Landscape & Amenity Product Update November 2018

Heritage Lottery Fund and National Trust join forces to save our precious parks

The National Lottery funding body, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), and the National Trust have joined forces to find and back ambitious and sustainable solutions to protect and enhance public parks and green spaces.

The Future Parks Accelerator (FPA) is a UK-wide £10m strategic initiative to enable up to eight local authorities and communities to develop and implement bold and innovative funding and management solutions for all their green spaces across their place, against a challenging backdrop of financial uncertainty. The FPA will support places to grow the contribution parks make to civic life whilst becoming financially sustainable. It will involve discovering how parks and green spaces could be better used, managed and funded to serve community needs and aspirations now and over the next generation.

capacity to lead for ambitious change both in their place and to benefit the rest of the UK. It will encourage new partnerships whilst supporting the role of local authorities as vital owners, funders and co-managers of green spaces. It will promote an holistic approach, ensuring that all parks and green spaces in an area are protected and enhanced to deliver quality and fair access to green spaces for free for everyone.

The initiative will run over two years and combine £5m in HLF grant funding with £5m in value of National Trust expertise. It opens for expressions of interest today, with a deadline of midday Monday 19 November. A number of places will then be invited to submit a full application later this year with decisions on which places will receive support made in February 2019.

Ros Kerslake, HLF CEO, said: “Our ambition is simple - we want to grow and secure the future of our public parks so generations in times to come will have access to the wide range of benefits they provide.

“There are big challenges facing parks but equally big opportunities. This strategic initiative will help everyone invested in parks to take action and find new ways to ensure they are safeguarded so they are able to fulfil their potential to deliver health and wellbeing. These insights stem from over £950m of National Lottery investment in 900 park projects over 20 years and our recent combined investment of over £3m in parks innovation.”

to find long-term solutions which will not only safeguard their public green spaces, but allow them to thrive.

“There’s no one size fits all approach and different places will have different opportunities and challenges.

With grant funding and support from a team of experts, the places chosen to be FPA pioneers will work as a cohort to catalyse and share innovation, learn rapidly together and build their Local authorities, town councils and parish council landowners are featured in a UK-wide, World War I commemoration programme during this anniversary year.

“Those founding principles remain as relevant today as public parks and green spaces are again under significant pressure, this time from budget cuts,” she added. “That’s why we are committed to offering our expertise and experience to help councils and communities

Local authorities featured in World War I centenary commemoration

Landowners are honouring the memories of those soldiers who fought and died in conflict by designating parks and green spaces as Centenary Fields, part of the UK-wide commemoration programme led by Fields in

Trust. This designation ensures that land will remain available as a recreational space for the community in perpetuity. Over 100 councils have participated in the Centenary Fields programme to date. Protected sites are also featured in the Centenary Fields Legacy Programme online story map, to remember those who served and lost their lives during the conflict and to say “Thank You” to the World War I Generation. Fields in Trust are revealing the story of one Centenary Field each day at 11am.

The Centenary Fields Legacy Programme which will run until the anniversary of Armistice Day on 11th November is in delivered in partnership with the Royal

Unrivalled performance

HLF British Legion’s “Thank You” project highlighting the nation’s gratitude to the generation who served in WWI.

Protecting parks and green spaces in perpetuity is an innovative way to honour the memory of the World War I servicemen and also those, military and civilian, who played their part on the homefront to build a better life for the benefit of generations to come.

To commemorate the centenary, Rigby Taylor has introduced a range of Euroflor Commemorate wildflower mixes (pictured), with each of the six new mixes having special meaning.

Fields in Trust

“We look forward to working with ambitious local authorities to find a way to look after these wonderful places that bring millions of people together to enjoy nature, the outdoors and a sense of freedom.”

BALI partners with Capel Manor to launch landscape diploma

BALI, through its nationwide GoLandscape initiative, has supported BALI Training Provider member Capel Manor College in developing and launching a brand-new Advanced Diploma in Landscape Construction (Level 3).

Endorsed by employers within the industry, a crucial element of this new Diploma, the course offers a unique opportunity to develop both technical and business skills.

Capel Manor College developed the course based on the recent GoLandscape skills survey

that was circulated to all BALI members earlier this year.

Modules include; living walls, water management/SUDS, surveying and construction drawings, business practice and project management, paving, timber and brickwork, water features, use of plants in landscaping and a show garden build. A block of work experience, which forms part of the course, is also integrated within the course and supported by BALI members.

BALI

Hilary McGrady, DirectorGeneral of National Trust, said the organisation’s 19th century foundations were based on the need to protect urban green space from development for everyone in the local community to enjoy.

Welcome to Autumn and if you are at SALTEX 2018 reading this, then welcome to Birmingham. After a Spring and Summer of extreme weather, autumn has proved somewhat gentle in comparison but there is no doubt that 2018 will be characterised by challenging climatic conditions.

From the heavy snow falls and sub-zero temperatures at the start of the year, through to a wet and windy Spring and then a recordbreaking summer heatwave, the industry as a whole has needed to showcase its collective skills in managing our parks, greenspaces, infrastructure and sports surfaces. And the industry has risen to the challenge in its typical world-class style.

So much so that we reach the annual SALTEX exhibition in relatively high spirits – albeit with the continuing bugbears of underfunding, uncertainty about long-term investment, the lack of clarity on Brexit and its likely impact on us all, as well as the usual challenges the industry faces on a daily basis. Yet SALTEX will once again prove a useful barometer of where the industry currently lies and if the multitude of new product launches, the sold out seminar programme and the IOG’s awards night are any indication, then most of the signals remain positive ones.

This month we have our Professional Groundscare supplement, which includes specialist advice on preparing for winter, along with special product spotlights on fertilisers, line-making and handheld tools. There is a strong urban focus in the magazine as well, with a feature on aggregates and hard landscaping,

More than 65,000 votes cast as the nation picks the best of British

Green Flag Award has announced the winners of the 2018 People’s Choice vote for the UK.

With more than 1,800 sites to choose from – all of which meet the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award, the international quality mark for parks and green spaces – the public have chosen their top ten favourites.

The ten winners of the 2018 People’s Choice Award are:

• Cassiobury Park, Watford Borough Council Clifton Park, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

• Elsecar Park and Local Reservoir Nature Reserve, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

• Saltwell Park, Gateshead Council

• Strathaven Park, South

Lanarkshire Council

• Telford Town Park, Telford and Wrekin Council

• University of Essex Wivenhoe Park, University of Essex

• Victoria Park (Tower Hamlets), London Borough of Tower Hamlets

• Victoria Park (Widnes), Halton Borough Council

• Warley Woods (Sandwell), Warley Woods Community Trust

• Included in this year’s list of winners are a university campus, a town park, a woodland and a nature reserve.

Paul Todd, Green Flag Award manager, said: “We know that parks matter to people and that those tasked with looking after them have faced and are facing some significant challenges with shrinking resources.

Merchants deliver summer landscaping surge

Builders’ merchants have reported an increase in August sales of 3.5% compared to August 2017 on a same day basis.

Timber & Joinery and Landscaping led with 9.5% and 6.9% growth respectively.

Total merchant sales in the three months were up 5.9% on last year on a same day basis. With Timber & Joinery and Landscaping also seeing an increase in three-month on three-month (June – August) performance from last year, with Timber & Joinery up by 10.1% and Landscaping up 10%. Total sales so far this calendar year January – August 2018 have grown on a same day basis by 3.9% All the data is contained in the Builders Merchants Building Index which tracks builders’ merchants’ actual sales using GfK data supplied by the UK’s leading merchants. Builders merchants supply materials to the construction industry and directly to consumers for interior and exterior building and home refurbishments projects.

John Newcomb, Chief Executive of the BMF, said: “These

figures show that builders merchants are able to supply a variety of materials to different customers at different times of the year. Summer often results in an increased demand for landscaping products, and it is clear that the building materials supply chain is robust and flexible to changes in product demand.

British builders merchants can be depended on to deliver.

“We are optimistic for the year ahead, and welcome the recent ONS statistics showing growth in construction output. But challenges posed by Brexit and the continued decline in private commercial work remain. Our members are ready to work with local authorities, developers and consumers to get the right materials in the right place, continuing their robust growth.”

The BMF is the only trade association that represents and protects the interests of builders’ merchants and suppliers to the building materials industry in the UK and Ireland.

BMF

Save the date for Perennial’s 180th Anniversary Party

Celebrating the 180th anniversary of the charity dedicated to helping horticulturists, Perennial will hold its annual Party for Perennial on Tuesday 29 January 2019 and tickets are now available.

The anniversary party will be held in the wonderful surroundings of La Goccia restaurant at Petersham Nurseries in Covent Garden, London.

The party will kick-start Perennial’s 180th anniversary fundraising. Tickets, costing £28, include a glass of fizz on arrival, as well as delicious Italian light bites and there will be a raffle with fabulous prizes to be won. The event is a popular fixture of the calendar for the horticulture trade, providing a great opportunity for catching up with friends and networking while raising money for Perennial.

Perennial

“The number of people that took the time to vote for their favourite park is testament to how much they are valued and we would like to congratulate all the winners.”

Rishi Sunak MP, Parks and Green Spaces Minister, said: “Millions of people of all ages escape to our parks and green spaces every year to spend time with their loved ones, learn about nature and play sport. It’s inspiring to see people from all over the country get behind their favourite parks for this year’s Green Flag People’s Choice Awards. Rightfully so, these awards recognise the hard work and dedication of those individuals who are behind Britain’s best parks and green spaces. Thank you, and congratulations to you all.”

Green Flag Award

Students discover it is best to Be Safe with Makita UK

Several hundred students attending Merrist Wood College, a multi-award winning, 400 acre estate and ‘outdoor classroom’ in Guildford, Surrey, are benefiting from Makita UK’s invaluable Be Safe training modules.

The College specialises in a variety of subjects from animal welfare and arboriculture, to landscaping, garden design, equine management, sport, Public Services and horticulture.

For students on the land-based courses Makita UK, Britain’s number one professional power tool manufacturer, has started to deliver a series of Be Safe modules in grounds maintenance, landscaping and horticulture.

These informative 1.5 hour Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE) Correct and Safe Use modules, which carry the LANTRA Awards Approved Training Provider badge of recognition, provide a grounding in machine selection using the right tool for the job, safe use and correct control of Makita machines used for grounds care, horticulture production and amenity horticulture.

“It is important to give these students an easy-to-understand course in basic machinery safety and selection,” says Kevin Brannigan, marketing manager, Makita UK. “The students will receive some practical training during their courses but it is

vital that they appreciate the risks and processes related to powerful equipment such as hedge trimmers, brush cutters, line trimmers and many more pieces of equipment in our Outdoor Be Safe seminars which brings a fresh approach to this important training.”

The first Outdoor Be Safe modules have been delivered and several more are scheduled in the months ahead. From January 2019 and onwards the October 2018 apprenticeship intake will also benefit in the course. This training is completely free of charge and certificates of training are awarded by Makita for all participating students.

John Deere turf dealership changes

John Deere dealer Winchester Garden Machinery Ltd has decided to relinquish its professional golf & turf business at the end of October 2018, while retaining Deere’s full homeowner equipment franchise.

Neighbouring dealers Farol Ltd and Hunt Forest Group will share WGM’s existing professional sales area of responsibility, with Farol’s Midhurst outlet covering West Sussex and Surrey and Hunt

A cutting edge chainsaw promotion from STIHL

The STIHL chainsaw promotion is back by popular demand where users can receive STIHL accessories worth up to £87 when purchasing selected cordless and petrol chainsaws.

With the promotion running until 14th December 2018, any customer purchasing either a cordless MSA 160 C-BQ or MSA 200 C-BQ chainsaw, as well as a

petrol powered MS 180 or MS 181, before this date will receive a pair of clear contrast goggles, a filing kit and ADVANCE MS Ergo gloves free of charge. For users looking for a bigger saw, purchasing the petrol powered MS 211, MS 231 or the MS 251 saws will gift customers with ADVANCE MS Ergo gloves, a filing kit, a forestry axe and a pair of clear contrast goggles.

All of the chainsaw models within the promotion are designed for domestic use, ideal for general maintenance tasks such as maintaining and felling small tress, through to cutting firewood in preparation for the winter months. The MSA 160 C-BQ and MSA 200 C-BQ form part of STIHL’s Pro Cordless range and combines high torque and excellent cutting capacity with impressive run times. For example, the MSA 200 C-BQ can run up to 45 minutes with the recommended AP 300 battery.

The MS 180, MS 181, MS 211, MS 231 and MS 251 all feature economical 2-MIX engines and boast ErgoStart technology, ensuring the saw starts simply and efficiently, regardless of the weather conditions.

“After attending the Makita Be Safe workshops our land-based students were given generous hands-on experience testing some of Makita’s leading cordless machinery including lawnmowers, chainsaws, strimmers.

Linking with Makita UK has been really valuable for our students in showcasing safety but also the direction of quieter and more sustainable options for their core equipment needs,” says Richard Dewing, Associate Principal Curriculum and Head of Campus - Merrist Wood.

Makita UK

Forest Group at Chilbolton taking on Hampshire. Winchester Garden Machinery has been supplying and maintaining garden and commercial grass care machinery since 1969. It will continue to trade as a main John Deere homeowner dealer, specialising in walk-behind mowers and lawn tractors, from its three domestic machinery sales locations at Winchester and Liss in Hampshire and Sunningdale in Surrey. The business also includes a Forest & Arb Sales

These

division, which was introduced in the early 2000s.

Farol will now manage a total of six John Deere agricultural and turf dealerships from the Midlands down through London to the south coast of England.

R Hunt Ltd and New Forest Farm Machinery Ltd recently signed an agreement to merge their two businesses under the new name Hunt Forest Group from January

1, 2019. R Hunt has been a John Deere agricultural equipment dealer since 1971 and currently runs four outlets covering Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey and the Isle of Wight. New Forest Farm Machinery trades from two outlets in Hampshire and Somerset and has been a John Deere agricultural dealer since 1979, and a professional turf dealer since 1986.

John Deere

Only three digging demo plots remain at Plantworx

The CEA’s (Construction Equipment Association’s) Plantworx Construction Exhibition demonstration areas are selling out fast as manufacturers gear up for putting machines through their paces in front of Plantworx visitors at the shows new home at the East of England Arena, Peterborough (11-13 June 2019). Plantworx sales manager, Angela Spink has reported that only three digging demo plots remain for sale 8-months ahead of the event.

Visitors are also reminded that, in addition to virtual action, they can also put themselves in the driving seat at Plantworx as many exhibitors will encourage visitors who present the correct operator’s licence to try the kit first hand in one of the many demonstration areas.

Plantworx

Simultaneously, Makita’s highly popular Construction Be Safe modules are being delivered at Guildford College of Further Education, Guildford, Surrey (another college alongside Merrist Wood in the Guildford College group).

are being delivered to students attending the plumbing, electrical and

construction courses, with day-release apprentices also attending from January 2019 onwards.

Bookings can be made by downloading the fax-back form from the Makita website or email leads@makitabesafe. com. Makita will contact the College in each case and make arrangements directly.

STIHL

Go further, last longer, do more. There are all kinds of reasons why STIHL is the cordless power tool of choice for the professional. Combining a powerful yet quiet performance, long battery life and low vibration, STIHL’s PRO cordless power system is tailor made to tackle even the most demanding jobs with ease. There’s no pull cord to start, a choice of high capacity and backpack batteries and 28 models available –including hedge trimmers, brushcutters, blowers, chainsaws and the new KMA 130R cordless Kombi tool available now! Everything to give your work that perfect professional touch.

KMA 130R cordless Kombi tool.

FSA 130R cordless brushcutter.

HSA 94R cordless hedge trimmer.

BGA 100 cordless blower.

Anna Charles Head Ranger, Forest of Marston Vale.

Are you prepared for the winter rain and wind?

Snickers new Waterproof Jackets will keep you warm and dry – all day, every day.

You can count on year-round comfort and protection with Snickers Workwear NEW AllRoundWork Waterproof Jackets. They’ll make your working day easier and more comfortable with built-in quality, functionality and high performance features to cope

with the very worst that the weather can throw at you.

