Green-tech provides automated irrigation

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Green-tech provides automated irrigation: The latest 4-star hotel to open its doors in Bristol’s Old City area has a fascinating history. The Clayton Hotel sits just within the medieval walls of St Johns, on the site of the original Grade 2 listed Everards printing works, first built in 1900.

Visitors are greeted by a gloriously colourful, tiled Art Nouveau frontage, designed by W.J. Neatby, the Chief Designer at Royal Doulton. His design depicts several facets of Bristol’s history; the female figure in the centre representing Light and Truth, and the two figures to either side, printing and literature, for which Bristol was becoming increasingly known.

Green-tech provides automated irrigation

Green-tech provides automated irrigation

Situated in the heart of the old city, outdoor space is practically non-existent, so plans were drawn up to utilise a small space on the lower level at the back to create a rain-forest inspired sunken garden, planted with mature tree ferns, raised beds and seating.

Green-tech involvement:

Having a good working relationship going back over a decade, Bath-based landscape architects MacGregor Smith had no hesitation in specifying Green-tech’s lightweight intensive topsoil and subsoil for all the planting beds in the sunken garden.

For the tree pits at ground level, the decision was taken to use Green-tech’s Green-tree Amenity Tree Soil; a fertile, load bearing structural tree soil from Green-tech, specifically developed to BS3882:2015 for use in the urban environment. Having a naturally open structure, Green-tree Amenity Tree Soil allows for compaction without sacrificing any water percolation or aeration properties of the soil.

To complete the tree pits, MacGregor Smith specified the Fortress tree grille tray. This is designed to accept block paving to ensure a seamless transition to the surrounding paved finish. Each pit included an irrigation pipe topped with Green-tech’s Mono Relief Piazza aluminium filler cap, which was set flush into the paving.

To ensure that the tree ferns in the sunken garden received adequate irrigation, the decision was made to fit a fully automated Rain Bird irrigation system, also from Green-tech. The system was custom designed for the area and featured micro-sprays and drip-lines, along with the all-important pressure regulators and solenoids. The pressure regulators are critical to any automated system, as they ensure that each emitter or drip line provides the same amount of water no matter how far down the line from the water source they are.

Jamie Cusack, Senior Associate from MacGregor Smith comments, “This was a challenging project, not only with the sunken garden, but also the tight spaces in which to work and get deliveries in. On this project Green-tech were particularly helpful in respect of providing detailed design input into the automated Rain Bird irrigation system, which helped ensure the successful establishment and longevity of the distinctive tree ferns.

Alasdair Innes, Green-tech Specification Advisor adds, “It’s always a pleasure to work on any MacGregor Smith project, and we first visited the site in February 2022 as the exterior trees were going in but before the sunken garden was in place. It was great to go back and see that everything has come together, especially the automated irrigation in the sunken garden.

For any further product information or to request a CPD in person or remotely on any of  Green-tech’s urban or rural modules please contact sales@green-tech.co.uk or call 01423 332100

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Kubota appoints George Nowell

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Kubota appoints George Nowell: George Nowell has been appointed as Kubota (UK)’s agricultural and groundcare Dealer Manager for the midlands, north west and Wales. Now in his fifth year of full-time employment with the company, George joined Kubota in 2015 after getting in touch during his search for a three-month summer job following the completion of his first year at Harper Adams University.

His career path is one that puts the spotlight on opportunities that exist within Kubota. After leaving school, he took a three-year apprenticeship at Bicton College which saw him working with a tractor dealership in Devon. Eager to immerse himself at manufacturer-level, George set about finding a route into Harper Adams University.

Kubota appoints George Nowell

Kubota appoints George Nowell

“I always knew what I wanted to do, and earning myself a summer job at Kubota was a move that has helped to create fantastic opportunities for me,” explains George, whose exam results and high grades achieved from an apprenticeship eased his progression into engineering.

“During my degree course, I returned to Kubota for my work placement year as a student,” he says. “My coursework and dissertation led to a project on M7 tractor optimisation, which was focussed on developing dealer and customer knowledge.”

Proving that a little initiative goes a long way, George returned to Kubota after completing his university studies in 2018, taking up his first full-time role. As a service technician providing product support, his early career included a three-month posting to KFM in Dunkirk, France, working in tractor production.

One year later, George took on the role of Regional Service Representative before stepping up to the role of Aftersales Dealer Manager in 2021. He now boosts his career in 2023 as Kubota’s agricultural and groundcare Dealer Manager for the midlands, north west and Wales.

“I have been involved with groundscare equipment from the start of my career, working as an apprentice in the dealership” adds George. “It’s great to be part of a company that has a reputation for supplying quality, reliable equipment through a dedicated dealer network and I very much look forward to supporting them, and our customers, further over the coming months.”

Commenting on George’s promotion to Dealer Manager, agricultural and groundcare Sales Manager Tim Yates said: “This is a great opportunity to showcase our home-grown talent, and it highlights the professional career opportunities that are available in Kubota (UK).”

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STIHL upgrades cordless chainsaw range

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STIHL upgrades cordless chainsaw range: STIHL has launched upgraded versions of its popular AP System MSA 160 C-B, MSA 200 C-B, and MSA 220 C-B cordless chainsaws, offering professional users a new streamlined design, improved battery performance, faster cutting and enhanced operational features.  

The new MSA 160 C-B is more powerful than the previous version, boasting a larger motor and compatibility with the recommended AP 300 S AP System battery, which ensures an increased electrical output of 1.5 kW for faster cutting performance.

