Landscape & Amenity Product Update November 2015

Landscape Amenity

Play & Activity

The Parks Alliance calls for green prescribing

In response to the Government consultation on its ‘New Strategy for Sport’, the Parks Alliance has called for a study of the value of green prescribing.

Recognising that investing in prevention is more cost effective than paying for the cure, the TPA calls for a clinical trial to provide the health sector with the verifiable evidence to warrant investment in green participation prescriptions.

Green participation prescriptions are where GPs refer patients to non-clinical sources of support to improve their mental and physical health.

Measures that could be prescribed include physical activity to address the root causes of ill health.

It is already proven that sports participation and physical activity can help with both physical and mental health and well-being, promote personal growth and resilience and support community cohesion.

Parks are already playing a key role in getting the UK active. Parks, largely free at point of use offer a low cost means of grass roots participation to draw in hard to reach groups. Regular participation is better than oneoff, so reducing barriers such as costs is an important driver to deliver continued participation.

Current schemes include Sport England’s investment in Active People Active Parks programme at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park which has seen a significant return on first and regular

Revamped Active Design Guide is published

Sport England’s improved Active Design Guide provides essential guidance to help planners include sport when designing spaces.

In partnership with Public Health England, Sport England has built upon the original Active Design (2007) objectives and produced new guidance to ensure the places we live and work take sport into account when putting plans together.

The guidance links health, design and planning by creating the right environment for people to lead active lifestyles.

With this in mind, the 10 active design principles have been

developed to inspire and inform the layout of cities, towns, villages, neighbourhoods, buildings, streets and open

participants and this low cost/ free to try model is delivering significantly more participants than expected.

Mark Camley, Chairman of The Parks Alliance, said: ‘We all know there is an obesity crisis in the UK and parks can offer a solution to get more people active.

“Public parks have always played a key role in sports with football pitches and tennis courts in public parks providing an outlet for generations of young people.

“There are always new ways of engaging the young, for instance, park-wide wi-fi in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London has encouraged young adults to visit the park and as a result benefit from hidden, informal exercise.

spaces, to promote sport and physical activity and active lifestyles.

The 10 active design principles are: activity for all; walkable communities; connected walking and cycling routes; co-location of community facilities; network of multi-functional open space; high quality streets and spaces; appropriate infrastructure; active buildings; management, maintenance, monitoring and evaluation; and activity promotion & local champions.

Included in the guide are five reallife case studies of active design principles in action, intended to help inspire and encourage those working in the planning, design and management of our community spaces.

Charcon products win through

Products supplied by Aggregate Industries’ commercial hard landscaping division have helped transform Twickenham’s town centre as part of an £8 million investment programme ahead of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

The plans included the regeneration of the town centre to make it more attractive and pedestrian-friendly for a town with the sporting heritage that Twickenham boasts.

With Charcon having previously supplied Willow Buff UK Natural Yorkstone in Richmond, the product’s distinct blend of buffs and greys was the Borough Council’s preferred stone and it was keen to use this product in Twickenham.

The first phase of the regeneration included repaving areas of York Street, King Street and London Road, widening footways by up to 1.5 metres in some areas to reduce the dominance of traffic.

Charcon supplied 8,500m2 of Willow Buff Natural Yorkstone, creating an attractive paving solution, contributing to the wider regeneration of the town centre and enhancing the townscape for pedestrians and cyclists.

Charcon also supplied a further 888m2 of Granite paving in Church Street replacing the existing paving, as well as a Granite sett road surface. Completion of the Twickenham town centre project is expected in June 2016.

Charcon Enquiry 3

The Park, working with Intelligent Health on a mobile phone based initiative called Beat the Streets, has encouraged participants

largely school children, to tap in to smart meters and gain points for walking between different points in the Park. The scheme is seeing over

1,000 miles per day walked by participants.”

Parks Alliance Enquiry 1

Welcome...

Who says November is a dull month? Not only do we have new-look SALTEX at NEC Birmingham, but the UK is basking in the after-glow of a hugely successful Rugby World Cup which showcased the sport, the facilities and the skills of the groundscare teams brilliantly.

The shift from Autumn into Winter is also proving to be a particularly busy time for our industry in the political arena. It is good to see so many industry bodies willing to stand up and be heard on issues that have a direct impact on us all. From the Parks Alliance and the IoG talking about future strategy for our parks and green spaces, through to the API renewing its calls for Government to listen to the experts and tackle the ongoing childhood inactivity crisis, the industry is proving it has a voice. As the IoG’s chief executive Geoff Webb says: “Parks should be the lifeblood of participation and activity. With new maintenance models there is a greater need for understanding and implementing appropriate maintenance plans for park pitches.”

This month we take an in-depth look at the play industry in our Play & Activity Today special supplement. There are innovative new products and services, as well as interesting case studies on completed projects, alongside informed industry comment from the API and others, all highlighting just how vibrant this sector is and what a vital role it plays in educating the next generation.

We also have special reports on arboriculture and horticulture, artificial surfaces and the maintenance of synthetic pitches, as well water management and drainage.

There is also the usual round up of news, views and products from the urban environment and machinery sectors. In our December issue, we will have a full review of SALTEX 2015 and we also look back on what has been a largely successful year for the industry.

We will also take a look forward to what 2016 holds in store for us all, with the year kicking off in traditional style at Harrogate and BTME.

Contents:

Paul Groves Editor

PUBLISHER

David Stiles david@tspmedia.co.uk

EDITOR

Paul Groves paul.groves@tspmedia.co.uk

Wessex wide area mower for South Park Outdoor Power Equipment price guide app RZR sharp off the mark for 2016

Mike Lawrie is grounds maintenance manager for Manchester City Council’s south area parklands with responsibility for looking after four million square metres.

The Council invested in two new Wessex RMX-500 roller mowers and with 80 football pitches to maintain to a high standard, Mike was looking for a better finish in a reduced timescale to do the cutting.

He arranged a demonstration for all areas under Manchester City Council and the first thing he noticed was how much lighter it was compared to the previous machine with its heavy axles on the agricultural derived trailer axle.

The lighter weight made it easier to transport and whereas operators had been complaining about the finish achieved with

the old machine, they praised the results with the new RMX500’s. They were found to be easier to transport and they liked the blade system, together with the mower’s ability to cut longer, overgrown grass.

“We are achieving a much better quality finish on the football and rugby pitches,” he says, “and we have been able to use the Wessex machines throughout the year in all sorts of varying conditions, with their ability to cut longer grass in areas we hadn’t reached quite as soon as we would have liked.

“The two mowers have also got through the work a lot faster so they have helped us be even more productive.”

International Enquiry 6

The AEA (Agricultural Engineers Association) and BAGMA (British Agricultural and Garden Machinery Association) has launched the Outdoor Power Equipment electronic price guide.

Available as an app on android and apple platforms, the electronic price guide is a combined version of the previous hard copy price guides, printed and independently published by each of the organisations up to the end of last year.

In a new joint venture, both trade associations, representing the suppliers and dealership network of the outdoor power, turf-care, garden and forestry equipment sectors, have combined forces to provide a concurrent pricing guide for industry. Entry in the guide is free of charge at a basic

entry level with chargeable options for enhanced entries.

The app itself will be sold in blocks of three seats at £75 per block for an annual subscription; it will be device specific and password protected. Offering complete functionality to search across all brands for current retail price lists, the guide will enable total ease of access to anyone out on the road or covering an extensive customer base.

Administration access for contributors will allow each contributing company to update their own prices on-line on a continual basis and updates of the guide will be issued three times per year.

BAGMA

Enquiry 7

Polaris has announced a new edition to the RZR family of sport side by side off-road vehicles, the Polaris RZR XP Turbo EPS.

Seen for the first time on static display at the 2015 Weston Beach Race, the new RZR drew its own crowd of admirers.

Boasting an impressive acceleration of 0-60 mph/96.6 kph in just 5.89 seconds, powered by an all-new Polaris ProStar 144hp engine, the razor sharp performance has been officially turbocharged.

Polaris continues to innovate the RZR family while remaining true to the heritage of building complete machines

industry-leading power, maximum durability and performance. The aim with the RZR is to bring hallmark power, suspension, agility, comfort and customisation to provide the ultimate off-road experience and it does that in abundance.

Wessex

Lost landscape at Trentham Estate revealed

The tercentenary of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown in 2016, Trentham Estate has been restoring a lost landscape within the Trentham Gardens.

Originally designed and created by Brown himself, who worked in the gardens between 1759 – 1780, the mile-long lake and surrounding parkland is now being sympathetically revealed, recreated and enhanced by the Trentham Estate to celebrate 300 years of Brownian influence.

As part of the overall restoration project, and continued management of the Gardens, The Trentham Estate has started

working with Bartlett Tree Experts to proactively manage their tree stock.

An initial hazard tree survey was conducted by Bartlett across the Estate and was followed by a detailed assessment of some of the more valuable and prestigious trees in the Gardens using a combination of PICUS Sonic Tomography as well as Resistance Microdrill. Trees were risk assessed using the International Society of Arboriculture’s TRAQ methodology.

Bartlett is now working with the Estate to guide tree management

RECYFIX® GREEN grass reinforcement modules installed at Banovallum School, Horncastle, Lincolnshire

The Hauraton RECYFIX® GREEN STANDARD surface reinforcement grid system was used extensively in the grassed pathways, where a high footfall was expected, and the grassed areas surrounding Banovallum School, Horncastle.

The system helped to prevent erosion and improve surface drainage. Once installed, the RECYFIX® GREEN modules were discreet, yet provided a permanent surface reinforcement to the grassed areas with a loading capacity of 200 tonne/m2.

and institute tree health care programmes which will not only include remedial tree works but soil de-compaction, fertilisation and pest and disease control.

“It’s a pleasure to work in such a lovely setting, with a diverse collection of trees, conditions and situations where each require their own unique assessment and management recommendation”, said Jason Hasaka, arboricultural consultant with Bartlett Tree Experts.

“And most importantly, with the evaluation of risk and the appropriate remedial efforts made, the newly revealed part

Headland plays host to conference

Headland Amenity recently played host to the Haifa Chemicals (Northern Europe) Greenpower Conference.

Held at the Woburn Estate in Bedfordshire, delegates included Senior Haifa personnel alongside European Greenpower distributors. They were welcomed by John Clarke, Courses Manager at Woburn Golf Club and Mark Hunt, Technical Director of Headland Amenity.

After being introduced to the fascinating history of the Woburn Estate and the Dukes of Bedford, delegates were shown the unique environment and conditions on Woburn’s Golf Club’s Courses. The Conference took place over two days and also featured visits to Gog Magog Golf Club near Cambridge and Huntingdon Racecourse.

Amenity Enquiry 13

The pathways and area to be grassed were excavated, covered with a granular sub-base, a layer of sharp sand applied and then rolled. The RECYFIX® GREEN modules were then secured on top of the rolled surface and their apertures filled with top soil which was compacted then grass seeded. The grass was left to grow over several weeks before access was allowed.

For full Case Study go to www.drainage-projects.co.uk

Headland

READER ENQUIRY 12

We benefited from their unique approach and their advice has

been instrumental in our forward planning.”

Bartlett Tree Experts Enquiry 11

Machrie moves forward with John Deere

The magnificent Machrie Golf Links on the island of Islay is one of the finest golf courses to be found anywhere in the UK.

A major redesign of the links, as part of a complete refurbishment of the resort, will have even more golfers booking a flight or a ferry to ensure they experience its delights.

The redesign is the work of former European Tour player and now renowned golf course architect David J Russell of RAW Golf Course Design, who is working closely with construction company Edinburgh Landscapes and course manager Dean Muir to maximise the wonderful golfing terrain which Machrie Golf Links has in abundance.

An extensive fleet of John Deere machinery has been delivered by Glasgow-based dealer Nairn Brown Ltd.

The six-figure package includes four John Deere 180SL walkbehind greens mowers with trailers, 8000E and 7500AE hybrid electric fairway mowers

plus a 2500E hybrid greens triple mower, a 1500 Series front rotary mower, a Pro Gator utility vehicle equipped with an HD200 low-profile amenity turf sprayer, two TE electric Gators and a 4066R compact tractor.

Dean Muir was familiar with John Deere machinery from his time as deputy course manager at Muirfield, and was also delighted when Nairn Brown won the contract to supply Machrie Golf Links. “I have always been comfortable using John Deere equipment, but what has been a huge bonus for us has been the dealership back-up,” he explains.

“Being on an island does make us more inaccessible, naturally, but someone from Nairn Brown is always on the end of the phone to help with a query or a repair, and they are very good at getting parts to us or even sending someone over if required. I can’t fault the dealership, as we’ve never had a problem that hasn’t been fixed as quickly as possible.”

Abseilers install Europe’s tallest indoor living wallnance

ANS Global has installed the tallest indoor living wall in Europe at Great Western Quarter for Barratt Homes in London.

A team of five abseilers were specially trained in order to ensure all 11,000 plants were installed correctly. The Living Wall measures 4 x 28 metres (112m²) and runs up all eight floors of the building.

