Over 100 exhibitors have booked to attend GroundsFest 2023 with more confirming their presence each week.

The event, which is the talk of the industry, will be held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on 20 and 21 September 2023.

Over 9,000 square metres of space has already been taken by a wide range of exhibitors with over 75% of allocated space accounted for as the event continues to grow.

These impressive figures are testament to just how well the show has been received by the industry. Close to 5,000 visitors, which includes grounds staff, greenkeepers, landscapers, local authorities, estate managers and contractors, have already signalled their intention to attend by registering for the GroundsFest visitor newsletter.

Attendees can expect to see hundreds of brands at the event. Some of the latest names to confirm their presence at GroundsFest include Honda, STIHL, AMS Robotics, The Pitchmark Group, KAR UK, Wicksteed Leisure, ICL, Dennis & SISIS, Shelton Sportsturf Drainage, Origin Amenity, Kress UK, EGO, Makita, Greenbest, Soil Scout, Karcher UK, Foley Grinders, RT Machinery and Etesia UK.

Commenting on Etesia UK’s decision to exhibit at GroundsFest, Managing Director Les Malin, said: 

“I believe GroundsFest could be exactly what the groundscare industry needs in terms of trade shows. We have all been attending the same existing shows which have not changed for several years. Therefore, I think we should all be looking forward to something different.

“There is no such thing as too many shows in my opinion; it is more about having events that work for individual companies. We are all different, but we all want to give our customers the chance to experience something new and exciting. GroundsFest will offer exactly this.”

The indoor halls and outside areas of GroundsFest will not only feature hundreds of exhibitors and products in action, but it will also include a free-to-attend LANTRA accredited education programme, free practical training sessions, the largest retail area ever to be seen at a groundscare event, a dedicated landscaping zone, a music festival and much more.

Commenting on the event’s promising start, GroundsFest’s Event Director Christopher Bassett, said: “GroundsFest continues to grow, and the sales team are receiving new enquiries every week. We have also been upbeat about how much interest we are receiving from visitors. There promises to be a diverse visitor profile at GroundsFest this year and we can’t wait to see the magic unfold in September.”

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

From the very first day that legendary guitarist KK Downing decided to establish a golf course, Astbury Hall Golf Club in Shropshire has only ever used MM grass seed.

Course Manager Sean Jarvis has long relied on the market leading MM grass seed, ever since working at Bournemouth's Iford Golf Club and then to the Open Golf Centre in Leicester where he managed the establishment of a new 9-hole golf course. In 2004, Sean again turned to MM seed when he took on the role of Course Manager at Astbury Hall and oversaw the complete construction of the championship course.

“I’ve been using MM seed for 22 years and counting. It is still as good now as it was when I first started using it all those years ago,” he said.

Astbury Hall Estate was formerly owned by KK Downing, the lead guitarist for heavy metal band Judas Priest, who purchased the estate, just outside Bridgnorth in Shropshire in 1985. A keen golfer, KK bought the estate to establish a top-quality elite golf course. His design was largely influenced by his experiences of playing golf around the world.

For the construction of the Astbury course Sean used MM22 for all fairways, tees and roughs with the greens being sown with a mix of Creeping Bent, Browntop Bent and Fescue.

KK may not own the stately home anymore, but the course continues to go from strength to strength under the watchful eye of Sean – who persists to use products from the MM range.

“We now use MM50 100% Ryegrass for tees and fairways as we need more wear tolerance,” he said. “This is because the tees are quite small compared with the amount of golf we have, plus the Ryegrass varieties in the mix are very fine leaved so it gives a nice fine sward.

“The greens are oversown with MM9 - a 100% Browntop Bent plus Cobra Nova Creeping Bent. We tend to overseed the greens towards the end of the summer while there is still a reasonable soil temperature to get a good germination rate.

“Given that it can be quite cool here in Bridgnorth in the early spring, oversowing the greens in late summer gives me a window of opportunity when carrying out general greens renovation. Plus cutting heights are not at the lowest during this time which gives the seedling grass a better chance of surviving. Fairways and tees are divoted over the course of the summer as part of the general course maintenance.”

MM is one of the most respected brands in the UK sportsturf and amenity industries. With a proven track record of producing the best possible swards, the MM range of grass seed offers an unrivalled performance and appearance. There is a reason why Sean has been using the mixtures for so long – as he explains.

“The different MM mixtures and varieties have always worked for me at the three different courses I have managed,” he said. “All three had different challenges with the climate and growing conditions from the dry south coast through to the wet Shropshire countryside.

Germination speed, establishment and seed quality are just three strengths of the products I have come to rely on. Furthermore, the seaweed based Headstart Gold seed treatment helps with seedling establishment.

“I have experimented with other blends in the past but never found them to deliver in the way that MM mixtures do.”

Aside from the performance of MM mixtures, Sean was quick to praise the support he receives from Matt Gresty, MM & Designer Sales and Brand Manager for DLF UK.

“I have known Matt since the year 2000 when he got involved with the project at Iford Park and I started using the MM mixtures. Since then, I have used Matt’s advice and seed knowledge on the courses I have managed. A strong relationship with my suppliers who can give good technical advice that I can trust, has always been important to me.”

For further information, please contact MM Sports Seed on 01386 791102 or visit the company’s website www.mm-seeds.co.uk.

Graham Instone of Dunnington Bowls Club, York, has been crowned as the Bowls England Greenkeeper of the Year.

In the hotly-contested Greenkeeper of the Year category – sponsored by Dennis and SISIS – Graham took the honours, largely for his innovative roadshows, sharing his knowledge with local clubs.

