.

In addition, the five BIGGA members who participated in the ICL scholarship in 2021, when Continue to Learn took place entirely online, have also been invited to attend the in-person event in January 2022.

To earn an ICL Continue to Learn Scholarship, BIGGA members must demonstrate a commitment to developing their own professional abilities by engaging with BIGGA’s Continuing Professional Development scheme

The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association Enquiry 34

Sport England Enquiry 33

Dennis G860

Reform Metrac H75 voted tractor of the year

The Reform Metrac H75 Pro multi functional tool carrier, has been voted tractor of the year for 2022, in the best specialised tractor sector.

The award was presented at the EIMA International trade fair in Bologna. The judges emphasized the excellent slope capability and versatility of the H75 model and also the high levels of comfort and safety for operators of the vehicle.

Simon Richard, UK Agent for the Reform range said: “The H75 was designed and built on versatility, efficiency and both user and environmental friendliness. Hydrostatic drive with electronic control offers two speed ranges, two terrain gear reductions and foot and hand drive modes.

“When four-wheel steering is active, the front and rear wheels

run exactly in the same line, ensuring tension-free traction on more difficult terrain. Front, rear, four wheel and crab steering as well as offset four-wheel steering can easily be switched at the push of a button. The system is completed by the electrohydraulic spring brake with an auto hold function which allows

smooth and judder-free setting off on slopes.

“The multi-function joystick combines all functions for driving and for controlling attachments The focus here was on logical and intuitive operation.”

Ventrac package for the RAC

Iain Dye, the Courses Manager at The RAC in Woodcote Park, has taken delivery of a Ventrac 4500 with Contour deck and Tough Cut deck, to help maintain the two downland golf courses and surrounding estate.

Having seen a demonstration of the Ventrac at Tandridge Golf Club, Iain asked Rupert Price of Price Turfcare to visit him and his team with the machine and attachments.

He is impressed with the versatility it provides and said: “We can use it for woodland management with the Tough Cut deck to get into the

“The health and safety aspect was an important factor in the purchase; nobody likes strimming at the best of times, but on steep slopes it’s a particularly onerous task.

“The Ventrac can operate on slopes of 30 degrees in complete safety; it seems to go anywhere!

“The Contour deck articulates well on uneven terrain, reducing scalping on high areas and we’ll be using it on our fairways during the winter to

protect our fairway units from any worm casts.

“Also, it can go out in wet weather as the eight tyres produce only 6 psi, so it won’t mark the finer turf areas.

“We can now raise the presentation around the courses, maintaining steeper banks which we were unable to manage previously.

“These areas can be mown regularly and therefore become even more manageable over time.”

Price Turfcare Enquiry 38

Club goes big with a seven-reel Jacobsen LF 577

According to club history, Craigmillar Park GC in Edinburgh was constituted in 1895, welcoming both lady and gentlemen members.Course Manager, Stephen Sinclair says the boom in the popularity of golf has had a very positive and purposeful effect across the whole club.

When two long-serving fairways mowers needed replacing, he

immediately targeted a Jacobsen LF 577 high performance reels mower to do the work of both.

“I knew the Jacobsen was the machine for us… seven units, cutting width about 3.5 m, lightening quick. Technology advances are night and day since our last purchase, but now we’ve put it through its paces, productivity and precision of cut

are first rate. No complaints at all,” he declared.

The Edinburgh club had their LF 577 delivered in June out of Fairways GM’s Kinross depot, with Fairways GM’s Regional Manager, Rob Hogarth supporting him throughout.

Rob Hogarth said: “The Jacobsen LF 577 uses the legendary Classic XP cutting units with 17.8 cm (7”) diameter units fitted with either 9- or 11-blade reels. Stephen chose nine. They give a uniform cut every time, even when following contours.

“For operator comfort there’s a moveable armrest control pod, so everything is within easy reach – the LCD display screen, the one-touch joystick, and huge amounts of storage. There’s even a 12-volt power socket. It’s a really comfortable drive.”

Simon Richard Enquiry 36

Fairways GM Enquiry 37

margins to clear brambles and brush.

Wroxham kick off the season with Husqvarna Automower

Based in the Norfolk Broads, semi-professional football club, Wroxham FC, has swapped hours of manual labour for eco-smart autonomous mowing, to help the club maintain its vast Trafford Park pitch. In just three months, the club has noticed a significant increase in turf quality, and credits Husqvarna Automower for the change.

Following long hours spent maintaining the pitch, the Wroxham FC team, following a recommendation from agricultural construction and machinery dealer, Ernest Doe, liaised with robotic mowing founders, Husqvarna, and set up a trial using the brand’s Automower 550 models.

Relying heavily on volunteers from the club, Wroxham’s pitch previously took ten hours of manual labour to mow each time, something which was a big undertaking for the team. Turning to the help of Automower, the club looked to free up time, save financial resource, create a healthier pitch, and do their part to help the environment. In June 2021, two Automower® 550 models were installed using Automower Club Solution, to help the team tackle the challenges they were facing.

Barry Letten, committee member at Wroxham FC discussed the club’s move to autonomous mowing: “Following the club’s initial meeting with Husqvarna and Ernest Doe, there was no doubt in our minds that we wanted to test out the Automower technology, and in just three short months, we’ve already seen some exceptional results.