With lightweight and heavierduty designs and styles for professional tradesmen and women, these jackets are 100% waterproof. The insides are fully sealed from the worst of the weather and every seam is taped or sealed. Even the pockets and cuffs are specially designed to keep the weather out and dry warmth in.

There’s a host of designs, styles and extensive size options so you can select just the right jacket for you and your job. To back them up, Snickers has a great range of Winter Vests and Bodywarmers, even a Body Mapping Micro Fleece - so you’ll be well looked after all day, every day.

Snickers

Traffic resistant pointing for stone sett driveways

This is another prestige stone driveway securely jointed by pointing the 100mm rumbled magma granite setts, with GftK’s ‘state-of-the-art’ wet-slurry applied, self-compacting and non-staining, vdw 850 jointing mortar from NCC Streetscape.

This unique material is rapidly becoming the UK’s market leader in natural stone sett paving jointing, as it is in Germany today.

On this project it was selected by the natural stone specialists, PDG Groundworks, because it

Green-tech protect over 65,0000 trees and shrubs in AONB

A new 50ha native woodland has been created in the heart of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Summerstone Estate is situated within 1,400 acres of the stunning Nidderdale Valley in the Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire; one of 46 AONBs in the UK. Between them they cover 18% of the UK’s finest countryside considered special places, worthy of protection.

As well as being recognised for its beautiful location, the Summerstone Estate is ideally situated for the sporting enthusiast with the surrounding countryside being renowned for the quality of its grouse and pheasant shooting.

The estates owners are advocates of sustainable land management

and had a desire to create a green framework to enhance their local landscape, biodiversity and sporting interest. Significant inward investment to the local rural economy has made this is a possibility.

They approached Tilhill Forestry, the UK’s leading forestry management and timber harvesting company to plant in excess of 65,000 trees and shrubs on the estate.

Tilhill Forestry have a longstanding relationship with leading landscape supplier Green-tech and turned to them to supply in excess of 65,000 Tubex 1.2m tree shelters, Tubex 60cm Shrub shelters and stakes.

Green-tech is the largest supplier of Tubex and generally have over 2 million tree shelters in stock at

any one time for customers to call on. They offer a next-day delivery service.

Commenting on the completed project, Simon Marrington, Tilhill Forestry’s New Business and Senior Forest Manager said: “As usual Green-tech were

great. They supplied everything as specified, on time and to the correct location at the agreed rates. Everything was just to the high standard we expect and our customer is very happy.”

Green-tech

Key benefits of commercial vehicle tracking for landscapers

provides extremely strong and durable joint installations subject to frequent vehicular traffic, making it especially suitable for driveways and highways applications.

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, pressure jet-cleaning, and even to mechanical street sweepers.

GftK’s vdw 850 jointing mortar also has additional advantages for both contractors and owners in its application, because it can be applied in the cold and during wet weather, even in the pouring rain.

NCC Streetscape

With the help of GPS tracking, you can provide a faster response to your customers about where your drivers are at any time.

You can also optimise routes to save time and send the closest vehicles out to jobs with systems available through Quartix.

Geofencing features mean you can receive alerts for any unauthorised vehicle use, ensuring that your workforce gets straight to job sites, on time and for the correct hours.

The detailed timesheets offered with vehicle tracking enable you to easily validate overtime payments, bill your customers more precisely and accurately forecast costs. All this information to hand, without

any paperwork or manual checks to carry out.

Driver league tables and driving style analysis tools offer actionable insight, so that you can target uneconomical

driving behaviour. The system also ensures you stay compliant with the latest regulations with accessible data and integrated vehicle maintenance reminders.

Quartix

BX231 (21HP): Built for demanding applications and designed for operator comfor t; offering high specification features as standard including 4WD, power steering, independent front, mid and rear PTO with 2-range HST transmission.

B2 series (21-31HP): Get more for less with a premium specification; with a choice of transmission options, selectable 4WD, mid and rear PTO and includes Kubota’s unique Bi-Speed turn feature for tighter turning ability and reduced turf damage. An integrated air-conditioned cab option is available for maximum driver comfort. www.kubota.co.uk T: 01844 873190

L1361(36.6HP): Take on tough projects faster and easier with this powerful and efficient tractor, designed for enhanced visibility, comfort and manoeuvrability with a choice of manual or HST transmission and Kubota’s bevel gear power front axle for tighter turns.

Reesink financed Toro irrigation raises club’s profile

Coventry Hearsall Golf Club is one of the first clubs to benefit from Reesink Turfcare’s fixed term finance for irrigation.

Course manager Jonathan Oldknow says he is ‘delighted’ with the new Toro Lynx system including sprinklers for the tees, greens and approaches, which replaced a 40-year-old irrigation system struggling with constant leaks and breakages.

In fact, Jonathan attributes the club’s ever-increasing reputation to the success of the ‘Total Solutions’ package it now boasts with its Toro irrigation system and fleet of machinery.

Jonathan says: “A new irrigation system is no light investment, but in this competitive industry we recognised the need for modern technology to stay at the top of our game. Miles ahead of anything we’ve ever had before, choosing the Toro Lynx system was a big statement from us saying ‘this is where we want to be heading.’”

Buying irrigation on finance takes away two of the biggest headaches Reesink Turfcare finds exist for those embarking on an irrigation installation: installation is sooner and there is less upfront capital outlay. Brett Mander, Coventry Hearsall’s course chairman, explains further how the club arrived at the decision to go with Toro: “We launched a full tender evaluation, starting with a number of suppliers before whittling them down to three.

“UK distributor of Toro Reesink Turfcare won us over with its presentation, which gave us confidence that its package and aftercare support would best suit the needs of the club. Out of all the suppliers, Reesink offered the most flexible solution over a period of time that matches our investment and growth strategy at Coventry Hearsall.”

Gone are the days of fixing leaks, and with peace of mind that the club has water on demand: “The main beauty of the system is the accuracy it affords us,” says Jonathan. “We take moisture metre readings to identify where water is needed and adjust individual sprinkler heads accordingly, targeting areas with reassuring success.

“We are one step ahead with our new Toro system rather than on the back-foot with our previous one. As opposed to fighting fires just to keep the grass alive we are now able to focus on keeping the plant in optimum health, and will be able to do so for as long as I’m a greenkeeper, and then some.”

Flexible and transparent, Reesink’s strong relationship with a proven financial partner means it can offer some very competitive deals over one to ten years. Payment plans can be monthly, quarterly, or annually and clubs can finance through hire purchase (HP) or lease. Alongside Toro irrigation, Coventry Hearsall plans to continue using Toro machinery long into the future, too.

According to Jonathan: “Toro provides very useable machinery that is of the highest quality. With the best mowers on the market, we know we will always get the best results for our course.”

Brett concludes: “Our Toro ‘Total Solutions’ package has been instrumental in helping us to maintain and elevate our reputation as a premier golf club in the Midlands. Word is out about the quality of our greens and our membership is now full with a waiting list; put simply, the package has been successful in making us successful.”

Stay warm with the Trade Hoodie

Introducing the new Scruffs Trade Hoodie, designed with the latest in workwear technology to protect you in the colder months, whilst also delivering the ultimate in comfort and durability.

With a soft, brushed back fleece material, the Trade Hoodie helps to retain body heat and provide added comfort, but the material is still lightweight enough to act comfortably as an extra layer under more clothing.

Abrasion resistant Abratect panels reinforce the forearms and cuffs, a common stress point, for longer-lasting durability.

The Hoodie also includes a high neck and adjustable hood, in order to protect against even the most punishing of winter days

Scruffs

Finding alternative methods to move away from chemicals is easier

Organisations responsible for maintaining green and urban spaces now have no choice but to incorporate alternative solutions into their product portfolio in order to maintain their existing contracts. Increasingly, tender processes are requesting alternative solutions to herbicides.

For organisations who can’t use traditional herbicides such as utility companies or those working with water, easy to use herbicide-free alternatives are a cost-effective solution to implement over manual labour, which is historically costly, time consuming, and ineffective due to spreading seeds and spores which can lead to increased weed regrowth.

Whether a public organisation, a contracting business providing management of green and urban spaces (including hard, soft and artificial surfaces) or a utilities company, Foamstream is the leading eco-solution, providing a cost-effective herbicide-free solution to manage unwanted vegetation and carry out street cleaning and sanitisation tasks in a simple, effective way.

Reesink Turfcare

Public petitions are taking place across the UK as individuals demand safer, cleaner and greener alternatives to be used

Weedingtech

BUDDIES

Star Rubber Environmental is proud to introduce hand created 3D graphical animals that bring a new dimension to children’s play. Bringing children face to face with the bugs and different animals they see in nature, read about in books and watch on the tv!

• Face to Face Play • Easy to install • Wow Factor • Hand Crafted • 80% Recycled

Made from 80% recycled rubber and the remaining percentage a quality EPDM rubber. Star Buddies offer a great new style of play to schools, nurseries, public parks and so many more environments.

Star Kerb Star Covers

This unique product has been designed to create the perfect transition from resin bound surfaces to tarmac or concrete, removing the age old problem of thermal shrinkage. An easy and mess free installation means it drastically increases installers site time productivity. StarKerb has proven to be a vandal resistant edge as well as a non trip definitive marination zone between play areas.

Can be used with:

The Star Cover is a quick and easy solution for the use of surfacing over existing drains and manhole covers within play spaces or new play areas. Made from high quality zinc and powder coated in a range of colours combined with simple installation means there is little need to drainage covers to spoil children’s play.

Star Rubber Environmental Ltd, Belmont House, Aller, Somerset, TA100QN

This Kerb provides an ultimate soft kerb edge between play surfaces. Easy installation makes this product simple and highly effective to use. Removing the issues of thermal shrinkage on edges whilst providing a professional finish to any play area.

Can be used with:

A helping hand at clean up time

After a long day clearing grounds and tackling mountains of overgrowth, clearing up can often be a tiresome chore that most would prefer to put off.

Debris loaders from Billy Goat take all the effort out of the job and help clear up in minutes.

These machines have hoses that range in size from 20cm by 3 metres to 35cm by 3 metres, so they certainly have the capacity to lend maintenance teams a hand when it comes to cleaning up.

Billy Goat debris loaders are the right choice for any size residential or commercial application and come in a variety of sizes with a wide range of features. The entry level machine is the DL1301HEU

with 13hp and a Honda engine.

For increased power there is the DL1801V which has 18hp and a Briggs & Stratton engine which can be upgraded to the DL1901VEEU to have electric starting. These three models all have four blades and eight cutting points to condense the rubbish it collects.

The remaining two models in the line up both have six blades and 12 cutting points to truly condense the waste. They are both brand new to the range and are the DL2900V and the DL3700V both have Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engines and respective horse powers of 29 and an impressive 37.

Turf prices set to rise

Rolawn, the UK’s leading turf grower and Britain’s leading high quality topsoil supplier forecast that turf prices in the UK are set to increase over the coming months. The impact of challenging growing conditions starting with the cold wet winter, followed by the ‘Beast from the East’ in spring, moving on to a record breaking hot dry summer has increased production costs in an unprecedented manner.

As widely reported many crops have been under tremendous pressure with yields sharply reduced combined with significantly higher costs, which can only result in significant upward pressure on price.

Added to this, increases in fuel prices compared to last year means that the cost of turf production, harvesting and delivery have increased significantly. As a result, a double-digit percentage increase in the price of turf is predicted.

Paul Dawson, Rolawn’s Managing Director commented: “At Rolawn our customers understand that we invest heavily in being able to continuously supply high quality turf, yearround.

“The more extreme nature of weather patterns we have experienced in the UK, particularly over the last 8 months, reaffirms our approach in developing an evolved Medallion turf, harvested younger and thinner, put through our patented Profresh system to extend shelf life, creating a highly adaptable rapid rooting product that results in a healthier lawn.

“However, like many growers of outdoor crops, we have been hit with major cost increases across the business, and these need to be reflected in the market.”

Rolawn

The Executive Hire Show 2019 is ready for business

The tool, equipment and compact plant hire industry is going from strength to strength following reports from the organisers of the Executive Hire Show 2019 (6-7 February Ricoh Arena, Coventry).

During the annual exhibitor ‘KickOff’ meeting at the Ricoh Arena, which took place last week, the team reported that an impressive 159 exhibitors had already signed up for the 2019 Show and the event is now 90% sold.

EHS Show Director, Craig Donovan said: “We expect that the Show will be fully sold out before the end of the year. We are also delighted to report that, out of the 159 confirmed exhibitors, 18 of these will be making their Show debut, which is confirmation of the confidence in the strength of the hire industry.”

Now in its 13th year, the event organisers felt that the Show needed a whole new look to refresh and reinvigorate it for exhibitors and visitors, – so a complete redesign was undertaken.

Many of the exhibitors have increased their stand space including UK Caterpillar dealer Finning and access equipment manufacturer Snorkel UK. Armorgard Security Products have doubled the size of their plot and the Show is also delighted to welcome excavator manufacturer

Takeuchi back to the Show after a two-year absence and construction machinery manufacturer Mecalac will also return. Check out the latest complete exhibitor list on the EHS website.

EHS

Henton & Chattell

Warwick Racecourse choose ProMaster 79 to deliver results in challenging conditions

Maintaining a strong, healthy and dense sward over a wet winter period is a headache for any Turf Manager, but for Head Groundsman at Warwick Racecourse Guy Woodward, that challenge is further exacerbated by the impact of horses pounding the flats and taking the jumps.

For Guy to achieve any germination and recovery, he needs a seed mixture that can perform under some of the most challenging growing conditions. Guy has turned to new tetraploid technology in the Masterline ProMaster 79 mixture, to deliver just that.

Since the decision was made in 2014 to covert to an all-jumps race programme, Warwick Racecourse has established itself as one of the leading, small National Hunt racing courses.

“Our season runs from the end of September to the end of May, with fixtures right through the winter” explains Guy who heads up a grounds team of four. “In a normal season we will backfill with a combination of soil and seed after every meet, as well as moving the hurdles to give the horses fresh ground and helping us spread the wear and maintain coverage.”

“When it comes to making my decision on seed mixtures, the key criteria is a seed that can germinate late and early in the year. I spoke with Ian Barnett of DLF Seeds and he recommended the ProMaster 79 mixture from Masterline.” PM79 contains 50% Double 4Turf tetraploid ryegrass, in combination with 20% Platinum and 30% Esquire diploid ryegrass to offer germination through the tough winter period. Though we don’t expect to achieve masses of growth, if we overseed whilst carrying out our post-meet repairs means we know the seed is there when the time is right, and if we do get any peaks in temperature, we may get some growth.”

Following months of rainfall, which left areas of the course badly waterlogged, the warmer temperatures now see the PM79 mixture once again working well. “We’re getting the germination I look for and all of the overseeding we’ve done through the winter is showing on the racing lines. It’s thanks to DLF that we seem to have a mixture that’s working for us and our requirements, helping to maintain strong coverage even when mother nature does her best to stop us!”

DLF

Affordable and effective overseeding

The exciting DZC 600 Overseeder from Eliet, available from PSD Groundscare, makes high tech overseeding possible at an affordable price.

As the years go by, all turf and sports turf is subject to ageing where grass dies thus reducing the density of growth.

This gives weeds and moss the opportunity to take over the turf and while scarifying and spraying can help to briefly interrupt the decline, the only long-term solution is to rejuvenate the grass - the key to successful turf is overseeding.

With the Eliet Overseeder you can renovate tired and thin grass in no time at all by adding new grass. This inexpensive alternative can take place quickly and guarantees a visible result in less than a month and the grass will be available for normal use immediately after overseeding.

The DZC600 has been trialled and tested and is approved by the world’s leading sports turf consultancy STRI who provide a state of the art testing and research centre offering innovative testing techniques to improve the quality of turf and sports turf.

PSD Groundscare

MM keeps standards high at Cheltenham College

Christian Brain, head of grounds at Cheltenham College, believes that Limagrain UK’s range of MM grass seed mixtures have helped him to maintain the high standard of pitches expected by the prestigious school.