Scott Anderson, Sales Director at ANS Global, explains: “The wall is being maintained by our abseiling team, as well as benefiting from a remote control irrigation system integrated into the structure which is controlled from our head office in West Sussex.

“There is an irrigation pipe every half a metre, so that the plants

get equal attention and the wall remains looking healthy all over. Our abseiling team also carry out general cleaning duties including dusting and trimming the plants.”

ANS Global Enquiry 18

Impressive trial results for contact herbicide on hard surfaces

The latest trial results from Bayer show the most effective way to control the tough perennial weed Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) is with the herbicide Finale 150.

The trials conducted between May and July this year, were driven by John Hall, Bayer commercial technical manager, for Europe and Japan, to test the efficacy of Finale 150 in two different settings.

“We compared an old railway line, with long established hardy horsetail plants, on paving slabs heavily infested with the weed,” says John.

“The trials compared the efficacy of Glyphosate, a mix of Glyphosate and Finale 150, Finale 150 with

one application, and Finale 150 with two applications, 28 days apart, in each test site.”

Dave Orchard, from the UK Bayer Turf Solutions team, explained that control was achieved rapidly with one application of Finale 150, but there was some minimal regrowth. “We found that the most extensive treatment was reached when the weeds were treated twice, so we recommend two applications 28 days apart,” he added.

The active in the product, glufosinate-ammonium, is contact acting, and the trials underlined that this achieves more rapidly extensive control than any other product.

Bayer Enquiry 19

John Deere Enquiry 17

Snickers ‘FLEXI Work’

Trousers take comfort and flexibility to the extreme

While Fabric, Functionality and Fit are Hallmarks of Snickers’ Next Generation of Working Clothes, it’s the innovation and technology in the design of these garments that really set Snickers apart from other brands.

The Snickers FLEXI Workwear range has advanced work trousers made from a durable, stretch and rip-stop fabric with a bodymapped design and polyamide reinforcements. As well as fashionable looks, they’re packed with comfort and functionality and designed for the fastpaced professional craftsman

who’s always on the go, always delivering top class work and always a step ahead on site.

Snickers Enquiry 22

Arbortec Forestware

The AT2000, available from Arbortec Forestwear, has been designed for the toughest environments and offers ideal protection from abrasion and cuts in rough climbing environments.

Using Dymatex5, it is 30% thinner than the traditional Kevlar glove yet it provides an up to 7 times higher cut resistance than the minimum requirement for EN388.

The glove is double knitted, creating a tough and durable

outer layer, whilst the inside is soft and comfortable. In addition, the palm is coated in a precisiondipped Polyurethane offering the maximum dexterity while still providing excellent grip.

The AT2000 is available in both regular or extended cuff to provide the maximum safety against cuts on the arm or hand. Visit your nearest Arbortec Distributor visit arbortecforestwear.com.

Arbotrec Enquiry 24

The HBS Saw from Hultafors is robust and accurate

Ask any one of them how a good saw should be and their answer is the ability to saw fast, straight and safely with a guaranteed neat cut every time.

That’s what you get with the Hultafors range of saws – now with the addition of the HBS model.

It’s a great value saw for universal use with a fiberglass reinforced handle, rubber grip

plus 45° and 90° angle guides. The saw blade is made from 1mm thick steel to deliver extra stability, precision and low vibrations and the narrow bladetip provides access in narrow spaces.

Hultafors Enquiry 23

Progreen cleaning up for the festive season

M&M Timber’s Prestige fencing secures new orders

M&M’s top of the range Prestige scalloped post and rail fencing has proved a clear favourite with professional landscape and fencing contractors as orders continue to flood into the company’s Worcestershire manufacturing centre.

Reflecting advanced new developments in timber preservation treatments employed by M&M Timber, the new Prestige scalloped post

and rail fencing not only looks impressive but now comes with a full 15 year warranty.

Strong and elegant, with chamfered tops, the scalloped post and half round rail fencing looks good in any application and has become the top choice for high end perimeter fencing and commercial applications throughout the UK.

M&M Timber Enquiry 25

Autumn and winter can be a quiet time for landscapers and contractors but there are always jobs to do in the amenity sector according to Progreen Weed Control. Slippery paths, weedy borders, winter grass and disease protection for arb. work are all jobs that can be addressed with the onset of winter.

Clearing slippery moss and algae from paths is an essential job to keep pedestrians safe, so reliable, safe products such as Algoclear and Algoclear PRO which can be applied in cooler weather then left to do their work are especially useful. Algoclear PRO is quite different from other hard surface biocides with a 40% concentration strength giving greater coverage for the professional user.

While weed control is slowing down, the cooler weather is ideal for application of winter residuals to keep weeds in amenity plantings at bay. Typically used in established shrub beds, Kerb granules or a liquid spray of KerbFlo can prevent the growth of many broad-leaved weeds or grasses and ease the work burden later in the growing season.

Colder weather is normally not a time to think about re-seeding but sports pitches and amenity grass are usually in dire need precisely during this period. Wet and cold

is an ideal recipe to tear up turf and lead to a downward spiral in playing surface quality so Progreen have sourced a tough, quickgrowing, dwarf perennial ryegrass mix - designed and bred specifically to germinate in temperatures as low as 5 °C where normal seed needs 8-12 °C. Higher wear tolerance and resistance to typical fungal attack such as Fusarium or Red thread means less fungicide inputs and more time available for use.

Tree work usually commences in earnest during the dormant season but the massive pressure on our native tree species from destructive pathogens like Chalara Fraxinea (Ash dieback) puts a greater burden of responsibility on anyone carrying out these jobs not to allow the spread of disease. Disease spores can be carried on boots or equipment so a proven disinfectant like Propellar™ is vital for biosecurity and protecting vulnerable native species – plus an added selling point in quotes and submissions to potential customers.

For further help or BASIS qualified technical advice, contact Progreen Weed Control who can supply hundreds of products for delivery nationwide. Tel. 0800 032 6262

Progreen Enquiry 26

Green-tech celebrates a record year

Commencing its 21st trading year, leading landscape supplier Green-tech is celebrating a record year.

Heralded as their most successful year to-date, achieving a record £10.6 million turnover, Greentech’s head count is now in excess of 50.

Earlier this year it was announced that Green-tech signed a deal to be headline sponsor of the BALI National Landscape Awards for the next 3 years. This deal reinforced their commitment to the association and industry as a whole and reaffirmed the high esteem in which the company is held.

Green-tech is a regular contributor at industry events and exhibitions and has supported an unprecedented number this year, the latest being as headline sponsor of the upcoming North’s

largest landscaping exhibition, Landscape Live 2015.

The company is in the process of relocating their entire trading operation to new purpose-built premises, known as Rabbit Hill Park, just of the A1 in North Yorkshire between junctions 47 and 48. The new premises, costing in excess of £3 million will comprise Green-tech’s head office, warehouse and distribution facility and trade counter.

The forward-thinking firm has also built offices and has meeting rooms and facilities available for smaller or start-up businesses to rent.

Green-tech has been recognised for its excellence as an employer and business. They have been announced as a winner in the prestigious BALI National Landscape awards 2015

New investment initiates Unilog Pro sales boost

M&M Timber’s Unilog Pro landscaping timbers look set to become one of the company’s best selling products of the year, following further investment at the company’s Worcestershire manufacturing centre.

Demand for M&M Timber’s market leading Unilog Pro landscaping timbers continues to grow and this has initiated new investment to step up production output to meet demand. Stockholding has now increased dramatically after the recent commissioning of a second drying kiln, used in the preservation process of Unilog Pro timbers, enabling a competitive 7-10 day turnaround of orders.

‘Employer of the Year’ category and have also been announced as a finalist in the Press Business Awards 2015 for Large Business of the Year.

Green-tech Chairman, Richard Kay comments: “I am overjoyed at our present position. It has been a tremendous year for Green-tech.

“Exceeding the £10 million turnover milestone has been a personal target of mine so I am delighted that our hard work has paid off. We are already looking forward and planning our next milestone which is to reach £20 million turnover in the next five years so watch this space and expect big things from Greentech.”

Green-tech Enquiry 28

M&M Timber Enquiry 29

Industry education event at golf resort in Czech Republic

ITTEC s.r.o., Ransomes Jacobsen’s distributor for the Czech Republic and Slovakia, held a two-day education event at Kuneticka Hora Golf Resort.

The event attracted over 140 invited customers from the Czech Republic and neighbouring Slovakia.

The first day began in the impressive conference suite at the resort, with Managing Director Pavel Hrdina introducing his team and then speaking about the new products that will be introduced into the two countries

next year. He was followed by Dr Thom Nikolai of Michigan State University, who was flown in from the USA by Jacobsen to speak to the assembled club and course managers.

Station 2 was hosted by Rain Bird with Michal Čermák showing and demonstrating some of their latest irrigation systems, sprinkler heads and associated controllers. Station 3 featured a display of the turf maintenance equipment offered by ITTEC including Cushman utility vehicles, Turfco topdressers and overseeders, E-Z-GO golf cars

Man City benefits from upgraded irrigation system with Toro

Etihad Stadium – the home ground of Premier League football club Manchester City –recently upgraded its irrigation system with the installation of 16 Toro R Series conversion assemblies.

Installed with new artificial turf covers around the perimeter of the pitch, the football stadium has cost-effectively upgraded its existing sprinklers by replacing the sprinkler internals - along with some of the nozzles to ensure no water waste - and kept the existing body and piping system intact.

Etihad Stadium head groundsman Lee Jackson explains the reasons behind the upgrade: “There were no issues with the previous sprinklers we used, however, after seeing a demo of the new Toro conversions kits in July 2014, I was impressed with the fact that there is no stopping point at the edge of each arc. This maximises water getting onto the pitch itself and not ‘puddling’ on the perimeter.”

Lee also comments on adjustable trajectories and the benefits this feature will bring: “On a windy day the adjustable trajectories will prove invaluable in ensuring that there is minimal drift from

the spray.

“The sprinklers themselves are also on a faster movement meaning quick watering of a full arc when time is restricted is now an additional possibility,” he adds.

While Lee says there are no plans to invest further into the club’s irrigation system at present, he does admit that he will be keeping an eye out for new industry advancements.

“It would be remiss of me in my job not to look at new products, hence the purchase of the conversion kits, as nothing stands still in any industry and in groundscare it’s certainly no different. Anything that can improve what you already have should be seriously looked at where practically possible.”

This latest investment in Toro follows shortly after the club’s recently opened City Football Academy (CFA) took delivery of a 13-strong Toro fleet, comprising mowers, aerators, sprayers and utility vehicles; seeing the club’s relationship with the turf maintenance leader continue to strengthen.

Toro Enquiry 33

Sadolin’s new Beautiflex finish for wood takes shape

Offering a new dimension in superior wood care, Sadolin Beautiflex delivers a beautiful, flexible finish with long term protection in a wide spectrum of opaque shades.

Ideal for all new, bare or previously coated exterior wood, including decking, this solvent opaque woodstain can be applied in colder temperatures, enabling wood protection projects to take place outside the typical outdoor season.

Superior flexibility is achieved through a formulation which features alkyd resin technology, giving Sadolin Beautiflex the assurance of up to seven years protection. With added HALS, all

shades benefit from exceptional light fastness and are designed to retain their colour integrity for the long term by protecting the coating from UV damage.

Enquiry 36

Sadolin

and Smithco bunker rakes and rollers.

an opportunity to introduce the new Jacobsen Truckster XD heavy duty utility vehicle and the Jacobsen MP Series batwing rotary mower.

The final station was hosted by Paul Wilcox, European Sales Manager for Bernhard Grinders.

Ransomes Jacobsen Enquiry 32

UK customer care conference strikes the right note

Almost 40 Parts, Service and General Managers from dealers across the UK attended Ransomes Jacobsen’s Customer Care Conference held at the commercial mower manufacturer’s head office in Ipswich.

The conference provided the opportunity to promote best practice from across the group, discuss such topics as dealer development, marketing and training as well as enhancing communications channels within the Ransomes Jacobsen network.

The morning session began with an introduction from Customer Care Director Jason King, who

thanked everyone for their attendance and then outlined the programme for the day. Sales Director Rupert Price followed up with an overview of the brand sectors and sales financials for year to date.

There were also updates on the company’s Warranty processes and procedures, proposed improvements in Parts identification and picking and then the Cutting Edge Training team provided an overview of the array of training options available for dealer staff.

The afternoon programme began with a selection of breakout sessions to discuss the morning topics in greater depth.

The final session included presentations from Ransomes Jacobsen’s Product Management team, who provided the delegates with a preview of the new products and developments coming on stream in 2016 and beyond.

Recycled furniture design showcases student talent at festival

Design students from the Manchester School of Art have brought a sense of fun to the roof terrace of Manchester International Festival in a competition to provide a striking contemporary furniture design using Stokbord recycled plastic.

The winning team responded to the brief to deliver 100 informal, colourful and comfortable outdoor seats for the central Festival Square venue, a bustling hub for MIF activities.

After the event, the furniture will be moved to a permanent home in the public park next to the recently-refurbished Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester.