“To maintain the quality of the pitch we’d regularly spend 10 hours at a time mowing and having to rely on volunteers to do it was a big ask. Automower has saved us countless hours and has allowed us to redeploy resource on more important and skilful tasks around the club, without having to sacrifice on turf quality.

“We use the Automower Connect app to control the mowers, which has been absolutely brilliant and has enabled me to track what they’re doing and send them out to mow whenever we want. Better yet, I’m able to do it from the comfort of my sitting room, without the need to make a 20mile round trip.”

Husqvarna

Coombe Wood GC is the ‘best in decades’

Coombe Wood Golf Club in Kingston Upon Thames is reaping the benefits of a tailored turf management programme from ICL and a dedicated greenkeeping team –according to Course Manager Laurence Fennemore.

Laurence explained that his old Course Manager worked with an ICL turf management programme, and he saw the successful results from that first hand.

Matt Nutter, ICL Technical Area Sales Manager, worked with Laurence to put a specific programme together for a full season that was within his budget.

“We needed to focus on the greens and fairways and take into consideration that it is a very wet site, without any irrigation,” said Matt. “The aim was to apply some controlled

release granular fertilisers as base feeds; get some good growth and give the golfers a course that they could use.”

Enquiry 41

New appointments for INFINICUT

To support their ongoing growth, INFINICUT have been busy making appointments as they expand both their internal sales team and external, nationwide dealer network.

Taking up the role of Territory Sales Manager for Scotland and the North of England is Bobby McDougall – a third generation greenkeeper and well-known name, having gained years of valuable experience on both sides of the industry fence.

Also, now part of the INFINICUT network are Hunt Forest Group, taking on the sales, service and support for the range across the South.

INFINICUT Enquiry 43

Reform launches three new Metrac models

Reform is expanding its Metrac series and presenting three new models of its successful implement carriers - the H60, H70 and H95.

Powered by Perkins exhaust stage 5 common-rail diesel engines the new Metrac hydrostatic drive, all wheel steering, H60 (61hp) and H70 (75hp) models are compact all-rounders for the UK ground care sector.

A long wheelbase option delivers performance, safety and turf protection on all terrain, including slopes of up to forty five degrees and powerful front and rear linkages, each with 1,500 kg lifting capacity, provide enormous versatility in all seasons.

Operator comfort is a priority with all round visibility, noise insulation, heating and air conditioning and comfort seats, with armrests on both sides.

With a removable cab, providing ease of maintenance on all essential vehicle components, the cooling system, engine, electronics and fresh air intake are quickly and easily accessible.

Combining safety with comfort and based on the successful Metrac H75, the new 95hp Perkins stage 5 common-rail diesel engine powered H95hp model is a powerful addition to the series.

A torque of 410 Nm ensures sufficient power in all driving

and working situations and, in combination with the comfortable hydrostatic drive, offers optimum safety, especially on slopes.

“The long wheelbase option increases stability and ground hugging, the driver’s cab offers comfort and user-friendliness,” said Simon Richard, UK Agent for Reform products.

“The new Metrac H95 is also available in the “pro” version, which features automatic air conditioning, the high-quality additional “R-Guide” display, cruise control, including limiter function and automatic linkage as standard.”

Simon Richard Enquiry 46

Bowls greens transformed with organic feeding programme

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nutrition.

Utilising a range of products from across the Suståne portfolio, some of the greens are now 100% organic, and the remainder are not far away - with all seeing improvements in density, strength and overall plant health.

Following recommendations and some first-hand experience in his years spent contracting on golf courses, Paul has now been using Suståne products for six years. “I got to know Suståne’s Russell Riley and speaking with him was the final confirmation I needed that converting fully over to organic feeding was the way to go. With assistance from fellow contractor Steve Hill, I took over the maintenance of the bowling greens which had previously been undertaken by the local councils and came straight in with the organic approach.”

The programme consists of Suståne 4-6-4 slow-release fertiliser through the winter, switching to 5-24+Fe fine grade for late summer application to provide a quick, even green-up followed by long-lasting sources of organic nitrogen. This is supplemented with applications of Suståne’s Turf Revival 6-2-4 in the spring and Bolster humic acid biostimulant, blended with seaweed & iron, which is applied periodically over 10 months of the year to boost the swards tolerance to stresses –drought, salt and disease.

“Within a timeframe of just two or three seasons, you can see the effects and benefits of the organic feeds as you overcome any inherited problems. After this, and in conjunction with the regular mechanical maintenance, you end up in a situation where the sward is denser, with better rooting structure and improved resistance to disease. Because of this, and especially on those greens that are now 100% organic, we are also enjoying being herbicide and fungicide free.”

bowling greens across Hampshire and South Dorset have undergone a huge transformation thanks to new maintenance contractor Paul Wright and his organic approach to turf

Trusty Dennis G860 upgraded at Caley Thistle

Inverness Caledwonian Thistle FC has said goodbye to its trusty 19-year-old Dennis cylinder mower and welcomed a new G860 as its replacement.

Head Groundsman Dale Stephen admits that it did not take much to convince Scot Gardiner, the CEO to buy a new Dennis G860 – he simply had to look at the job his old one was doing. However, it could have been a quite different story and Dale admits that he was somewhat guilty of judging a book by its cover.