Christian oversees a team of four and ensures that the sports and surrounding grounds are at a consistent quality all year round.

He relies on both Limagrain’s MM50 and MM60 grass seed

mixtures which he uses on the winter pitches, outfields and cricket squares.Both MM50 and MM60 are boosted by the inclusion of Headstart GOLD.

Developed using the latest scientific findings and field experience, Headstart GOLD is a natural revolutionary grass seed treatment that ensures rapid germination and is perfect for enhancing performance on grass seed coatings for sports fi elds, golf courses, lawns and amenity turf.

Limagrain

Expert knowledge and skills combine with Pictorial Meadows

Pictorial Meadows is the market leader in the design, supply, and creation of beautiful meadows and naturalistic landscapes.

Combining expert knowledge with 20 years of research and field trials, this award-winning company provides the most floral, wildlife friendly, and visually stunning meadows available to projects around the UK and beyond. The company has lots of new products and

services launching over the next few months, including new and exclusive meadow mixes, additional product categories, and an approved supplier programme.

Visit the website at www.PictorialMeadows.co.uk and sign up for their newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest meadow innovations.

Meadows

Pictorial

Make your product search simpler with the Wienerberger mobile app

Wienerberger, leading supplier of landscaping innovations, is delighted to announce the upgrade of the Wienerberger mobile app. As finding the right paving product can be difficult, this user-friendly mobile app is the ideal way for customers find the right building materials for their projects in just a few clicks.

The app includes Wienerberger’s entire portfolio of pavers, bricks and roof tiles, as well as the revolutionary Porotherm clay block wall system.

Compatible with iPhone, iPad and Android mobile devices, the app’s search function is an incredibly useful tool that can filter through Wienerberger’s paving products.

A unique feature of this app is that it allows users to find an equivalent Wienerberger product match when they enter the name of a paver, roof tile or brick from another manufacturer in the search field. Users are now able share products via email and social media, as well as request samples directly from the app. The app also features inspirational landscape case studies with video content, product images, technical information and a local stockist directory.

Annette Forster, Wienerberger’s Marketing Director commented, “With so many landscape and building products on offer, finding the right one can be a challenge, especially when you’re on the go. We know how getting quick access to the right product information is essential for landscape contractors, architects, merchants and developers who want to provide the best service they can to their customers. This is why we’ve developed the Wienerberger app, to make the search for the ideal product as simple as possible when using a mobile device.”

The Wienerberger app is available to download now from the App Store and Google Play Store. For existing users of the Wienerberger app, please download the update to use the latest version. To find out more about the app’s search function, watch the animated video at https://wienerberger.co.uk/apps.

Wienerberger is committed to delivering digital solutions that will help their landscape customers, as demonstrated in the delivery of this new app and the online Texture Generator tool.

Wienerberger

MP visits anti-terror product manufacturer

Marshalls, the UK’s leading hard landscaping manufacturer, welcomed the Labour MP for Tynemouth Alan Campbell at its plant on Tyneside to see the business’ anti-terror products being manufactured. The company, which employs 52 staff at its North Shields site, produces a range of street furniture which is designed to stop vehicles travelling at up to 50 mph while integrating seamlessly with the surrounding environment.

The business says the products, which include benches, planters,

litter bins, cycle stands and bollards, will play a key role in the firm’s future growth with production volumes set to increase at the facility on the Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate.Marshalls, which turned over £396 million last year and has been supplying natural stone and concrete products across the UK since the 1880s, reported a 12 per cent year-onyear rise in revenue in the first half of the year to £244.3 million, with pre-tax profits also up 12 per cent over the period.

Marshalls

Top tips on protecting a patio

The weather can be harsh on your patio so it’s essential that you take a few steps to ensure it’s fully prepared ahead of the winter months. Lee Dunderdale, Product Manager at Bradstone, gives his top tips for helping to protect your paving.

Tip #1: Clean your patio - The first step to protecting your patio is ensuring that it remains clean. Be sure to regularly remove any fungus, dirt, mildew, algae and leaves that accumulate on your pavers and give it a regular washdown with a stiff brush or broom.

Tip #2: Remove pots and furniture - Removing plant pots and garden furniture from your patio is a good way of avoiding any stains appearing or the build-up of mildew over the autumn and winter months.

Bringing potted plants indoors

More festive cheer in store for historic market town

The historic Hitchin Market Square paving in Hertfordshire was successfully refurbished and repointed with GftK’s vdw 850 Paving Joint Mortar nine years ago and is still going strong and ready for another busy Christmas.

All previous pointing materials were failing in just a year or two of the demanding environment, with multiple heavy duty loadings and exposure, plus frequent mechanical street cleaning.

However, following the Engineers extensive research and trials to find the best refurbishment paving grouting system on the market, this time the project was completed on

time and on budget, because work could continue and be completed using GftK’s vdw 850. Even despite the wet weather and low temperatures

throughout that would have made any cement or single-pack pointing mortar useless and doomed to failure in these joints. Now after nine years, the historic

and storing away furniture will also help to protect them from the bad weather too.

Tip #3: Sealer - A good quality sealer can be used to combat stains and weeds and, if applied early enough, can help to ensure protection during the colder months. Sealer should only be applied on a thoroughly clean and dry patio surface.

market is looking good and will continue to do so for a good few more years yet.

NCC Streetscape

Bradstone

EPD for Addagrip Resin Bound products

Addagrip Terraco Ltd is delighted to announce that its range of Resin Bound surfacing systems has achieved an Environmental Product Declaration from BRE Global.

Addaset, Addabound, Terrabound and Terrabase Resin Bound porous surfacing systems have been awarded a Statement of Verification in accordance with the requirements of EN 15804:2012+A1:2013 and BRE Global Scheme Document SD207.

BRE Global is internationally recognised for its expertise in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the achievement of this verification will assist in providing reassurance that the Addagrip Resin Bound systems have been independently tested and evaluated in accordance with the BRE’’s rigorous verification process and have achieved an industry recognised mark of quality.

By collecting a large sum of data such as raw materials, packaging, transport and energy, BRE were able to calculate the environmental impact 1m2 of our Resin Bound surfacing systems have from Cradle to Gate. All this information is then published in an EPD. This EPD can be used by architects, engineers, designers etc for the Mat01 ‘Building Life Cycle Assessment’ credit of BREEAM 2018 and would also be used as

evidence to contribute to the Mat 02 EPD credit.

BREEAM is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for masterplanning projects, infrastructure and buildings. It recognises and reflects the value in higher performing assets across the built environment lifecycle, from new construction to in-use and refurbishment.

BREEAM does this through third party certification of the assessment of an asset’s environmental, social and economic sustainability performance, using standards developed by BRE. This means BREEAM rated developments are more sustainable environments that enhance the well-being of the people who live and work in them, help protect natural resources and make for more attractive property investments.

ECS improve flood defences in time for winter rains

Opening deadline met thanks to GftK’s vdw 850

Nottingham has had many flooding incidents throughout its history, one of the largest being in November 2000.

The city has now commissioned ECS to inspect and refit 23 flood doors in the area. The doors are in three separate districts, with each having a different type of door.

The seven doors in the Attenborough region are predominantly “on-seating” doors - the more flood water being forced onto the doors the tighter they will seal due to the increasing water pressure. Testing has shown that most of the doors leaked along the bottom seal, so engineers from ECS have designed a new clamping arrangement which will pull the bottom seal tighter and reduce leakage rates.

ECS has programmed that the works will be phased to minimise the impact on the flood gate, thus allowing the client to maintain the flood protection required in times of heavy rain.

ECS

Another stunning project – but it was only completed and opened successfully in time for Christmas, by using GftK’s vdw 850+ from NCCStreetscape Ltd.

The advanced Paving Joint Mortar was specified for the unique George & Dragon Pub in Dartmouth, because the Architect and Main Contractor both understood that this was effectively the last operation outside after all of the engineering and drainage works and it had to be completed and hardened over the foundations ready for official opening.

Despite almost continuous rain and gale force winds for nearly three weeks, the black limestone and granite sett paving was able

to be laid and successfully jointed using GftK’s vdw 850+ in good time for the scheduled VIP Reception and Opening Night .

NCC Streetscape

Future proof decking with non-slip solution from Gripsure

Gripsure has expanded their product range to included decking made from Accoya modified timber.

Founded in 2005, Gripsure have invested in their manufacturing facilities, and developed their range of non-slip decking products, to offer a solution for any application.

Having gained second tier distributer status, Gripsure now offer a contemporary decking board made from Accoya. Featuring two non-slip aggregate infills, Gripsure non-slip decking made with Accoya is suited for future proofing decking applications where longevity and safety are paramount.

Accoya wood is made from sustainably grown pine that is modified by acetylation. This is a permanent modification

from the surface of the timber board right through to the core. The modification improves the timbers durability, stability and in-service life. Classified within BS EN 350-2 Class 1 as very durable.

With its 50-year above ground and 25-year in ground/freshwater guarantee, Accoya wood is a natural fit for the Gripsure brand committed to delivering quality products that stand the test of time. The Accoya process ensures consumers get the very best results from their decking.

Gripsure decking made with Accoya wood comes with a 10-year non-slip guarantee. So when it comes to eliminating the risk of accidents, you can rely on Gripsure to out-perform other products - guaranteed.

Gripsure

Addagrip

Railings restored in World War I Memorial Park

Metal railings and gates manufacturer, Alpha Rail has help complete the finishing touches to £1m project to restore a railing at the World War I Memorial Park in Grantham, Lincolnshire.

Dating back to back to the 17th Century, Wyndham Park lies on the banks of the River Witham just to the north of Grantham town centre. The park is named in honour of Lieutenant William Reginald Wyndham who died in Ypres during the First World War, and offers a wide range of facilities for both the young and old. It also proudly holds the Green Flag Award, the benchmark national standard for publicly accessible parks and green spaces in the United Kingdom.

The £1m park restoration project received £818,000 from Heritage Lottery and Big Lottery Funding, with the balance of funding raised by South Kesteven District Council and the Wyndham Park Forum. The restored Memorial Park aims to invoke an era when men of the Machine Gun Corps marched through the historic Memorial Arch on their way to training at Belton Park.

Woodhead Construction was appointed as the main contractor

on the project which included the construction of a new visitors centre with toilets, and the cost of restoring the Grade II listed ticket office, Memorial Arch and Model Boat Lake.

As part of the project, Alpha Rail was contracted to install welded unit estate railings to the perimeter of the memorial park. A number of single leaf gates were also supplied to provide park users with easy access in and out of the much-loved park.

Alpha Rail was also installed pedestrian guardrails panels around the perimeter of the model boating lake to provide a safe barrier and prevent people from falling into the water.

Commenting on behalf of Woodhead Construction, Quantity Survey, David Read said, “Wyndham Park has become increasingly popular over the years, receiving over 800,000 visitors in the past year alone. With the help of Alpha Rail and other contractors, I’m proud that the work we have completed will continue to provide the local community with a park that can be enjoyed by all for many more years to come.”

Zaun launches Palisade system

Pioneering perimeter systems manufacturer Zaun has entered into a previously-untapped market for the Wolverhamptonbased business by introducing Palisade fencing to its extensive product portfolio.

The facility in Wolverhampton now boasts the most modern Palisade rolling line in the UK, which runs 24 hours a day.

Palisade fencing panels have long been a popular choice for securing a whole variety of highsecurity sites from gas, water and electricity facilities to industrial and public sector compounds.

They provide good levels of security and vandal resistance, are difficult to climb and can be very robust.

Zaun’s Palisade panels are 2.75m wide and come in heights from 1.8m to 3.6m as standard, with different pale head styles including single point and triple point, while rounded and notched heads are favoured for schools and playgrounds.

The pales, in either D or a more secure W section, are fixed to two horizontal rails running between fence posts at 2.75m centres.

The system allows for raking to follow the topography of the site without any compromise in security or system rigidity and with no time consuming or costly on-site modifications.

Fence installers can quickly and easily fix rails to posts using custom anti-tamper

fixings and follow the most demanding site gradients.

The systems come with a user-specified finish and are manufactured to the required BS1722 part 12, while the hot dip galvanising conforms to BS EN ISO1461 to give long term weather resistance, prior

to polyester powder coating to BS EN 13438:2013. Zaun manufactures its Palisade systems to a range of thicknesses from 2mm to 4mm. It can also supply bolt-down posts for fixing to concrete and matching Palisade gates.

Zaun

Charcon win contract to supply town square regeneration

Charcon Hard Landscaping, a division of Aggregate Industries, has been awarded the contract to supply Redcar and Cleveland Council with materials to implement TGP Landscape Architects’ competition-winning design for the regeneration of Eston Town Square, North Yorkshire.

The palette of high-quality natural stone granite and concrete paving materials follows the Landscape Architect’s sensitive design solution, reflecting the historic nature of the location and acknowledging the significance of the existing war memorial within the overall public realm of the town.

Work began in August with the supply of 630m2 of Charcon’s granite setts, granite paving, and Andover Washed concrete block paving. Andover Washed concrete block paving, containing granite aggregates

was selected to compliment the characteristics of the natural stone granite paving and contributed to an overall solution which could be delivered within the limitations of the budget. It is produced in the UK, with locally sourced materials and contains up to 50% recycled and reclaimed aggregates. Robert Golden, Specification Manager for Charcon, comments:

“When complete, this project will breathe a new lease of life into the Town Square in Eston and will give the existing war memorial the high quality setting it deserves. Work is progressing well and we look forward to its completion in time for the town’s special Remembrance Service in November to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War.”

The project, which forms part of Redcar and Cleveland Council’s multi-million pound, borough-wide ‘Area Growth Plans’, includes road-widening improvements, refurbished street furniture, new banner poles and other public realm improvements.

Charcon

Alpha Rail

New £3m fund to help boost sports in local communities

Olympic and Paralympic sports outside the World Class Programme will be able to bid for additional investment to help more talented athletes compete at Tokyo 2020, Sports Minister Tracey Crouch has announced.

The £3 million Aspiration Fund will allow sports who do not currently receive full UK Sport funding to develop plans to help teams and athletes qualify.

Sports eligible to apply for the fund include all the unfunded summer Olympic and Paralympic sports, the new sports for the Tokyo Games and those currently in receipt of individual athlete medal support plan funding from UK Sport.

Alongside their qualification plan, sports seeking funding will be asked to submit details of how they will capitalise on the impact of competing at the Games and engage and inspire communities

The plans will also need to align with the outcomes set out in the Government’s Sporting Future strategy to redefine what success

looks like in sport: physical well-being, mental well-being, individual development, social and community development and economic development.

Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, said: “The Aspiration Fund will give more sports the chance to inspire the nation and shine at Tokyo 2020 and beyond. This £3 million bridges a gap between

grassroots and elite funding, and will help sports grow and develop future champions.”

UK Sport investment has transformed Britain into an Olympic and Paralympic powerhouse. But there are sports, not on UK Sport’s world class programme, that do a huge amount of good in communities that we can help on their path to the podium.”

GTC announce the first greenkeeping apprentice in the land-based sector achieves top grade

The GTC has revealed that Thomas Sherreard from The London Club and Hadlow College has become the first Golf Greenkeeping Apprentice to achieve the new City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Golf Greenkeeping associated with

the new apprenticeship standard. And he did it in style, receiving an overall mark of Distinction in reward for all his hard work.

Not only is Tom the first golf greenkeeper to achieve his apprenticeship, he is the first land-based apprentice to undertake the new style Endpoint Assessment.

After considerable work carried out by the Greenkeepers Training Committee and the dedicated support and direction from their Employer Group and Technical Working Group, the new-style apprenticeship was launched in September 2016.

The new Apprenticeship hones in on the knowledge, skills and behaviours of every apprentice and is quite different to the former work-based diploma. The Training Providers focus more on the learner journey – teaching the apprentice the skills and knowledge required to be a fully-qualified golf greenkeeper with the support of the apprentice’s employer.

The biggest change is that the learner, although continually taught and assessed throughout their programme of education, is now faced with a series of graded End-point Assessments.