STIHL upgrades cordless chainsaw range

STIHL upgrades cordless chainsaw range

Moreover, the enhanced MSA 220 now comes as standard with a 3/8P pitch, 1.1mm gauge PS3 PRO chain, which improves cutting performance by up to 20% due to its narrower kerf. The new chain has been specifically designed for use with STIHL’s new Light 04 1.1mm guide bar, allowing more cuts to be made per battery charge. The MSA 160 C-B and MSA 200 C-B feature a 1/4P chain for smooth and precise cuts.

All three new models have seen numerous upgraded operational features introduced to improve the user experience. These include improved visibility of the chain oil level for faster checks, a thumb lever and OPC starting switch for increased comfort and safety, as well as a soft rubberised grip and optimally balanced handle position for maximum control and comfort.

In addition, all new models feature quick chain tensioning for fast and tool-less replacement or tensioning of the chain, as well as bayonet style oil tank caps which can be opened quickly and easily while wearing gloves.

All the new saws are compatible with the STIHL Smart Connectors, part of the STIHL Connected fleet management system. Smart Connectors record and transmit the working time of the tool to the user’s smartphone, giving prompts to complete important maintenance tasks exactly when they’re required.

More for information on STIHL’s enhanced MSA cordless chainsaw range, visit www.stihl.co.uk

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New Verti-Drain® 2519 helps PNE

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New Verti-Drain® 2519 helps PNE: A high speed Redexim Verti-Drain® 2519 is delivering outstanding results for the team at Preston North End Football Club, as the team work to complete regular aeration in ever-tighter schedule windows.

Currently in use at the club’s new first team training complex at Euxton, Head Groundsman Peter Ashworth says the ability to verti-drain two or three pitches in one day enables them to meet other maintenance deadlines whilst bringing multiple benefits to overall surface condition.

New Verti-Drain® 2519 helps PNE

New Verti-Drain® 2519 helps PNE

Peter and his team of six look after a total of nine pitches across two training ground sites and the Deepdale Stadium, who now all have the use of the new 2519 alongside their existing Redexim 7316 Verti-Drain®. “With one machine to operate across all three facilities, we we’re increasingly finding that everybody always needed to use it at the same time!” Peter explains. “I spoke to Greg Cain at Cheshire Turf Machinery and asked to see the new Redexim machine and were instantly impressed with how quick it was. You could tell from that demonstration, and subsequent periods where we had the opportunity to use the 2519, how much of a difference it would make to the speed of our aeration work.”

The 2519 offers a PTO speed of up to 540rpm which allows it to cover almost 9000m2 per hour when spaced at 165mm. Not just offering high-productivity, the Verti-Drain® 2519 encompasses the very best in Redexim precision engineering to deliver durability and versatility – with a range of tine options capable of delivering effective aeration around the maintenance calendar.

“The first team will be using two or three of the pitches at the Euxton ground every day, so to keep them fit for play we’re mowing them before and after training which leaves little time for anything else. Since we took delivery of the 2519 in January 2023, we’ve been able to factor in aerating a pitch or two amongst our other tasks, which keeps us in control of any compaction and ensures everything stays free draining, particularly during the wetter winter months.”

“Everything is nice and easy to set up and adjust, and my team are enjoying how smooth and quiet it is to operate.” Peter adds, “For me personally, the whole process has been really straight-forward. Like many manufacturers, there were a few hold-ups caused by COVID, but we had brilliant support throughout from both Cheshire Turf Machinery and Redexim, who went the extra mile to help us with a loan machine to get us through a particularly challenging few weeks weather-wise whilst we waited. Now that our 2519 is here, life looks as though it will be much easier!”

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Bradford Green sows the seed of change

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Bradford Green sows the seed of change: Wholesale native wildflower seed supplier, Bradford Green has welcomed English Heritage’s plans to establish 100 wildflower meadows at historic sites to celebrate the King’s coronation.

The start-up business is based at Bradford Estates on the Shropshire / Staffordshire border. Here they produce high-quality sustainable wildflower seed to be used by private, public and charitable organisations, as well the general public for a range of biodiversity projects and wildflower plantings.

Bradford Green sows the seed of change

Bradford Green sows the seed of change

Bradford Green Director, Bethan Pugh, recognises the value of initiatives such as English Heritage’s dedicated King’s Coronation Meadows and calls for further restoration of the country’s lost flower-rich grasslands.

“Our ancient meadows drastically declined after WWII. We’ve lost 97% over 70 years which has had a hugely detrimental impact on the wildlife these habitats sustain,” says Ms Pugh.

“Thankfully, there is growing recognition of wildflowers’ multiple benefits. Reinstating meadows is a great way to create a lasting and positive legacy for future generations.

“However, it’s important to remember, no matter how much space you have, you can make a difference. Anyone can help prioritise the natural world by establishing flower-rich spaces. The key is to source native wildflower seed which has been produced as sustainably as possible, right here in the UK.,” she adds.

From farmland to urban spaces, wildflowers not only enhance biodiversity, but they also improve soil health, as well as delivering aesthetic and wellbeing value for local communities.

As the Government’s land management, farming and environmental policies continue to promote more nature-friendly approaches, the introduction of native species is being actively encouraged.

Creating flourishing natural spaces that support pollinators and other wildlife depends on having the highest concentration of native wildflower species to attract bees and other insects.

“I hope English Heritage’s visitors will be inspired by the meadows this summer and make their own contribution to reversing biodiversity loss in the UK as a result,” says Ms Pugh.

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