Relied upon at world class stadia and major tournaments, the G860 is one of the most renowned cylinder mowers in the grounds management industry. Lightweight at just 166kg it is incredibly easy to manoeuvre and comfortable to operate. The handlebar console houses the controls for the throttle, parking brake, roller drive and cutting cylinder drive.

The mower features a large diameter front roller with an adjustable scraper which has

been designed for a precise height of cut control, giving an excellent finish on every occasion. The Dennis G860 also features an interchangeable cassette system to assist with a wide range of tasks such as including scarifying, verticutting, brushing, spiking, and slitting.

Dale has no doubt that his 19-year-old G860 could have continued cutting and preparing the pitch at the stadium but the perfectionist in him wanted a newer model.

“The main difference between the new one and the old one is that I have an 8 bladed cylinder now and I have really seen an improvement,” he said. “The finish is second to none and the sward has really thickened since using it. It is nice and light so you can use it anytime of the year without worrying about putting weight on the pitch. In my opinion, it is the ultimate mower for matchday preparation.”

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Plan ahead with 4turf from DLF

While we may be heading towards the traditionally cooler and winter months, the changing climate means that Turf Managers are not only having to consider the immediate pressures – but those likely to lay ahead as spring arrives and new season growth begins.

As spring and summer droughts become more common, and water becomes a more valuable resource, turf managers need to consider ways of maintaining lush green grass all summer long. The solution could well be in the form of DLF’s drought-tolerant 4turf tetraploid range.

DLF’s 4turf eases the pressure on turf managers. Rooting fast and deep, tetraploid varieties like Fabian, Double, Tetrastar, Tetragame, Tetramagic, Tetradry, and Tetragreen are more likely to survive a spring drought and are better placed to stay green and playable should a summer drought follow.

Years of testing at DLF’s stateof-the-art root-screening facility in Denmark demonstrated how, compared to diploid ryegrasses, 4turf has quicker root growth and develops a larger root mass in the upper layer of the soil, making it an excellent springtime seed. In summer trials, conducted in France and the Czech Republic, it also remained green when the plants were starved of water above-ground.

It’s ability to withstand droughtlike conditions means that 4turf has a wide range of applications. On golf course fairways, for example, where irrigation is often not an option, overseeding with 4turf produces a betterquality summer turf.

The principles could also be applied to sports facilities, parks and ornamental lawns in public locations, where turf needs to sustain more playing hours, with less time spent on watering or maintenance.

4turf is available in a number of mixtures from across the Masterline and Johnsons Sports Seed Ranges including J Rye Fairway, J Outfield and J 4Turf –the ideal choice for overseeding

Wiedenmann UK introduces the Super 1300 S

Welcome the Wiedemann Super 1300 S compact turf and leaf sweeper. This feisty new machine is mounted on the lower link arms of the rear three-point hitch of the tractor so is extremely nimble and manoeuvrable, particularly working around trees and other obstacles.

Released already in the US, it is proving especially popular for tidying sports fields, public green spaces, and residential areas.

In the same mould as its bigger cousins, the Super 500 and 600, it prioritises Health & Safety using a parallel system.

Its pick-up head is mounted in parallel so that the distance between ground and sweeping brush remains constant, regardless of the fill level, and thus adapts to undulating terrain. When you lift the tank to empty, it pivots around on its axis, therefore completely discharging. The high dump feature allows it to tip into trailers and bins up to 1.7m in height.

Equipped with double sweeping rotors, each sweeping rotor has four sweeping rails which help fill the 1.6m³ collection container. Semi-trailed it fits to tractors around 30 hp and has a working width of 1.3m,

Dennis Enquiry

programmes on winter sports pitches and racecourses, establishing in temperatures as low as four degrees.

DLF Enquiry 50

making it sufficiently narrow to get through gates and entrance ways. Optional equipment includes a rear collision guard

with integrated lighting kit and a fill indicator.

Wiedenmann Enquiry 51

ICL’s ProSelect laying the foundations for ambitious club

James Bonfield, the Course Manager at Hertfordshire Golf and Country Club, has revealed how utilising ICL’s range of ProSelect grass seed has resulted in vastly improved fairways and greens.

James has been at the Hertfordshire Golf and Country Club for just over 12 years and claims that the new owners, Elysium Golf Limited, have signalled exciting times.

Working alongside Matt Nutter from ICL, James decided on the ProSelect Classic – a multi-

purpose seed blend which contains Torsion TRT Perennial ryegrass offering the unique Turf Repairing Tiller growth habit.

He overseeded the fairways with this mixture in late April and explained that the sowing rate was adjusted dependent on the condition: “Some areas were weaker than others, so they needed more seed; others were stronger so needed less –each fairway got exactly what I thought was required,” he said.

Once the overseeding had been completed, James maximised

the results of the seed by applying a granular feed to the fairways. The fertiliser he used, ICL’s Sierrablen Plus Spring & Summer CalMag 23-0-5, has proven to be extremely popular with many greenkeepers and course managers this year.

Following his work on the fairways, James’ attention turned to the greens and alongside Matt, the two of them worked together to identify the most suitable seed.

“Based on the pH levels we have round here, which are between 6.5 and 7.5, we felt that creeping

bent was going to be the best for the greens. Anthracnose is also an issue, and with this in mind, we felt that the ProSelect Piranha creeping bent would be the best option.”