Liz Nicholl, CEO of UK Sport said: “This new Aspiration Fund is a fantastic opportunity for some sports to get on track for the Tokyo Games.

“Many of the sports we are currently unable to support, while further away from reaching the podium, have great potential not only to inspire through their performances on the field of play but also to

have a genuine social impact in communities across the UK.

“We’d like to thank the Government for their continued support for UK Sport’s mission to inspire the nation through Olympic and Paralympic success.”

The grants will run to the end of the Tokyo 2020 cycle.

Sport England

UN environmental award for Forest Green Rovers FC

Forest Green Rovers has received a “Momentum for Change” climate action award from the United Nations in a ceremony in New York.

Forest Green received the award in the Climate Neutral Now category, after becoming the first football club in the world to work with the UN to go carbon neutral at the start of the season.

The 15 winners were presented with their awards by Patricia Espinosa, executive secretary of UN Climate Change, at Climate Week NYC – one of the key sustainability summits in the international calendar.

FGR chairman, Dale Vince, was one of five speakers at the event, where he discussed the club’s unique approach to tackling climate change – which includes the introduction of a fully vegan menu, an organic pitch, electric car chargers, the installation of solar panels and a solar powered robot lawnmower.

As a part of the award, Forest Green Rovers will travel to the next UN climate change conference - COP24 – which takes place in Katowice, Poland in December this year.

Forest Green Rovers

GTC

Baptism of snow launches perfect start for club’s Terra Spike GXi 6

During his 26 years at Ashley Wood GC in Blandford Forum, head greenkeeper, Mark Sherwood, can count the snow days there on the fingers of both hands.

With high elevation and fast draining chalk soil, extreme

but it put a stop to the handover run,” recalls Mark Sherwood. “However, that was the Monday, by the Wednesday we got on so well we were even hollow coring. It was an instant success.”

Ashley Wood’s GXi 6 was specifically chosen to deliver a

sanded the greens our golfers were straight back on without any issues.

“Afterwards we got an endorsement I wasn’t expecting. For the first time ever, several members came up

August we went back for few single passes with hollow coring tines. We’ve lots of undulation, with several of the greens particularly full of humps and bumps.

The Wiedenmann follows

Dennis combination gets results at St Albans

Ian Smith, turf consultant for St Albans School, Woollam Trust Playing Fields, has reported excellent results from using the combination of a Dennis G860 cassette system and a Dennis Razor fine turf mower on the cricket pitches.

The Woollham Trust Playing Fields are the largest development of their kind ever undertaken in a single phase in Europe. The school’s outstanding facilities include a huge pavilion, 22 winter pitches for rugby and football, an allweather hockey pitch and 8 cricket squares. Not only is the magnificent 73 acre site shared with the Old Albanians Club but it is also the training base for Saracens Rugby Club.

In preparing the cricket pitches, Ian first of all uses the Dennis

G860 which is the ideal machine for someone looking to complete a number of tasks with just one power unit. Featuring an interchangeable cassette system, users have the option of fitting different types of cassettes including scarifiers, verticutters, brushes, spikers, and slitters. Superbly balanced and ideal for cricket pitches and other fine turf surfaces, the Razor features a 560mm (22in), 11 blade cutting cylinder for a perfect finish. An ultra-short wheelbase ensures easy manoeuvrability and excellent performance, even on undulating surfaces.

Dennis

Education scientists for the future

As the importance of educating children in scientific subjects and encouraging practical learning rises up the agenda, Bayer is working to help pupils learn about some of the basic scientific principles that underpin many turf management practices.

From 1 to 5 October, over 100 local primary school children and teachers visited the Bayer Environmental Science headquarters in Cambridge, for practical science lessons from using a microscope and testing honey, to the role of bees and their life cycles, delivered by the ‘Baylab’.

Steve Bishop, Bayer group product manager, explains that the ‘Baylab’ provides an enhanced learning facility, that is normally based in Reading. “The roadshow has been a huge success, with students and teachers alike. The wider context for the turf management industry is an increasing pressure from the regulatory authorities. Not only have we lost key management products, but greenkeepers are

being challenged to maintain quality playing surfaces.

“Therefore, the industry needs a steady stream of new professionals to continue and build on the research and development that’s required to support turf management for years to come,” he says.

“This is why we’re so passionate about awakening an interest in science among young people from all backgrounds at an early age, to boost their confidence, provide inspiration and aid in development. It’s all about capturing the imagination of children today, to make them the scientists of tomorrow.”

Steve explains that he hopes the children and teachers went away with a positive attitude, not only towards science, but to the work that goes into maintaining the environments in which they work, rest and play.

Bayer

School opens new artificial grass running track for pupils

Pupils at Archbishop Wake CE Primary School in Dorset are getting fit by taking part in the Daily Mile initiative, thanks to the opening of a new running track made of artificial grass.

Installed over the summer holidays by professional UK grounds maintenance contractor, Countrywide Grounds Maintenance, the school wanted an all-weather artificial surface that could be used throughout the year, offered good shock

absorption and would stand the test of time with excessive use.

The track was created in just two weeks with a team of four Countrywide contractors spending over 400-man hours. A quarter of a mile of artificial grass was laid over 120 tonnes of aggregate for the sub-base and then covered with 20 tonnes of sand to level it. A turquoise coloured grass was chosen to enable the pupils to easily see the track.

Pupils at the school are now able to use the new running track to complete their Daily Mile, a national initiative to help pupils get fit by jogging each day. The track, which can be used by pupils, parents and staff, is also used in PE lessons and sporting events held at the school.

Contractor doubles the drainage with a Campey TopDrain 1000

Specialist sports contractors, CLS Sports, a division of Cleveland Land Services, has added an Imants (KORO) TopDrain 1000 from Campey Turf Care Systems to their fleet to meet increased customer demand.

For 15 years CLS Sports has been at the forefront of sports turf contracting using their expertise and knowledge, in conjunction with the most innovative machines available, to service the sports turf industry.

During that time drainage has, and will continue to be, one of the most vital aspects of sports turf maintenance. Keeping surfaces playable throughout the more challenging times of the season is paramount for team or club.

Introducing a secondary drainage system that compliments existing primary drainage is an effective way to prevent fixtures being postponed. Water can drain

Ariens and a winning dealer meeting

Ariens Company gathered all their dealers for Countax, Westwood, Ariens and ECHO a Whittlebury Hall, Northamptonshire on the 12th September for their annual dealer meeting.

The theme of the meeting was ‘Shifting Gears’ and the day was led by Darren Spencer, Vice President for EMEA and Asia, beginning with talks on the new products available early in 2019.

These included the Ariens Zenith, the largest zero turn in the portfolio, aimed at the commercial market. The new Countax C40 and Westwood T40 garden tractors were also launched along with an interchangeable cassette system attachment which allows

customers to scarify and sweep their garden and grounds.

The new range of ECHO Lithium Ion 58V outdoor power tools was also on display for dealers to try including chainsaws, brushcutters, hedgetrimmers and

an innovative walk behind 21” lawn mower. The new product introductions are in keeping with Ariens Company’s policy of ‘continuous improvement’ Ariens

quicker into the primary lateral drains, making surfaces more suitable for the demands of modern sport and increasingly wetter weather.

The TopDrain 1000 provides a complete one-pass surface drainage system. It is a unique multifunctional machine that trenches, removes spoil, injects sand and re-compacts all in one operation. Designed for sports fields and golf course fairways, the TopDrain 1000 benefits include; material and labour savings, faster processing times and less surface contamination than conventional methods.

For Cleveland Land Services Contracts Director, Stephen Miller, this is the second TopDrain in the fleet so they are already familiar with the advantages it brings, but the benefits of adding a second smaller machine has strengthened the service they offer.

“Top draining is an option that’s been popular for some time and is continuing to grow,” Stephen said. “It’s been specified on a number of schemes this year and it’s something that when we design projects internally we’d recommend because it offers a high-level secondary drainage system.

“So, the combined growth in demand and proven results is the reason why we have purchased a second machine. We have plenty of TopDrain work for our current model to do, but also a requirement for the new smaller 1000 model for other projects which were as important but didn’t need

the tractor capacity. “The 1000 model trenches out at 250mm deep and 40mm wide and at one-meter centres, whereas our existing machine works at the same depth and width but at half meter centres.

“Our current TopDrain needs a 135hp tractor whereas the TopDrain 1000 only requires 105hp thereby increasing its versatility on site as the same tractors we use to install the primary drainage systems can be used to install the secondary system.”

Campey Turf Care Systems

Guide to application of biosecurity in arboriculture launched

The Arboricultural Association has launched new guidance to help professionals in all roles within the tree care industry to apply biosecurity practices during their day to day work.

The guidance supports the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs’ ‘Tree Health Resilience Strategy’ released in May 2018.

The document provides detailed best practice guidance for Arborists working in any role in arboriculture and environmental sectors, with a helpful document key indicating which sections

are directly relevant to each job role.

The Arboricultural Association launched a ‘Biosecurity in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry’ position statement in late 2016 outlining basic biosecurity principles which should be adopted to reduce the unwanted introduction of tree pests and diseases.

Since then the professional body for the tree care industry has developed free templates for Company Biosecurity policies and biosecurity risk assessments, while working closely with partner organisations and

initiatives such as The Forestry Commission ‘Keep it Clean’ campaign.

Arb Association

Countrywide GM

Dennis G860

Sandy Lodge feel the relief with two new Foley Grinders

Sandy Lodge Golf Club has experienced the benefits on and off the course with the Foley United Accu-Master 653

and Accu-Pro 673 grinders. The Hertfordshire club is one of England’s finest golfing establishments and has regularly

hosted the Regional Open Qualifying Rounds from 2015 and will do so until 2019, as well as being a recent venue for the English Women’s Senior Open.

Head greenkeeper, Richard Elderfield, along with mechanic, Peter Cook, knew their previous grinders were coming to the end of their useable life and both had a strong desire to bring relief grinding to the club because of the overall benefits it has for the plant and the machines. But, Peter quickly realised the Foley models had other features that would streamline his operation and make for a better work environment.

“Although relief grinding was our first priority it wasn’t the only aspect that attracted us to the Accu-Master 653,”

head greenkeeper, Richard Elderfield explained.

“We also like the enclosed cabinet on the cylinder grinder with the noise and dust protection it offered and we found the set-up of both grinders to be quick and easy, especially with the 653’s built in training programmes. I can now grind far quicker than before. If I’m doing a 5 head fairway machine once you set the 653 for the first unit it will then be set for the remainder.”

ProSport UK focus strongly on aftercare with an emphasis on supporting their customers and training them how to operate grinders they may not be familiar with. All geared to getting the best out of their new machine as quickly as possible.

Pro Sport

Open 2020 prep starts with Toro irrigation at Royal St George’s

With The Open Championship returning to Royal St George’s Golf Club in 2020, the south coast club has chosen Toro irrigation to ensure the famous old course is looking its best when the world’s top golfers arrive in under two years’ time.

The simple rationale which pushed course manager, Paul Larson, into lobbying for a Toro irrigation system, when the club made the decision to replace the existing 20-year-old one, was accuracy he says: “I want to irrigate in millimetres and not in minutes.”

Now in place and guaranteeing the kind of accuracy Paul was after is Toro’s Lynx GDC system from Reesink Turfcare, an official Toro UK distributor. He says: “In fairness, the alternative system we looked at did offer the type of accuracy I was looking for, but while I could achieve three millimetres of water on a specific part of the course with one click of a button on the Toro system, the other system required some calculations and seemingly two or three clicks.”

Complete with pump and weather station integration and installed with a course map and Toro’s round-the-clock support in their handheld and NSN apps, the club’s adoption of the Toro system might not have been the case had Paul not given Rob Jackson, irrigation field sales manager at Reesink, the chance of a trial on a small patch of the golf course.

“I told Rob that I’d more than likely stay with the original system provider but that I was happy to learn of anything new as I like to be open-minded. And I’m glad I did. What I found was that Toro was easier, better and more suited to our course. I’ve had full confidence in the company and the system ever since. Everything has been first class,” revealed Paul.

“We have Infinity sprinklers on the greens, surrounds, approaches and fairways, which give us 360 degree spread, and we can control every head on every sprinkler individually. This morning I have had someone out taking moisture levels everywhere on the course and, for example, if we find a reading of 24 percent at the back of a green and a reading of 18 percent at the front we can set the sprinklers to level it out. My goal is round 20 percent,” said Paul who added that the tees have the FLEX B series, with main nozzle multi-trajectory adaptors. “Everything is just so easy to adjust; we are currently tweaking everything so that it will do exactly what we want.”

Paul continues: “The user friendliness means that I am able to sit with my tablet and control the system remotely, safe in the knowledge that we are irrigating the areas that require it and not wasting water by irrigating the rough or tee banks which was happening with the previous system.”

One area of the course which is benefiting greatly from the new system is the pathways, which now have over 1000 Toro 590G sprinklers with Precision Rotating Nozzles (PRN’s).

“Our paths were in poor shape,” says Paul. “We kept turfing them but it just didn’t last, so now we seed with a fairway fescue, something we can do because with the dedicated sprinklers we can keep them irrigated. It’s too dry down here for the paths to survive without it.”

Installation expert, Ocmis, was able to use most of the original pipework, just replacing all the joints and heads, with only a small amount of new pipework so disruption was minimised.

“The work was carried out over the winter and finished by early spring and by closing a hole at a time there wasn’t much disruption to the golf,” said Paul, who is looking forward to preparing the course for what is always a spectacular Open at Royal St George’s.

Club secretary, Tim Checketts, was part of the panel which had put in place a rigorous tendering process designed to ensure the club would identify the best new irrigation system for them.

“At the end of the process Royal St George’s Golf Club was quite clear that Toro’s irrigation system offered us the significant uplift in capability we had been looking for. We felt that Toro gave us the ability to use less water and target it precisely where we wanted it to go and in doing so the new system would support our strategy to encourage the growth of the finer fescue grasses while reducing the percentage of broadleaf grasses on the course.

“Ocmis was chosen as our preferred contractor recognising its track record in delivering major projects to cost and on time and its reputation for tidy and professional work. The company deserves great credit for completing this project despite the considerable challenges posed by the 2017/18 winter,” said Tim.

“As a result of this successful project the Club now enjoys the use of a highly capable irrigation system and we are well placed to ensure the delivery of the course in Championship condition for 2020.”

Reesink Turfcare

Soil scientists appointed to Thamesmead Framework

Peabody, the organisation driving the regeneration of London’s new town, Thamesmead, has appointed soil and landscape consultancy Tim O’Hare Associates (TOHA) based in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, to its Thamesmead Framework to provide Soil Science Services.

Principal Consultant at TOHA, Tim O’Hare, worked on the soils strategy for the delivery of the Olympic Park and its subsequent transformation into the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park post the 2012 London Olympics.

The Thamesmead project will, once again, see him working with Phil Askew, who was

project sponsor at the Olympic Delivery Authority for the 2012 Olympic Park and who worked on its move into legacy during his time with the London Legacy Development Corporation.

Commenting on TOHA’s Thamesmead Framework appointment, Tim said: “Thamesmead’s potential is enormous and we are looking forward to beginning our work on site and ensuring the green and blue landscape delivers for generations of its residents and the businesses that will undoubtedly want to come to this exciting part of London.”

Limagrain UK host independent school event at AELTC

Limagrain UK recently hosted an event at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon, in which a number of independent school groundsmen were treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of the most famous sporting venues in the world.

The access-all-areas tour was conducted by Neil Stubley (head of courts & horticulture) and Grant Cantin (head groundsman), in which the attendees were taken to the exclusive playersonly area, the media centre and the legendary centre court.

Delegates also got to see firsthand some of the exciting developments which are currently underway.

The club is now in its final year of the Court 1 retractable roof project and is set to be completed

in time for 2019 Championships. Other works include a new office building for staff, a complete refurbishment of the player dressing rooms and a brand new members’ brasserie – which will no doubt provide yet another world-class dining establishment.

