PRO Supplier

Dave Balmer, Stadium Manager at Gloucester Rugby believes that the rapid establishment of Limagrain’s MM60 grass seed ensured that the pitch was in perfect condition to host a number of 2015 Rugby World Cup fixtures.

Dave will have been working at Kingsholm Stadium, home of Gloucester Rugby, for twenty years in February next year and has witnessed the meteoric rise of the game in the UK. When he first started, back in 1996, there were only three members of staff at Kingsholm, which included himself, a commercial manager and one lady looking after the ticket office. Fast forward a few years and Dave’s pitch would be watched by millions worldwide with the sport’s greatest players plying their trade.

MM60 Helps Gloucester Rugby through Busy World Cup Schedule2015 marked a famous chapter in the history of Gloucester Rugby as Kingsholm was selected to host four prestigious pool stage games in the Rugby World Cup as well as a warm up game between Tonga and the USA. Kingsholm Stadium was transformed for the tournament and became a sea of colour, excitement and noise, but in the midst of such electrifying atmosphere Dave was hard at work ensuring that the pitch was fit for purpose.

It certainly was no easy task either – after the warm up game on 5 September, Kingsholm saw Tonga vs Georgia on 19 September, Japan vs Scotland on 23 September, Argentina vs Georgia just two days later on 25 September and finally Japan vs USA on October 11.

Dave, alongside his brother Graham and eight other team members pulled together to ensure the smooth running of the fixtures and he couldn’t have been happier with the results.

“I was very happy with the way the pitch performed throughout the World Cup, considering we were quite late getting on the pitch with the end of season renovations because we had a couple of concerts here. We had Madness perform on 31 May which was followed by Elton John on 10 June, so we couldn’t start our renovations until after that.”

Fortunately, Dave used Limagrain’s MM60 grass seed, which is renowned for producing an excellent playing surface in a stadium environment. With the added benefit of being treated with Headstart® GOLD, a biological germination accelerator, MM60 delivers stronger more resilient seedling grass, giving your turf the best possible start.

“The MM60 establishes incredibly fast – we seeded the pitch on 12 June and we were mowing it on 24 June. It was great to get it established in that short amount of time. Even when seeding with it in the winter you normally see germination within seven to ten days. I can’t fault it at all – it mows well and it’s rigorous too.”

Dave first started working with Limagrain fifteen years ago and he hasn’t looked back since.

“We were originally using another product but we started using MM60 and we’ve stuck with it ever since because it is so good. I like the fact that I can have open discussions with Matt Gresty from Limagrain about the health and management of the turf and he is always quick to offer sound advice.

“I would not hesitate to recommend Limagrain. As the old cliché goes – it does exactly what it says on the tin.”

For further information, please contact Limagrain UK on 01472 371471 or visit the company’s website www.limagrain.co.uk. You can also follow the company on Twitter: @MM_Seed

Votes: 0
E-mail me when people leave their comments –

You need to be a member of Landscape Juice Network to add comments!

Join Landscape Juice Network

Open forum activity

Landscape Juice replied to Gary MCKINSTRY's discussion New to my business
"Hi Gary, would you like to add a few more notes about your experience of using the machines for others on the network?
I wonder what types of grass you've used them on, long, short, wet, dry? Also what are the noise levels like and any issues when…"
3 hours ago
Pete Henchey replied to T &T gardening services ltd's discussion Mulching Mowers
"Ah ok thanks for the advice"
yesterday
Si Al updated their profile
yesterday
Billybop replied to Adam Woods's discussion Coming to a large garden near you!!
"yes these robots are most welcome to take any of my lawn jobs"
yesterday
David Benson replied to Adam Woods's discussion Coming to a large garden near you!!
"very good but there will still be a need for the strimmer and lawn edgers "
yesterday
Adam Woods posted a discussion
Yesterday I went to a client to see this - there are two of them, and have been sold to keep their 2 acres of lawn comprising of 3 massive lawns, with hills,scattered trees and shrubs, together with a traditional square lawn near.  the house. TO cut…
Wednesday
Graham Taylor replied to Ag's discussion PA1/6 Applying Bacteria based Moss killers for Lawns
"Just do it................ commonsense says its ok even if mindless bureaucracy suggests not. .  If we've got it wrong, whoever is going to report you +  its not as though you'll be going to prison! "
Tuesday
Vicky Braddock and Cameron Price joined Landscape Juice Network
Tuesday
Cameron Price updated their profile
Tuesday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
In the world of football, the quality of the playing surface can make a significant difference in the game's outcome and the overall experience for players and spectators alike.While top-tier stadiums often boast pristine pitches, grassroots clubs…
Tuesday
Liam Healy posted a discussion
**Posted with admin (Henry’s) permission - Thank you, Henry.** I am selling a custom chipper and trailer set-up. Ideal for small/one person landscaping/gardening. The narrow access means it can pass through most side/garden gates and you can chip…
Tuesday
Peter sellers replied to T &T gardening services ltd's discussion Mulching Mowers
"We tried the grin but massively overpriced, the mulching performance no better than our 537HRX HY'S, not tried the Etesia but the HRX gives us the ability to collect when we need to without messing about with mulch plugs or swapping blades"
Tuesday
Pete Henchey replied to T &T gardening services ltd's discussion Mulching Mowers
"Thanks Peter, so do you have experience with the Etesia and Grin mulching machines?"
Tuesday
Gary R replied to Ag's discussion PA1/6 Applying Bacteria based Moss killers for Lawns
"I'd say no. Unless it's a herbacide or pestercide I don't think you'd need a PA1 / PA6"
Monday
Billybop replied to Andrew Betteridge's discussion Ego hedgecutter recall in Australia
"Cheers for the heads up Andrew, am a big fan of some of the Ego kit, but even without the safety issue the performance of that design of hedge trimmer is totally underwhelming anyhow"
Monday
Andrew Betteridge posted a discussion
Some Ego hedgecutters have been recalled in Australia due to starting unexpectedly. https://7news.com.au/news/ego-power-cordless-brushless-hedge-trimme...
Monday
More…