He has been a member of his beloved Dunnington for over 40 years and has been looking after the green for the past 15 years. Graham, 80, and his right-hand man ‘Big’ Jim, 88, have a consistently busy schedule of fixtures and work hard throughout the year to keep the green in a superb condition. In fact, the impressive green has become the talk of the Yorkshire bowls community and it is for this reason that Graham decided to undertake a series of roadshows.

Graham visited various bowls clubs throughout Yorkshire to help other volunteer greenkeepers raise the standards of their greens. Following the roadshows, Graham continues to offer advice to most of the bowls clubs he visited.

The Greenkeeper of the Year Award received over 120 entries and Graham was one of five shortlisted finalists. Joined by family and friends, including ‘Big’ Jim, at the award ceremony, it was a moment that Graham will never forget.

“My name was called out; my picture went up on the screen and I was shell shocked. I can’t really put into words how I feel if I’m being honest. I normally get very emotional, so everyone was worried that I would get on stage to collect the award and cry. Fortunately, I kept it together!”

“It is the achievement of a lifetime, but this award just isn’t for me as an individual. It is for my team, for the club, and for my family.” 

Award sponsors Dennis and SISIS have long supported the sport of bowls and are committed to educating greenkeepers and raising the standards of bowling greens. For over 20 years, they have been organising and hosting educational maintenance seminars throughout the country which are designed to ultimately help club greenkeepers and volunteers maintain their bowling greens.

Further information about the range of maintenance products available can be found by visiting www.dennisuk.com / www.sisis.com.

Scott McKittrick, Course Manager at Kirkhill Golf Club, has revealed how Attraxor® has helped him to suppress Poa annua and has resulted in the greens playing firm, true and fast.

Kirkhill Golf Club is a parkland course, founded in 1910 and designed by the renowned course architect and five times Open winner James Braid. The course is located on the outskirts of the city of Glasgow in the South Lanarkshire area.

Scott originally joined Kirkhill Golf Club as an apprentice back in 1995 and was rewarded with the Course Manager position just seven years later. He now oversees a team of six members of staff and explained the importance of keeping standards consistently high.

“We are in a very competitive area and are surrounded by many golf clubs,” he said. “I’m pleased to say that we always get great feedback, and we hold our own. We must be different and entice people to join and that involves always being at the top of our game.”

Therefore, when he was recommended a potential solution to tackling a large percentage of Poa annua on the greens, he was keen to trial it.

“Our greens consist of approximately 60%-70% annual meadow-grass and because of this we would have to be aggressive with the turf. We would double cut and roll, and it took a lot of time and labour.

“I spoke to Ramsay MacGregor (Amenity Specialist for Agrovista Amenity) and he told me a lot about a product which he believed to be brilliant at supressing annual meadow-grass seed heads. After talking at length, I thought it would be great for us if it did exactly what it said on the tin.”

The product Ramsay introduced to Scott was Attraxor® - a BASF product which has been shown to effectively regulate growth of managed amenity turf. The active substance, Prohexadione, inhibits the gibberellic acid pathway, which results in a reduction of turf height and turf biomass. Furthermore, as well reducing clippings it also suppresses the seed heads of Poa annua.

Key advantages include:

• Attraxor® is formulated for rapid foliar uptake – as quick as 4 hours from application.
• Superior performance against Poa annua pioneering.
• Attraxor® can be used earlier or later in the season at cooler temperatures compared to other growth regulators.
• Consistent growth regulation of turf grass species.
• Root formation is also promoted through the use of Attraxor® whilst turf colour and quality are enhanced.

Scott initially applied Attraxor® at the recommended minimum rate of 375 g/ha and was instantly impressed.

“The first time we tried it last year, the Poa was going crazy. We applied Attraxor®, came in the next day and we couldn’t believe it. It looked as though it had literally wiped the whole Poa out. When you got close you could see that it was still there, but it was severely dishevelled. From that moment, we knew it was a game-changer.

“In that first year we mainly used the product to firefight the Poa seedheads, so as soon as we saw it was coming back, we hit it with Attraxor® again. However, this year we have taken a more regimented approach; applying it at a higher rate of 500 g/ha. This has reduced the seed head production and has worked really well. The ball roll is no longer affected by the Poa, and the greens play brilliantly – they are exactly where we want them to be.”

By attending an Agrovista Amenity education day, Scott found that he wasn’t the only one reporting good results from Attraxor®.

“The education days from Agrovista Amenity are important because they provide an opportunity to see how products and technology are developing,” he said. “There have been a couple of seminars that have focussed on Attraxor® and it brought together lots of greenkeepers who have all been using the product. It was great speaking to them and finding out what rates they use, what they might be mixing it with and what results they are seeing.

“The general consensus was that it is a brilliant product and is great for supressing Poa annua seed head production.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

Penzance Council is the proud owner of the first ever UK road registered Etesia ET Lander – an award-winning fully electric utility vehicle.

After making its debut in 2021, the Etesia ET Lander has taken the industry by storm. 100% electric, spacious, well-equipped and user-friendly, it is built on a robust chassis and has an array of options including a three-way tipper bed with dual control from the fully fitted two-seater cab or by remote control when outside the vehicle.

With a length of just 3.72 meters, the ET Lander is very compact. Thanks to the power steering, the short turning radius of 4.40 meters and 360 ° visibility, it goes anywhere. The autonomy of the vehicle lasts for a full working day – without noise pollution, can transport loads of up to 940kgs and can also tow up to 750kgs.