The winning team were Emma Crabtree, Katia Mackowiak and

Daecan Tee from MA Product Design, and Benjamin Ashton and Oliver Scholes, both BA 3D Design students.

Stokbord provided the ideal material for the Festival challenge because of its robust, practical, weather-proof and environmentally-friendly credentials. The Stokbord sheet is easy to cut to shape in a variety of thicknesses, so provided the ideal material. The sheets used for the furniture were cut to shape using CNC machining techniques by festival partner 24 Design, and assembled by the students themselves.

Centriforce Enquiry 37

Ransomes Jacobsen Enquiry 38

FUSO –A Daimler Group Brand

Ribston Hall returns to Toro for fine finish on formal lawns

Ribston Hall, the privatelyowned 17th-century mansion perching on the banks of the River Nidd at Great Ribston near Knaresborough, has taken delivery of a Toro LT3340 to cut 12 acres of formal lawns.

It goes without saying Steve Lucas, head groundsman, was after a fine finish for the presentation of the lawns at the grade II listed building and after a dabble with a competitor brand has returned to Toro to achieve this.

“We started out by purchasing a cylinder mower from a well known brand, but I found it simply wasn’t up to the job or producing the results we wanted,” says Steve.

“So I asked Russells Groundcare to come in with the Toro LT3340.

We’d had an LT before and I knew they good, but demoing it next to the one we had, it was another story altogether. There was no comparison, so we sent the other machine back.”

The LT3340 triple is a powerful cylinder mower, but it’s light, fast and very versatile. Steve opted for the 200mm unit and six blades, which is a good combination for finer cutting applications.

“The lawns look great, really neat, and the machine is so easy to use. It’s our main mower and definitely the right one for us.”

Steve bought the LT3340 through Russell Groundcare, one of Lely Turfcare’s specialist groundscare dealers. “My contact there was Paul Nichols,” says Steve. “He gave some good advice and support and has been up here a lot checking how things are going.”

Paul says: “I’m really pleased Steve and his son who form the grounds team at Ribston Hall are seeing the results they want with the LT3340. It’s a good machine and I know the family is happy which is the most important thing. But this scenario has turned out to have an extra bonus in that swapping to the LT3340 made cost savings too.”

Toro Enquiry 41

Huge sewage works ups its security

The perimeter at one of Europe’s largest sewage works has been enhanced as part of a £190m upgrade.

Thames Water is improving Beckton Sewage Treatment Works in East London to enable it to treat 60% more sewage than it currently does now and allow for a 10% population increase.

Beckton covers 250 acres or around 150 football pitches in the London Borough of Newham and currently serves 3.5 million people, making it Europe’s largest sewage treatment works and the fourth largest in the world.

The upgrade will ensure the site can fully treat increased flows during heavy rainfall, which currently discharge into the River Thames, and additional storm flows from the Lea Tunnel, a new four-mile sewer for storm sewage that currently overflows into the River Lee.

Thames Water has turned to long-term security fencing partner Zaun with a £½ millionplus contract to secure the 4.5km perimeter.

Zaun installed five different types of fencing in the first phase of works completed last year. It designed bespoke fencing to accommodate the variations in topographical environments in and around the site including posts cranked over by 45° to overhang the top of a channel

running alongside the river to provide a climb-resistant 1m-high fence barrier to anyone trying to scale the 5m high wall. Zaun had to adapt the special ‘one-sided’ fencing first designed for the nearby London 2012 Olympic Park where they could not gain access to the outside of the fence line to install fixings.

And Zaun enclosed a secure compound on the site with its acclaimed HiSec DualSkin fencing.

Phase two of the security fencing upgrade has now begun, which includes a plethora of gates and the same specification fencing beneath 700mm flat wrap or concertina razor wire topping.

Zaun has had to create several special panels and bays on site to cope with severe changes in ground level, steps up onto concrete walls and bridges, and to bolt up to existing structures as opposed to via in-ground or baseplated posts.

Zaun Enquiry 42

todayplay&activity

API supports call for holistic cross-party strategy for children

A clarion call to put play at the heart of government policy on child health and wellbeing has been welcomed by the Association of Play Industries (API).

The API supports the central recommendation of the All Party Parliamentary Group on a Fit and Healthy Childhood for government to adopt a holistic strategy to support child development.

Launching its report at Parliament, the group’s coChair, children’s advocate Baroness Floella Benjamin, called on politicians from all parties to acknowledge the vital role of play in children’s lives and particularly in helping tackle the physical inactivity crisis.

Key recommendations for government in the report that win API support are:

• Play to be embedded within a Whole Child Strategy under the aegis of a Cabinet Minister for Children responsible for cross-departmental roll out and co-ordination;

• Government to require local authorities to prepare children and young people’s plans including strategies to address overweight and obesity with its physical,

mentaland emotional consequences;

• Funding for play to be ring-fenced within local authority budgets;

• Address barriers to outdoor play for children of all ages and abilities;

• Extend the Sport England Primary Spaces and Sport Premium programmes to all schools with a broader scope to incorporate a wide variety of physical literacy activities including play;

• Communicate through public information campaigns to parents and families the value of active outdoor play, including benefit:risk assessment;

• Improve public sector procurement practice for public play provision.

In the House of Lords this week, Baroness Benjamin asked what plans the government has to introduce a national strategy for play as part of a holistic approach to child health and fi tness, after which a number of parliamentary colleagues agreed to convene a meeting to discuss the APPG’s report and recommendations further.

Speaking at the report’s parliamentary launch, API

Chair Mark Hardy said: “This comprehensive report covers many aspects of play and play provision but a single unifying message is that children will always play provided they are given the opportunity to do so.

“We must ask ourselves if our children today have the same or better opportunities to play than we did. If they do not, then we must address that. This report makes some strong recommendations which if followed will have a positive impact on creating more opportunities for children to play.

“High quality public play facilities bring innumerable benefits to local communities

that reach far beyond simply providing children with a fun place to play.”

Recent research by the API amongst families shows that over 80% of parents think there should be funding for more high quality public play facilities.

The API campaigns at the highest levels for policy recognition for play and is a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group for a Fit and Healthy Childhood, Children’s Play Policy Forum and Federation of Sports and Play Associations.

API Enquiry 45

Sutcliffe Play announces key new appointments

Play equipment designer and manufacturer Sutcliffe Play has strengthened its sales team with two appointments. The employee-owned company has promoted Andrew Love to Sales and Marketing Director. Andrew has worked in the play industry for over 10 years and he will oversee the company’s sales and marketing activities and the relationship with its key UK distributors.

Andrew brings with him a wealth of sales and technical engineering experience accrued from previous roles in different industries. After completing his engineering degree in the Fleet Air Arm he spent 15 years in the electronics industry specialising in the sales of precision, total factory automation solutions to blue chip companies throughout Europe and during which he achieved his Post Graduate Diploma in Management Studies (DMS).

Andrew will play a key role in the development of

Sutcliffe Play as one of the UK’s leading playground equipment manufacturers. He says: “I’m looking forward to helping Sutcliffe Play build on our reputation as innovative designers of child-centred play solutions and reinforcing our credentials as an expert in play.”

Andrew is being joined by a new Area Sales Manager, Sandra O’Sullivan. Sandra will be taking over Andrew’s previous role and has over seven years’ experience in the play and education sectors.

Sandra says: “Sutcliffe Play has an excellent product range and I’m excited to be part of such a forwardthinking company. The satisfying part of the job for me is the legacy that we can help to create and I believe that with the knowledge and equipment available at Sutcliffe Play we’ll be able to create playgrounds that can help inspire children.”

Sutcliffe Play Enquiry 46

Your essential guide for Sports & Playground Equipment in association with

Actions and priorities in child safety at conference

Keeping children safe by preventing needless accidents will be explored at an annual conference being held by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Children aged 0-4 are most at risk of accidents in the home

and the 2015 RoSPA Home Safety Congress will explore injury prevention for parents and young children, when it is held on Wednesday, November 18.

RoSPA Enquiry 48

Huck’s play solutions make adventure a reality

Huck’s diverse range of rope play equipment can be found in many day care centres, schools, nurseries, parks and public playgrounds throughout the UK.

Designed and manufactured by Huck’s play specialists at Huck Seiltechnic the range includes pyramids, group swings as well as jungle bridges, climbing nets and trampolines. Everything is designed to give extremely varied adventure landscapes and is suitable for all ages 0-99 years and all abilities including Special Education Needs.

There are always new innovative additions being added to the portfolio, this

year it includes the new Spider Climbing series which includes an 8.3m high Spider 8 rope pyramid.

To make your scheme a real adventure, as well as manufacturing and supplying their innovative play equipment, Huck has a dedicated team who design and install new playgrounds. They are passionate about creating the best possible play experience. With their child-focused approach they ensure that their schemes are innovative, educational, challenging, stimulating, ageappropriate and above all, fun.

Play Enquiry 49

Timberplay reaches for the heights at Angel Ridge

Angel Ridge play area is situated on the site of the first NHS hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, which has now been redeveloped as a residential housing site.

Swindon Council had the task of creating a challenging and exciting play area that referenced the rich heritage of the site, keeping the local residents on side and also improving links with the surrounding communities. They worked with Timberplay, selecting the best products to suit the site and its heritage.

Angel Ridge is a linear development, situated along a ridge, hence the name. When embarking on research for the site, Swindon Council Landscape Architect, Andrew Norris found that the bones of an Ichthyosaur (marine dinosaur) were discovered nearby, which then went on to fi nd fame on Blue Peter. This prehistoric relic inspired the use of fossils throughout the site, with hidden replica fossils secreted in the sand area and a giant ammonite heralding the start of the play site.

As Swindon Borough Council had previously not had any public park schemes that used extensive sand and water play there was some apprehension to the inclusion of these features. Fortunately these were overcome and the beautifully landscaped site now has extensive sand and a meandering play stream, with a Mushroom Spring Pump at its head, Horizontal Mill Wheel and Dam, Wedge and Water Flap.

Dry stone walling around the site utilises locally sourced stone to create a country walk feel to the site. This is also achieved by the use of three Wobbly Sheep near the entrance and modified stock fencing, used particularly around the Platform House combination, creating a play paddock.

Different compartments of play have been thoughtfully

designed, creating distinct areas which children can move between using various playful elements, for example, play gates and a Suspension Bridge.

A renovation of the adjacent footpath and improved access links, opened up the site to the wider community.

Alongside the sand and the water, play gravel has also been used, providing another great playable safety surface particularly when combined with transportation elements, shovel and chain.

One of the key features of the site is the weighty Turning Stone, a huge 5 tonne boulder which even small children can easily rotate. This is personalised with a poem by Jane Evans.

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PlayGuard is the top choice for playground timbers

M&M Timber’s specially developed PlayGuard range opens up exciting new possibilities in innovative design projects that combine flexibility with durability and ease of maintenance.

Utilising only timber selected from high quality Radiata pine, which has inherent low-split properties

and therefore minimises finger traps, the PlayGuard range is kiln dried, fully sanded and treated with Tanalith E for durability and long service life. PlayGuard is available in a choice of Standard or higher grade Premium ranges.

M&M Timber design and machining services including drilling and

cutting, side scalloping, profile and slabbing, chamfering, counter boring, blind mortice, crayton style top or domed, plus a comprehensive routing service – all giving tremendous scope for imaginative custom made projects. PlayGuard is benchmark approved by the Wood Protection Association and comes with

a 15 year desired service life warranty for total peace of mind.

M&M Timber Enquiry 51

Huck

Olympic gold medalist opens new sporting facility

Olympic gold medalist Katherine Copeland MBE is hoping to help other young Teessiders achieve sporting legacy as she opens Yarm School’s new rowing and hockey facility constructed by CLS Sports.

One of CLS Sports biggest projects to date, it includes the construction of a full sized, floodlit, artificial hockey pitch, a modern boathouse and a refurbishment to the existing car park. CLS Sports who specialise in the design, construction and maintenance of natural and artificial sports facilities throughout the UK were appointed this job due to their wealth of experience and expertise in the sports

construction industry and their previous success on several other projects at Yarm School.

Opening the new facilities, Kat said: “I hope it inspires the students as it does me. It makes me want to go and row right now. This is a great opportunity for people. It is now just to them to use it and make the most of it.”

The futuristic cedar clad boathouse has been constructed with a large cantilever structure which overhangs the River Tees. On the river facing side of the building the Juliette balcony provides an excellent view point for spectators to view

Using social media for business impact and results

The Federation of Sport and Play Association (FSPA) held a free full day social media seminar for its members in Kenilworth, Warwickshire.

The seminar entitled ‘Beyond the Basics: Using Social Media for Business Impact and Results’ was aimed at a mid-experience/advanced audience and was split into 4 sessions.

They covered using social media for reputation management and to develop brand awareness, for sales, pitching and strategic planning, measuring return on investment in webbased marketing and recent developments in social and digital media. The seminar was led by Helen Hammond,

a marketing and business development specialist working for organisations across the UK and the USA for Elephant Creative.

The FSPA promotes the benefits of physical activity across its 14 trade associations and approximately 500 member companies within the UK sports and play sectors. At the seminar there were members from the API, BGIA, PPA, SPE and UKGCOA.