As James says, due to the genetics of the seed, Piranha has been proven to be excellent in combatting the likes of Anthracnose, Dollar spot and Brown patch disease. It is the latest creeping bent grass mixture to be added to the ICL seed portfolio and recently gained EU registration.

ICL Enquiry 54

Municipal course maintains the highest standards SISIS Flexibrush key to fantastic fairways

Adjoining Normanby Hall Country Park near Scunthorpe in North Lincolnshire, the beautiful 18-hole, par 72 golf course is set in 117 acres of mature woodland and parkland and is considered to be one of the best municipal courses in the country.

Significant investment has been made here over the past year by North Lincolnshire Council.

Improvements to the course have included new tees, pathways and drainage, the installation of a three-bay covered driving range with additional practice facilities, and refurbishment of the clubhouse – as well as a new John Deere course maintenance equipment fleet supplied by local dealer F G Adamson & Son at Langworth.

Michael won the greenkeepers’ nearest the pin competition at the famous 17th hole and still has the signed flag to prove it.

Michael has been back to TPC Sawgrass as a volunteer every year since, and as he says, “Ever since my first trip there, I said this is the equipment that I want to be working with.”

The golf course is now being maintained immaculately by the new fleet, which includes a 2550E hybrid electric triplex greens & surrounds mower,

7700A PrecisionCut fairway mower, 9009A TerrainCut rotary rough mower, 2030A ProGator with Dakota top dresser attachment, HPX 815E and TE electric Gator utility vehicles and a 3046R compact tractor, plus a Tru-Turf R50-11 greens roller and Charterhouse Redexim Speed Brush.

John Deere Enquiry 55

Worm cast dispersal, dew removal, standing grasses up prior to mowing and excellent presentation – the versatile SISIS Flexibrush is having a positive impact on the fairways at the Herefordshire Golf Club according to Head Greenkeeper Jeremy Browne. Jeremy has seen many changes in the 31 years he has been at the club, but he believes the arrival of the new owners is proving to be one of the most beneficial.

With fairways being his first port of call, and with an increasing amount of worm casts appearing,

Jeremy narrowed his search down to two possible machines.

The SISIS Flexibrush is a tractor mounted brush which is equally effective dispersing top dressing and removing excess material on natural turf or synthetic surfaces.

The versatile Flexibrush can also be used for dew dispersal and striping for improved presentation. It has a 5.35 metre working width, its brush sections ‘float’ to follow ground contours and the outer sections fold for transport and storage.

SISIS Enquiry 56

Normanby Hall Golf Course senior greenkeeper Michael

Burgin attended the first John Deere sponsored TPC Sawgrass volunteer programme in 2015, as a member of the Florida course’s maintenance team preparing for the Players Championship.

Versatile Verti-Drain helps Rudding Park prepare for winter

The recent delivery of a VertiDrain 7416 from Redexim is proving key in the pre-winter preparations at Harrogate’s Rudding Park Golf Course.

According to Head Greenkeeper Richard Hollingworth there has barely been a day since the VertiDrain arrived in August that it hasn’t been out – the versatility of 1.6m machine making it ideal for work on all areas of the course including greens, fairways and surrounds.

As a corporate golf course and part of the Rudding Park resort, not only does the club have a very active membership, the surfaces have to be fit to sustain play 364 days of the year… which equates to somewhere in the region of 40,000 rounds annually!

“Because of the volume of rounds, when it comes to aeration it is critical that we’ve got equipment that is not just fit-for-purpose on the greens. We need to be getting some holes into the claybased fairways to deliver the perfect course on any given day” explains Richard, who heads-up a maintenance team of nine.

“We had the 7416 on demo last year from our local dealer F. G. Adamson & Son and used it on all 18 greens, and throughout that extensive trial

period we could tell it was going to suit us and the various requirements of our course.

“It was light enough to aerate the greens with minimal surface disruption, yet strong enough to be effective on fairways and surrounds.”

The superior build quality of the Verti-Drain 7416 makes it ideal for the full-range of aeration tasks; a range of tine options delivering flexible and accurate aeration down to depths of 350mm.

“To date, we’ve aerated all of the greens surrounds and multiple weak fairways with ¾” tines, as we tackle compaction and dry patches ahead of the arrival of winter.

“We’ve also purchased ½” tines for the deep, pre-winter work on the greens and needle tines for the summer.”

Richard adds, “Spanning double the acreage of most regular courses, getting the job done well and quickly is so important.

In my view, the VertiDrain still leads the market in terms of ease-of use and performance, all backed-up with excellent support and service from Redexim and their dealer network.”

Redexim Enquiry 59

Honda UK launches new mowers

Honda UK has added two new lawnmowers to its line-up, offering class-leading cutting and collecting performance and superb ease of use.

The HRN536 VK, and HRN536 VY both have a newly designed 53cm cutter deck.

Power is provided from Honda’s proven GCVx170 engine. The two new models feature multiple enhancements over previous HRG536 models, making them even more versatile and user-friendly.

Smart Drive provides on-themove travel speed adjustment to suit the user and conditions.

Movement and speed are controlled by the handlebar-

mounted Smart Drive ® lever, and the new models have a revised lever design which reduces thumb slippage for greater ease of use.