With its all-road tires and powerful transmission, it is a real all-terrain vehicle for use in a variety of conditions on slopes and difficult terrain. Furthermore, life is made easier for its users through the integrated loading ramps – which allow for the transport of materials, ride-on mowers and other grounds maintenance equipment.

The new models are fully N1 homologation compliant meaning that the ET Lander is fully road legal along with being able to be used off road. These upgraded models also feature lithium-ion batteries which ensures that the range of the ET Lander will extend to 100km and have a charger system compatible with a standard type 2EV car charger.

Andrew Symons LTD, a Devon based Etesia dealer, delivered the new ET Lander and handed the keys over to Penzance Council.

The Etesia ET Lander comes complete with a comprehensive two-year warranty.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

Ryan Golding, Head Groundsperson for Leeds Rhinos, claims that a range of ICL products has helped the club to successfully navigate the busiest year on record.

He may have been at the club for nearly two decades, but Ryan has just witnessed the busiest ever year, in terms of pitch usage, at Headingley Stadium. In addition to the multitude of standard games and events, Headingley was also the most used pitch at the Rugby League World Cup last year.

With such heavy usage, Ryan explained how he and his three members of staff quite often have to go against the agronomical rule book and push the boundaries.

“We are one of the most highly used surfaces in professional sport and so we have to do things a little differently at times,” he said. “For example, we may need to apply a conventional fertiliser just before the snow comes because we need cover. There will also be times when we need to apply products in what might normally be considered to be less than ideal conditions. Unfortunately, with the time scales involved, we have to complete tasks whenever we can.”

Ryan knows that using the correct products is key to success.

“The response, quality, longevity, and variety of ICL products has allowed us to push our usage and quality of surface, as well as allowing us flexibility in the types of events that we can host.”

Ryan loosely follows an ICL integrated turf management programme but due to the unique situation at Headingley, he takes a somewhat relative approach as to when he applies products.

He pin-pointed three ICL products which have made a significant impact in the past year.   

“ProTurf 15-5-15 (a controlled release fertiliser) always provides us with a good base. The longevity we get from the feed, and the colour and the response are first-class. It also gives us the room to apply a conventional whenever we need it.

“That’s where the Sportsmaster NK 12.0.9+Fe (a phosphate free compound fertiliser) comes in. It’s an old-school product, which I like, and the response we get from it is rapid. The colour it provides is fantastic and it is an ideal product for match preparation or recovery. How often we apply it really depends on the pitch, but I like to think of it as giving an athlete who is very tired a can of Red Bull.

“We’ve also used H2Pro TriSmart wetting agent,” continued Ryan. “We’ve seen great results from it retaining the moisture and it has had a good effect on our root depth, especially in being able to manage movement of the moisture throughout the profile.”

In addition to the good results he has reported from using the ICL products, Ryan was also keen to emphasise the importance of receiving excellent customer service.

“I’m given extra confidence by the support ICL show to both me and the club. I’ve been using ICL products ever since I took over as the Head Groundsperson and the communication from them has always been fantastic. That is throughout the whole organisation - whether it is the man on the ground like Craig Lalley who comes in and sees me, through to Ed Carter, Andy Owen, or Henry Bechelet – it is all of them that go above and beyond.”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

Two models in the Dennis E-Series battery-powered range are setting the standard in Italy by maintaining the pitch at the world-famous San Siro stadium.

San Siro is the home stadium of two of the most successful Italian Football League clubs: A.C. Milan and F.C. Internazionale (Inter), and in addition to hosting the matches of Milan and Inter, it welcomes concerts of many of the most renowned Italian and international artists.

Giovanni Castelli has been the Agronomist at San Siro since the Italia 90 World Cup. He oversees a team of 6 groundstaff and is responsible for every pitch operation. Under his remit, Giovanni also decides on which machinery should be used at the San Siro, and he explained his reasons for choosing the Dennis ES-860 and ES-34R.

“From ordinary maintenance to the extraordinary, our main goal is to have a perfect pitch for every game,” he said. “There isn’t any room for mistakes and if you don’t want to make mistakes then you need the best machines – for innovation, quality, and performance.

“We looked at other battery-powered mowers, but the Dennis E-Series was the best. With the E-Series you get a better cut – you can set the clip rate, and you can also cut in difficult conditions, when it is raining or when the pitch is very young.

“Another reason for switching to the E-Series was to become greener,” continued Giovanni. “Milan is a city where the green culture has influenced the architecture, production technologies, and transport, and we decided to be part of this evolution. The San Siro is the most important theatre – not only in Milan but the whole of Italy and we must be a pioneer of the green conversion and lead the way.

“Last but not least we have many tourists who visit the stadium every day and the experience of the peaceful, empty stadium is an incredible moment. With the Dennis E-Series that silence is safe and doesn’t disrupt the tourist experience.

“The work we do in San Siro helps other teams improve the pitches all over Italy and I would recommend the E-Series to every club in the country.”

For many years, turf professionals have been choosing Dennis Mowers for their superb cut quality and reliability, and anticipation quickly started building when the company announced its new battery-powered range.

Leaving no stone unturned, Dennis Mowers spent three years working with carefully selected partners to develop a range of quality battery-powered equipment befitting of the Dennis badge. The aim was to provide a reliable and long-lasting solution with the ultimate performance that helps professionals meet sustainability and environmental initiatives, reduce carbon footprint, emissions, running costs and noise without any range anxiety.

After an E-Series demonstration, Giovanni selected the ES-860 and the ES-34R.