In the coming months the FSPA will be holding additional free seminars for its members on Internet Platforms and Exporting.

FSPA Enquiry 55

rowing on the river and on the other side a larger viewing platform allows spectators to view sports on the hockey pitch. The boat house also provides a top of the range training facility, changing rooms and office.

Adjacent to the boathouse is the full-sized, floodlit, synthetic hockey pitch with the facility to accommodate 12 tennis courts in the summer months. The pitch construction required deep excavation and the use of a 10m interlinking sheet pile wall on 3 sides of the facility to achieve the specified levels. The pitch construction then consisted of several important layers; the

earthworks and formation, a posi-drain system, a reduced fines sub base, a grit layer, a macadam engineered base, a shockpad and finally the Domo Hockey Xtreme 18mm sand dressed carpet. By using the CLS Laser Grader and CLS Selfdrive plant and machinery the team were able to achieve the required tolerances for the sub base and grit layers to very accurate precision.

As part of the project the CLS Landscape and Earthworks team were also on hand to help with a significant amount of hard and soft landscaping. This involved tree removal, drainage and earthworks, the construction of resin bonded parking bays, planting and

turfing around the entrance and car park area of the school.

Due to the nature of the project with regard to planning permission and environmental constraints, a flexible and collaborative approach was essential for success. As the pitch extended onto the River Tees flood plain special consideration

had to be taken in order to overcome this planning restriction by incorporating a 480 m3 attenuation tank. The floodlighting was also fully bespoke due to the close proximity of neighbouring properties and the varying external ground levels.

Major makeover transforms play and learning at All Saints

Issue: All Saints has grown significantly over the last 20 years, with pupil numbers trebling. The pupil intake was at its peak, resulting in a lack of

Resolution: In order to accommodate for the number of children on-site, All Saints required an extensive development. The school’s governing body conducted a strategic review, identifying a need for:

• More outdoor space for pupils

• Improved play facilities and more opportunities for outdoor learning

• Health and safety measures to reduce accidents in the playground

• More sports equipment and activities for use in curriculum time, social time and after-school

Process: Sovereign worked closely with All Saints to create a plan that resolved each of the challenges in a unique way, creating a series of ‘pod-like’ areas for children to benefit from and engage in a variety of outdoor activities.

Each ‘pod’ was developed with its own bespoke theme, together with a number of play structures and learning areas tailored to different educational learning needs.

Installation: Sovereign installed a total of 10 new areas on the outskirts of the field, wrapping around the school building without impacting day-to-day field activities.

Each area has been connected with paths in rubber mulch non-slip safer surfacing. Additional entrances were also created to make it easier for children to get on and off the playing field.

“Our outside development project came from ideas from parents, children and staff. It was very different, and we needed a company to bring our unusual ideas to life. That’s why we chose Sovereign. Our project manager, Darran, took our sketches and turned them into a brilliant, multiuse, outside space, where the children can learn, socialise, develop sporting skills and even find somewhere to quietly reflect. It has transformed learning outdoors, and we love it!”

Liz Allbutt, Headteacher at All Saints’ CE(A) First School, Leek, Staffordshire

Results:

Sports Enquiry

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• The school environment has been completely transformed - All Saints’ now benefits from an enriched environment that provides endless opportunities for play and learning outdoors.

• The project has created more outside space for children to learn and be active, allowing them to play safely across 10 new areas, without taking anything away from the original space.

• Made up of an assortment of pods and play and learning facilities, the carefully selected equipment aids and supports the development of children’s social and physical skills, while also supporting educational learning and areas of the National Curriculum.

• The increase in space provides more scope for outdoor lessons, play time and after-school activities for its pupils and the community.

• The imaginative pod design allows for further expansion in the future.

CLS

Wicksteed Playgrounds makes finals of Nancy Ovens Awards 2015 New family inclusive sports area for estate

Playinnovation, in partnership with Mitie & London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham have completed the transformation of a ball court on the Bayonne Estate, Fulham.

The Family inclusive Sports Area (FISA) was officially opened by Cllr Lisa Homan & Cllr Vivienne Lukey with a whole host of fun activities taking place throughout the estate including a Street Snooker Competition as part of Playinnovation’s National initiative.

The opening event was very well attended as members of the community flocked to try out their new facility for the first time and were provided with free water and fruit throughout the day.

The new FISA boasts a low noise 15m x 30m MUGA with a synthetic sand dressed carpet, Playinnovation’s patented sports wall games, adult gym

equipment area, sharing swing and toddler play are to create a truly family and community inclusive space.

The new facility offers the residents of Bayonne a comprehensive range of activities which were not previously available to them and with an emphasis on family inclusive sport, Playinnovation are experts at converting neglected areas into positive social environments.

Wicksteed Playgrounds played a major part in the amazing transformation of a tired community recreation space in Bannerfield, Scotland which made the final selection in the Nancy Ovens Play Awards 2015.

The Philiphaugh Freedom Park, named by one of the pupils from the adjacent community school, was opened in January this year and was the culmination of many months of whole community, school and local council consultation.

inspired throughout the design process. It was an honour to work with the local school, community and Scottish Borders Council on a play space that we believe will be one of the leading play grounds in the UK.”

Playrounds then interpreted the plans for the play scheme, to bring them to life.

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“This was a great project to be involved with as there were so many different design and multi-use elements to be considered,” commented Angus Mackintosh, Area Sales Manager, Wicksteed Playgrounds.

“Wicksteed Playgrounds was chosen through a tender process and we were truly

The recognised awards, now in its 12th year came about following the death of Nancy Ovens MBE in 2002. Nancy campaigned tirelessly for over 40 years to improve play and youth work opportunities for children and young people across Scotland, the UK and internationally. The Nancy Ovens Trust was established in 2003 and aims to promote and celebrate quality children’s outdoor play provision.

Stuart Davidson Architecture was the main project designer and created the initial vision for the whole recreation space including landscaping and zoned areas. Wicksteed

Funding for the Philiphaugh play project came from a grant of £248,750 from the Big Lottery Fund’s Community Spaces programme and also from Eildon Housing Association, Thornfield Trust, Eildon Area Forum and Selkirk Common Good Fund.

The play areas have been through a lengthy and

considered design process resulting in a fusion of innovative, durable play equipment with multi-sensory textures and landscaped features to create an allinclusive play environment. It is a place that now wholeheartedly encourages imaginative play and allows those that use it to stretch and test their physical capabilities as well as providing places for ‘quiet’ time.

Wicksteed Enquiry 59

Sand and water play delights visitors at attraction

Visitors were delighted by new play experiences, including an extensive indoor sand and water play area created by Sutcliffe Play, at the opening of a tourist attraction in Cheshire following a multimillion pound redevelopment.

Sutcliffe Play designed and installed what is thought to be the largest indoor sand and water play area in Europe at The Ice Cream Farm in Tattenhall, which already

attracts more than 500,000 visitors a year to sample its award-winning Cheshire Farm Ice Cream.

The new play area, ‘Honeycomb Canyon’, set inside what used to be the Milking Parlour, is now a themed indoor play area suitable for all weathers. It attracted visitors to the opening with its flowing water, wide range of equipment and over 40 tonnes of sand.

The play area is designed to offer inclusive play for children of all ages and abilities. Along with giant tepees with climbing walls and slides, rope bridges and scramble nets, its other features include sand chutes, sieve, pulley and wheels; a water play system with pumps, troughs, rapids and a mixing table, and a watermill system.

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The possibilities of themed play

Tendring District Council approached Russell Play to fulfil a very specific brief for a new playground they were creating at Clacton Seafront.

The request was to recreate play versions of two historic icons of the area, a helter-skelter and a boat, for the children to play on in the new park.

The helter-skelter constructed for the playground was to be based on a helter-skelter originally located on Clacton pier for many years. It was a very popular local land mark which was sadly blown over in 2013 as high winds hit Essex during a severe storm. The play boat is based on a real boat named Nemo II which used to operate sea trips for holiday makers along Clacton sea front up until the 1960’s.

The client was clear from the outset what they wanted to

achieve: an attractive play area with a reference to the helterskelter and the Nemo II.

The nature of the play equipment meant that bespoke Spielart products supplied by Russell Play would be the ideal solution. This gave the customer the flexibility they wanted in the design and construction.

The impressive helter-skelter structure includes a long tube slide, a rope net climber, a climbing ramp, climbing tunnels and platforms with windows to look out from. The boat, ‘Nemo II’, complements the helter-skelter and has great possibilities for young imaginations. The themed items make for a visually striking and appealing playground.

Russell Play Enquiry 62

Play Innovation Enquiry

WellChild provides new garden for family

Volunteers from the WellChild charity recently teamed up with KGJ Insurance and various partners, including leading artificial turf manufacturer TigerTurf, to deliver a new garden for one deserving family in Wolverhampton, providing a much-needed space for them to spend time together.

Three-year-old Lilee Anne Geach suffers from a severe type of epilepsy called West Syndrome and several brain conditions, and caring for her 24 hours a day had left mother Lisa and father Richard with little time to do much else.

With the garden ill-equipped for Lilee’s needs and unable to provide the relaxing family space they desired, local volunteers from WellChild and KGJ Insurance Group got together for two days to give it a complete overhaul.

Previously laid with uneven concrete slabs and gravel which were unsuitable for use by Lilee’s mobility pushchair, KGJ contacted one of their

One of the largest bespoke robinia playground`s built in the UK this year by CPCL, now established as a major manufacturer of bespoke equipment. The design team is led by Rinske Wassenaar of CPCL in association with the Parks department of Ealing Borough Council has achieved “terrors and treasures” with this project. Including a network of ropes,

clients, a local football club, to ask if they could help. They were pointed in the direction of TigerTurf, who were only too happy to deliver a new 30m2 Vision Deluxe surface, and the brand new sensory garden was completed with a decked seating area and a swing for Lilee to play on.

Lilee’s mum, Lisa, commented: “We would love to have had a beautiful garden for Lilee to enjoy but taking care of her has always been our top priority. I saw a post on Facebook where something similar had been done for a girl who was ill and I thought I may as well try and see if we could get it done for Lilee. When she saw the garden she just looked delighted. I really can’t thank the volunteers and everyone who contributed to the project enough.”

Richard Cox, Group Director at KGJ Insurance Group, commented: “It was a wonderful project to be involved in, and the end result was everything we were

nets, ladders, and bridges at various heights offering a choice of different routes to the equipment with varying degrees of challenge. The aim is to create a sense of freedom and social interaction, while also encompassing the latest play design, including many educational features and games, within the structure. CPCL encourages the use of natural materials, creating a

aiming for; Lilee loved the new garden and you could see her reacting to it.

“The new surface had to be artificial, and we wouldn’t have been able to afford it without TigerTurf’s help. They went quite literally out of their way to deliver the turf and we’re extremely grateful to them.”

Tiger Turf Enquiry 63

Recycled play surfacing range is expanded

Playtop, the worldwide play surfacing company, has added four new colours to its very successful Playtop with Nike Grind range, where at least 70% of the content is recycled material.

The range is created using worn out sports shoes and other recycled rubber materials. This means that every square metre of the range contains the rubber from at least 22 sports shoes, making the journey straight from player to playground.

The expanded safer surfacing range includes four brand new colours introduced to meet high customer demand: Sand, Brown, Flame and Plum. These will complement the existing range of Red, Black, Blue or Green and allow

facility owners much more creative control over the look of their playground surfacing. Each of the colours, when combined with the Playtop black base layer, will have a recycled content of at least 70%. What’s more, the cost of this new range is considerably less than conventional play surfacing per square metre that employs an EPDM top layer – in some instances saving the facility owner as much as 30%.

Bill Worthington, sales manager for Playtop Ltd, says: “The new additions to this range give playground owners and operators much greater scope for creating colourful and engaging playscapes for children. In addition, the new colours mean that there can

be a greater variety in themes. “For example, the brown safer surfacing, coupled with intermittent green colouring and play equipment could create a convincing forest environment for children, whereas the sand colour opens up schools and nurseries to the possibility of creating safe and impact resistant beach or desert scenes for children to enjoy.”

Playtop is an official global partner of Nike and is the only play surfacing company in the world to offer Playtop with Nike Grind. The range is only available through the Playtop licensee network, which covers over 55 countries worldwide.

Playtop Enquiry 64

Proludic’s Urbanix crosses the Atlantic

natural extension of the park landscape, leading children to discover the treasures of the natural environment. CPCL designs and manufactures all its own equipment and ropes with the highest standards of safety in mind. It is a TUV and ISO certified company.

CPCL Enquiry 65

TheUniversity of Miami (UM) have embraced the state’s infamous ‘Muscle Beach’ and recreated their very own Urbanix outdoor gym directly on campus for all students to enjoy.

Bhumi Patel, the university’s president of the Student Government, pledged to bring an outdoor circuit to UM as part of her presidency campaign last April. She and her team collaborated with the university’s Wellness and Recreation department to

help bring the vision to life. The gym equipment of choice was Urbanix thanks to each piece of equipment covering workouts for all of the main muscle groups whilst also enabling users to undertake cardio vascular workouts.