Commenting on the developments, Grant said: “This is the norm here to be honest because we are always trying to be better and provide a better venue - not just for the players but for the public and everyone who comes here.”

The tour offered a fabulous insight into the meticulous planning that is required to successfully host the greatest tennis championships in the world. Grant revealed that while they face many sleepless nights during the Championships, there

is still no let off when the games come to a close.

“In terms of grounds staff, there are eighteen of us here full-time and that includes two full-time mechanics and two irrigation engineers. Every year from March until October we bring in another twelve or thirteen people just to get the numbers for the busy times. The Championships are obviously busy but after that it is actually our busiest time with the renovations. Every grass court is renovated and most of them are stripped off back to soil and then re-grown. All this work needs to be completed before the weather starts turning in October or November, so it is a very busy time for us.”

For the renovations, the grounds staff choose to use Limagrain grass seed for the grass courts

- as Grant explains: “We have been using Limagrain seed for quite a long time now and we are very happy with the product. The mixture is very similar to MM50 with two of the three cultivars being the same. The STRI actually do all of the research for us and they, along with Limagrain, recommend which cultivars to use.

“Every year we are confident that the seed is the very best it can be and the results are great,” he said.

Limagrain UK

Seminars help create first class sport or play facilities

A series of seminars will highlight an exciting funding scheme which enables the installation of state-of-the-art community sports facilities – in the face of continuing economic challenges and government cutbacks.

Fast Track Funding – an initiative from leading synthetic surfacing supplier Notts Sport – has funded 32 new sports facilities worth in excess of £12 million over the past five years.

Fast Track Funding is the only non-traditional funding route for artificial turf facilities – such as 3G football and rugby, or multiuse hockey pitches – proven to be compliant with Education Funding Agency requirements and local authority or academy auditors.

Shaun Patrick, Chairman of Notts Sport, says: “Whether it’s a brand new project or the refurbishment of an existing pitch, the new facility can be installed straight away – and we can provide valuable advice for

customers to help them maximise the use of the new space after completion so it can immediately start to pay for itself.”

Fast Track Funding Seminars are being held in the following locations:

• Newcastle: 6th November, DoubleTree Newcastle Int Airport , 8am-10am

• Bury: 7th November, Village Hotel Club, 8am10am

• Sheffield: 8th November, Copthorne Hotel Sheffield, 8am-10am

• Bristol: 13th November, Holiday Inn Bristol Filton, 8am-10am

• Birmingham:14th November, Genting Hotel, 8am-10am

• Cambridgeshire: 15th November, BW Quy Mill Hotel, 8am-10am

• London: 22nd November, RICS Parliament Square, 2pm-4pm

Collect more by stopping less. Perfect for large jobs on tight deadlines.

With

TOHA

Notts Sport

Times have changed. So have tools. And our new commercial range is all the proof you need. Take the EGO Power+ blower. It’s powered by the most technologically advanced, petrol-matching, Lithium-ion battery system out there. It’s built tough to withstand all-day use in any weather. Its impressive airflow beats every other handheld blower on the market, and while it packs all the power of petrol, it’s significantly quieter, vibrates less and gives off zero fumes. So don’t stick to what you know. Switch to the power of EGO.

The purrfect roller mower?

From time to time there is a breakthrough, an innovation that makes a real impact on the way we do things.

Such is the new Wessex CRX320 golf course and sports turf roller mower.

Wessex describe it as the machine you’ve been asking for, manufactured in the company’s own factory in the UK the CRX320 is an exceptional mowing experience.

Full width rollers front and rear and 3.2m wide, it’s nothing short of a precision cut and outstanding stripe. Keeping the rollers as close as possible maximises ground contour following, with excellent floating capabilities to closely hug the undulations.

The renowned CRX swing tip Gold Cut blades give you the superb cut and make for easy maintenance,

while the wide-angle PTO gives you tight-turn capabilities for increased manoeuvrability.

All you need is a 35hp tractor and only one spool valve, which makes it economical to operate with the simplest machinery. Simple too is the belt tension for quick and easy maintenance and the cutting height adjustment, between 10mm and 100mm, is equally straightforward. Minimal and easy access grease points and shrouded PTO’s equate to long service intervals.

The CRX-320 is also made roadgoing with an optional highway kit for road-legal towing, so you can easily move from place to place. And with a 3-year warranty, what more could you ask for? If you think of something Wessex are always listening.

Lloyd takes on Reform and Muthing ranges

Commenting on the agreement Simon Richard said: ‘’The Lloyd name is an excellent addition to our nationwide dealer network.’’

DK tractor range from Kioti evolves

Since 2003 the Kioti DK tractor range has continued to evolve. It has a reputation for simplicity and ease of use.

Today the DK tractor range has been completed with the introduction of the new 58 HP version with air-conditioned factory cabin.

This new tractor the DK6010 represents the very best of quality with many features designed for maximum operator comfort, ergonomic styling and ease of use.

It is a class leading model compared to equivalent tractors of its horse power range.

The comfort of the cabin combined with the new

ASSEENATSALTEX2018

twin pedal mechanical HST transmission makes this a tractor that is a real pleasure to use for experienced or new tractor drivers alike.

Available in 3 horse powers (45/49/58) the new series of DK models with their compact size and weight delicately adapts to all types of ground conditions.

You can choose between a narrow version with a mid ROPS, a standard model with a rear mounted ROPS and a Premium model with air-conditioned cabin (DK6010 only).

New in this range is the introduction of HST available with the 58HP model. This answers the demands from customers who need a tractor

that is able to work hard, has power, is flexible, precise and easy to use. The wide choice of different turf wheels that are available from Kioti Uk for

this tractor ensure that it is fit for any purpose.”

Kioti

The new AS 1040 YAK 4WD is a major innovation of ride-on mowers, setting new standards for slope mowing. The flail mowing unit provides a wider cutting width with maximum stability. Rotary mowers with similar working widths hit their limits in extreme terrain. In the event of unseen foreign objects, the flail mower unit is at significantly less risk of damage and ensures greater operator safety. For visually perfect mowing results across the complete working width. Rather than placing the grass in swaths, like rotary mowers, the flail mowing unit returns tiny particles of grass back to the soil as natural fertiliser.

The AS 1040 YAK 4WD’s newly developed 100 cm wide flail mowing unit is a superior alternative to the conventional rotary mowing unit.

AS 1040 YAK 4WD THE PROFESSIONAL RIDE-ON FLAIL-MOWER. STRONG, ROBUST, PERFORMS ON DIFFICULT TERRAIN. www.as-motor.uk

PSD Groundscare Ltd Tel: 01282 856819 Email: sales@psdgroundscare.com Web: www.psdgroundscare.com

63cm wide

Folding handlebars Made in the UK

Find out more by visiting www.tracmaster.co.uk or call 01444 247689

Simon Richard UK

Wessex International

High quality maintenance packages offer an attractive solution

Fleet deals and comprehensive package contracts have become increasingly popular in the last five to 10 years as buyers looks to maximise on the value for money they get from manufacturers and dealers.

With both the private and public sector seeing budgets squeezed but the demand for better quality services increasing, investment in new machinery has continued but with the customer demanding a lot more for their money.

In response the manufacturers and dealers have launched fleet and package offers that enable customers to invest in the latest machinery but not necessarily be exposed to an initial high outlay.All sorts of finance deals are now available and increasingly manufacturers are providing packages that provide a lot more than a machinery solution.

For example, Real Club de Golf Las Brisas at Marbella in Spain is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018, as well as its first full golf course maintenance equipment fleet deal with John Deere and local dealer Agronimer.

Arranged through David Fernandez, the head of Agronimer’s golf division, the new fleet has been acquired in a five-year John Deere Financial agreement worth one million euros, and is supported by full PowerGard maintenance cover.

Machinery includes tees, fairway, greens and rough mowers, both compact and larger utility tractors, Gator utility vehicles, sprayers and bunker rakes. The latest E-Cut hybrid electric models now make up 100 per cent of the club’s ride-on greens and fairway mower fleet.

Others, like Reesink Turfcare, offer greater flexibility like the

automotive industry. Reesink Turfcare’s four Toro finance schemes offering ten ways to pay launched last year and were so successful they’re back again.

The reason for this success is, says Reesink national sales manager Jeff Anguige, because they allow customers to turn one new Toro machine into a fleet for the same year’s budget: “Instead of buying one machine with your annual machinery replacement budget you put it towards a fleet. It’s the cost-effective way to get the latest and best quality machinery you need, now. Plus, you get more of what you need for less.”

All four schemes, which comprises Toro Triple Finance each with three payment options and an interest-free payment with Buy Now Pay Later, have flexibility at their core, to provide a best scenario for everyone.

There is also a move to invest in alternative methods of transport and investment in electric and hybrid power solutions.

Ground Control, the UK’s leading external maintenance and commercial landscaping providers announce partnership with the world’s largest electric vehicle charging network, ChargePoint, to drive alternative energy and help businesses attract and retain staff and customers

Ground Control is heavily invested in caring for the environment, and its recent partnership with ChargePoint is the latest offering promoting

innovative methods to build a more sustainable future.

Ground Control’s new service ‘GC-ChargePoint’; supplying and installing EV charging solutions, supports and encourages the use of electric vehicles as an alternative energy source to fossil fuels, championing the growth of the UK’s EV charging network.

Vehicle manufacturers are expanding and developing an ever-growing range of electric vehicles, with the market growing significantly as diesel cars are rapidly replaced with greener alternatives.

Cut to the business with the FS 131

For tougher jobs and larger areas of tall grass, the FS 131 from STIHL supplied with ADVANCE Universal double shoulder harness, metal grass blade and AutoCut mowing head offers professionals with a high-performance and efficient brushcutter suitable for landscape maintenance.

The STIHL 4-MIX engine, which runs on a fuel-oil mix similarly to a 2-stroke, provides fast acceleration, more power and added torque and reduced emissions.

The increased fuel efficiency and large fuel tank allows professionals to complete jobs quickly and more easily, whilst reducing downtime.

To make getting up and running even simpler, the FS 131 features an internal decompression valve meaning less force on the starter rope is needed. With only two screws to undo to access the timing valves, regular maintenance checks and adjustments are quick and simple.

Designed with a multi-function handle, the engine and speed controls are easily accessible and at the users finger tips, along with a stop switch that automatically reverts back to the start position for a quicker, simple restart.

When used in conjunction with a harness, the bike handle enables a smooth mowing action, meaning the machine can be easily guided

and is ideal for working on large areas, thus reducing fatigue.

The ADVANCE Universal Harness supplied features soft padding for further comfort during longer jobs. Additionally, the anti-vibration

system dampens oscillations from the machine’s engine to reduce vibrations at the handles, rendering the FS 131 suitable to use over extended periods.

STIHL

EGO offer powers and performance to ground care professionals

To meet the needs of ground care professionals in terms of power, performance, convenience and wellbeing, EGO Power+ is launching its first dedicated range of commercial cordless garden tools.

Powered by the patented design of the 56V Arc Lithium battery system, which delivers the power of petrol without the petrol, the range comprises three highspec tools – a hedge trimmer, a commercial line trimmer, and a blower.

Corona Tools launches in the UK

Corona Tools, America’s leading tool innovator, launches its premium gardening tools in the UK at GLEE in September.

The tools combine outstanding performance with the highest quality materials and advanced technical design, to ensure that Corona tools are more than up to the job, however tough it gets.

Corona Tools is launching selected ranges in the UK in 2018 as a result of its relationship to British garden tool manufacturer Burgon & Ball. At the start of

Winter warmers from Cobra

Cobra has an extensive range of chainsaws aimed at domestic users.

For those wanting the rev of a petrol engine to add to the experience, Cobra has four models of increasing cutting widths and power, ranging from a 14” with a 42cc engine to a 20” with a 62cc engine. Alternatively, there are also

electric models. However, for the ultimate in convenience, Cobra has a lithium-ion battery chainsaw which is ready to go at the touch of a button. The CS3540VZ for an impressive 50-minutes on a 90-minute charge.

Cobra

Top of the tree with ECHO

ECHO’s range of new generation chainsaws includes the CS2511TES, the top handle saw arborists and dealers have been waiting for.

Weighing in at just 2.3kg (dry weight w/o bar and chain) it is ECHO’s lightest and most compact saw to date, highly manoeuvrable and easy to use for long periods with little fatigue, thanks to the compact design.

It is the attention to detail in the design that sets this saw apart.

The ECHO engineers have taken the approach that user experience, and the environments they are working in, are crucial to the way the saw is designed.

The engine produces 1.10kW to give the CS-2511TES a superior power-to-weight ratio.

The saw fits easily into the hand with its ergonomic contoured handle and patented palm rest for greater control and comfort.

The controls are positioned logically and are easy to use, while the attention to detail that includes a swing-out lanyard ring enhances balance and makes climbing easier.

the year, the Sheffield-based company joined the Venanpri global family of the finest hand tool brands, already home to Corona Tools.

Corona Tools will be debuting its ranges of cutting tools, saws, axes, digging tools and long-handled tools at GLEE. Visitors to stand 8E50-F51 at the show will be able to meet the Corona tool experts, and take an exclusive first look at these superb high quality tools from the States.

Corona

All offer super tough, low maintenance construction to help grounds care professionals work harder all-day every day, even in the most challenging conditions.

EGO have spent a lot of time talking to professional users to better understand what is

required from them of their tools. The result is a range of tools designed to perform beyond the expectations of even the most challenging user. All three new tools are packed with innovation.

In an industry first, the brush cutter has a carbon fibre shaft which makes it more lightweight for ease of handling, but, even more importantly, it makes it extremely strong.

Where standard aluminium shafts bend or get damaged, this shaft stays strong to meet the day-to-day routine of handling, transporting and storing. Additionally, EGO will also launch a new backpack battery, which once again, takes cordless performance to a whole new level.

With an IP rating of 56 this new battery is suitable for all weather conditions. There’s no need to stop and place a plastic cover over the top of it like some other manufacturers because its 1500 watt hour capacity will just keep on working.

EGO Power +

Overcoming the challenges of a long hot summer

Though it seems a while ago now, the dizzy heights of the recent summer saw temperatures well above average. It has gone down in history as the joint-hottest on record for the UK as a whole, and the hottest ever in England.

According to Met Office statistics, Faversham in Kent recorded the highest temperature in England at 35.5oc and Scotland reached a new record in June with 33.2oc.

The heatwave of 2018 offered extremely dry and sunny conditions throughout June and July due to clear skies and lower than normal rainfall. The period was characterised by a strong North Atlantic Oscillation (+NAO) which meant high pressure was largely dominant over north and north-west Europe.

For Turf Managers maintaining the country’s sports turf areas, heat stress and low moisture levels made it a particular challenge to produce consistently good playing surfaces. The negative effect on soils can be clearly seen by comparing moisture deficit data for 2018 versus 2017 – in this case from a location in Oxfordshire.

The soil moisture deficit is the difference between the amount of water the soil can hold and the amount actually in the soil.

A moisture deficit of 10mm over a time period means 10mm of moisture was removed from the soil by evapotranspiration (E.T.) that was not replaced by precipitation during this period. Over the summer of 2018, soil moisture deficits were almost double those of the previous year and consequently meant that the turf areas needed more water, more frequently, to maintain plant growth and turf quality.

To maintain consistent growth, the soil needs to provide a reservoir of available water to facilitate plant processes such as photosynthesis, nutrient uptake, cooling via transpiration and rigidity. But in addition, a certain balance of moisture in the soil is required to provide the correct playing surface characteristics for many sports. Managing the soil moisture appropriately for individual sports can ensure optimum performance and improve consistency, as well as reduce injury in some situations.

Along with moisture meters, wetting agents were an important tool in maintaining and maximising water availability through this period. Penetrant type wetters are low-cost, but by their nature, facilitate water movement downwards in soils – thus not making best use of applied irrigation or rainfall. Wetting agents with some residual activity on the other hand, help to retain water

molecules around soil particles and provide an essential aid to help maintain plant available moisture.

Playing the game Nottingham Forest Football Club have used a wetting agent programme at The Nigel Doughty Academy, the clubs training ground, for the last 5 years. The facility is the training base for the Forest Academy, under 18’s, under 23’s and first team squads.