The ES-860, 34” battery powered turf management system delivers maximum versatility and the range of 13 interchangeable cassette options provide a solution to many day-to-day maintenance tasks such as cutting, scarifying, brushing, slitting and verticutting.

Furthermore, traditional G860 cassettes will also fit the ES-860, meaning that customers will not have to purchase additional cassettes.

The ES-34R is a 34″ (860mm) battery powered twin blade rotary mower. It is ideal for fine turf mowing and cleaning up operations in stadia and training facilities. Utilising the contra rotating hardened steel blades and low chute ensures maximum collection performance.

A robust LCD keypad screen is an integral feature of the handlebar console on every model in the ES range. This provides the operator with a multitude of information options including speed, clip rate, service checks, lifetime running reports and battery information.

Antonio Di Nunzio, the Head Groundsman at the San Siro, is also a big fan of the Dennis E-Series.

“We have two of the biggest clubs in Italy playing on this pitch and we have a high frequency of matches – approximately one every two days over the season. Therefore, we need the best machines to combat the high usage.

“We’ve always used Dennis mowers at San Siro – we had the petrol versions and now we have switched to their electric models. I’m really happy with them for several reasons. They allow us to work without the noise of engines and there are less vibrations which make them easier to control, more comfortable, and less stressful to work with. The quality and result of finish is always good because you can set the machines to exactly the way you want them.”

The San Siro grounds team purchased the E-Series models through Pratoverde, a Dennis and SISIS Italian distributor, and Antonio said their support has been invaluable.

“Pratoverde were instrumental in our decision to purchase the Dennis E-Series machines. We have a great relationship; they offer us good support and are always quick to answer any questions we may have.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

Dennis and SISIS recently hosted their popular cricket pitch maintenance seminar where 200 delegates had the opportunity to enhance their understanding of future hopes, needs and goals.

Hosted at St Albans School Woollam Trust, the seminar was designed to help attendees plan and adapt their maintenance programmes in an ever-changing environment. It brought together an audience consisting of cricket groundspersons representing grass roots, contractors, schools, local clubs, and international test venues.

Following an introduction by Howardson Group Area Sales Manager Robert Jack, Met Office Presenter Aidan McGivern produced a theoretical weather forecast for 2050 and revealed what conditions we could expect to see in the UK if global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. By showing what the weather could look like by 2050 at certain times of year, Aidan helped delegates relate to how different their experiences might be under a changing climate.

In the next section of the seminar Tony Hanson (Environmental Solutions International), Andrew House (Environment Agency), and George Warren (Anglian Water) utilised their wealth of experience to offer invaluable advice on how to reduce the impact of water restrictions on sports surfaces.

Turf Consultant Alex Vickers then delivered a presentation on the topic of rootzones in a changing climate. As ever, Alex entertained the audience while explaining this important subject in a relatable way.

Christian Spring, Principal Scientist at the STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute), was up next to explore the potential pests and diseases groundspersons can expect to encounter in the future.

The halfway point provided delegates with a complimentary lunch and a chance to speak to seminar sponsors – Cricketworld.com, Stuart Canvas, SIS Pitches, DLF and MM Seeds, RT Machinery, Boughton Loam, Grounds Training, Mansfield Sand, Origin Amenity Solutions, Turf Tank and White Horse Contractors.

As the audience settled back down, Dr Iain James, Head of Facilities Services for the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board), took to the stage to discuss what sustainability means for grass roots clubs. Karl McDermott, Head Groundsperson at Lords, and Vic Demain, Head Groundsperson at Durham CCC, then proceeded to investigate the difference in cricket pitch preparations between the north and south.

The day concluded with a Q&A session in which attendees could ask the expert speakers for advice about their own projects or any issues that they may have.

Commenting on the seminar, Nick Lockhart, Cricket Professional/Head of Grounds at Felsted School said: “It was informative, thought-provoking, and of great interest. It has given me a lot of things to think about for the future, in terms of climate change, irrigation and pest control. There is no doubt that this seminar will have helped a lot of people today.”

As well as soaking up the education, Andy Moody from Moody Grounds Maintenance felt it was a great networking opportunity. “Over the years I have been to a few of these Dennis and SISIS events and I always encourage the people that work for me to come along as well. Sometimes we can be very lonesome people in the grounds maintenance industry, so days like this are a great opportunity to meet other likeminded people.”

There was one presentation, which struck a chord with Christian Brain, Head of Grounds at Cheltenham College: “The speakers were brilliant and there were some really good topics which gave us a look into the future to find out what is coming our way. Looking at water issues going forward was particularly beneficial for me. The site we’re on doesn’t have a great deal of irrigation, so that is a real concern. Therefore, looking at what we can potentially do going forward to try and solve those issues, was a real highlight for me.”

Turf Consultant Keith Kent said: “I’ve come to the seminar today because I have always found the Dennis and SISIS events to be so good. I’m working at Loughborough University at the moment and I’m carrying out some cricket pitch maintenance, which is something I have never done before after spending my entire career in football and rugby. There have been some entertaining and stimulating speeches today and it has been well worth the journey.”

A vide of the day can be viewed - https://youtu.be/QggZT7aXl-o

Further information about the range of maintenance products available can be found by visiting www.dennisuk.com / www.sisis.com.

GroundsFest has welcomed the experienced Millie Genner to the team.

Millie has been working as a sales manager in the landscaping and horticulture sectors for over five years. She will be working alongside Jessica McCabe on The Landscaping Zone - an entire hall within GroundsFest dedicated to those involved in the planning, design, and construction of outdoor environments in the landscaping sector.