Urbanix equipment also features patented hydraulic pistons which can be set to 8 different positions to provide resistance to workouts and also enables users to progress difficultly levels as fitness

increases. UM have created a new initiative called UMove which encourages employees and students to stay physically active by participating in a 10k a day walking programme and to use the stairs instead of the lifts. This new outdoor gym will also play an integral part within UMove and is there for all students and staff to enjoy.

Proludic Enquiry 66

Bespoke playground for Ealing Borough Council

Huxley Golf provides putting for

Chelsea Pensioners

Huxley Golf was commissioned to help create a new social and leisure area at The Royal Hospital Chelsea, home for some 300 retired British soldiers, fondly known as the Chelsea Pensioners.

As part of an ongoing commitment to ensuring the best possible service provision for residents, a new Huxley Golf outdoor allweather putting green was designed and installed.

The aim was to create a facility that would be safe and accessible for all Chelsea Pensioners to use year-round. It would not only offer an ideal opportunity for them to keep active but also to socialise, since it is made

available for use by resident pensioners and staff as well as their friends and family.

Whilst there had been a natural grass putting green onsite for some time, it was not ideally located and presented a burden of maintenance. The new large putting green, which measures 30ft (9.1 m) x 60ft (18.2m), was created using the exceptional quality Huxley Golf Premier Putting Green Turf.

The feature is complete with nine holes and a superb fringe surround featuring Huxley Golf Premier Leisure Turf. The team took the opportunity to relocate the facility from the original grass green to a more convenient location. The new putting green has been

positioned close to the care home, near to the cafeteria, so that it is easily accessible for all, yet secluded. The tournament quality playing surface provides a realistic playing experience but with none of the associated up-keep.

The putting green was partfunded by Wates. Huxley Golf

provides premier all-weather surfaces for golf around the world. Clients include training and coaching establishments, golf resorts, ranges and academies as well as many well-known golf courses.

Huxley Golf Enquiry 69

Mark Harrod brings the goals to Carfest

Mark Harrod Ltd put together their largest ever temporary installation of ball stop netting and goals, and given thousands of festival goers the chance to test their sporting skills at the recent Children in Need CarFest event.

Four football goals, four netball goals and – most impressively – two rugby goals were erected at the event, as well as over 250m of ball stop protection netting to protect spectators and prevent errant balls disappearing.

GoalFest was supported by coaches from Cheshire FA, English Netball and the RFU who were on hand to give the public tips to hone their scoring skills.

The temporary installation of the rugby posts and ball stop

posts is only made possible thanks to Mark Harrod’s new ground screw. This exclusive addition to the Mark Harrod Ltd catalogue allows the posts to be set up quickly, safely and can be left in as a permanent installation.

Carfest, now in its fifth year, is a festival that mixes top music acts with tyre squealing, highoctane motor action, plus plenty of family events, all in aid of Children in Need. It’s inspired by Radio 2 DJ and new Top Gear presenter Chris Evans.

Mark Harrod Enquiry

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LazyLawn rolls out Woodland Wheelers track

Youngsters can now ride around in all weathers at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest after the UK’s biggest artificial grass firm was enlisted to install a mud-free Woodland Wheelers track at the Nottinghamshire holiday Village.

LazyLawn has rolled out 1,000 square metres of its high quality artificial grass to create a low maintenance Woodland Wheelers track for young people that can be used whatever the weather.

Showcase Greens, LazyLawn licensee and golf course

specialists, won the contract after refurbishing Adventure Golf courses at other Center Parcs locations.

Steve Cooper, Center Parcs Group Outdoor Activity and Safety Manager, comments: “We’re really excited about this new activity as it takes what is already a very popular activity for older children and adult guests to a younger guest age group. We offer activities for all ages so there’s plenty for families to choose from whilst with us and Woodland Wheelers is a great addition to our offering.”

David Lowe, of Showcase Greens, comments: “We have established a good relationship with Center Parcs, after installing artificial golf greens for their Adventure Golf courses at Villages in the UK.

“Thanks to our extensive experience in combining turf types to create realistic looking golf courses, Center Parcs selected us for their latest project – a new Woodland Wheelers track for a younger audience.

“The track was created using a combination of turfs, including

Grass Park Junior in traditional green and our black Funky Colours grass, which was used for the track itself.

“We recommended these durable, hard wearing turfs as they benefit from a dense, low pile and are therefore ideal for high traffic areas.

“The installation took seven days to complete due to the complexities of the project, as the curves of the track were hand cut onsite before being installed. We are very pleased with the result, which will provide Center Parcs with grass

that will look vibrant and clean all year round, and will do away with the dry or muddy patches that would be created on natural grass due to the area’s high footfall.”

LazyLawn is now due to install another track at Center Parcs Longleat Forest in Wiltshire.

David adds: “Artificial turf is becoming increasingly popular with holiday companies and golf clubs, as they appreciate its no mess, low maintenance benefits. We are now installing around 35 golf greens every year and

are confident that demand will continue to grow.”

LazyLawn has a number of wellknown fans, including Amanda Holden and Alan Titchmarsh, and provided £250,000 worth of artificial turf for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The turf specialist was also the first artificial grass brand to ever appear at the Chelsea Flower Show and has also worked with Selfridges.

LazyLawn

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Heritage, culture and superb sports facilities

Smith Polymeric is in the final stages of the athletics track refurbishment at Charterhouse, one of the UK’s greatest historic independent schools.

The track at Charterhouse will be improved and upgraded ready for the autumn term. Charterhouse selected Smith Polymeric to complete the works, which include total refurbishment, specialist cleaning, minor repairs, full resurface and line marking of the existing 8-lane 400m track.

Smith Construction worked closely with Charterhouse two years ago on phase one of the their £2m sports redevelopment plan, when they designed and constructed two top quality hockey pitches with irrigation, a training area and six tennis courts with floodlighting and landscaping.

Ken Smith, Managing Director of Smith Construction said “The polymeric division has gone from strength to strength since its launch and we have invested heavily in new equipment to ensure high quality work is provided. “Charterhouse are a pleasure to work for and I am delighted they chose our polymeric division to resurface their athletics track. We hope to continue our working relationship”.

Smith Polymeric Enquiry

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Surfacing company helping to keep school playgrounds safe

In the last year, RTC Safety Surfaces Limited have completed over a quarter of Primary Spaces projects.

With 600 schools throughout England successful in receiving the Sport England grant, RTC have installed over 150 of these Primary Spaces surfaces since August 2014. This equates in excess of a whopping 28,000m² of wet pour safety surfacing

that they have successfully installed at schools throughout the entire country.

Primary Spaces is a program developed by Sport England who have invested £18 million of National Lottery funding into improving primary school’s physical education. The fund was spent on primary schools throughout England who had little or no outside space.

Kendal Nursery wins £1000 for vital improvements

A nursery school in Kendal has been selected as the winner of a National competition to receive £1,000 towards upgrading their outdoor play areas.

Kendal Nursery School and Brantfi eld Day Nursery were the lucky winners of the giveaway competition launched by the Register of Play Inspectors International (RPII).

The competition was open to all of the nursery and primary schools in the UK. All were emailed in addition to newspaper articles advertising the competition inviting schools to enter. The entrants were asked to answer three simple questions about the RPII in order to raise awareness of how important it is to get play equipment properly checked by fully registered professionals. The winner was drawn at random from these entries.

The school, based at Brantfield House, which was built in 1869 by the Somerville family who owned K Shoes. It has been operating as a school and nursery since 1958 has up to 150 children up to the age of 4 years old at any one time, providing a “home from home” learning environment.

It has extensive gardens and play areas which are used on a daily basis. The garden provides many exciting opportunities for children to continue their learning –including a sand house, tree house, boat and jetty, quarry as well as a yurt which is used as an outside classroom.

The RPII is an organisation dedicated to ensuring that playground inspectors are fully qualified to carry out the inspections required of them and recognises the different knowledge bases required for indoor, outdoor and inflatable play equipment and the level of inspection (routine, operational or annual). It manages qualification and ongoing CPD to ensure that safety standards can be maintained within the industry.

RPII Director of Marketing and RPII registered Outdoor Annual Inspector, Jon Dalton, presented the cheque to Headteacher, Veronica Broyd and then performed their first official and thorough inspection of their outdoor play facilities.

RPII Enquiry 76

The schools who applied for and won part of the grant could choose from a range of packages to enhance their sporting facilities by providing multi-sport areas.

These various design options all required rubber activity surfacing that RTC Safety Surfaces had the specialist skills to install. This activity surfacing embraced vivid designs with

floor markings to create the sport areas. RTC had to hand lay the wet pour surfacing and hand cut any shapes and graphics to transform the schools’ outdoor area.

Mark Wesson, the Sales Director at RTC Safety Surfaces said: “The Primary Spaces funding programme has been a great success not only for the schools who have received the

funding, but also to the play industry as a whole.

“Primary Spaces has allowed RTC Safety Surfaces Ltd to showcase our expertise of installing complex and technically demanding surfaces throughout the country.

The whole team here have thoroughly enjoyed seeing 100’s of school play areas transformed to help the next generation.”

RTC Safety Surfaces have been providing schools and nurseries with safety surfacing since 1993. Having laid more than 1,300,000m² of wet pour surfacing, they have installed rubber safety surfacing at more than 5000 schools across the world.

RTC Safety Surfaces Enquiry 74

Enquiry 75

The Midland Railway Hotel is the first Punch pub to be furnished with some great new play equipment courtesy of eibe Play.

So, whenever a landlord is looking to install, renovate or upgrade some products to entertain visiting families, they can grab their “Orange Book” and browse through the current offers from eibe’s extensive catalogue.

The Midland Railway was our first foray into partnering with a pub company.

Cycling revolution goes electric

Cycle-hire schemes across the country will receive hundreds of electric bikes to make cycling more accessible, Transport Minister Andrew Jones has announced.

The ‘e-bikes’, which offer battery-assisted pedalling at the flick of a switch, will make it easier for people who are keen to cycle more but who may be put off by hilly routes or not having cycled regularly.

Winners of the £700,000 fund include commuter cycle-hubs at railway stations and park & rides.

Theres is also a hilly campus university encouraging students to cycle to lectures, and a tourist hire scheme for cycle-getaways on the Isle of Wight.

Children over the moon with new play area

Children have been enjoying exhilarating, inclusive play opportunities at a park in Margate, Kent, which was developed following an extensive consultation with the public.

Sutcliffe Play was challenged with replacing the playground at Northdown Park with equipment to cater for both toddlers and older children up to 12 years of age.

Thanet District Council required the new playground to offer inclusive play and to feature a variety of items including a rocker, slide, swing and rotor, along with play equipment to encourage agility.

“We were looking for a play area that was robust but also offered very high play value,” explains Morgan Harris, Open Spaces & Play Areas Officer for Thanet District Council. “A lot of children who have disabilities use the park, so inclusive play was also very important to us.

“Thanet District Council held a consultation day for members of the public, attended by more than 200 people. There was stiff competition from other companies but Sutcliffe Play’s design offered the best layout and most exciting equipment.”

Sutcliffe Play’s design features equipment suitable for a wide

Department of Transport Enquiry 80 range of ages and abilities, including a single point swing, a 20m cableway and a trampoline. There is a wide range of inclusive equipment such as an inclusive ladybird springie, an inclusive butterfly roundabout and an inclusive oyster roundabout - a dynamic piece of equipment which has a flat platform to aid access in and out of the dish.

There is also plenty of equipment designed to encourage high-energy, invigorating play, including a Mission Target unit. Designed for older juniors, Mission offers testing physical play opportunities focusing on climbing, traversing, and descending in unique ways. Compact in design, Mission Target incorporates exhilarating, curved banister rails, a spin pole and a challenging V-net climber.

“We’ve had lots and lots of positive feedback about the new play area: we’re always hearing that children love playing there, and they especially love the trampoline!” says Morgan.

“And the interaction we’ve seen between children as they use the equipment is really excellent. We’re over the moon.”

Heavy duty calls for Wrekin Products’ CellPave HD

Wrekin Products has been appointed the sole distributor of CellPave HD to builders’ merchants.

CellPave is a heavy duty cellular paving solution designed for high load bearing applications with either grass or gravel infill.

Made from 100 per cent recycled post-industrial polymer waste, CellPave HD can also be used as a porous paving system and is fully SUDS compliant to support effective water management.

Distributed through builders’ merchants, CellPave HD is robust and resilient, designed primarily for heavy vehicle loadings and high frequency usage. The high strength plastic pavers, manufactured in the UK from recycled post-industrial materials, are easy to move and install due to the low 8kg weight of each panel.

This also makes CellPave HD ideal for on-site compound areas or storage areas, as the panels can be easily removed and stored for re-use, reducing site set up costs. Each CellPave HD paver measures 600 x 400 x 75mm, equating to 4.17 units per m2.

Wrekin Products offers a full design service, including appropriate geosynthetic reinforcement using its comprehensive range of Fastrack and Multitrack geotextiles and E’GRID geogrids. The company can also provide soil and gravel infill specifications.