A new two-way ratchet in the transmission means the rear wheels can turn freely in either direction when the drive control is released, reducing the effort needed to move the mower forwards and backwards while negotiating obstacles and tight spaces.

The cutter decks come with an enhanced Versamow selector. Versamow allows users to quickly switch between mulching and collecting grass, and the latest deck-mounted control is simple and easy to operate.

MicroCut twin blades optimise cutting performance, and the new cutter housing design optimises airflow for best-inclass mulching and collection. The new HRN536 VK and

a demonstration: Call 01789 488450 or e-mail info@st-mach.com

HRN536 VY are suitable for larger lawns including those with slopes and variable terrain.

Honda UK Enquiry 60

READER ENQUIRY 61

Air2G2 336 last piece in the aeration puzzle

England’s finest links, Royal Cinque Ports, has found the final piece of their aeration puzzle by using the Air2G2 336 on their greens and fairways. Course Manager, James Bledge, has been in charge of the Kent based links for nine years, and for a majority of that time, has hired an Air2G2 for use on the club’s large greens. Brilliant results over that time and a desire to work freely between tournaments and trial ideas led the club to purchase their own machine in August 2021, and it was put straight to work to do what it does best.

James explains: “It’s one of these machines that’s hard to quantify because you don’t see instant results, but it’s part of the jigsaw puzzle that comes together with everything else. We maintain really

nice surfaces here, and I believe that to be part of it - we’ve had far less disease than we’ve ever had, and our greens have been firmer than ever. We had four big back to back competitions in this last month. First, we’ve had the Boys Amateur Championship, which is one of the biggest R&A events, then we had a week off before Deal Week, the South East Links Championship and the Halford Hewitt, which is the world’s largest amateur golf competition at the end of that with 640 competitors.

“So this week, we managed to get out and aerate everything, and it’s been well-timed because we got heavy rain at the end of that week, which could have seen the greens puddle up, but instead, they were fine. Not one single person could tell we’d been out with the Air2G2

the Monday following the Boys Amateur, and that’s a seven-day competition with all your practice days and qualifying. These greens were cut and rolled every single day, which could potentially bake them or form a hardpan near the top because it’s such intensive work, but the Air2G2 after that was the ideal thing to do, and they haven’t seemed stressed out since.”

With their own Air2G2, James can now deploy it as and when needed, which includes working on fairways. In the past, the club hired the smaller model, but with the 336, they are able to cover all of their greens in less than three days and build in time to aerate the new 0.8 hectares of fairway extensions.

Campey Turf Care Systems Enquiry 63

The evolution of quality machines continues

Since

Groundsman two and fourwheel drive turf cutters deliver effortless sod cutting with low operating vibration levels.

These versatile machines can be fitted with sod blades 30cm to 60cm wide to cut 1cm to 7cm thick sod plus revetting blades for cutting multiple strips of narrow sod for sod walling or bunker building.

A Guillotine attachment is available to measure and chop the sod into lengths. Trench, De-compaction and Mole-drain blades cut down to 12cm deep.

Groundsman Aerators are available from 45cm to 180cm working widths.

All use Groundsman’s proven rugged Elliptical Plunge Action mechanism for aeration down to 15cm. Quick-change accessories are available for solid, hollow and chisel tining plus cluster tines for dense pattern aeration, thatch removal and over-seeding.

The Flexblade Collector is available from 0.8mtr to 2.3mtr widths to fit many makes of aerators as well as Groundsman to core and collect in one pass plus three-point linkage for follow-up collection.

This incredibly efficient implement follows the contours of greens scooping the cores or linear aeration soil cleanly from the surface powder dry or soaking wet.

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Cut more by stopping less.

Perfect for large jobs on tight deadlines.

With its large 41 litre fuel tank and massive 810 litre collector, the Toro ProLine H800 stops less so that you can mow more –you don’t even need to stop when adjusting the height of cut! And with the High-Lift system, it can empty clippings directly into a hopper. Perfect for when time is tight.

reesinkturfcare.co.uk

1990, Groundsman Industries have developed their unique range of machines and accessories for maximum performance and durability.

Groundsman Industries Enquiry

All year-round aeration with Wiedenmann Multigreen magic for contractors W R Sandow

Head Greenkeeper John Guthrie at Edinburgh’s Duddingston Golf Club favours the little and often approach to aeration.

Maintaining healthy surfaces is key for the parkland club which nestles below Edinburgh’s iconic Arthur’s Seat and has a history dating over 125 years.

The purchase of a Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi8 HD deep aerator in May, from Scottish dealer, Fairways GM at Kinross, was essential to his strategy, and five months’ hence, he continues to be really pleased.

“It’s making a big difference; I knew the GXi8 would be good, but I didn’t factor quite as quick or as neat. Easily all 18 greens can be done before 1.00 pm, so about a hectare’s worth in total. In the past, aeration tied up three people. we would have had someone following on with a roller and another person tidying up behind.

“The Wiedenmann is so clean, you don’t always have to roll at the back if you set it up properly. Two of the team can be free to do other tasks; resource wise, that is a significant benefit.

“Since May, we’ve taken a discrete approach, tining down on the greens to 100- 150 mm and tees to 200 mm, all with 12 mm tines, experimenting with heave at 5° occasionally.

“From November, we switch to 20 mm tines and might go 250 mm on the greens if conditions allow, possibly again with a little amount of heave.