Millie’s appointment signals the huge support the event has received to date and accommodates the strong demand for exhibitor space. Over 75% of the floorplan has already been accounted for, and potential exhibitors continue to register their interest due to the exciting event concept and the cost-effective stand prices.

Millie, who is also a social media influencer and enjoys travelling, said: “I'm really looking forward to seeing the event come together. It's so exciting to be working on something new with an amazing team of such talented people.

“One of the main reasons for wanting to work on GroundsFest is because I believe that the industry is ready for an event of this kind – it is long overdue in fact. The feedback so far has been incredible and thousands of landscaping and groundscare professionals will be in attendance. GroundsFest is the future and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

The Landscape Zone at GroundsFest is set to spotlight the latest landscaping technologies, solutions, and innovations, and will be a must-attend feature for landscape architects, local authority landscaping professionals, garden designers, landscape contractors, interior designers, facility managers and many more.

Millie can be contacted on 07746667128 or millie.genner@groundsfest.com

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

Several Agrovista Amenity customers recently visited the BASF production facility in Littlehampton where they got the opportunity to find out more about the processes behind producing some of the industry’s leading pest control products.

BASF is the largest producer of organic pest control products in the world. Driven by the principles of innovation, sustainability, and collaboration, BASF is constantly investing in the research and development of new products. Some of that research and development takes place in Littlehampton, West Sussex and it is also the largest nematode production facility in the world.

Agrovista Amenity has a strong relationship with BASF and continues to see a huge demand for their innovative products. Several of the company’s customers were recently invited for a tour around the impressive facility, which was organised by Amenity Specialists Joseph Dormer and Andrew Norman.

The day consisted of learning more about the procedures involved in manufacturing the Nemasys® nematode product; a technical deep dive into the Green Lawnger® range of turf pigments and discovering the latest developments and research involving Attraxor® plant growth regulator.

Toby Martin, an Assistant Greenkeeper at Pyecombe Golf Club in Brighton was particularly interested in the nematodes. “I recently started my NVQ Level 3 and I found this to be a great learning experience. With the recent changes in legislation into what chemicals you can and can’t use, we have started investigating different methods of controlling pests on our course. Nematodes for us seem to be the way forward. Therefore, it is important to fully know what we are doing and to make sure we are doing it properly.

“The presentation we have seen today will help us to apply them on our course in an even more effective way.”

Danny Negus, Grounds Manager at Devonshire Park in Eastbourne, said: “This was a wonderful opportunity laid out by Agrovista Amenity to gain a better understanding of what we are trying to achieve, and how we achieve it. To receive a breakdown on how BASF are producing their products was a real eye opener, and the level of knowledge they communicated was excellent.”

“The biggest thing for me is that when we stage the International it leaves a very large footprint, and we don’t have long before we stage the next event. So, we are looking at ways to mitigate some of the damage that has been left, and I am very interested in the way the BASF products protect the leaf. Today has given me lots of ideas and I’m looking forward to getting back and exploring them in depth. “

Pete May and Toni Norris from Lawntech were also upbeat about the experience. “We came today to look into the option of using nematodes,” said Pete. “The factory is fascinating, and the talk was particularly beneficial because we would not have received that level of detail from just reading the back of a product or looking online.

Toni agreed: “We are constantly looking at new products to enhance the service we can offer our customers, so it has been a really useful experience for us. At Lawntech we pride ourselves on having a deep understanding of products, and that is why we want to educate ourselves as much as possible.”

Agrovista Amenity will continue to run educational events throughout the year for customers.

A video of the event can be viewed by visiting https://youtu.be/SOQP4Ug-1l8

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

Agrovista Amenity has announced the appointment of Stewart Carbray and Sam Sweetzer who will join the company’s renowned team of Amenity Specialists.

Stewart joins Agrovista Amenity from Bothwell Castle Golf Club where he worked for twenty-three years after initially joining as an apprentice. During this time, he worked his way up to the position of Head Greenkeeper, and after six years in this position he felt the time was right to embark on a new opportunity.

“I achieved what I set out to do at Bothwell Castle and I saw so many improvements at the course. I wanted to stay within the industry and always had an interest in the other side of the business, so the Agrovista opportunity was just too big to ignore.”

Stewart, who will be covering the areas of west and central Scotland and further down into Dumfries and Galloway borders, believes he has the perfect mentor at Agrovista Amenity.

“Ramsay MacGregor, my line manager, is the guy everyone goes to for technical advice and problem solving. I want to learn from him and pick up the reigns and become trusted and recognised just like him.

“Ultimately, I’m looking forward to working in a great team and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Sam Sweetzer also comes from a greenkeeping background, and his last role was at The Buckinghamshire Golf Club as the Deputy Course Manager. Throughout his career he has relied on several products from Agrovista Amenity and is looking forward to learning more about the science behind them.

“There is a huge amount of pressure and demand on greenkeepers at the moment and I’m looking forward to finding solutions for them,” he said. “In the past we have always worked with Agrovista Amenity because they have such an extensive portfolio from various manufacturers. There are also specialist products that only Agrovista Amenity can sell such as Compo Expert and BASF products.

“In the last few weeks, I have already learnt a lot about all these products. The technology that goes into these products is fascinating and I think it is important to always keep moving forward with the times.”

Sam will be focusing on the areas of Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire and is relishing the opportunity of building relationships with a wide variety of customers.

“I’m really looking forward to getting out on the road and meeting lots of different people, from many different sites and furthering my knowledge on various sports turf surfaces. My background might be in golf, but a lot of my clients will be working in colleges, schools, cricket, rugby and football.

