Först starts a revolution

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Först starts a revolution: Först has done it again. They have taken the world’s most popular sub 750kg petrol wood chipper and turned it into something of a revolution for arboriculture.

The new Först TT6 has arrived in style, weighing in at just 745kg, boasting a 270-degree turntable and delivering a fully emission compliant 37 horsepower. It’s perfect for city contractors and any arborists looking for outstanding performance, unrivalled manoeuvrability and convenience.

Först starts a revolution

Först starts a revolution

Take a look at the TT6 and you’ll immediately see true innovation in this showstopper. It’s built even tougher and stronger than its predecessors. Incorporating the chipping chamber and engine from the perennial favourite Först ST6P it is designed sleek and sharp to look good behind any vehicle. It’s amazingly compact measuring just 2800mm in transport position and 2250mm when turned 90 degrees, adding another dimension to what the Först line up brings. There’s a wide hopper right down to the FörstGrip feed which in turn gives an exceptional grip on timber. The Först flywheel system is outstanding at clearing chip and green material and what’s more the chipper is quick and easy to service and maintain.   The TT6 is clearly the product of intelligent, cutting edge engineering from Först’s in-house engineering team and its introduction follows months of rigorous testing to guarantee a strong, robust product. So needed with such a weight-sensitive product. On that score, it’s also backed by an uncompromising 3-year warranty. The TT6 is sold directly to you from Först, the manufacturer, serving customers from UK locations: the factory in Andover, Hampshire, Doncaster, South Yorkshire and through Först partners in Glasgow. Först provides a service network of its own people and approved service partners across the UK, which means service support for your Först chipper is never far away.

For more information visit www.forst-woodchippers.com or call +44 1264 721790

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Plant based podcast returns

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Plant based podcast returns: On Sunday 8th March, The Plant Based Podcast will return for its third series, bringing with it a brand-new sponsor and a stellar line up of guests and famous faces.

The podcast launched last February and became an instant hit, amassing a large audience tuning in for the latest plant-based news, features and interviews every fortnight.

Plant based podcast returns

Plant based podcast returns

Series three is set to continue exploring everything plant-based the planet has to offer, being bigger and better than ever before! As part of this a new sponsor has been announced. Natural Grower, a manufacturer of plant based, chemical free fertilisers, is the proud partner for series three – with a commitment to inspiring growers to adopt an organic and sustainable approach it is the perfect partner.

The show hosts Michael Perry and Ellen Mary are prolific gardening writers, bloggers and presenters with a strong social media following that has helped catapult the podcast to the heights of the podcast charts. Their light-hearted and entertaining podcasting style has been a big hit with listeners of all ages with interests beyond gardening. The show is far from the usual gardening programme with the typical how-to gardening tips, instead it celebrates places and people worldwide with a true passion for plants.

In series three, Michael and Ellen will meet famous faces who champion plants, horticulture and plant-based living. Some of the brilliant guests booked for series three include Mark Lane, award winning garden designer and one of the presenters of BBC Gardeners’ World; creator of the world famous plant-based skincare range, Liz Earle; naturalist, television presenter and author, Chris Packham; and Alex Petrides, the founder of All Plants, the first entirely plant-based meal delivery service.

Ellen Mary commented: “Both Michael and I are overwhelmed by the success of the podcast, we had no idea what it would turn out to be or how popular it would become. It’s amazing that its success means that now we can attract big names like Chris Packham and Liz Earle to help continue to spread the word about just how amazing plants are. We’re thrilled to be working with Natural Grower, their company ethos is amazing, and we love the products. Their support has allowed us to elevate the podcast to the next level”.

Series three will launch on Sunday 8th March, and episodes will be released on Sundays fortnightly thereafter.

Fans of the podcast can now get even more plant-based news through Plant Based Podcast TV! Michael and Ellen have kicked off their YouTube channel which is proving popular with the Plant Based Podcast following. Plant Based Podcast TV brings viewers more horticultural hi-jinks and educational content, delivered in the signature Plant Based Podcast style.

Subscribe via iTunes or Spotify, and visit theplantbasedpodcast.net for more information. On the website you will also find exclusive content and articles to coincide with the topic of each episode, as well as further information about Natural Grower. Watch Plant Based Podcast TV on YouTube.

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New warranties on TYM range

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New warranties on TYM range: Reesink Turfcare is offering customers even more in 2020 with a new three-year ‘bumper to bumper’ warranty package on all new TYM tractors.

Reesink, the UK distributor of TYM, has long been known for offering more when it comes to its service, after-sales support, parts and warranties and 2020 starts as it means to go on with the brand extending its warranties on all TYM tractors to three years.

New warranties on TYM range

New warranties on TYM range

Reesink’s TYM sales manager, Steven Haynes, says: “We’re here to offer peace of mind to our customers that when they buy a tractor from us, we cover it for any unforeseen circumstances for three years or until 2,000 hours whichever comes first. These warranties demonstrate our confidence in the product and our dedication to offering our customers more.”

It makes good business sense to ensure your tractor investment is cared for against any unforeseen expensive repair costs, and Reesink is offering protection on the whole tractor at no extra cost.

Compact tractors are ever popular in the turfcare industry due to their multi-functional capabilities, which make them the perfect addition for a busy golf club or sports stadium and TYM tractors in particular are powerful and versatile enough to tackle a wide range of jobs. From transporting and loading materials, hedge cutting, mowing, scarifying, aerating and various other specialist works including drainage, the wide range which extends from 19 to 100hp offers a solution for every turfcare need.

All TYM tractors benefit from powerful, liquid-cooled diesel engines, hydrostatic power-steering for effortless manoeuvrability and a tight turning circle, and a heavy-duty, four-wheel-drive front axle for greater traction where needed.