Head Groundsman Matt Tietjen explained: “We have 5 and a half natural grass pitches, plus an indoor and an outdoor 3G surface to maintain. The training ground is quite an open site and the irrigation system doesn’t provide us with water cover to all areas

of the grass. This means that we suffer with localised dry spots due to lack of moisture.

“It was essential to apply wetting agents and hand water to keep the pitches hydrated during the hot and dry summer months we have just had.”

Many residual wetting agents tend to be expensive to use on large areas, but Matt was attracted by the multi-rate flexibility of TriCure AD from Headland Amenity. “We apply TriCure at 4 litres per hectare in a volume rate of 400 litres of water per hectare. We try to apply once a month from May until September and will increase this to every 2 weeks if the weather is extremely hot - like this summer. This works well

for us, in combination with the TriCure granules if needed. After application we will also irrigate and hand water to help drive the product down into the profile.”

TriCure AD is more active, rate for rate, than many surfactants due to its multi-molecular chemistry. Other products have to be applied at much higher rates to achieve equivalent results, as many contain only one surfactant technology and only work well in one given situation.

Normal summer maintenance applications on fine turf such as golf greens etc. are applied at 10-20 litres per hectare.

However, TriCure AD has been shown to be active and produce good residual results at rates as low as 2.5 litres

per hectare on coarse turf areas such as winter sports pitches, golf fairways and cricket outfields. This multirate flexibility leads to a significant cost reduction compared to products that are effective only at full-rate.

Matt said “Using TriCure AD signifi cantly reduced the amount of hand watering we had to do over, what was, a punishing summer. The temperatures were particularly testing and stressful for the grass. TriCure has been vital to us to help keep the grass hydrated and without it, we would have had to hand water pretty much every day to keep on top of the dry areas.”

Headland Amenity Enquiry 90

Greenmaster Invigorator crucial for Kingsbarns fairways

Innes Knight, Course and Facilities Manager at Kingsbarns Golf Links, says that ICL’s Greenmaster Pro-Lite Invigorator 4-0-8+2MgO+4Fe is crucial to his fairways maintenance programme.

Golf was resurrected on Kingsbarns Links at the dawning of the 21st Century and in 2001 it was named as one of the cohosts of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Innes started in his role at Kingsbarns in the final stages of construction and admitted that it was somewhat of a baptism of fire with the course being selected to host a high-calibre professional tour event so soon after its opening.

Selecting the correct products is essential and Innes says that ICL’s Greenmaster Pro-Lite Invigorator 4-0-8+2MgO+4Fe helps him to create that

essential ‘links feel’ that Kingsbarns demands.

“On the fairways it is all about trying to create the links feel, so you want them firm, fast and able to withstand the wear. However, you do not want them to look too polished otherwise you can get criticised for that - it is all about finding the correct balance. We have two applications a season with Greenmaster Pro-Lite Invigorator - one at the start of the season in the middle of March and one just after Dunhill in October which takes us through the winter period. The product is crucial for our fairways maintenance programme and we’ve seen great results.”

This low nitrogen, high potassium fertilizer contains iron to help harden turf in spring and autumn consists of fine granules for quick dispersal, and Innes believes that good spreading and fortunate weather is the ideal combination to get the best results.

“We are using a local farmer’s spreader now and it is working

very well. The problem on a links course with low fertility is that you put something on and it shows up everything. This isn’t really the case on a parkland course when you are maybe using 300kg of nitrogen a year, but when you are only putting a miniscule amount out you have to get it right.

“If you put fertilizer out you really want it to rain the next day or a couple of days after and not be damp because of the iron content. We got such a good hit this year. It was dry when we applied it, there was no wind and then it rained the very next day.

“We saw a great response after just fi ve days and every fairway was consistent. It gave them that hit they needed to pick them up at the start of the season. Greenmaster ProLite Invigorator is such a good product and if you get a bit of good weather at the same time as you apply it then the results are unbeatable.”

ICL

Headland Amenity puts emphasis on the environment with Crystal Green

A source of slow-release phosphorus, nitrogen and magnesium recovered from nutrient-rich UK waste water, Crystal Green available from Headland Amenity makes for an eco-friendly fertiliser that enhances nutrient efficiency – perfect for easily-leachable, sand-dominated rootzones.

Most phosphorus fertilisers are highly water soluble and rapidly react in the soil becoming unavailable for plant uptake. As turfgrass grows it produces

organic acids, such as citrates, to help roots absorb nutrients.

The nutrients in Crystal Green are citrate-soluble, releasing slowly in response to organic acid production, gradually supplying the soil solution to meet plant demand. This process minimises excess phosphorus in the soil, lowering the risk of leaching and runoff while providing the turf a season-long supply of phosphorus according to the plant’s requirements. Crystal Green granules are uncoated, 99.9% pure, dust-free, and maintain

their slow-release capabilities even if cracked or broken. Whilst the original Crystal Green 5-2810 formulation is suitable to aid establishment and to maintain Phosphorus availability in free draining soils, it is also a perfect slow-release partner in fertiliser blends.

It features in Headland’s Xtend 10-10-10+2MgO slow-release renovation/recovery fertiliser, which also includes a composted organic base, seaweed meal and humic acid.

The finished product works as a pre-seeder and establishment fertiliser with both slow-release N and P, perfect for use on winter sports pitches, cricket outfields and racecourse turf, as well as golf tees, fairways and surrounds.

Headland Amenity

Marathon is the front runner at Hamilton Park

Stephen Fyles, track manager at Hamilton Park racecourse, has noticed significant improvements since switching to a variety of Marathon Sport extended release fertilisers from Sherriff Amenity.

Along with three other members of staff, Stephen oversees the meticulous operations at the 4.8 hectare site which includes the maintenance of the track and all surrounding lawns and grounds.

“I came into this role three years ago with the mind-set of giving the existing fertiliser programme a chance,” he says. “I gave it two years but unfortunately I was finding holes in the regime – we were losing track pace, recovery times and generally were just not seeing the results I wanted.

“I had seen the Marathon fertilisers in action in a previous role at Epsom and knew what I could expect from them. Therefore I made the switch last year and they have worked incredibly well.”

For a number of years, turf managers have reaped the benefits of Sherriff Amenity’s range of Marathon fertilisers – the Marathon Sport range of extended release fertilisers provide long-lasting, balanced growth on golf fairways, tees, surrounds, sports fields and ornamental lawns maintained at a height of 10mm and above.

“We went with an all Marathon feed for the track over the

course of the summer with four feeds and the results have been fantastic. It’s been a very positive year – the track has stood up to the heavy use and at the same time it is helping me meet the requirements of our soil analysis tests because at the moment the phosphate levels in the soil are high so it requires us to have a low phosphate fertiliser to stop them from getting locked in.”

Stephen chooses to use Spring 16.4.8; Summer 10.0.15 and Autumn 7.0.21 and applies them anywhere between the recommended rate of 20 - 35g/ m2 dependent on conditions. In conjunction with the Marathon base feeds, Stephen regularly applies long-lasting iron liquid in the form of Sherriff Amenity’s GoGreen Energy and GoGreen Plus.

Containing seaweed, plant sugars, simple carbohydrates and trace elements that have been specially selected to give optimum results when grass is stressed, GoGreen Energy is a concentrated bio-stimulant, formulated to assist plant health and relieve stress symptoms.

For instant greening of turf many turf managers choose GoGreen Plus which is a unique complex iron sulphate that may be used as a stand-alone product or more flexibly, as a tank-mix partner.

Prevention is the key

Sherriff Amenity

Major investment made by Origin’s Amenity Business

Origin’s Amenity Business has announced its acquisition of Linemark UK, the country’s leading innovator and supplier of pitch line-marking paints, machines and accessories.

Linemark UK joins Rigby Taylor and Headland in providing technically advanced and innovative solutions to turf management professionals.

Linemark UK has been the exclusive supplier of linemarking products to Rigby Taylor for 10 years, working closely with the company to bring to the industry Impact, the market-leading, ready-touse paint, which has won many awards including the Queens Award for Innovation and the Queens Award for International trade (Export).

This paint is now sold to over 43 countries worldwide and used by international, national stadia, Premiership pitches and sports grounds across a range of sports surfaces. Other paints include the Duraline range for both natural turf, synthetic and hard surfaces together with Preline, the only MAPPapproved paint for initial marking.

Commenting on the acquisition, Chris Clark, Rigby Taylor’s

executive chairman, stated: “Pitch line-marking paint and its application is an important market sector for the company. With Linemark UK joining the Origin family, we consider that Rigby Taylor will consolidate its leading market position and continue the high level of innovation and development for the benefit of our customer’s both now and in the future.”

Tony Holt, managing director of Linemark UK, commented: “This is fantastic news for Linemark UK as it looks to build on its successes and create, alongside Rigby Taylor, an exciting future within the Origin organisation.”

Linemark UK and Rigby Taylor pioneered the introduction of an Integrated Paint Technology System to sports pitch linemarking, matching for the first time innovative paint formulation chemistry, advanced spray nozzle technology and application performance.

The result was the introduction of Impact paints, which brought to the industry the highest level of line-marking performance ever achieved.

Linemark UK

HP Sportsline provides an expert finish

Junckers HP SportsLine is a water-based two-pack paint for marking of court lines and colouring of other areas on wooden floors in gymnasiums and sports halls.

Junckers HP SportsLine is recommended on Junckers HP SPORT coated and Junckers prefinished lacquered floors.

The range can be mixed to obtain other colours. Junckers manufactures high quality

solid wood flooring for all types of sport courts and gyms, including basketball courts, handball courts, volleyball courts, futsal pitches, racquet courts, squash courts and multipurpose arenas.

With experience gained from manufacturing solid hardwood floors since the 1930’s, Junckers has the technical expertise to design and supply the optimal performing high quality solid hardwood flooring. Flooring

Environmentally safe, concentrated marking solutions

solutions suit all indoor sport and activity areas, including, gyms, fitness flooring, athletic facilities, and multipurpose rooms.

Junckers sports floors perform with unique area-elastic characteristics and this gives athletes the ultimate freedom of movement, protects against injury and ensures that they can achieve their best.

Junckers

Android-based Supaturf SWOZI raises the bar

GPS-guided linemarking has further advanced with the Generation 3 SWOZI from Vitax Supaturf. The Supaturf SWOZI marked a quantum leap in the speed and efficiency of linemarking, with turfcare professionals able to mark out a football pitch in an average time of just 30 minutes.

The technology already allows sports contractors and site-based grounds professionals to mark out far more pitches in a day than when using traditional machines.

ported to Android, introducing variable or constant rate paint outflow to give users more flexible work patterns.

Recognised internationally, Bowgrass concentrated line marking paints for sports pitches have been specifically formulated to offer exceptional levels of coverage and consistency.

Waterborne and environmentally safe, all Bowgrass line marking paint grades remain ‘bright white’ in both concentrated and diluted form.

Due to its optimal performance Bowgrass line marking paints are used by many contractors, schools, councils, national and international sporting institutions as well as at major sporting championships.

Release of the new low volume Atomic line marking paint, continues to prove a huge success both in the UK and internationally.

Whilst universally compatible with all line marking machines, Bowgrass line marking paints have been specifically developed for optimal performance through the Bowcom range of line marking applicators, including the revolutionary GMX electric line marking machine, GM5, GM10, and Trike.

Bowcom

Generation 3 SWOZI features upgraded control system, electronics and communications, using a Windows-based app now

The new terrain compensation module (TCM) boosts line quality and further eases marking out, while strip mowing is now available through the Android app store for loading on to the rugged, waterproof Samsung Galaxy Active 8-inch IP67 display tablet fitted to the latest version. Users can now swap seamlessly between GPS with SWOZI RTK base to RTK app or to laser tracker without changing equipment or hardware.

Vitax

Get your cogs turning with latest innovation from Fleet Line Markers

Fleet Line Markers Ltd will be launching a whole new innovation in line marking at Saltex 2018.

Fleet is extremely excited to showcase the Cog Drum and the Cog Line Markers, a whole new approach in line marking.

It is not only environmentally friendly but eliminates paint wastage. Rather than recycling, the Cog Line Marking System reuses it’s bespoke drums (Cogs), which can be used time after time saving money and …. saving the planet. At the end of their reusable life they are then recycled into new Cogs.

We will also be demonstrating the Kombi Klamp Docking Station and the Flozle Nozzle Cleaning System, which are both fresh from winning the Paris Innovation Awards last month.

The Kombi Klamp Docking Station is an easy to use system to safely and easily transport your Kombi, BeamRider or MAQA Line Marking Machines. The Klamp is supplied with built in extendable ramps to suit most vehicles. Once the machine is parked on the Klamp our unique clamping system holds the machine securely in place and the extendable ramps simply slide underneath for storage.

The Flozle Nozzle System is a spray head that automatically cleans the nozzle after every line marked. This unique patented system can keep the line marking tip clear at all times.

The latest MAQA release will also be on show, this is the only UK manufactured and designed satellite guided line marker available in the UK.

14 years ago Fleet created the laser guided

line marker, BeamRider (which is still the most accurate line marker available anywhere in the world), of which the latest model will be exhibited on the Fleet stand.

In the 90’s Fleet designed and manufactured the first ride-on line marker on a utility vehicle.

Come and see how this has now progressed into an electric ride-on dedicated line marker.

October 4th, 2018 has seen market leaders, Fleet Line Markers Ltd, recognised by the Low Carbon Opportunities Program in Sustainability, and have been awarded a substantial grant in order to continue to achieve Fleet’s goals of significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the line marking industry.

Fleet Line Markers

Selectline line marking paints in the UK

During SALTEX visitors were introduced to a new major player in the market of line marking paints - Selectline.

Selectline has been selling line marking paints in North West

Europe successfully for many years and now the UK will be one of their new focus countries.

Selectline is both a developer and a manufacturer of paints, which provides them a great

opportunity to develop innovative products and to ensure a fast delivery time. SL Mix is a line of premium concentrated line marking paints. These products distinguish themselves due to

their whiteness, wear resistance and stability in the can. SL Ready is a ready-to-use line marking paint that stands for quality and convenience. A wear resistant white line straight from the can with ultra low consumption.

The line marking company is present with factories in four countries: The Netherlands, France, Canada and China. Before, the company has sold their products mainly by private labels but is now entering the market under their own name ‘Selectline’.

The range of products consists of high-quality concentrates and ready-to-use paints. In addition, Selectline offers marketing packages to their distributors to launch the products the best way possible.

Selectline

Intelligent line marking from Rigby Taylor

Intelligent One, a GPScontrolled robotic line marking system that can automatically mark out a football pitch in just 30 minutes, is now available to UK sports clubs, schools, contractors and local authorities.

It has been developed by Rigby Taylor, the company at the forefront of supplying innovative products for the successful management and maintenance of turf surfaces.

Already being used in Denmark by professional football clubs, Intelligent One connects to positioning satellites via a sophisticated Leica GPS system and is operated via a tablet by entering pitch dimensions with two fixed points.

The pitch can then be marked - including centre circle, D and corner areas, as well as the

penalty spot - without any further operator involvement.

Designed for use with Rigby Taylor’s award-winning Impact Integrated Paint Technology,

Intelligent One is programmable between pitches on the same site and can mark multiple pitches from one battery charge. Initially designed for marking grass football pitches, Rigby

Taylor is now also investigating its use for other sports and playing surfaces.

Rigby Taylor

Grassline line marking paints offer more for less

Grassline line marking paints are forever mindful of the increasing costs of sports pitch maintenance and line marking.

With this in mind, Grassline have launched a triple initiative which gives all Groundsmen the opportunity to acquire a transfer wheel line marker completely free of charge.

Purchase a Challenger line marker for £329.00 or an Ultima line marker for £309.95 and get two bottles of Grassline Heavy Duty line marking paint FREE OF CHARGE worth £39.50

Purchase a half pallet of Grassline Heavy Duty line marking paint concentrate (25 x 10L bottles) – cost £442.50 and get the Challenger line marker at half price – only £164.50 or Ultima line marker half price –only £154.97

Purchase a full pallet of Grassline Heavy Duty line marking paint (50 x 10L bottles) – cost £810.00 and get either the Challenger or Ultima line marker completely free of charge. All prices exclude VAT but include delivery.