“It’s an exciting prospect that people will be coming to me for advice. Having been in their shoes is important because it will help me build good long-term relationships with them, and that is what it is all about.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

Organisers of GroundsFest have announced a retail area – the largest ever seen at a groundscare event. This will allow visitors to purchase a wide range of products, tools, clothing, and accessories at a discounted rate.

The retail area is being organised by FR Jones and Son, a family run business that offers over 10,000 groundscare and arboriculture products from over 100 leading brands.

Commenting on the retail area, GroundsFest’s Sales Director Charles Neale said: “We know from our research that this retail area will be very popular with attendees. FR Jones and Son have an extremely large following and the area will attract thousands of groundscare professionals to GroundsFest. They have a wide range of products suitable for budgets of all sizes and it will be a fantastic opportunity for visitors to walk away with some incredible discounts which will only be available at GroundsFest.”

FR Jones and Son have been trading in the industry since 1963 and have expanded significantly in the last few years. It is now one of the leading suppliers of professional grounds maintenance and arboriculture equipment in the UK.

Manging Director Justin Jones is excited to be a part of the event.

“GroundsFest is a really exciting concept,” he said. “The industry has been crying out for a national event in the summer which features outdoor demonstrations and GroundsFest ticks every box. Many of our customers are already looking forward to it and I think the event is going to be very well attended.

“As a company, we are delighted to be involved. We are going to have a fantastic line-up of products on display at GroundsFest, and we will be offering exclusive discounts on selected items which will only be available for visitors throughout the two days. Our large team has plenty of experience and product knowledge and they will be out in force at GroundsFest to help visitors make the right decisions.

“We look forward to meeting thousands of existing and new customers in September.”

GroundsFest is taking place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on 20 and 21 September 2023.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

Etesia’s Bahia M2E – the world’s first 100% electric professional ride-on-mower with grass collection, is now available with a lithium battery option.

The Etesia Bahia M2EL is powered by a 51.2V, 100Ah lithium battery which enables users to get up to 3hrs 30 mins of action before it needs recharging. The new lithium option is also 85kgs lighter compared to the older lead acid battery version.

A pocket-size ride-on mower, just 0.82 m wide and 1.98 m long, the Etesia M2EL features an incredibly tight turning circle. It nips into every nook and cranny and can be easily transported.

With its low centre of gravity, the Etesia M2EL 33/67 weight distribution on the front/rear axles make it a highly stable mower that masterfully copes with slopes.

Furthermore, its 240-litre collection box is fed by a wide discharge chute ensuring very good filling of the material.

Further benefits include

• Efficient in high or wet grass
• Perfectly collects dead leaves
• Mulching kit delivered as standard
• Automatic gearbox for instant forward, reverse and braking
• Easy maintenance with quick access to all mechanical parts
• Perfect visibility on the working environment.
• All functions are accessible from the driver’s seat
• Mechanically welded support frame
• A wide range of accessories available
• Converter for 48 V electric accessories: hedge trimmers, edgers

It is also highly economical – the running costs are £0.35 against £3.57 for the petrol version and there are the obvious reduced maintenance costs – such as no engine belt, no filters, and no engine oil.

For more information, visit www.etesia.co.uk

Agrovista Amenity, a leading supplier of professional products and specialist advice, has launched its new nutrition brochure for 2023/24.

The comprehensive brochure will feature the extensive list of Agrovista Amenity’s nutrition product offerings, including granular, liquid, soluble, and micronutrients.

Many turf professionals have benefitted from using the likes of the Evolution granular fertiliser range, the E2Pro liquid and soluble products, and the GoGreen micro-nutrient range. All of these products, and many more, feature in the new brochure complete with advice on how to get the best results, including recommended period of use, directions for use and application rates.

The aim of the brochure is not just to provide a list of products, but also to offer support and guidance to help individuals make clear informed choices. Agrovista Amenity’s independent and global reach allows the company to source and offer products from many different supply partners, blending the best the market has to offer in a complete range.

“Over the last few seasons, we have seen global instability leading to wild fluctuations in commodity pricing and the knock-on effect of huge price increases in what was staple fertiliser choices,” said John Marland, Agrovista Amenity’s Head of Amenity. “By sourcing directly, we can provide nutritional solutions that offer the best value without sacrificing agronomic performance.

“We offer market leading testing to allow the optimum decision support to our customers’ nutritional inputs. Every Agrovista Amenity representative is qualified to BASIS and FACTS as a minimum, and will be able to provide soil, water, and leaf tissue analysis. In addition, representatives can also offer a fully independent fertiliser programme complete with weekly weather data to support input choices.”

The brochure also contains information on the Agrovista Amenity Academy, which is a free online learning resource providing in-depth Knowledge courses on subjects such as turf disease, product application, turf pests, managing moss, frost, weeds, and thatch as well as courses for products sold by Agrovista Amenity.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

Craig Richardson, head of grounds and gardens, is using a range of MM and Designer grass seed on a variety of sports pitches at the prestigious Millfield School in Somerset.

Boasting a fascinating history and a brilliant present, Millfield is one of the leading UK independent schools for boys and girls, aged 2-18 years. It all started back in 1935 when six princes were brought back from India to be educated by the School’s founder Jack Meyer.

The School grew steadily and in 1939 became one of the first independent schools to be co-educational. It was shortly after that Millfield gained fame as the first in the country to deal successfully with dyslexic pupils.

Fast forward to the present and Millfield continues to gain widespread recognition for both academic success and an outstanding array of extra-curricular activities. Sport is also a serious matter at Millfield and it proudly holds the reputation of the best sporting school in the UK.

