Foamstream flows in North Yorkshire

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Foamstream flows in North Yorkshire: Locations in North Yorkshire are getting the green treatment with a brand-new weeding machine which works without using herbicides.

The revolutionary machine uses hot water insulated by a biodegradable foam, made from natural plant oils and sugars to keep the liquid hot, to kill weeds, moss and algae right at their root without the use of harsh chemicals.

Foamstream flows in North Yorkshire

Foamstream flows in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire County Council is trialling Foamstream, developed by Weedingtech in 2011, as a new way of keeping some of the county’s roads, streets and pavements tidy and weed-free.

The machine is expected to be used in the Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon, cleaning up town centres to ensure they look their best following the Covid-19 pandemic. If the technology is deemed successful after the pilot, it could be rolled out to more towns across North Yorkshire. It’s the first time the technology has been used in the region.

John Putsey, Maintenance Manager for Highways, Area 6, said: “It’s a really exciting device and one we’ve never seen in the North East before. It’s very safe to use, there are no pesticides and it’s very effective at killing weeds. It’s very good for pedestrian areas, for roads in areas where weeds gather. It’s very quick, you can do up to 200 square metres an hour and it can also be used to clean signs, street furniture and bollards, along with cleaning off chewing gum.”

Foamstream works by super-heating vegetation to 95 degrees. The foam insulates the heat in the hot water, keeping the temperature in the kill zone (57°C+) for long enough to kill or sufficiently damage the weed. Foamstream sterilises surrounding seeds and spores to stop weeds spreading and then kills or damages the plant to prevent regrowth.

As well as killing weeds which, for North Yorkshire’s use will be the main function, Foamstream has cleaning attachments for low and high-pressure cleaning including chewing gum removal from roads and pavements.

“We’re very pleased North Yorkshire County Council is trialling Foamstream.” Says Weedingtech UK Sales Manager Aaron Matthews. “It’s a first time for us in the region and we’re confident the system will prove wholly effective for them. Foamstream is already used by many councils around the UK including Hammersmith and Fulham, Southwark and Manchester City Council as well as by some of the nation’s biggest contracting companies such as idverde and Urbaser.”

To learn more about Foamstream you can call Weedingtech on +44(0)2039090050, info@weedingtech.com

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Online garden design service for goes “live”

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Online garden design service for goes “live”: An innovative new service for landscapers is now fully up and running after COVID-19 lockdown gave its creator time to develop his idea and turn a dream into reality. 

My Garden Design is a user friendly online platform that allows landscapers to offer garden design services under their own branding. In a nutshell, the landscaper uploads the client brief, “before” pictures and site survey details to the My Garden Design website. Clever programming has created an online garden design questionnaire which breaks the client brief down into a series of yes/no answers. When all information has been gathered, qualified garden designers will set to work to turn the information into a beautiful concept plan. The completed garden design will carry the landscaper’s own logo and contact details. And all at trade prices.

Online garden design service for goes “live”

Online garden design service for goes “live”

Creator Paul Baker, who is a Director of both Holland Landscapes and Tapestry Design Studios, has been mulling over the idea for some five years. It wasn’t until COVID 19 temporary closed his landscaping business that he had the time to bring his plan to fruition.

“As a fairly active member of the APL I regularly speak to other landscapers and completely understand their frustrations around garden design. Some clients don’t realise they need a garden design, others may have sketched their own design which looks good on paper but is difficult to build. This service is especially for those landscapers whose clients are reluctant to engage a professional garden designer and just expect the landscaper to offer a complete design and build service.”

Paul adds “My Garden Design allows landscapers to offer an in-house garden design service without losing focus on what they are good at – landscaping.”

He goes on to say that “Many landscapers design and build themselves to a very high standard but struggle with planting ideas. My Garden Design can create planting plans to add an even bigger “wow” factor to a finished project.”

The whole concept of My Garden Design is based on saving landscapers time and freeing them up from costly site visits. Information can be gathered whilst social distancing and if the site is too complicated to survey, MGD offers a complete survey service as an optional extra. In fact the whole service is as simple or as detailed as the landscaper needs. Need more than just a 2D concept plan? You can request 3D designs, planting plans, lighting plans and even construction drawings should you need them.

To discover more about this innovative service, visit https://mygardendesign.co.uk

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Hilbert Willis to follow in Captain Tom’s footsteps

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Hilbert Willis to follow in Captain Tom’s footsteps: Hilbert Willis spent over five decades covering every blade of grass on the Lakeview Park pitch as long-serving Loughgall groundsman.

Now the 96-year-old is aiming to get back out on the turf and turn his labour of love into a fundraiser for the Irish League side.

Hilbert Willis to follow in Captain’s Tom footsteps

Hilbert Willis to follow in Captain’s Tom footsteps

The coronavirus pandemic’s impact on sports clubs around the world is expected to have far-reaching effects but, in a bid to help alleviate some of the short-term damage, Willis has set a special goal.

Willis is drawing inspiration from the example set by ‘Captain Tom’ and a charity drive to support the NHS Charities Together by embarking on a cause close to his heart.

Captain Thomas Moore set out to walk laps of his garden at the age of 99 – with Willis opting to take on 100 lengths of the football pitch at Loughgall.

His plan is to take those first steps this weekend.

“I’ve been involved with Loughgall for so many years now and in all sorts of roles, from chairman to groundsman to committee member,” said Willis. “We were sitting around talking one day about the financial situation around everything going on and I suggested following in Captain Tom’s footsteps.

“The club is so important to me and such a big part of my life, so I was just keen to try and do something, anything really, to help.

“I’ve so many wonderful memories from my time involved with Loughgall and have so many friends thanks to this football club and others all over the country.”

Ground improvements estimated at around £100,000 proved vital towards a successful Club Promotion License application last season as Loughgall officials invested in ambition in pursuit of a place in the Danske Bank Premiership.

Redevelopment work included alterations to the changing room area and dugouts, plus the addition of a disabled viewing section.

A ruling by the game’s officials in respect of the coronavirus pandemic forced all clubs outside the top flight to stop the Irish League season, with Portadown awarded the sole promotion spot as Bluefin Sport Championship winners and Loughgall third at the cut-off point.

“So much hard work was put into that whole process by so many at the club,” said Willis. “We have such a great group of people around the club and a dedicated committee.

“Hopefully my small effort can help the club and the response has been great, with plenty of support from people at the club – along with a fair few laughs.

“One of my good friends, Robbie Bothwell, is about 70 years old but has promised to run at least 50 lengths!

“I’ve done a few practice lengths but just cannot wait to get going properly now and will be out as often as possible.”

Anyone interested in offering financial support can visit the ‘Hilbert’s Goal’ page on GoFundMe.

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