Wrekin Products, manufacturers of intelligent products for civil engineering, offers one of the widest ranges of easy to fit, durable and discreet geotextile and geogrid landscaping products.

Wrekin Products Enquiry 84

Wet weather jointing for stone sett driveways

A prestige stone driveway was created using 100mm rumbled magma granite setts that were securely jointed by pointing with GftK’s slurry applied, selfcompacting and non-staining, vdw 850 jointing mortar from NCC Streetscape.

This unique material is the ‘state-of-the-art’ and market leader in stone paving jointing today and was selected for this project by natural stone specialists, PDG Groundworks because it provides extremely strong and durable joint installations, especially for driveways and roads.

The vdw 850 jointing mortar is capable of accommodating frequent and heavy vehicle traffic loads and in service also prevents weed growth or

boring insect infestations, plus it is resistant to de-icing salts, freeze thaw action and even to mechanical street sweepers. The vdw 850 jointing mortar

also has additional advantages in application, because it can be applied in cold and wet weather, it is extremely fast to apply and then it hardens rapidly, allowing the

customer to put the driveways back into service as soon as possible.

NCC Streetscape Enquiry 85

Aeration brings relief for bowling club

Mayford Hall bowling club in Surrey estimates that spanning over 60 years more than 50,000 people have walked over the club green.

This fact and the accumulation over the years of top dressings and the use of machinery had all contributed to compaction leading to severe waterlogging. The answer turned out to be Terrain Aeration deep aeration.

Heavy rain on the green had for many years resulted in as much as half the area becoming submerged under standing water as deep as four inches, and there it would remain.

The Terrain Aeration Terralift machine, able to negotiate the narrow access to the green, was put to work with the metre depth probe, injecting compressed air to break up the compaction and relieve the panning.

Terrain Aeration completed the work by early afternoon on a day that became quite a social event, with club members filling the probe holes and seeing first-hand how the treatment was carried out.

Terrain Aeration Enquiry

88

Chappelow and Campey come out on top

York Racecourse is no stranger to drainage problems but Adrian Kay, head groundsman at the course for nine years, and Alan Chappelow, director at Chappelow Sports Turf, have finally found a way to co-exist with the age-old problem which has seen numerous approaches tried to remedy the issue.

At Adrian’s request the Koro TopDrain was brought in to provide a more efficient use and movement of moisture through the indigenous soil profile into the primary drainage, as he explains.

“We want to provide a high standard of racing surface and

the consistency of the track is of paramount importance and using the TopDrain is helping us to provide that.

“Since starting with the TopDrain we have done seven hectares and you can definitely tell the difference in those areas and we’re finally starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel.”

Alan has also been impressed with the machine having used it for three seasons, and despite knowing what it can do he was also very impressed with how it’s dealt with the problem.

Enquiry

AFT installs drainage scheme on historic course

Worcestershire Golf Club has begun work on a new drainage scheme in the 96-year-old greens using an AFT 45 trencher and AFT Wizz Wheel 75, prior to installing a full irrigation system.

Steven Lloyd, who took over his current role as course manager in October last year, has addressed the issue of drainage and found a solution to the flooding which had closed five greens for four months the previous winter.

Steve knew the AFT machines were the ideal choice for the task as they had been used by a contractor on his previous course and had impressed him then. Work began at the beginning of October to coincide with the end of the golf season in order to cause minimal disruption during progress on the greens.

90

“The initial plan for this autumn is to lift the turf and dig the trenches to put 100mm drainage pipes in,” he explained. “This way we will have effective drainage in place on all our greens before the winter.

slits with it, so it covers everything that we want.”

Speedcut contractors relay four wickets

Speedcut sports turf contractors have re-laid four wickets at Hambledon cricket club in two separate projects.

Matthew Trickett, grounds consultant at Hambledon Cricket Club, along with the volunteer ground staff recognised that the wickets were becoming tired after being in place for an extended period of time and that changing them would benefit everyone at the club.

The first project was carried out after the Hampshire based cricket club secured Lottery funding to replace the 170-year-old wickets.

“The pitch had become worn because we have 120 Colts but only one ground. So there will be 116 games played on the square this year and most of those will be on grass,” said Matthew.

“We have to provide five wickets in the middle of the square just for the Southern League and we were getting issues with lower level bounce. We knew

this was because of the levels of chalk creating quite dry ground conditions in the warm weather.”

The work involved removing two of the five wickets from the square, digging them out at 150 mm before applying 20 tons of Surrey GOSTD loam. The newly laid area was then laser graded before more layers were added to the surface.

After the initial project of two wickets was completed and the club had seen first-hand the precise and high quality operation Speedcut could deliver, they decided to carry out work on a further two wickets.

The first phase is set to come to fruition next season when the new wickets will be used for the first time by the teams at Hambledon Cricket Club and Matthew is sure it will help the club progress back up the leagues.

AFT Trenchers Enquiry

91

ClearWater in Scandinavia

Building on the success of the growing number of ClearWater systems installed in the UK and abroad, Highspeed Group Ltd has appointed yet another distributor to help bring about their ClearWater system development plans in Scandinavia.

Capillary Concrete under the leadership of CEO Martin Sternberg, CGCS (pictured here) has taken on the responsibility for sales, servicing and installation of Highspeed’s much acclaimed washpad water recycling system.

Highspeed Group’s MD, David Mears said: “Capillary Concrete has an established business offering sports surface draining solutions for the golf sector and beyond. With this experience and their contacts, it made sense to select them to represent us in this important market. We are pleased to have them join us and be part of our expansion programme.”

Capillary Concrete’s appointment is a significant part

of the recent initiatives from Highspeed Group Ltd as the company expands sales further in the UK, Europe and the US with the appointment of distributors in major territories.

Speedcut Enquiry 89

Campey Turf Care Systems

“We also have the longer-term plan of installing new irrigation around the course and these machines will be a vital part of that process.

“It’s the versatility of the AFT trenchers that I like. We are using both attachments so we can do five inch wide trenches or 50mm

Sadolin Enquiry 93

New on-trend colours for 2016

For adding shape, scale and on-trend vibrancy to planting schemes, leading independent producer and supplier of young plants, Earley Ornamentals has added four new colours to its award-winning SunPatiens range – perfect for intense displays or injecting pops of colour in to challenging or low-maintenance spaces.

The new colours include the vibrant Vigorous Scarlet Red, Vigorous Pink Pearl, a contrasting Vigorous Clear White and on-trend Compact Hot Lilac, which was awarded bronze in the ‘New Plant Awards’ Annuals Category at the HTA National Plant Show 2015.

The design flexibility of the SunPatiens range is impressive. With an upright, V-shaped form,

the large framework produced by the Vigorous series creates stunning backdrops and an intense display of colour, suited to amenity beds, gardens and large patio containers.

The versatile Spreading series features a strong, mounding habit and is bred for faster coverageperfect for landscape beds, plus it makes striking hanging baskets and patio containers

The Compact series is best for smaller spaces and for mingling with other annuals, this type is excellent for patio containers, window boxes and selected colours make striking hanging baskets.

Splitting image from Wessex

There are two ways to view log splitting. You can take a splitting wedge and a sledgehammer and use the exercise to warm you up on a chilly day.

You might, however, run the risk of a 2lb metal object flying at speed through the air and hitting you on the shin or worse, injuring an innocent bystander.

At best log splitting is a time-consuming, boring task. Consider another image, one of breezing through the work with a powerful log splitter.

A tough machine that offers up to 10 ton of hydraulic splitting force. We’re talking about the Wessex CountryLine LS-100, a strong, simple solution

and a quick, easy fit to any tractor with a category1 three-point linkage. This will power through logs up to 450mm/18” in height and with a floor level splitting bed it’s easy to position them into place.

The two-handed operation makes for safer use and the speed of dealing with large volumes makes a measurable impression whether you’re using the Wessex County LS100 commercially or for farm and smallholding work.

Stewart Garden unveil new Blenheim half barrel planters

International Enquiry 95

The Blenheim range is supplemented by new colours and finishes including the addition of traditional pewter, whilst the existing black range has been improved with the added feature of copper banding to bring improved aesthetics. Both will help retailers provide customers more ways to give their gardens an elegant twist on a traditional classic.

The new Blenheim half barrels will enhance even the smallest garden. They’re easy to move around, even when full of compost and plants, making them adaptable, versatile and trouble-free. High quality plastics meanwhile, ensure they’re tough, durable and guaranteed to withstand seasonal frosts and ultra violet rays so that the planters resist fading.

Stewart Garden, the gardening division of UK manufacturer, Stewart, has unveiled additions to its popular Blenheim half barrel range at Glee 2015.

Earley Ornamentals Enquiry 94

Stewart Garden Enquiry 96

Wessex

Giving value back and protecting the environment

Xtraction is taking a fresh approach to solving a growing problem – the ethical disposal of all-weather pitches.

As well as being costly, the removal of old pitches can be significantly detrimental to the environment. Materials that could be re-used are often dumped – wasting natural resources and leading to unnecessary transportation costs and pollution.

By reclaiming and re-using materials on site, Xtraction minimises the environmental impact and returns value to customers. The company demonstrated the effectiveness of this process with spectacular

results at Mayfield School, in Redbridge, London, which needed to replace a surface that did not meet the Football Association’s guidelines.

Xtraction reclaimed and reused 156 tons of infill, resulting in savings of around £16,000 –and eliminated the need for an estimated 19 lorries to remove it.

The carpet, also a valuable commodity, was re-used in public access areas at Twickenham during the Rugby World Cup – and will now be available to other customers.

Xtraction Enquiry 100

FIH launches new Quality Programme for Hockey Turf

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has launched a Quality Programme for Hockey Turf aimed at ensuring good quality hockey fields are built for all levels of play, from elite level competition to community development, around the world.

This internationally recognised quality-assurance programme provides consistent and dependable industry standards for the performance, construction and durability of hockey turf installations worldwide and ensures the appropriate quality for the intended level of play. As a result, it will help inspire more

people to play hockey, promote player welfare and protect the investment of those funding hockey facilities.

Categories of certification include Global, National and Multi-Sport, which are awarded to Hockey Turf products and

installed fields after independent testing by FIH Accredited Test Institutes.

The programme also includes Certified Manufacturers, Certified Field Builders and Preferred Suppliers (global companies that manufacture and build hockey fields) meaning that investors in hockey fields can now specify they require a FIH Approved Hockey Product laid on a field built by a recognised specialist contractor.

SISIS helps to maintain Falkirk’s pitch

With the pitch at Falkirk FC’s stadium being used ten hours a day and seven days a week, head groundsman Joe Wallace is a busy man.

To help him with his maintenance tasks, he relies on a range of SISIS products which are specifically built to fulfil synthetic pitch requirements.

Joe, who originally started his career as a greenkeeper, needed to purchase a whole new range of products when the new synthetic pitch was installed two seasons ago. Having been impressed with using Dennis mowers when the club played their home games on grass, Joe decided that he couldn’t go wrong with SISIS products.

“I knew that SISIS products were built by the same company and I’ve used other pieces of SISIS equipment in the past on golf courses. The machines I used were always reliable and they are manufactured here in the UK which I think is important – parts are incredibly easy to come by,” he said.

The pitch at the Falkirk Stadium

is not only used for training and match days by the first team, but it is also available to the local community and is a popular venue for concerts. With the likes of Tom Jones, Elton John and Rod Stewart playing at the stadium in the last two years, Joe and his two members of staff, Bob Lochhead and Cameron Clydesdale, have to ensure that the pitch is thoroughly cleaned after such events.

To do so, they use the SISIS SSS1000 – a tractor mounted sweeper which can be pulled by any machine. There are no tools required for the adjustment of the brush or the angle of the draw bar and to make storage easy the draw bar lifts to an upright position. With an aluminium hopper with stainless steel mesh, any infill that is collected when using the machine is returned back down to the surface leaving it free from contamination of debris.

“We get a lot of debris on the pitch after concerts and because we have so many children playing on the pitch we find a lot of bottle tops and other things like that which contaminate

the pitch. We use the SSS1000 twice a week to keep the surface nice and clean and it stops the actual crumb from getting contaminated,” said Joe.

As well as the SISIS SSS1000, Joe uses the SISIS Twinplay tractor mounted implement frame, which can be fitted with several implements for the maintenance of synthetic surfaces. He attaches the SISIS

straight brush and the SISIS Zig Zag brush to even out the rubber crumb before attaching the SISIS Flexicomb.

The Flexicomb maintains infill levels at a constant depth to give a consistent playing characteristic and Joe believes it is perfect for the surface at the Falkirk Stadium.

SISIS Enquiry 101

Twin strengths for turf hybrid

Improved player experience and unrivalled player comfort are promised for the new football and rugby hybrid turf from manufacturing and contracting specialists SIS Pitches.

Fabricated from polyethylene monofilament and fibrillated fibres, the 60mm pile height hybrid grass reduces rubber infill splash while the two-tone yarn delivers excellent natural appearance.

Minimal splitting of the yarn prolongs the lifetime of the hybrid and fibre testing to 50,000 Lisport cycles offers proven performance for the turf, which has been tested to FIFA Quality Concept Performance and to IRB with a shockpad.