“The fairways, too, will get the full depth and the bigger tine.”

Sports turf contractors W R Sandow have come to swear by Multigreen temperaturecontrolled release fertiliser from Headland Amenity, to satisfy the nutritional requirements of more than 60 winter sport pitches.

The introduction of feeding programmes is a relatively recent addition to the list of services offered by the Cornish contractors, but in a short space of time the consistency of results and superior technical support from the Headland team has really impressed Director Andrew Sandow.

Established in 1964 and based just outside Penzance, familyrun W R Sandow offer the full package when it comes to the construction, installation and maintenance of both natural and artificial playing surfaces.

“Until recently, we would go in and do the mechanical maintenance and leave clubs to apply product themselves, but you’d often find that due to time or financial constraints, this wasn’t being done” explains Andrew.

“After many discussions and support from the Pitch Advisory Service at The GMA, we began advocating fertiliser programmes based around Headland’s Multigreen.”

Multigreen features urea or potassium nitrate prills within a permeable polymer-resin coating which only start to release their solubilised nutrients once soil temperatures rise above 6 ° Cin line with the requirements of the grass. Nutrient availability is gentle and controlled by temperature alone, avoiding ‘flush’ growth and producing a strong, healthy sward that is sustained for up to six months depending on the analysis.

“We had conducted some trials of controlled-release products and were seriously impressed with the long-lasting results we achieved with Multigreen.

“On the back of this, we now use Multigreen on the vast majority of our football pitches, together with a number of rugby surfaces and cricket outfields, in two different formulations –28-3-15 which is applied in the

spring, following any renovation work and 15-0-22+5MgO which goes down in the autumn. Its consistent release pattern gives the clubs season-long nutrition from a single application, with minimal leaching and without flushes of growth.”

In addition to the performance of the product, Andrew has also been impressed with the support received from Headland.

“Whenever we’ve needed technical advice our Regional Technical Manager Andy Lane has been fantastic. Headland were even kind enough to donate some product for a recovery project we were working on, following vandalism at one of our clubs in the spring of 2020.

“With Headland, alongside the right equipment and expertise, we now consider ourselves to be a one-stop shop to support our customers with their surface needs – from sports pitches to amenity areas, from Lands End to Exeter.”

Amenity Enquiry 66

Headland

Wiedenmann Enquiry 67

Pitchmark announce Fusion and Eco Lite

For the past decade the Pitchmark name has been synonymous with engineering excellence, marking it as a leading manufacturer in the sports turf and amenity industry.

Pitchmark is pleased to announce the addition of two new spray line markers to join the company’s existing, popular range of machines including the unique Hybrid, the Eco Club and Pro, and the Classic wheel-to-wheel markers.

Founded in 2010, Pitchmark is a Queen’s Award-winning family business that manufactures and supplies a complete range of line marking paints and machinery.

Chairman, founder, and exgroundsman of 20 years, Mark Rodman, and his wife Sue shared

the vision of raising the standard of line marking and improving the quality of working life for ground staff worldwide.

Since the company’s inception, Pitchmark’s understanding, experience, and innovation has seen the business grow from strength to strength, as well as being praised for continually delivering for its customers dotted around the globe. In 2021 alone, Pitchmark has increased its employee numbers by 31% and the Bristol-based company has plans to further increase those numbers in the coming year.

Joining the iconic range of Pitchmark line marking machines will be the three-wheeled Fusion spray marker. The Fusion will mimic both the style and

engineering design from the bestselling unique Hybrid, but will boast a new-styled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) body to replace the steel chassis.

The Fusion includes the advanced technology of the bespoke Hybrid front wheels, combined with the adjustable spray head from the Eco Club and Eco Pro. Designed for use on a variety of natural grass surfaces, the Fusion is set to take the professional sports turf market by storm.

In addition to the Fusion, the highly-popular Eco Club and Eco Pro spray line markers will see a third machine join the family, the Eco Lite. The Eco Lite will continue with the four-wheeled design and proven spray system

from the aforementioned machines, but will also replace its steel chassis with the same HDPE material to complete Pitchmark’s latest design.

Much like the Eco Club, the Eco Lite can hold either two 5-litre drums or one 10-litre drum of line marking paint, but there is an option for customers to add a 25-litre tank to the body of the machine.

Despite Pitchmark’s continued success during the global pandemic, one of the key factors behind the company’s decision to add two more machines to its range is due to the increased pricing, and reduced availability, of steel.

By adding this thermoplastic polymer, the machines will still retain their strength and durability,

Turf Tank One makes revolutionary change at school

Bromsgrove School has taken a revolutionary step forward in line marking with their new Turf Tank One. Among it is the Sports Centre, where there are facilities for rugby, football, cricket, hockey, tennis and a vast array of others. At the beginning of the school term in September, Head Groundsperson Richard Hare and his team have to prepare 15 rugby pitches across three different sites, with three groups of staff taking a week to initially mark out and prepare them.

Introducing the Turf Tank to this process is a game-changer for the Bromsgrove grounds team, and for Richard, they are now working with what he thinks is the future of line marking.

“When I first saw the Turf Tank One at the demo, I was absolutely amazed, and having used it, it’s revolutionary,” Richard begins. “It just makes the job a hundred times easier, all the lines are dead straight, and there’s no mess, that’s the other big thing, it’s clean, and it is good to use, it’s easy, and for us, it’s been really, really good.

