Balmers Join GKB Dealer Network

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Balmers Join GKB Dealer Network: Balmers GM Ltd. has joined the growing GKB Machines’ network of groundcare dealers. One of the largest new and used groundcare businesses of its kind in the North of England, Balmers has been in business in Burnley for in excess of thirty years, offering sales, spares, service and hire and covering Lancashire down to North Manchester and across to West Yorkshire. Balmers were in talks with GKB’s Tom Shinkins in mid 2017 which led to initial demonstrations to customers of a GKB Sandfiller and Top Dresser. The result was Balmers becoming a GKB dealer.

“We like the quality build of the machines, no frills performance and they do what it says on the tin,” says Balmers’ Andrew Meeks. “We like the way the Sandfiller combines in one operation scarifying, removal and sand filling. It means the operation can be carried out by one person and that’s a saving on time and costs.”

Balmers Join GKB Dealer Network

The principle is based on the GKB Combinator with a slitting rotor utilising carbine scarifying blades that create wind to lift the removed material. Dried sand is instantly applied from the hopper and the area is immediately available for use. The GKB Top Dressers come in four different designs which range from 1m3 to 4m3 with a choice of trailed or turf truck mounted versions. They are ideal for evenly distributing materials such as sand and mulch, with variable spread widths and depths. The GKB SP100 is suitable for assembling on a turf truck such as the ProGator, Truckster or Workman for example. Electro-hydraulic controls are easily fitted and run directly off the hydraulics of the truck.

Balmers’ reputation in the commercial sector speaks for itself with its customer base of local councils and national contractors serving golf, football and cricket clubs. The partnering with GKB adds a new strength with the availability of the GKB Machines’ range of natural and synthetic sports turf solutions.

For more information, visit: www.gkbmachines.com

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Fantasy Football Winners

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Fantasy Football Winners: Another fantastic Premier League season has come to an end, and with it, our Fantasy Football league sponsored by Dennis & SISIS for the 2017/18 campaign.

Congratulations go to the top ten players in the league, who have secured prizes as a result of their successful teams.

Fantasy Football Winners

The top 10:

  1. Gary Starr – 2384 points
  2. Daniel Brookfield – 2295 points
  3. Chris Lynch – 2220 points
  4. Mike Wootton – 2209 points
  5. Chris Russell – 2205 points
  6. Chris Bennett – 2195 points
  7. Tom Wright – 2192 points
  8. Scott Onyons – 2181 points
  9. Tom Clayton – 2163 points
  10. Steven King – 2161 points
    Aaron Fletcher – 2161 points

To claim their prize, winners must email marie@turfmatters.co.uk by 5pm on May 31st.

Gardener Charged For Using Mobile

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Gardener Charged For Using Mobile: A gardener is thought to have become the first person in Britain to be charged with using a mobile while operating a lawn-mower after being stopped outside a police station.

The 47-year-old council gardener faces a fine of £200 and six penalty points if he is found guilty of using his phone at the traffic lights outside of police station in Ely, Cardiff on Tuesday.

Gardener Charged For Using Mobile

The man was followed by South Wales Police officers who spotted him allegedly using his mobile while driving along Cowbridge Road West.

Cardiff Council confirmed that he was a member of council staff and that he could face disciplinary action at a later date.

It added: “The council will be following up this matter in line with council policy and procedure.”

Accused of illegally using a phone at the wheel on a public road, the gardener is to appear at a a magistrates court later this month.

It has been illegal for a motorist to use a mobile phone while driving since 2003.

This includes handling the device, sending a text or following a map, even when the car is waiting at a set of traffic lights, as the engine is still running.

In 2017, stricter phone driving laws came into force in a bid to deter people from breaking the rules.

Motorists who are caught are liable to pay a fine of £200 or have six penalty points placed on their licence.

Around 1,200 drivers have been disqualified since the introduction of these stricter penalties.

Neil Smith, Imperial Cars’ operations director said: “Breaking the habit of touching your phone whilst in the driver’s seat can be challenging, especially with the technological advancements that come as standard on most mobile phones, but the risks you impose on both yourself and others when distracted behind the wheel are really not worth it. Unfortunately, the number of drivers still opting to ignore the law is scarily high.”

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Reesink Invests In Ireland

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Reesink Invests In Ireland: Reesink Turfcare has confirmed the amalgamation of the Nurney-based Professional Machinery Services (PMS) business into Reesink Turfcare IRE Ltd, as part of its investment plans for a business structure in Ireland.

Reesink reached an agreement with the directors of PMS, Michael and Michelle Fleming, which sees them both join the Reesink customer service team at Reesink’s Ireland premises, also in Nurney, Co Kildare.

Reesink Invests In Ireland

PMS was an independent authorised Toro service centre for 13 years, and Michael has been technically involved with the Toro brand for almost 20 years. He joins Reesink in the role of operations manager to oversee technical support services directly to customers in the South Leinster area, and to the broader network of existing authorised Toro service centres. Michelle provides a similar focus, taking up the role of service and parts administrator.

Michael comments: “Both Michelle and I are looking forward to combining dealership, technical and customer relations experience with the resource of Reesink to help further strengthen and grow the brand in Ireland.”

This is just the start of Reesink’s investment in the brand in Ireland as Reesink managing director in Ireland, Richard Harris, explains: “The addition of Michael and Michelle to the team is a great step forward for our plans to invest in experience and it won’t stop there. We expect to recruit additional technical roles, and also add a demonstrator to the team this year to enhance both our customer service and enquiry response times.

“Our investment plans for business growth has customer support at its foundation. Therefore, we are very pleased to have been able to recruit two experienced people with a strong reputation for customer service and extensive experience with the Toro brand built up over many years. Growing the team like this enhances our support for Toro fine turf and grounds customers in Ireland.”

Roon Hylkema, managing director of the Reesink Turfcare parent company in The Netherlands, concludes: “We see a long-term opportunity for Reesink and the Toro brand going hand-in-hand with an improving economic and investment outlook in Ireland. With parts and equipment on site and highly qualified service technicians, we will be in a position to maintain customer satisfaction levels on a par with all our European operations.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Win Dedicated To Ex-Groundsman

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Win Dedicated To Ex-Groundsman: Shanklin Reserves have dedicated their Combination 1 League Cup final victory to groundsman Joe Geddes who died of cancer recently.

The side beat Binstead & COB Reserves 4-1 at Brading Football Club’s Vicarage Lane ground on Saturday.

Win Dedicated To Ex-Groundsman

Shanklin’s goals came from Ryan Gregory and Pete Wilson headers, a superb Ji Nash dribble and shot and a tap-in from Sam Mosely, with Binstead’s consolation coming from Gavin Prescott.

Delighted Shanklin  player-manager, Frank Luter, said: “We dedicate this trophy in memory of our groundsman, Joe Geddes, who was a popular figure who served the club for many years.”

In the other match played later yesterday afternoon, the Combination 2 League Cup final, Oakfield Reserves beat Ventnor Reserves 4-2 on penalties after they finished 1-1 at full time.

Ventnor, who had two men sent off, took the lead with a brilliant 20-yard strike from Billy Creighton on 23 minutes.

They held out until the 75th minute when substitute Sam Woodmore finished well from close range.

Ventnor were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in the last ten minutes for a push in the back.

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