Plus, most can be upgraded with optional heated and air-conditioned cabs for maximum operator comfort. But models without cabs boast a handy feature as well – the ROPS roll bar can be folded down for compact, convenient storage under a low roof. They can also be fitted with an array of attachments such as front-end loaders and backhoes, and the warranty on TYM accessories such as loaders and mid mount mowers remains unchanged at 12 months from point of sale.

And now there’s even more reason to invest in a TYM tractor, as Steven concludes: “Having a comprehensive warranty like this allows customers to safeguard their investment and means machines keep their value.”

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Beccles Town win FA award

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Beccles Town win FA award: Beccles Town Football Club has won the Ransomes Jacobsen sponsored Suffolk FA Groundsman of the Year competition for the second consecutive season.

The competition, which is open to clubs who play in Step 7 and below in Suffolk, has been sponsored by Ransomes Jacobsen for many years and has played an important role in raising the quality of football pitches in the county.

Beccles Town win FA award

Beccles Town win FA award

After entering for the first time last year and being placed first, Beccles’ joint groundsmen Chris Brown and Shaun Soloman were again judged as this year’s winners. They just beat Adrian Waters of Halesworth Town, who entered for the first time, to this year’s title with Tony Adams of Claydon FC finishing third.

Beccles Town joint groundsman Shaun Soloman said: “This just makes it all worthwhile. We don’t do it to get recognition but for the town and the people of the town and especially the kids to be able to play on a decent pitch that we never had the chance to do as it used to be a mud bath.”

The judging panel was led by Ipswich Town Football Club head groundsman, Ben Connell, and he was accompanied by Suffolk FA football development manager Jodie Allard, Institute of Groundsmen pitch advisor east, Phil Jeggo, Tim Parker of Suffolk FA Pitch Improvement Programme sponsors Parkers Pitches and Steve Alabaster, regional sales manager for Ransomes Jacobsen.

This year’s competition was one of the hardest to judge with the quality of pitches rising in Suffolk, and lead judge, Ben Connell, has been pleased to see the initiatives from different parties having an impact.

“I’ve been taking part in the judging for seven years, and the standards are getting better and better. I’ve seen the pitches improve over that time and I’d put that down to the dedication of the groundsmen and the support and advice they get from the Suffolk FA and the IOG.

“This competition has been a great initiative, and along with the funding from the FA and IOG, it has really made a difference to grassroots football in Suffolk because the pitches are getting better. Without the sponsorship of the competition from Ransomes Jacobsen and the support from the FA and IOG, we wouldn’t have got to this point, and I’m looking forward to seeing further progress.”

Steve Alabaster from Ransomes Jacobsen added: “I’m quite taken aback and astounded by how much work the volunteers put in, especially when they have to finance a majority of the work themselves. Some of these guys have hardly got anything at all, and they’re producing fantastic surfaces for kids and adults to play on. I was really surprised that every pitch we saw wasn’t waterlogged because of the heavy rain we’ve had, and it is incredible that they’re doing that with such little resources – each pitch we’ve seen is a credit to the groundsmen who maintain them.

“It’s fantastic to be able to big up these guys because they don’t always get much recognition and it’s a wonderful opportunity for us to partner and support the Suffolk FA. It’s something we’ve been doing for a number of years that we’re very proud to be part of.”

In addition to being crowned as Groundsman of the Year, Beccles Town will receive £200 to be spent on groundscare equipment, with Halesworth Town receiving £100 and Claydon £50. All three clubs will be invited to attend the Suffolk FA Awards Ceremony later in the year to receive their prizes.

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Adam Cooper joins GaNTIP

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Adam Cooper joins GaNTIP: The Institute of Groundsmanship-led Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme (GaNTIP) has announced the appointment of Adam Cooper, a practising groundsman with more than 31 years’ experience, as regional pitch advisor (RPA) for the North West.

His appointment comes at a time when sports clubs up and down the country are suffering the devastations of storms Ciara and Dennis, and the skills and advice of GaNTIP’s team of RPAs – now nine, plus two key account managers – will be essential in helping grassroots clubs recover from the devastation.

Adam Cooper joins GaNTIP

Adam Cooper joins GaNTIP

GaNTIP is the successful programme that is improving the standard of grassroots football and cricket pitches, as well as the skills of those who look after them, throughout England. It will now be working closely with the England & Wales Cricket Board and Country Cricket Boards, as well as with County FAs, to offer advice and help to clubs when the flood waters subside.

Based in Preston, Lancashire, Adam – who entered the groundscare industry after qualifying as a quantity surveyor – brings to the role extensive experience in maintaining cricket surfaces as well as surfaces for tennis, football, bowls, hockey, croquet and golf. He also spent the past two years in an advisory support role within the GaNTIP programme.

His CV includes work at four Premier League cricket clubs, as well as at AFC Fylde and Accrington Stanley FC plus managing the cricket, hockey, tennis and football surfaces at Lytham Cricket and Tennis Club.

Adam has also been involved in many volunteer grounds roles over the years, particularly at his local cricket club and at the various sporting venues where his children played football, tennis and hockey.

He says he “is looking forward to helping grassroots clubs by applying this understanding of the challenges faced by volunteers, especially now as they face a tumultuous task in reinstating pitches that have been destroyed by the storms.”

Out of work, Adam is a keen sportsman and plays hockey and cricket. He also enjoys salmon fishing and sailing.

GaNTIP is a joint programme between the Institute of Groundsmanship, The Football Association, Football Foundation and the England & Wales Cricket Board, and programme director Jason Booth, says: “Adam’s appointment reinforces how GaNTIP continues to apply the best skills in order to help grassroots sports clubs up and down the country.

“Their experience and advice will be now also be vital in helping grassroots clubs recover from the awful flooding that we’ve experienced in recent months.”

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