SIS Pitches

Synthetic playing surfaces need attention leading into the winter

Autumn brings with it a new range of challenges and tasks for maintaining a synthetic sports surface.

A proactive approach helps to ensure consistent playing characteristics, visual qualities and ultimately provides a safer facility for sport to be played.

Steven Spence, of Replay Maintenance, says three main issues that occur in autumn – leaves; worsening weather conditions; and increased shade.

“Drainage issues will become far more apparent during wetter weather, therefore a pro-active planned approach to maintenance is necessary,” he explains. “By implementing the correct procedures at the right time the pile will be more fluid and the fill more mobile, both imperative where drainage is concerned.

Keeping the rainwater free flowing will inhibit established moss/algae growth and in turn means a more open, decompacted surface.

“Maintenance is not just about what is on the surface but should also cater for what is in the surface. By far the most robust approach to synthetic pitch maintenance is to have strong synergy between ‘inhouse’ techniques and specialist ‘outsourced’ processes.”

The daily and weekly element of drag brushing and leaf blowing/ removal will greatly improve the look, feel and longevity of the surface. When choosing a supplier make sure their process encompasses de-compaction, extraction of dusts, removal of dirt & detritus and redistribution of the infill - the Replay Revive process is widely recognised as

the industry-leading standard for synthetic maintenance techniques.

“This can take place during wetter periods, but in our experience should always be carried out as a proactive measure rather than a reactionary remedy,” he added.

The Replay Rejuvenation process uses compressed air to alleviate carpet compaction and remove the contaminated infill, which is then replaced with new clean granulate (sand or rubber).

The Rejuvenation process will return the surface to an ‘as new’ condition, adding 5 or more year’s useable life at a fraction of the cost of full replacement.

Replay Maintenance Enquiry 104

Lawns with a technology twist

Wonderlawn uses a naturally occurring organic material to absorb any urine, which prevents it from forming a fetid gas.

This bacterial ammonia is trapped by an infill until it’s released by the next shower, when it simply runs into the ground leaving the infill revitalised and ready to do its job again.

With Wonderlawn it’s even easier to remove mess than it is with natural grass. The infill is natural, organic, and environmentally friendly. As an added benefit it also keeps your lawn feeling pliant to

the touch and prevents the grass from flattening.

Wonderlawn uses cutting edge technology to produce fibres that are “shaped” to prevent flattening, yet are soft and colourful enough to be similar to a real lawn. Combined with the patented organic infill it is the only hygienic artificial grass that looks and feels real, recovers after use and is 100% recyclable.

Enquiry 105

Wonderlawn

O’Brien Sports goes back to school

O’Brien Sports has joined forces with the Official Facilities Partner of England Hockey, Notts Sports, to install a new 3G synthetic turf football pitch for Christ’s College Finchley.

The project will see O’Brien perform earthworks remodelling, consisting of cut and fill of the site to form a plateau level for the proposed new pitch.

The works also include the installation of a sub base, dynamic layer, prefabricated shockpad, high performance NottsGrass 50 synthetic pitch, drainage, kerbs, fencing and floodlighting.

O’Brien Sports Enquiry 108

TigerTurf launches elite new surface for stadiums

TigerTurf UK, has enhanced its portfolio of advanced sports surfaces with a new elite-level 3G playing surface designed specifically for use in stadiums and arenas.

An SCH grand slam

SCH (Supplies) Ltd recently delivered a hard surface maintenance package to Harpenden Tennis club in Hertfordshire.

Comprising a system tractor with two different brushes, the package is sure to be a very useful addition to the club during the busy summer months. SCH say that this is a flexible system and additional attachments can be added at a later date.

The scarifying brush gives a light sweep for general, everyday maintenance, whilst the ride on grooming rake has two brushes, each with an adjustable ‘slider’ which

can fine tune the aggression of the sweep. This brush can therefore be put to work when a more substantial groom is required.

A whole variety of sports surface maintenance machines are available from SCH, who manufacture products for natural turf sports surfaces as well as 3G and hard surface maintenance.

Premium TenCate XQ yarns and a resilient, high density structure ensure Stadium Turf will

maintain its high performance characteristics over time, making it ideal for stadium use.

With an optimum pile height of 50mm, the new turf has also been tested to FIFA 1 & 2 star standards, guaranteeing top quality play at an international level. Additionally, players can

Pangbourne sees the benefit of Verti-Top

Pangbourne College is a coeducational independent day and boarding school located in the parish of Pangbourne, Berkshire.

SCH Supplies Enquiry 110

To help maintain their artificial pitch, Estates Manager Ian Osbon took delivery in March this year of a Redexim Verti-Top from Charterhouse Turf Machinery.

The AstroTurf surface is used all year round - predominately for Hockey during the autumn/ winter season and reverting to tennis from Easter onwards for the duration of the summer.

The location of the surface, a low spot surrounded by trees, means an in-house maintenance regime is vital to keep the surface playable.

In addition to the leaf blower, brush and comb, Ian had to invest in some machinery to maintain the playing standards

achieved by the external clean. “The Verti-Top 1200 really appealed to us as it was a simple piece of kit which I could attach to the back of the tractor,” said Ian.

“It takes our maintenance to the next level and made a real difference when we used it a few times during the summer to extract the infill and remove all the contaminates. Although we can’t use it when the sand is really wet, we can still get out if it’s frosty by setting the brush higher to effectively sweep out the leaves, twigs.”

rely on its safety and consistency thanks to a robust structure and a part-rubber, part-sand infill.

Paul Langford, Managing Director at TigerTurf UK, commented: “We’re are delighted to be enhancing our product range with yet another FIFA-accredited surface.

“The technical insight within Stadium Turf comes in no small part from the hard work of our research and development team, and demonstrates TigerTurf’s overall commitment to creating application-specific surfaces.”

TigerTurf UK Enquiry 109

Charterhouse Turf Machinery Enquiry 111

Powdered rubber crumb targeted by Terra Clean 160

Wiedenmann’s Terra Clean 160 is uniquely placed - it is a sweeper, cleaner and collector embracing revolutionary technology used in military conditions.

It has a cyclone filter system which draws and removes dust cleverly inspired by the engineering solutions pioneered by trucks operating in sandy deserts.

Moreover this unique and eco-friendly addition to Wiedenmann’s artificial maintenance fleet combines both a sieved separation system with a dust cyclone extraction system to filter and remove miniscule deposits.

Needing just a 18hp tractor, the Terra Clean 160’s exceptional deep cleaning capability targets powdered rubber crumb. These tiny, fine particles can cause havoc to a pitch because they seal the playing surface and compact the yarn. Once this happens ball roll and play-abilty is compromised so regular deep cleaning is vital.

As a sweeper/collector the Terra Clean 160 lifts litter and debris from the surface at the same time as returning infill back to the playing surface.

A counter-rotating brush on the floor sweeps debris, dust and rubber infill, aided by a blower, up into the machine. The waste

travels into a two-stage sieve with the dusty air confined to a storage chamber. A progressive sieving system aids better separation of the returnable infill from the debris. Rubber crumb granules fall back to the ground while other waste, such as litter and leaves, is collected in two 50 litre baskets.

Appealing to those caring for surfaces which meet the higher levels for their sport’s governing body such as FIFA, IRB and FIH, the Terra Clean 160 is a multi-tasking machine for this environmentally-conscious age.

Wiedenmann Enquiry

114

GKB’s Aerator helps to attain industry standards

Maintenance is key to maximising the durability, safety and longevity of a synthetic playing surface.

Atlas designed for artificial surfaces

Regular brushing and dragmatting is effective at standing fibres up and keeping the top of the surface clean but to achieve the best surface possible, and attain industry standards, additional maintenance is required.

The GKB Aerator, available exclusively in the UK from The Grass Group, is designed to decompact and aerate artificial turf where sand and/or rubber infill is used.

Available in 3 working widths, 1.0m, 1.5m and 2.0m, all models are equipped with 4 geared spike rollers which penetrate the compacted material and lever unwanted debris to the surface.

The depth at which the spikes penetrate can be adjusted by position of ballast weights, supplied by and setting the angle of the front and rear spike roller.

The hinged design of the unit also ensures optimum manoeuvrability, making it user friendly and efficient during turns.

Its ability to combat compaction regenerates the surfaces’ technical characteristics and can improve playing qualities

including bounce and cushioning. The better drainage that comes with a free-flowing surface also reduces instances of algae and moss growth.

The GKB Aerator is most effective when combined with brushing and a regular deep clean with a deep vacuum or brush filtered machine.

EverEdge now manufactures an edging designed specifically for use with artificial grass installations.

Atlas is made from galvanised steel which makes it very strong, but from a gauge thin enough to ensure that it can be formed easily around curves and corners.

The difference between Atlas and normal Classic EverEdge

is that is has a shelf on the back which the grass carpet rests on and, where required, can be used to glue the carpet on to.

Atlas is a product that will last as long, or probably longer than the carpet ensuring that no further maintenance will be required over the lifespan of the lawn.

EverEdge Enquiry 116

New hockey pitches come to life

S&C Slatter has recently completed construction of two new artificial turf hockey pitches for Holcombe Hockey Club.

The last three years has seen the club move from the second tier of English hockey to become a serious challenger for Premiership honours – and its ambitions do not stop there.

The club chose to appoint Sports Construction Specialists, S&C Slatter, to liaise with pitch consultants Notts Sport, and provide the necessary expertise and resources to deliver this vital phase of the club’s continuing development plan.

Having removed the existing artificial grass, S&C Slatter re-engineered the sub-bases to new specifications, introducing a macadam layer and an in-situ bound rubber shock pad, in preparation for installation of the new artificial turf systems.

Both pitches feature a Green colour playing area with the surrounds in Terracotta –ensuring that they look as good as they play.

S&C Slatter Enquiry 117

The Grass Group Enquiry 115

Be a winner this wintertop maintenance tips from Toro

Every year the weather forecasters seemingly predict the ‘coldest winter yet’. Whether it’s the coldest or not, you can never be over prepared for what the good old British weather will throw at us. And the advice from Toro is to not leave it too late to address winter servicing and maintenance.

Terry Redwood, workshop manager at Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club, agrees. “It’s good to be organised when it comes to maintenance. We keep a constant eye on things and clean the machines daily but when it comes to winter maintenance it’s time for a thorough steam clean and full service.

“Grass gets everywhere and if left will cause rust so it is really important to get it all off when there are longer periods between use,” he says. “Some workshops won’t do a full steam clean in the belief that it takes some of the goodness out of the grease points, but we find the positives outweigh the negatives.”

Such a thorough clean gives Terry, who has been at Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club for 30 years, absolute visibility to any potential problems and makes way to the machines’ “MOT”.

“When everything is spotless we can make a thorough inspection on the engine and hydraulics, tyres, filters and brakes,” he says. “We look for any oil leaks and assess if there’s anywhere needing a paint touch-up to prevent rusting. Doing this year in, year out and keeping on top of general maintenance ensures the machines are in the best possible condition. It can be expensive to make repairs and the age-old saying rings true that prevention

is better than cure, especially when you’re trying to make sure maintenance costs stay within budget!”

A full post-clean grease-up for all the joints and moving points puts, says Terry, the “goodness back in” and an all-over blast of maintenance lubricant “acts like a film and brings the machinery up really nicely”, to help prevent any issues when the machines are being pushed hardest during difficult weather conditions.

Hard ground conditions can also mean replacement parts are more regularly needed.

Enquiry 119

Dennis ticks all the boxes for Leicester City

After Leicester City was promoted to the FA Premier League last season, head groundsman John Ledwidge and his team were treated to an influx of grounds machinery.

As a result, John had only one company in mind and purchased seven Dennis G860 cylinder mowers.

Promotion ensured that John received seven Dennis G860 professional mowers. Four G860’s are based at the club’s training ground to maintain the first team pitches while the remaining three G860’s at the King Power are relied upon to prepare the pitch for matchday.

“At the stadium we’ve got three G860’s that are mainly used for day-to-day cutting, mixed in with rotary cutting as well,” he said. “They certainly give us the polish and finish for match day preparations which begin on a Wednesday. Because they are lightweight, this also helps us if the weather does turn a bit inclement in the sense that we don’t have too much weight on the pitch which is very important to me.

“Presentation is key in the Premier League, especially with an estimated 5 million people watching Match of the Day every Saturday night. Groundsmen are increasingly coming under pressure for presentation because that is

what we are ultimately judged on. We get a really good stripe out of the G860 which is great for the TV cameras, but again it is important for me not to have the weight on the pitch and the G860 simply ticks all of our boxes.”

The Dennis G860 has eleven quick changeover cassette options giving ultimate flexibility and a single power unit for many day-to-day maintenance tasks. It also 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.

Dennis Enquiry

120

Etesia’s robot is the extra man

The new head groundsman at Forest Green Rovers FC, Matt Rainey, has praised Etesia’s ETMower claiming that it is like having an extra member of staff. Forest Green Rovers FC, based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, is striving to become the most sustainable football club in the world.

Keeping CO 2 emissions at an absolute minimum is extremely important and this is where Etesia’s ETMower comes in.