“We’ve marked in five pitches and the training grids which would have taken two members of staff at least three or four days, and we’ve done that in less than a day and to a high standard as well. Every pitch is a different size; there are no two pitches that are the same because of the different age groups playing sport and the way we have to fit the pitches in around the site.

“This makes it into a one-person job who can set it all up, keep an eye on it and do other things as well. And that’s not trying to make people redundant or anything like that, because as everybody will tell you, there’s always lots of things that people can be doing. And because staff can be working on other jobs, it will help us to raise our standards around the site.”

Bromsgrove’s transition into robotic line marking has been seamless with the help of Turf Tank’s Regional Manager for the North, Matt Murray. A comprehensive demo and installation have been key to all staff members being comfortable with the robot and ensuring they get the most from the customisable pitch, grid, logo and number options.

“Matt has been absolutely fantastic from day one,” Richard explains.

“We set up a training day, and this is the second full day he’s been here, and he’s on the end of the phone all the time if we need any questions answered. When he first visited, he went through all the templates with us and set them up, and it’s superb. It’s the way that we can change as well because, like most schools, we’ll have to change from rugby after Christmas into football, so we have to go through all the pitches again, and change them all to football or training grids or whatever we need at the time. So, it’s unbelievable the changes it’s going to make for us.”

but most importantly reducing costs and improving lead times on production and deliveries.

Additionally, both the Fusion and Eco Lite will be more costeffective than their parent models

for contractors and councils, and purchase costs will be reduced for struggling grassroots clubs looking to improve their line marking across the season.

Pitchmark Enquiry 71

ICL products central to performance at club

David Daly, Golf Course

Superintendent at Hogs Head Golf Club in Ireland, has long relied on a wide range of ICL products, from the initial grow-in to now helping him maintain the award-winning 18-hole course to a consistently high level.

David started in the role when it was formerly known as Skellig Bay Golf Club. That was before the club was bought by current owners Bryan Marsal and Tony Alvarez II.

What came next was an incredible transformation which has since seen the course voted “Ireland’s Best Course” and “Best New International Course” by Golf.com.

Designed by the highly regarded Robert Trent Jones Jr., David was heavily involved in the plans and the grow-in period which took place from 2016 to mid-2017.

Utilising the experience he gained in his previous roles at Waterville Golf Links and Killeen Castle, and by working closely with Keith Boland from Goldcrop, David thoroughly researched the best products to use for the grow-in.

The products he selected were predominantly from ICL, and they have continued to be central to his yearly turf management plan ever since.

At the start of each year David works with his team to create a yearly turf management plan, and although the weather on the south west coast of Ireland means the plan often has to adapt, ICL products are a common feature regardless.

In 2020 there was 2,000mm of rainfall, but David also has to contend with long periods of drought. It is for these reasons that David needs a proven water management product,

and he chooses to use H2Pro TriSmart which he says, “ticks all the boxes.”

TriSmart’s unique tripleactive formulation provides great control over moisture management.

Containing three water management technologies, it provides effective water penetration, even water spread through the rootzone and improves the water holding capacity of sandy rootzones. David applies TriSmart monthly to his tees and greens at 10L/ha.

When it comes to feeding, he relies on Sierrablen 285-5 – a granular fertilizer which provides sufficient nutrition for the entire main growing season in just a single application.

“It is the Rolls Royce of granular controlled release

fertilisers,” he said. “The controlled release formulation of this product is key, especially with so much rainfall throughout the year.”

David uses Sierrablen on his fairways and green surrounds, and because he has a short season, starting in May, Sierrablen’s longevity of 5-6 months gives him a certain peace of mind.

Aside from the spectacular golf course, Hogs Head Golf Club also boasts a stunning clubhouse and accommodations consisting of a luxurious lodge and multiple golf cottages.

Around the clubhouse and accommodations, David uses Gronamic, an organo-mineral fertiliser which he says has “transformed the areas.”

ICL Enquiry 75

Carbon Gold wins best eco-friendly product award

Carbon Gold, the leading supplier of biochar products to professional growers, tree care specialists and gardeners around the world, has been announced as the winner of the Eco-Friendly Products Award in the 2021 Great British Growing Awards.

The award-winning range, which includes environmentally friendly compost, seed compost, fertiliser, soil improver, tree soil improver and lawn improver, is made using biochar, a highcarbon form of charcoal that is proven to boost plant health and vitality when used in soil.

As well as benefiting plant development, Carbon Gold’s biochar-based products also have a direct impact on the user’s carbon footprint. For every kilo of biochar put in the ground, three kilos of harmful CO2 are permanently sequestered from the atmosphere, helping professional and home growers to directly counter the effects of climate change.

The Great British Growing Award winners were announced during an official award ceremony at Glee, the UK’s leading garden and outdoor living show.

The prestigious awards were presented by presenter and author, Ellen Mary, and recognise the very best of the gardening industry, from sustainability stars, through to seed suppliers and gardening writers.

Mike Hartshorn, Managing Director of Carbon Gold, comments: “We are delighted to have been selected as the winner of the best Eco-Friendly Products Award. The Great British Growing Awards are renowned within the industry as the ultimate symbol of quality within the gardening sector, so to be recognised as part of the awards as a leader in ecofriendly gardening is fantastic.