“I can’t think of a sport that we don’t have here,” says Craig who has been in his position at Millfield School since July 2016.

Indeed, Millfield is known for its sporting prowess and has produced many top-class international sports persons and Olympic athletes. One look at the stunning sports pitches and amenities will tell you that no stone is left un-turned in providing facilities of the highest quality – and that’s where Craig and his team of 24 grounds staff come in.

Maintenance regimes for all surfaces and gardens across the three sites (Millfield Prep School, Millfield School and Kingweston Sports Ground) are set by Craig and he uses a wide range of suppliers to identify only the best equipment and materials.

One such supplier is MM Sports Seed and Craig has been a long-term advocate of the company’s range of grass seed. MM is one of the most respected brands in the UK sportsturf and amenity industries and is relied upon at top sports grounds throughout the UK and beyond.

In particular, Craig uses MM10 on the School’s golf greens which offers good, dense putting surfaces; MM50 - a hard-wearing ryegrass mix which is ideal for cricket squares and outfields; Action Replay (from the Designer range) for winter pitches; and MM60 – which Craig reserves for the main pitches.

“I solely use MM60 on what I class as my premium pitches,” he says. “These are the pitches where we have installed drainage and irrigation and carry out annual fraise mow renovations, these include our first team pitches for football and rugby.”

MM60 is renowned for producing an excellent playing surface. It is a 100% ryegrass formula which is perfect for renovation and divot repair, has a high disease resistance, fantastic aesthetic qualities and offers extremely fast germination – which is boosted by the inclusion of Headstart GOLD®.

“It’s important that the first team pitches get the MM60 treatment,” adds Craig. “The mixtures are clean, they give me peace of mind, you know what they are going to do, and they perform. Ultimately, I always get good results from the seed.

“Furthermore, Matt Gresty (UK sales and marketing manager) provides everything you want and more. He is full of technical knowledge and is always there when you want him. What I like about Matt is that he always provides an honest and informed view.”

For further information, please contact MM Sports Seed on 01386 791102 or visit the company’s website www.mm-seeds.co.uk.

API confirms support

GroundsFest is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with the Association of Play Industries (API), with the first event being held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on 20 and 21 September 2023.

The Association of Play Industries (API) is the lead trade association for the UK play sector. Its member companies are the UK’s leading providers of outdoor playground equipment; indoor play equipment and safety surfacing for schools, local authorities, parish councils, leisure attractions, holiday parks, housing developments, hospitality venues and commercial enterprises.

The API will have a dedicated stand at GroundsFest to promote membership services and many of its members will be exhibiting. GroundsFest’s free educational seminar programme will also feature API-badged sessions.

As a result, GroundsFest will offer a one-stop shop for those involved in the selection, purchase, upkeep and replacement of play equipment and safer surfaces.

API Chair Mark Hardy, said: “We are looking forward to seeing how this new event will promote the play industry and in particular, provide an opportunity for API members to showcase their offerings.

“All API members abide by a strict professional Code of Conduct and are committed to value-for-money and long-term service and support. This exhibition will enable members to exhibit their products and demonstrate the high-quality, innovative and fun ranges so typical of our members.

“GroundsFest has the potential to widen the buying audience for our members and to introduce visitors to the many benefits of choosing an API member for their play project.”

Commenting on the partnership, GroundsFest’s Sales Director Charles Neale, said: “We are very excited and enthusiastic about the partnership between GroundsFest and the API. The play industry will form an integral part of the GroundsFest event profile in September 2023 and will give the play industry an ideal platform to promote its services and products to a highly relevant national audience of buyers and specifiers.

“GroundsFest really is uniting every corner of the groundscare industry,” continued Charles. “The GroundsFest team is working hard on all aspects of the industry – from turfcare to commercial vehicles – by providing added impetus and innovation as we go forward.”

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

Organisers of GroundsFest have announced that free practical training sessions will be available at the event, which takes place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on 20 – 21 September 2023.

The training will be carried out by Grounds Training – a leading provider of independently accredited education within the sports turf and grounds maintenance sectors. The sessions will be delivered by a fantastic team of Lantra approved instructors which includes Keith Kent, Martin Sampson, Chris Parry, and Steve Potter.

Throughout the two-day event, the Grounds Training programme will include hands-on training sessions on a range of topics including line marking for winter sports and athletics, pedestrian mowers, ride-on mowers, hand held machinery, and the calibration and use of knapsack sprayers and boom sprayers. There will also be a specific management session designed for grounds managers, bursars, club managers and committee chairs.

From management to apprentice, the free training programme will be ideal for all those working in sports turf management, grounds maintenance, greenkeeping, horticulture, landscaping, the maintenance of commercial estates, and local authority parks and green spaces.

Commenting on the training programme at GroundsFest, Martin Sampson, Managing Director of Grounds Training, said: “We’re really excited to be running these hands-on sessions. It’s a great opportunity for visitors to receive an introduction to some of the most popular courses we deliver.

“The Lantra instructors we’ll have at the event have more than 160 years of industry experience between us; we’re all passionate about delivering high-quality education, and sharing our knowledge to inform, encourage and inspire the next generation of grounds professionals. We hope visitors will take the opportunity to build some learning into their time at GroundsFest.”

Event Director Christopher Bassett said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Grounds Training to GroundsFest. This is an incredible feature which has never been seen at a UK groundscare event and we’re over the moon to have such a superb line-up of instructors delivering the sessions.