It considerably reduces the cost of pitch maintenance, not only in terms of labour and maintenance costs, but also by cutting energy bills.

There are three models in the range - the ETm44 for work up to 5,000m², ETm65 for work up to 9,000m² and the ETm105 for work up to 20,000m².

Etesia Enquiry 122

Toro

Yorkshire engineers launch new attachment drive

With over 30 years’ experience in British design and manufacturing of hard and soft landscaping equipment Cardley-Bingham will be exhibiting at SALTEX stand J185 alongside some new and well established attachments.

The event will be coinciding with the launch of Cardley-Bingham’s innovative and versatile Vibro Driver attachment which enables operators of mini diggers, excavators or skid steers to pick-up, position and pile drive posts and sheet metal of vary sizes as well as extract them and can even be used to compact.

The attachment is unique because of its multifunctional ability to be used for several piling applications. The modular design enables users to determine which features would be of benefit to their operations whilst providing them with the ability to add further value at a later date when required to protect their investment and guarantee a healthy return.

In addition, a range of different piling objects, including round and square posts as well as sheet metal and piling rods can all be driven by the same attachment by applying different modular base fittings.

A modular hydraulic clamp also enables operatives to pick-up and position the post, pile or rod into the desired area without any manual handling or guidance to increase safety as well as piling precision.

In the months before SALTEX Cardley-Bingham announced a customer competition to officially re-brand the developed design of the Vibro Driver

attachment which is due to be announced at the event.

Alongside the Vibro Post Driver will be other more traditional horticultural and arboriculture attachments including a range of durable excavator, mini digger and skid steer mounted stump grinders.

Every attachment is designed and built to last in Britain with a view to maximise practical utilisation whilst a personal Yorkshire approach is taken to customer service with every product optimised to the customer’s tool carrier.

A key supply to OEMs and end-users, Cardley-Bingham are expecting to expand their family of dealers in the UK and internationally at the show so would urge anyone with an interest to visit them at stand J185.

In the meantime you can call the Cardley-Bingham boys on (+44) 01977 620517 or enquire about any products by visiting www.cardley-bingham.com

Cardley Bingham Enquiry 125

A-Plant places £3m Kubota order

In order to meet increasing demand for plant equipment, A-Plant has placed its largest ever single order with Kubota UK for almost 100 Excavators valued at over £3 million.

The vast majority of the new Kubota Excavators have already been delivered throughout the A-Plant Service Centre network to fulfil demand from customers.

The Kubota order comprises 0.8 tonne Micro Excavators, 1.5 tonne Mini Excavators and Tracked Excavators ranging from 2.5 tonne up to 8.0 tonne. Included in the order are a number of new machines to the A-Plant fleet, including the 8.0 tonne KX080-4 machine which is powered by a new Stage IIIB/ Tier 4 compliant direct injection diesel engine and comprises a host of safety features. It is classed as a Roll Over Protection Structure and a Falling Object Protection Structure.

Other new machines to the A-Plant fleet include the 6.0 tonne U55-4 Light Tail Swing Compact Excavator and the 3.0 tonne U27-4 Zero Tail Swing Compact Excavator, the latter of which is a towable machine. A total of 40 of Kubota’s new 1.5 tonne KX016-4 Mini Excavators have

also been purchased. With a wider working range that rivals larger Excavators, the KX016-4 allows enhanced accessibility to road sites and residential areas, making it ideal for utilities contracts.

All of the new Kubota machines come fully equipped with the

Kubota anti-theft system. The one-key system incorporates a high-tech chip which only starts the engine when the system recognises the appropriate key.

Kubota Enquiry 124

Neat finish secures Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi6 purchase

Must have priority for Windlesham GC Course Manager, Alastair Higgs when he searched for a new deep tine aerator for the Surrey course was a machine that could readily follow ground contours.

With more than its fair share of tiered greens and his requirement for the highest quality finish, dealers T H White of Reading recommended both the Wiedenmann Terra Spike GXi6 and the GXi8 HD at 1.4 m and 1.8 m wide respectively.

T H White’s Phil Beeny, grasscare sales specialist, said: “Unlike other machines on the market, the GXi has dual-belt drive with a balanced crankshaft, a sprungloaded headstock – the VibraStop – and PowerPacks as part of the anti-shock anti-vibration system built into the machine. This adds to the longevity of the aerator, protects the tractor and, crucially, the operator. It was absolutely the right choice for Windlesham.”

Wiedenmann Enquiry 128

EGO announce promotions to help power through Autumn

To help with autumn tidy-up, EGO Power+ has announced new promotions with big savings on its 56v lithium-ion powered chainsaw and blower.

Previously only available to buy as separate items, complete kits of body, battery and charger are now on offer at a greatly reduced rate.

The promotion includes the EGO Power+ chainsaw, which now comes complete with a 2.0Ah battery and charger.

Fitted with a 350mm (14”) Oregon bar, the EGO Power+ chainsaw will make up to 100 cuts of four inch by four inch

softwood. The highly efficient brushless motor system gives a smooth cut and the precision weight balance enables the chainsaw to be light and easy to manoeuvre.

The EGO Power+ blower package, including a 4.0Ah battery and charger, uses jet engine turbine fan technology, with just one thirty minute charge.

Powered by the industry’s first 56V lithium-ion battery, the whole range promises power beyond belief, without the noise, fuss or fumes of petrol equivalents. The EGO Power+ is available nationally through Henton and Chattell’s specialist independent garden

Reform announces new Metracs G7RX and H7RX

Focussing on ease of maintenance, performance and serviceability the Metrac G and H7 RX with mechanical or hydrostatic drive are the new spearhead of the Reform mid-range.

The controls improve operator comfort and ergonomics, while the optional LED roof lighting ensures better visibility at night and in poor weather conditions.

The innovative ergonomic cab interior includes air conditioning, height and tilt-adjustable steering column, generous storage space and on board computer. With the G7 and H7 RX the operative can control central functions, such as front and rear PTO, easily and accurately with one hand and all controls are grouped according to function.

Hydraulic vibration damping on front and rear linkages means more comfort and safer working. The 70hp 4-cylinder turbo diesel emission stage 3B engine delivers pulling power, smooth running, and a long service life and the 250 Nm torque at 1,000 rpm means power to spare in any situation. The

Metrac G7 RX is available with up to 12 forward and 12 reverse gears while the H7 RX comes with a 4 speed Hydro, 2 speed mechanical and 2 speeds electronic with Reform’s renowned Automatic/ Manual mode.

The G7and H7 RX models have by far the largest lift capacities in their class. Both the front and rear linkages lift an unbeatable 1500kg with a maximum gross vehicle weight of 3800kg allowing safe and efficient work with numerous attachments.

The tried and tested Reform Metrac features including final drives in the axles, front, rear, crab, and 4-wheel steering, compact dimensions and safe operation at up to 45 degree angles are all features of the new G7 and H7 RX model, making it the ideal 365 days a year power unit for the professional and amenity user, for a wide range of tasks, including grounds maintenance, road cleaning or winter maintenance work.

Simon Richard Enquiry 130

Wessex makes it two for one

The Wessex ProLine FRX-150 is designed to hitch up to most leading out front power units with Power Take Off. The FRX-150 has rapidly found favour with councils and contractors, offering the benefits of having a neat and compact all-round mower which is effectively two mowers in one.

Cutting verges calls for excellent visibility and manoeuvrability in confined areas with the ability to work around road signs, trees and other obstacles. It also demands a mower that will cut long grass quickly and effectively.

Wessex International Enquiry 132

Electric performance with style from Polaris

The first thing you notice when you drive a Polaris Ranger EV, the world’s first true electric 4 x 4 utility vehicle, is the silence.

The Ranger EV is not wanting for space, there’s masses of it with the rear, tipping Dump Box and Lock and Ride facility to carry tools and equipment safely and securely.

Suspension travel has been increased and the on-demand True All-Wheel Drive keeps you moving, automatically engaging all four wheels when you need more traction, reverting back to two-wheel drive when you don’t. In 2WD the VersaTrac Turf Mode switch unlocks the rear differential for easier, tighter turns that wont’ tear up the

grass. Handling is nimble with a tight turning circle for great manoeuvrability.

A zero emissions vehicle that never needs any fuel and requires very little maintenance, the Ranger EV has a 30 hp electric motor from the 48 volt high efficiency AC-induction motor, for a top speed of 25 mph and towing capacity of 567 kg.

It’s the ideal vehicle for working in noise-sensitive areas, tending parks, around animals, inside barns, horticultural growing areas, amenity areas, golf courses and estates.

Polaris Enquiry 134

Ransomes Jacobsen mentor local school

Ransomes Jacobsen is providing mentors from its 300 employees to help Year 10 students from Debenham High School in their latest Young Enterprise Business Scheme initiative. The students have registered a limited company and sold shares in the business raising over £400 to provide the capital for their business venture. The have designed and

manufactured a product – Memo It, a multi-purpose acrylic memo pad that can be used around the home. Ransomes staff from Finance, Human Resources, Procurement, Marketing and Sales introduced themselves will now assist the students.

Ransomes Jacobsen Enquiry 135

Limited edition digger as

JCB turns 70

JCB IS marking its 70th anniversary by giving employees around the world an extra day’s holiday – and by launching a limited edition version of its most famous machine.

On October 23rd, 1945, the late Joseph Cyril Bamford CBE founded the company in a tiny garage in Uttoxeter,

Staffordshire, making trailers from wartime scrap.

Today the company has 22 factories, 11 in the UK and others in India, the USA, Brazil and China employing more than 12,000 people – all of whom were today enjoying the additional day off. The special milestone is also being marked

with the production of a limited edition version of the iconic 3CX backhoe loader which fuelled the company’s success. A total of 70 of the special machines will be made in striking livery last seen nearly 40 years ago on the JCB 3CIII model.

JCB Enquiry 138

Pay-and-play partnership pays off

Godfreys Golf & Turf and Mytime Active continue their partnership with the supply of over £300,000 of John Deere golf course maintenance equipment.

Mytime Active is the largest payand-play golf course operator in the UK. As a social enterprise with charitable objectives, Mytime Active aims to encourage the take-up of golf, making it fun and accessible to all.

The equipment provided includes John Deere fairway mowers, greens mowers and tees and surrounds mowers and a quantity of John Deere Gator utility vehicles. Mytime Active also acquired four Trimax Snake trailed rotary mowers as part of the deal.

Godfreys Golf & Turf Enquiry 139

Countax on the lawns at Le Manoir

Oxfordshire’s Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons is one of Britain’s finest hotels and restaurants, created by celebrated chef Raymond Blanc OBE.

Anne Marie Owens, Head Gardener, has worked with Raymond for over 30 years and with regular weddings and events, afternoon teas and garden tours require the lawns to be kept immaculate her choice of garden tractor for maintaining them is the British manufactured Countax.

Having had one for eight years she knew, when she came to celebrate her 30th anniversary with an upgrade, she would again choose a Countax.

The Countax has the ability to cut and collect, even in the wet, with

contra-rotating blades throwing the grass clippings to the rear of the cutting deck, where spinning brushes sweep them into the collector. A versatile machine, the Countax also drives accessories such as

Landscape Amenity

All weather jointing mortar for stone circle driveway

A fabulous feature driveway was designed with concentric circles of Black Limestone and Raj Green Sandstone setts surrounded by Indian Sandstone slabs.

The paving was designed to be durable and attractive for many years and to accommodate regular large 4x4’s and other traffic, including visiting delivery vehicles up to 20 Tonnes.

Therefore the designer and paving contractor selected GftK’s vdw 800 paving joint mortar for all of the pointing works. This unique epoxy resin bound sand based paving joint mortar from NCC Streetscape is applied on to pre-dampened surfaces and rinsed with additional water; therefore it is not necessary to wait for areas to dry out after wet and rainy weather.

It is easily slurry applied using a squeegee and self-compacts into

the joints, and then the surface is simply rinsed brushed off – job done.

Also by using GftK’s vdw 800 the jointing work could be completed quickly and enable

access to the property for other finishing trades, without delays due to the cold, wet and damp weather that was forecast.

Turning up the heat with Round Wood

Round Wood of Mayfield has introduced a new collection of eco-friendly Thermo-Treated timber products by Thermory including decking, cladding and flooring.

NCC

Streetscape Enquiry 158

The shift in demand towards environmentally friendly and sustainable timber products has seen a number of innovations introduced to the market over recent years.

The Thermory collection includes decking, cladding and

flooring, all of which has been thermo-treated. This chemical free process is used to transform ash and spruce from responsibly managed forests in North America and Europe into timber with a durability that rivals that of tropical hardwoods.

Thermo-treatment takes place in computer controlled kilns. Finished timber profiles are heated and steamed at temperatures of up to 215°C in order to reduce moisture content, remove resins and bake out the

natural sugars that can cause decay.

The end result is an extremely durable timber with outstanding dimensional stability, suitable for a variety of external and internal uses. Thermo-treatment also infuses the timber with a deep, luxurious colour throughout, particularly suited to contemporary projects.

159

Round Wood of Mayfield Enquiry