Grassline

Taking the Grassline approach

Grassline Sports Marking Liquids is a specialist manufacturer of many types of line marking paint for every type of sport surface.

The company offers high performance white and coloured grass paint as well as artificial grass and hard surface line marking paint.

The majority of line marking paints come in 10 litre bottles in concentrated form for diluting with water so users can choose the appropriate strength of mixed paint to suit your situation.

Grassline also offers a white Ready to Use (ready mixed) line marking paint and smaller 5 litre bottles of hard surface line marking paint concentrate for small line marking jobs – such as car parks and playgrounds.

Grassline can provide a range of professional line marking machines, including transfer wheel line markers and spray line markers.

Grassline

Preventative fungicide treatments excel in STRI research trials

Recent STRI research trials prove that preventative disease control programmes outperform curative options when analysed for turf quality, colour and presence of Microdochium Patch.

STRI research manager, Mark Ferguson, explains these results and stresses the importance of preventative programmes in light of the recent loss of curative active ingredient iprodione.

“When measuring disease presence, the STRI team looked specifically at the level of Microdochium Patch cover on the plots. As expected, the preventative treatments performed significantly better than the curative ones.

“The trials ran over the course of eight months, comparing nine preventative and three curative programmes, as well as one untreated plot.

“The first three programmes used purely preventative fungicides from Bayer. The rest of the preventative plots used a combination from Rigby Taylor and Headland Amenity teamed with plant health products to reflect a more realistic approach,” says Mark.

In general, preventative programmes five to seven showed the most consistent results across turf colour, quality and Microdochium Patch presence by using an integrated approach with both fungicides and plant health products.

“The fungicides within the curative programmes (11 -13) were applied as and when disease developed to an unacceptable level, mimicking traditional control strategies.

“It’s important to note that none of the trial plots had any cultural controls or biological practices applied prior to or during the trial, other than mowing and switching, which was carried out when necessary,” adds Mark.

Bayer technical manager, Dr Colin Mumford, says the trial results show that even the most ‘bullet-proof’ curative programme was significantly outperformed by the preventative options.

“The disease control landscape has changed and it’s more important than ever before that greenkeepers don’t wait for disease to appear as they may have done in the past,” he says.

Bayer

GKB takes its place at the most beautiful ground

The Wormsley cricket pitch in Buckinghamshire is often referred to as ‘the most beautiful ground in Britain’.

When Mick Jagger introduced Sir Paul Getty to cricket, the millionaire philanthropist formed such an affection for the sport he had a replica of The Oval built on the grounds of his estate.

The pitch was completed in 1992 and the first match played there was attended by Her Majesty The Queen Mother, the then Prime Minister John Major, Sir Michael Caine and cricket legends Denis Compton and Brian Johnston. What is now known as ‘Sir Paul Getty’s Ground’, Wormsley has in recent years played host to England Women’s test matches against Australia and India.

Cricket Manager and former head groundsman for the Wormsley estate, Simon Tremlin heads the team responsible for maintaining the ground. With such a reputation to live up to he’s naturally very selective about the machinery he uses and a requirement for a scarifier and

seeder led him to official GKB dealers RT Machinery near Aylesbury.

“We do a lot of contracting work as well as looking after Wormsley,” says Simon “and it’s important to know the machines we use are sturdy enough to meet our needs. Last year we did forty- two cricket squares as well as rugby and football pitches.”

RT Machinery arranged with GKB Machines’ Tom Shinkins for demonstrations of GKB’s VStrong and Combiseeder at Wormsley. “We wanted a scarifier that collects as well and the VStrong showed us it’s ideal for that, leaving a tidy finish and saving time, especially in damp conditions.” Simon adds.

The VStrong follows in the tradition of GKB’s Combinator and employs generically developed 3mm carbide scarifying blades attached to the rotor using their Quick-Lock system. An operating depth of 5cm is easily attained without missing any areas. The operating speed of up to 12km/h is a real benefit for the professional

contractor, with fast removal of thatch and weed with the ability to collect at the same time.

The GKB Combiseeder can be used for overseeding and initial seeding and features two spiked rollers that open up the soil for the seed to then be spread accurately across the full width, in and around the holes. Creating over 1500 holes per m² the Combiseeder provides accurate seed application at various rates to suit different seed mixes, with

drag brushes to incorporate seed and topdressing for minimal surface disruption.

“We’ve gone with the GKB machines for the way they perform and they are robust enough to withstand the punishment of contracting work,” says Simon, “and we have plenty of that ahead as well as maintaining Sir Paul Getty’s Ground.”

GKB Machines

Kubota pitch perfect for Melksham Town FC

Kubota UK’s market leading B Series is proving to be a key player for Melksham Town FC after the Wiltshire club secured promotion to the highest league the team has ever played in - the Evo-Stik Southern League.

The club recently completed its first full season at its new £7.3m Oakfields facility, one of the best sporting facilities in the South West of England, following a grant from the Premier League and FA Facilities Fund.

Helping to keep the 16 pitches in perfect condition all year round is Kubota’s B3150, supplied by local independent Kubota groundcare machinery dealer Lister Wilder.

Melksham Town FC’s Chairman Darren Perrin said: “We need to have quality pitches for our players to train on as this is crucial in preparation for match days. With the Kubota, we get exactly that. The machine is simple to use, comfortable, and most importantly, maintains and keeps our training pitches in great condition.”

With three senior men’s sides, a women’s team and 44 youth teams, Melksham Town has over 500 registered players of all ages. The pitches are therefore put through their paces over the course of a season so it’s a busy job for head groundsman Paul Brinkley and his volunteer grounds maintenance team.

The Kubota B3150 tractor is part of the Kubota’s popular B50 Series range, which was superceded earlier this year by the machinery

manufacturer with the introduction of its premium B2 Series.

Kubota

SISIS success at Shrewsbury School

Andy Richards, grounds manager at Shrewsbury School, has reported excellent results from using a range of SISIS equipment to maintain the School’s widely praised sports pitches.

Andy and his team work tirelessly throughout the year to provide sports pitches of the highest quality, and when it comes to his cricket wickets he puts his faith in the SISIS Auto Rotorake MK5

“We use the Auto Rotorake specifically for cricket because it does such a good job,” says Andy.

“The amount of material you can take out of a wicket with the brush reel and the verticutting reel sometimes needs to be seen to be believed. We use it all the way through the cricket season. In summer we do 30 match wickets a week and it will be part of the preparation for every one of those. From the middle of April through to the last cricket match in August we play host to approximately 250 matches and the Auto Rotorake is used on every one of those.”

The SISIS Auto Rotorake MK5 is a powerful self-propelled heavy duty scarifier designed for the removal and control of thatch on fine turf. It features a contra-

rotating reel with specially designed tipped blades for clean, consistent cut and maximum thatch removal. As Andy says, a variety of maintenance tasks can be carried out due to a selection of seven different interchangeable reels.

In further discussing his maintenance procedures, Andy pin-pointed aeration as one of the most vital.

“We have one of the highest pitch usages in the country. On each pitch we average 10-15 hours per week and we’ve got limited drainage. Therefore, one of the most important things we do is aeration and we aerate pitches all of the time. Grass lives and needs air like anyone else,” he says.

Breathing life into Andy’s grass is his newly purchased SISIS Javelin Aer-Aid tractor mounted aerator, and he had no problem in running it past the School’s bursars – as he explains.

“It was the machine I wanted because I had previously trialled it and had good results. For example I Clegg hammered the pitches before and after using the Aer-Aid and had noticed a massive reduction in hardness.

I know that the Aer-Aid had recently undergone extensive Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) trials and it came out with excellent results – which always gives you confidence and makes it easier to explain to the bursars why you want to purchase it.”

The Javelin Aer-Aid recently gained rave reviews from the STRI following a three month period in which extensive trials led by Dr Christian Spring were carried out.

Contractor sees steady business growth with a little help from Redexim Verti-Drains

With customers ranging from Birmingham City FC, Wasps Rugby and Warwick School, no two days are the same for contractors, Lakeside Grounds Maintenance.

To cope with the versatility required to work on multiple sports surfaces and grounds, Director Gareth FowlerSimons has just invested in his second Verti-Drain 7526 from Charterhouse Turf Machinery, taking his total fleet to four.

Established by Gareth’s father over 30 years ago, and now with a team of 10 guys on the road, Lakeside GM conduct grounds and sports turf maintenance in and around the Midlands.

“Aeration is one of those staple maintenance procedures that goes across the board, no matter the surface you’re

working on” explains Gareth. “We took delivery of our very first Verti-Drain, an ex-demo model, roughly 20 years ago. We looked at alternatives at the time and decided that it was the best built unit, as well as being the most cost-effective. When we advertised that we had one, we picked up a lot of work which saw us quickly adding a second unit to cope with the demand.”

In the last five years Gareth and his team have continued to see growth, enough to justify the investment in two further VertiDrains, this time opting for the largest model available. “I spoke to Richard Lucas at SALTEX a couple of years ago and on the back of that, he set up a static unit for me to look at.

“Without even seeing it in action I was happy that if it was going to perform half as well as our

smaller units, we’d go for it. Having the two Verti-Drain 7526’s in our fleet now means we can continue to provide a quality job but in a shorter space of time, minimising disruption for the customers and maximising efficiency for my team.

“During autumn and peak renovation times, our Verti-Drains

are out on a daily basis and have so far delivered exactly what we’re after from a machine, with no dramas. With Charterhouse offering the large 2.6m machines, that are simple to operate and offer fantastic reliability, we’d have been foolish to go for anything else.”

Charterhouse Turf Care

Education City Golf Club partners with John Deere in first major Middle East venture

A major investment in John Deere golf course maintenance equipment has been made by the brand new Education City Golf Club in Doha, Qatar, which is due to open at the end of October 2018.

The machinery will be used on three courses, with a total of 33 holes spread across 120ha.

An initial fleet of 93 John Deere machines including tractors, greens, fairway & rough mowers

and Gator utility vehicles has been delivered by Qatar dealer Progressive, along with other ancillary equipment including sprayers, top dressers and aerators.

The choice of John Deere as preferred supplier to Education City Golf Club was made on Darren Smith’s recommendation, following an intensive examination of the equipment’s technical and environmental features.

In line with the club’s sustainability vision, John Deere was considered a perfect match due to the hybrid electric technology used on over 90 per

cent of the mowing fleet. These mowers feature proven E-Cut Quick Adjust (QA) cutting units driven by electric reel motors that support energy efficiency, reduced fuel consumption and lower sound levels.

In addition, 102 potential hydraulic leak points are removed from the equation due to the use of electric drives in the reel circuits. Precision and quality were also key considerations in the decision making process, as Education City aims to present a premium experience to its members and guests.

John Deere

SISIS

JCB Fastrac keeps turf grower’s sowing and mowing on track

Investment in a wide-working mower and a new tractor to pull it has transformed the task of keeping turf pristine and trim for a Worcestershire-based grower.

The JCB Fastrac and V-Mow combination has slashed mowing time by as much as 75%, reducing the time taken to cut a 65 acre field from 6 hours with a 9m rotary roller mower to just one and a half hours.

“It’s really made a big difference,” says Peter Lole of Teal Turf, who produces lawn turf across the whole of his 400 acre farm at Kempsey for lawn

renovations, landscaping and new housing projects.

The grass has to be trimmed regularly in the growing season – typically every other day – to keep it short but healthy and ready to harvest in thin strips. JCB Loadall telescopic handlers then collect pallets stacked with turf and load them on to delivery trucks.

Mowing is therefore a full-time operation in the growing season, and one that has been made a lot quicker with the spectacular 16m wide mower and a new JCB Fastrac tractor to operate it.

Rigby Taylor flying high for The Seagulls

Steve Winterburn’s role at Brighton & Hove Albion FC may have changed over the years, but what has not altered is his incessant desire to produce the best pitches – at the Premier League club’s training ground as well as at its AMEX Community Stadium.

“One example concerns the use of nutritional products as well as controlled and conventional release fertilisers,” he explained. “I always want the best – and at the best price!”

That said, one amenity supplies company in particular has stood the test of time, he affirms, “and that’s Rigby Taylor, from which we source a host of products”.

“We opted for a fibrelastic surface, using grasses that I was used to working with – mainly Rigby Taylor’s R14; a 100 per cent perennial ryegrass containing the cultivars Columbia, Poseidon, Duparc and Berloiz 1,” he continued.

“That pitch has performed very well over the years but this summer [2018] it has been replaced by a hybrid surface –

two similar hybrid pitches are in place at the training ground alongside hybrid surfaces for goalkeeping and training areas - but, again, we are sticking with the R14 as part of the seed mixtures used because it gives me everything I need, including rapid establishment, good colour, a clean cut and good disease and shade tolerance.

Underpinned by regular agronomy advice from STRI, R14 is just one of a host of Rigby Taylor products on Steve’s shopping list. He also uses, for example:

• A variety of fungicides;

• A range of fertilisers such as the Microflow-CXS controlled-release liquid – containing chelated trace elements including copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and zinc;

• Amino Form LX amino acid-based supplement for stress relief;

• Activate XL microbial biostimulant; and

• Breaker Advance wetting agent.

Bailoy Irrigation Controls

Peter Lole says: “We’ve not run a Fastrac before but a chance working demonstration by our local JCB dealer Ross Farm Machinery showed its potential. We originally intended using it just for cultivations and some trailer work but it’s turned out to be excellent for turf.”

The Fastrac’s 50:50 weight distribution and wheels of equal size front and rear are a great asset for this application because with big, supple tyres fitted it treads as lightly as any of the Teal Turf operation’s smaller conventional tractors.

The tractor’s legal 60kph top speed, all-round disc brakes, and suspension on both axles –a unique feature of the Fastrac compared with conventional tractors – also makes it an ideal machine for trailer work, hauling in compost to mix with topsoil and making deliveries of the resulting blend for landscaping projects.

During the summer months, however, the JCB Fastrac is exclusively employed on the V-Mow, which is manufactured in Luxembourg by a fellow turf grower.

JCB

Keep low voltage irrigation control connections secure and waterproof

Keeping connections secure and waterproof is essential for any irrigation control system to avoid costly call outs.

For low voltage irrigation connections up to 30 volts, Rain Bird’s DBM10 quick connect wire connector for residential and small commercial applications provides an outstanding waterproof connection with a simple twist-on-wire nut.

The DBM10 has a UL 486C rating for the use of sealed connector systems in damp or wet conditions. The connector

contains up to 75% more silicone than other competitive products with the extra silicone completely filling the connector and thereby preventing any water pooling inside. Waterproofing is further ensured by the snap fit lid.

UV, impact and flame resistant and with an operating temperature up to 105º degrees C, DBM10’s toughness is further highlighted in pull-out tests where the it outperformed competitive connectors.

Rainbird

Busy 12 months for Walker Mowers

Walker Mowers UK returned to SALTEX this month, following their official launch at the NEC Birmingham 12 months ago.

The out front rotary zero turn mower concept of the Walker range, improves productivity on average 20% - 25% and a dedicated sales force will demonstrate the Walker Advantage to professional users on a no obligation basis.

Today an option of mower cutting widths from 36” - 52”, efficient grass and leaf collection with large 247 cu.ft. collectors, industry standard mulching decks for the recycling of cuttings - all these features when combined with power options of efficient Diesel engines, (essential where red diesel fuel is available) and new EFI technology delivering improved fuel consumption and a cleaner more efficient way to produce power, makes the Walker Advantage a viable option for the professional contractor and operator.

successful demonstrations have been undertaken this year to contractors, caravan sites, non-league football grounds, large country homes, national zoos, municipal authorities and private homes where customers have heard of the efficient Walker reputation and wanted to see the machines perform for themselves.

“In our first year, where snow was on the ground in April and the U.K. recorded one of the hottest and driest summers on record, our actual sales are higher than any year in the last five years.” stated Steve.