“The programme offers visitors a fantastic opportunity to come along and receive some real, hands-on training from qualified instructors for free. We have always promised to give back to the industry and this is just the first step towards achieving this.”

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

ICL introduces a revolutionary biodegradable coating technology for its controlled release fertilisers (CRF) in the turf market: eqo.s® technology.

The new coating for nitrogen is compliant with future (EU) fertiliser regulations, helping turf managers to improve their nutrient use efficiency (NUE) and will provide a solution for future sustainable turf management programmes.

With its patented eqo.s release technology, ICL takes the lead in providing a fully biodegradable coating that breaks down faster than existing coating technologies. The innovation will be introduced in ICL’s CRF portfolio for the turf segment, starting with the premium ranges Sierrablen and Sierrablen Plus.

In order to meet expected market demand, ICL has invested $20 million in a new production line for eqo.s release technology at its Heerlen facility in the Netherlands.

CRFs with eqo.s technology ensure optimal turf performance. The innovation is thoroughly tested in the field and has proven to be as reliable as current coatings, thus maintaining the high quality you can expect from ICL products. eqo.s release technology shows consistent and predictable nutrient release patterns while also limiting environmental impact by reducing nutrient losses and by increasing the NUE. After all nutrients are released, the coating degrades faster than ever before.

What turf professionals need to know

CRF products with eqo.s technology have the same advantages for turf professionals as current coating technologies as they improve the NUE and nutrient uptake by the plant. In addition:

• Field trials with s prove similar, significant reduction in nitrogen leaching, volatilisation and denitrification.
•  s shows improved growth and quality with reduced fertiliser inputs, as fewer applications are required versus conventional fertilisers.
•  s shows the same consistent, reliable nutrient release for optimal growth.

Our CRF products are of the highest possible quality, and the technology we introduce today, eqo.s, works similar to the previous coating technologies, but with some key improvements”, confirms Dr Andy Owen, ICL lnternational Technical Manager Turf & Landscape. “The application rates and high quality results will remain, and even the look of the product is comparable. It is good news for turf managers and greenkeepers as their CRF products will give the same high performance as before. What makes it revolutionary is that the fully biodegradable eqo.s coating breaks down quicker and is completely compliant with future fertiliser regulations.”

 Spreading the eqo.s revolution

Though eqo.s technology will first be introduced into ICL’s premium CRF ranges of Sierrablen and Sierrablen Plus in 2023, ICL is confident that by, mid-2026, when the new biodegradability requirements will take effect on the EU market, the company will be able to provide fast biodegradable coatings for all its CRFs in the turf and landscape market.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

Agrovista Amenity is pleased to announce that it has become a gold member of the BIGGA (British and International Golf Greenkeepers' Association) Regional Patron Scheme for 2022/23.

As part of the scheme, Agrovista Amenity, a leading supplier of products and services to the UK amenity and landscape markets, will participate and support BIGGA in a series of events throughout the year including seminars, education workshops and golf days.

Commenting on the scheme, Head of Amenity John Marland said: “As a regional patron, Agrovista Amenity is proud to support BIGGA and help create outstanding learning and development opportunities for greenkeepers.”

Lauren Frazer, Head of Business Development at BIGGA, said: “Agrovista has been a highly valued supporter of BIGGA members for a number of years, helping provide development opportunities on a national scale, particularly through the popular Agrovista Amenity Academy. This online resource proved invaluable for many during the turmoil of the coronavirus pandemic, helping greenkeepers continue developing and improving their knowledge despite the difficulties we all faced.

“We are incredibly proud, therefore, to welcome Agrovista on board as one of our first Regional Patrons, which will enable the team to support BIGGA members on a local level and contribute to the hosting of the network of regional learning opportunities that we know many members find crucial for their professional development.”

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

Organisers of GroundsFest have launched a new zone at the event dedicated to all those involved in the planning, design, and construction of outdoor environments in the landscaping sector.

The Landscape Zone is set to spotlight the latest landscaping technologies, solutions, and innovations, and will be a must-attend feature for landscape architects, local authority landscaping professionals, garden designers, landscape contractors, interior designers, facility managers and many more.

The Landscape Zone will be headed by Jess McCabe, an award-winning event specialist who previously worked on the landscaping event FutureScape.

“GroundsFest is an exciting concept and I’m delighted to be involved,” said Jess.

“After working in the industry for many years, I know that this concept ticks so many boxes for the landscaping sector. For visitors, it will have everything a landscaping professional needs to help them in their designs and projects. Additionally, it enables them to see all the other leading groundscare brands on display and products in action; and then there is the festival element which will be a great networking opportunity.

“From an exhibitor point of view, stand prices at landscaping events are becoming more expensive every year and as a result, are pricing many companies out of exhibiting. The competitive pricing for The Landscape Zone at GroundsFest allows companies of all shapes and sizes to get involved. It will provide these companies with an ideal platform to showcase their products and services to a dedicated audience.”

Commenting on the new Landscape Zone, GroundsFest Event Director Christopher Bassett said: “Our intention has always been to bring together all corners of the groundscare industry and launching The Landscape Zone is another step towards this goal.

“This new initiative signals the huge support we have already received to date and accommodates the strong demand for exhibitor space. To open an entirely new hall at GroundsFest after launching just twelve weeks ago shows how far we have come.

“We would like to extend a warm welcome to Jess,” continued Christopher. “She has an abundance of experience, knows the landscaping sector inside out and she shares our passion for delivering an extraordinary event for both visitors and exhibitors.”

Jess can be contacted on 07830 488 812 or jess.mccabe@groundsfest.com

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com