“At Carbon Gold, we understand the impact that that gardeners and horticulture professionals can have on the environment and are passionate about ensuring that it is a positive one. If every gardener in the UK ditched the peat-based products and converted to biochar, we’d be making significant steps toward offsetting our carbon emissions. Our mission is to help more and more people to discover the benefits of sustainable gardening, and this award marks an incredibly positive step in this process.”

Gold Enquiry 76

Carbon

Why genuine batteries matter

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita details the issues around low-quality and counterfeit batteries and how to spot a non-genuine model.

While convenient, the boom in online marketplaces has left consumers vulnerable to low quality or counterfeit goods and in many cases, it can be very difficult to distinguish between the genuine article and replicas.

Many consumers are not aware that online marketplaces are not responsible for ensuring the products they sell are safe, with the ESF revealing that these sellers are not bound to the same laws as traditional retailers.

For power tool batteries specifically, there are many consequences of purchasing and using a non-genuine product – including warranty invalidation, inefficient charging,

damage to chargers and tools, or even potentially very serious injuries for the operator.

To avoid risk, it is vital that tradespeople know what to look for when purchasing batteries to make sure that they select a legitimate model and ensure operator safety.

A key benefit of genuine batteries is their design, as many will include innovative technologies that work to ensure optimum performance.

For example, Makita’s cordless tools, batteries and chargers include a built-in communication chip that works in real time.

This protects each against overload, over-discharge and overheating during use and when charging to maximise the life of the tool and the battery and provide protection against damage. For example, the Makita charger will detect of the battery is too hot and cool it before

charging takes place, which speeds up the process and ensures products benefit from industry leading charge times. If a non-genuine battery is used, the tool, battery and charger will not have this level of protection, which can result in inefficient performance and risk serious damage that can render the products unusable.

Performance

While some third-party batteries claim to have the same Amp hour rating as genuine models, without proper testing and accreditation, it is likely that they are significantly less powerful. To this end, users will not experience the desired runtime and performance expected and instead, will be faced with sluggish and inefficient output.

To ensure safety, reliable performance and output for professional use, genuine batteries will be tested to IEC 61960

(the equivalent to the UK BS EN61960 standard).

Non-genuine batteries also pose a serious health and safety risk. To achieve the high energy density of modern lithium-ion batteries, reputable manufacturers will precision engineer batteries to control charge and discharge current, cell voltage and temperature and undergo rigorous safety checks to ensure their ‘stability’.

However, it is highly unlikely that non-genuine batteries have benefitted from the same high standards of manufacturing and tests, and this could mean that their temperature is not controlled as accurately. This can result in a ‘thermal runaway’ which triggers a chain of events that can cause the battery to catch fire or, in a worstcase scenario, explode.

Pellenc is ‘superior’ for Hard Graft

Hard Graft Garden Services, based in East Lothian, Scotland, believes that Pellenc is a ‘superior’ brand of batterypowered technology.

With a rotational speed of 6,600rpm and a cutting diameter of 420mm, the Excelion 2 battery-powered brushcutter offers superior performance for professional intensive landscaping and forestry work.

Weighing 30% less than petrol-powered brushcutters,

it also has a newly designed smart handle that enables agile manoeuvring and displays digital information in realtime including current speed, battery life (as a percentage and in minutes) and power indication.

The Hard Graft team power the Excellion 2 with the Pellenc ULiB 1500 backpack battery, which gives the user freedom of movement and optimal work quality.

Etesia Enquiry 80

Makita Enquiry 79

Makita cordless tools power the Eden Project

Makita UK has exclusively supplied the Eden Project with a range of its cordless outdoor power equipment to assist with the maintenance and redevelopment work at the famous site.

By adopting Makita’s batterypowered machinery, Eden Project is able to reduce emissions and

Robin Lock, Head of Living Landscapes at the Eden Project explains: “At the Eden Project

STIHL launches updated safety boots with improved comfort

more

friendly alternatives. With Makita’s expertise in battery-power and its wide range of high-quality garden machinery and construction tools, we are able to complete day-today maintenance tasks in a safer, quieter and more efficient way.”

STIHL has launched an updated set of breathable and comfortable safety boots, designed to support and protect wearers when undertaking gardening and landscaping jobs.

Enhancing its current footwear range, STIHL has manufactured the updated steel toe capped S3 safety boots to comply with the safety standard of footwear EN ISO 20345:2011, with additional features such as anti-static protection, puncture protection, oil, fuel and water resistance, energy absorption in the heel and mid heel penetration resistance.

For optimal comfort and protection, these light-weight safety boots boast additional ankle support, a replaceable insole and steel cap protection that can resist a 200-joule impact, assuring the user’s safety while wearing the boots and operating gardening and landscaping equipment.

The S3 boots are made with durability in mind, featuring breathable fabric and quick drying textile lining with a padded collar, making them the ultimate gardening footwear for any weather.

With an excellent grip on uneven soils and a rough profile sole, any outdoor job can be completed with ease

while maintaining a stable and secure grip.

Available in UK sizes 5.5 - 13, the S3 safety boots have an updated design with reflective material and strips on both sides, enabling greater visibility when working. These boots are not suitable for chainsaw use.

Makita

STIHL