Rigby Taylor

Steve Egerton of Walker Mowers UK, told LAPU that

TLW blower

TLB blower

Walker Mowers

Out front Whisper Twister is the perfect set up for Coxmoor GC

Coxmoor Golf Club, an accredited England Golf Championship venue, is in its fourth year of a major ten-year redevelopment, working closely with architects, Creative Golf Design.

The progressive Nottinghamshire club has an innovative programme of bunker and tee improvements to future proof the course which are already elevating its stature.

Running alongside is a ten year woodlands plan in partnership with The Sherwood Forest Trust and the Forestry Commission. The goal is to restore the Sutton-in-Ashfield club to its natural heathland habitat with a better understanding of woodland management.

Over 1500 trees have been thinned out making way for the best indigenous species,

the focus on selecting trees across a spectrum of life cycle stages. By necessity, Course Manager, Ben Cumberland and his greenkeeping team of seven, adopt very effective solutions for removing leaf debris.

Central to their operation is a previously under-used John Deere 3730 tractor, which now supports a Wiedenmann Whisper Twister blower on the front and a variety of equipment on the back.

“When I joined Coxmoor, the 3730 tractor was a couple of years old with its three point front linkage kit untouched and no obvious plans to put it to use. With front linkage in place it made sense to attach a blower which could stay on for two to three months at a time,” explained Ben Cumberland.

“James Robson from dealer Henton and Chatell got on the

case and brought the Whisper Twister for demo and we kept it.

“It’s fortunate the John Deere has low ground pressure and Galaxy flotation tyres so it can be over the greens for most of the year, leaving no imprint whatsoever. The Whisper Twister balances on a low pressure wheel so together they are perfect for fine turf.

When it’s dry, the blower goes round the greens that need it in the morning to tidy them. We drive right up to a bunker, point the nozzle, rotate if required and the leaves are taken out easily. Because the driver’s view is to the front, you see everything; no awkward neck twisting trying to look behind

“Only in the depths of winter will we go over the greens and blow leaves by hand. But for other parts of the course when it is damp and the leaves are dormant

and bedded into the grass, we will pair the blower with the Wiedenmann Terra Rake. The scarifying tines on the rake go through the longer grass, teasing the leaves out from the bottom; the leaves are blown out and then we rake them up.

“Having the blower to the front is so versatile; the set up gives scope to do more and more. We will put another machine on the back and tidy as we go, especially with aeration work on the greens, or with the slitter, the sorrel roller, the brush… even

down to blowing tees before we spray them with the sprayer attached. We often do two jobs in one. Kill two birds with the one stone if you like.”

Wiedenmann UK

Campey deliver the Koro FTM to cricket demonstration day

Campey Turf Care Systems in association with their Cambridgeshire dealer, Scamblers, held a successful demonstration day at Clare College, Cambridge, to

show what the Koro FIELD TOP-MAKER can do on a cricket square.

The Imants machine was originally used to strip

the organic matter off of football pitches and has gone on to be used in rugby, golf and tennis with cricket becoming the latest adopter of the technology.

Cambridge United use the Clare College site for training and because of this head groundsman, Robbie Nightingale knows the difference removing the organic matter can make to a football pitch and was keen to test it out on his cricket square.

“There is a lot of good quality cricket played in the county and there is an opening for a few Colleges or clubs to pitch in together to get a Koro FTM,” he explained.

“Using the machine in different sports to what it was originally used for is something that’s a growing trend and you read and see a lot about people using it, so we thought we’d have a look and see what it’s about.

“Because it’s a demonstration day and the first time we used the machine we wanted to start at 3mm and go down very gradually

so we could take out whatever we wanted to.

Going to 3mm is ideal for us because we wouldn’t have been able to do that with the machinery that we have so it’s been a fantastic opportunity for us, and others, to see it on our own square.

Thirty turf professionals from 28 different cricket clubs, football clubs and colleges from the Cambridgeshire region attended the event which also included a demonstration of the Air2G2 GT Air Inject.

Campey product specialist, Simon Holland, ran the practical side of the event and has seen an increased number of cricket groundsmen enquire about using the Koro FTM on their squares.

“Koro-ing has become more popular within cricket at all levels

of the game,” he said. “I’m going to Edgbaston Cricket Ground to Koro a wicket there that has SIS Grass reinforcement, so that’ll be an interesting project to work on because it’ll be the first time it’s been done on a cricket pitch that’s reinforced.

“But although today is mainly cricket we do have people from other sports attending because they want to see the Koro→ FTM→ working. I think there’s a growing interest from the cricket side because it isn’t something they’ve adopted fully yet, but they can see the benefits of using it.

“The idea is to level the pitch, particularly the saddles, and pull 90% of the organic matter out so they’ve got a blank canvass to work with.”

Campey Turf Care Systems

Hugely successful APF Exhibition for Jensen and Machinery Imports

The Machinery Imports team held a large demonstration stand at APF Show 2018, with Jensen woodchippers leading the charge complemented by the array of groundcare machinery available from brands Ferris, Wright and Spider. With over 800m2 of stand space, the team were able to showcase a large range of machines including the everpopular Jensen A530 and A530L towed woodchippers, with sub-

750kg towing weights and 6-inch chipping capacity.

Representing the range of PTO chippers were the A530XL and A540 models, with the A540 model boasting a 190mm capacity and 18m3/h output for powerful chipping with only a 40hp requirement.

For off-road, sloping or unstable terrain, Jensen presented

the A540 Spider, a tracked woodchipper offering superb stability with independently controlled hydraulic tracks both vertically and horizontally, making it the most versatile machine of its type in the market.

Jensen are the only manufacturer of woodchippers in the industry to offer the option of a turntable chassis for all their woodchippers between 8” and 12” capacity, and to highlight this at the APF visitors to the stand could see an A540 turntable road-towable chipper. The 270° turning ability offers the perfect solution for anybody working alongside highways and paths where safety is paramount and space is limited, enabling the users to turn the woodchipper to face an alternative, safe direction.

As well as static displays of the models on offer, the Jensen

team were able to practically demonstrate the power and versatility of the range including the huge A231 model, the second largest disc chipper in the Jensen line-up and the largest feed roller aperture available of any brand in the market. With a 310 x 240mm aperture, 30m 2 /h chipping capacity and 75hp engine the A231 is truly one of the most powerful and robust chippers on offer today.

Complementing the Jensen line up at the APF Exhibition were a range of Ferris, Wright and Spider mowers, including the Wright Stander I and Sport I models – the original zero-turn stander mowers in the industry, and Spider Mini, ILD01 and ILD02 remote-controlled, robotic slope mowers.

TH White

Spread the winter load

Preparing now for the worst the British weather can throw at us helps to ensure your winter maintenance system is ready to be operational come the first snows.

SnowEx, the professional choice across the UK and Europe for efficient snow and ice control, has long promoted the earlier the preparation the better.

Designed and manufactured to perform in the harshest of environments, SnowEx is certainly built tough in its North American homeland, with a complete range of spreaders from 47 litre to 1,600 litre capacity.

The spreaders can be mounted on virtually any host vehicle including ATV’s UTV’s, 4x4’s, pick-ups, tractors, trailers, forklifts and flat bed trucks and there are pedestrian units, so there are options to suit all

situations and conditions. With the increasing Health and Safety legislation making demands on ice and snow control, Wessex International who are the SnowEx distributors in the UK, are always happy to provide expert advice on the SnowEx spreader best suited to your application.

SnowEx spreaders feature 12V DC direct drive motors mounted in a weather-tight enclosure to ensure reliable power in every situation.

The hoppers are built in high density polyethylene and UV protected for zero corrosion and reduced weight. They are all bright, safety yellow so

you can’t miss them. All spreaders have in-cab control units for precise operation of spinners and augers, preventing overspreading and material wastage, while offering greater comfort and safety for operators.

Wessex International

John Deere apprentice of the year awards

A total of 48 young service technicians have formally graduated from the latest John Deere Ag Tech, Parts Tech and Turf Tech advanced apprenticeship programmes, run in partnership with national training provider ProVQ.

John Deere hosted its annual apprentice graduation ceremony earlier this year in Germany, with the apprentices visiting the company’s cab factory and European Parts Distribution Centre in Bruchsal before being presented with their awards at the John Deere Forum in Mannheim.

Four of the company’s apprentices won overall awards for the 2017 graduation year. Ewan Edwards of dealer RBM Agricultural Ltd, Louth was named Ag Tech Apprentice of the Year, for which he received a crystal plaque, a certificate and vouchers for workshop tools worth £250.

Sean Murphy of Charlies Groundcare in Newtown was awarded Turf Tech Apprentice of the Year and joint Parts Tech Apprentices of the Year were Max Evans of Tallis Amos Group in Bristol and Jack Norman of Masons Kings in Exebridge. All three also received a crystal

plaque and certificate, and the same value vouchers.

The presentations were made by Deere & Company’s Region 2 training delivery manager Dr Lutz Schueppenhauer and John Deere Limited’s newly appointed branch training manager Allan Cochran.

John Deere’s three-year Ag Tech and Turf Tech and two-year Parts Tech apprenticeships lead to IMI Level 2 & 3 Diplomas in Landbased Engineering and Vehicle Parts Competence, and registration at LTA Intermediate level in the industry’s Landbased Training Accreditation scheme. In subsequent years qualified technicians undergo further education and adult training within the John Deere University programme, on a career path that can ultimately lead to the highest possible LTA Master Technician accreditation.

Now in its 26th year, Ag Tech was the first such scheme to be introduced in the UK and won a National Training Award at the end of 1997, the only one ever made to an agricultural machinery apprenticeship programme. Since the first programme started in 1992, well over 700 apprentices have graduated through the three main

schemes and are now working in the company’s nationwide dealer network.

Allan Cochran took over the role of John Deere Limited branch training manager for the UK & Ireland from his predecessor Richard Halsall at the beginning of March, and works closely with training partner ProVQ on the John Deere apprenticeship programmes.

Allan joined the company in 1997 as a management trainee after completing an HND in mechanisation, planning and business management at SAC Auchincruive. His subsequent responsibilities have included sales demonstrator instructor for tractors, service training instructor, area manager product support for Scotland and then Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and product specialist for tractors and loaders.

In 2005 Allan was promoted to technical services manager and then senior product support specialist, and from 2009 he was technical support specialist for the tractor dealer technical assistance centre (DTAC) system and a harvesting customer support specialist.

John Deere

Clear up this winter with PSD

PSD Groundscare have an exciting range of robust vacuums, blowers & sweepers from innovative European manufacturers ELIET and Koppl. Leading Belgium manufacturer ELIET have developed a

range of vacuums & blowers that includes leaf blowers, truckloaders, snow blowers and the Cameleon multi-vac. Innovative German manufacturer Koppl provides a range of multiattachment machines that can be

fitted to a power unit and with over 50 attachments to choose from including weed clearance, snowblowers, snow ploughs & sweepers, there is a solution for almost any groundscare requirement. The wonderful advantage of the Koppl range is the power unit can be used all year round with attachments to suit the season.

PSD Groundscare, are a leading distributor of professional groundscare machinery including mowers, brushcutters, shredders and scarifiers and our extensive range ensures every season is catered for.

Multihog has evolved into Multevo

After eight years of trading as Multihog UK Limited the UK distributor of Multihog products has now evolved to Multevo Limited as part of a rebranding initiative to continue to innovate to meet market demands.

Multihog UK limited was established in 2010 with the aim of introducing the UK market place to the innovative, multi-purpose Multihog tool carrier which was an unknown entity at that time.

With six more Multihog models in the range and an endless amount of attachments, the firm now boasts a third of all councils are customers.

The company is now looking for groundscare dealers to help distribute the versatile CL range, a compact, light-weight and cost-effective alternative to the CX model range with equally narrow and short dimensions including same track pivot steer, four-wheel drive with spring suspension, a 55HP engine and robust ROPS tested cab.

The CL accepts hydraulically driven PTO attachments by way

of a three-point linkage to the front with a greater carrying capacity.

The Multihog is a unique range of multi-purpose articulated tractors that accept a wide array of attachments to the front and rear for all year utilisation. The idea is to maximise return on investment through improved fleet efficiency and operational productivity.

Multevo Director, Nick Leadley explains the rebrand in more

detail: “This rebrand is the next logical step in our company’s evolution to differentiate ourselves and our offering.

“In a nutshell you will continue to deal with the same familiar faces, state-of-the-art products and second to none services under the new Multevo brand – nothing else has changed in that respect.”

Multevo

PSD Groundscare

CLS delivers groundbreaking work at Holiday lodge park “gem”

Groundworks and civils specialists CLS have completed a major infrastructure project under a £1.5m holiday lodge development. Angrove Country Park is sited on the verge of the North Yorkshire moors in 1,000 acres of arable farmland managed by the Petch family.

Created from the bespoke wedding venue the family opened several years ago, the park offers lodges for private use as well as yearround short and long stay holiday lets in prestigious lodges, enjoying views across some of the most scenic countryside in Britain.

Before the accommodation could rise from the ground, significant infrastructure had to be put in place to ensure optimum

functionality of the Great Ayton site, already billed as a staycation gem commanding landscape views of North York Moors national park.

“Our glamping site wedding venture proved so popular, attracting up to 150 guests at each event, we realised we wanted to enter the holiday lodge market, which we see as a more permanent alternative,” says Alan Petch.

The farming entrepreneurs appointed Guisborough, Clevelandbased CLS – currently celebrating 50 years in groundworks and infrastructure - to lay the foundations for the new park.

The broad spread of provision embraced initial earthmoving, installation of drainage and utilities ducting and major civil engineering that included lodge foundation pads, access roads, footpaths, a roadway bridge and soft landscaping.

“We’ve enjoyed a really close working relationship

with them,” says Alan. “They are experts in their field, are local and know their business inside out. They adapted to our needs and were flexible in redesigning elements of infrastructure as the project progressed.

“A family business like ourselves, the Millers work on the ground and are involved with every aspect of a project, ensuring a close partnership throughout.”

Already enjoying 95% occupancy in the holiday lets, Alan was told early on by colleagues that “you’ll never sink so much money into the ground than preparing for the development of a holiday lodge park”.

The 48-year old entrepreneur took the advice to heart in searching out a local, specialist groundworks and infrastructure contractor to help ensure a successful future for Angrove Country Park as it continues to develop its offering.

Run on a model of ecological sustainability, the Park gives guests ample opportunity to witness wildlife diversity up close and personal from their lodge and along miles of riverside walks.

Yorkshire stone has been used throughout and the family has planted more than 10,000 native trees, erecting bird and bat boxes across the site, sowing swathes of wildflower seeds to attract pollinators and establishing their own beehives around the park.

“We strive to recycle as much as we can and have already introduced a plastic-free policy in our G & Tea House, café and bistro my partner Louise runs,“ Alan adds. “Life’s about showing visitors the bigger picture about wildlife and looking after the environment. Attention to detail is critical, as guest expectations run high, especially when they are staying in “God’s own country.”

CLS

New Residue Remover joins ECOPROTEC range

LTP has launched its new ECOPROTEC Cement, Grout & Salt Residue Remover.

The new product replaces conventional acids normally used to remove cement and grout residues, and can be used on all types of tile and natural stone surfaces, except those with a polished finish.

As well as removing new and existing building residues, the

new treatment also disperses rising salt residues caused by issues including substrate moisture and spot fixing. Developed and manufactured in the UK, the ECOPROTEC Residue Remover can be used indoors and outside on porcelain, glazed ceramics, quarry tiles and terracotta, slate, brick, sandstone, granite and unpolished natural stone.

LTP

Offering a choice of reach from 3.4m to 4.8m and powerful dependent 30hp hydraulics, 30-series Power Arms can be fitted to a wide range of utility vehicles and compact tractors including front or rear mounting.

Available with a choice of proportional control systems and a range of attachments including fine cut rotary heads, multisaws and cutterbars, the machines deliver all the benefits of McConnel’s advanced hedge and verge-cutting technology for compact and low horsepower tractors.