Cleaner fuel powers healthier operation

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Cleaner fuel powers healthier operation: The switch to Aspen Fuel has transformed operations for the Cowdray Estate forestry team– delivering significant health, safety and efficiency benefits to maintenance works across the 6,800 acres of managed woodland.

Cowdray’s decision to start using Aspen two years ago has brought tangible benefits to both daily working conditions and long-term equipment performance.

Cleaner fuel powers healthier operation

Cleaner fuel powers healthier operation

Assistant Forestry Manager Kris Gillespie has worked at Cowdray for the last seven years and is part of an 11-strong team looking after the maintenance of the conifers, broadleaf high forest and chestnut coppice that make up 36% of the total footprint of the estate. “Anyone who works with petrol-powered equipment will know that one of the major downsides is the fumes, and the implications this has for operator health and safety” Kris explains. “Even if you’re not actually using the tools, simply transporting cans from one place to another is enough to notice the smell.”

“As soon as we started using Aspen, this all changed. The fact that it’s odourless in operation not only brings real health benefits for the team, it is also really beneficial for the visitors who regularly use the 100 miles of footpaths that run through our woodlands.”

Aspen is an alkylate petrol, available for two and four stroke engines. Aspen 2 is pre-mixed with a fully synthetic, biodegradable oil removing the need to manual mixing and improving consistency and engine performance.

Kris continues, “Not only has Aspen presented us with a cleaner, safer alternative, it’s also brought us efficiency savings by having Aspen delivered to site by the pallet – eliminating trips to the petrol station.” The absence of ethanol and other hazardous hydrocarbons has also been a gamechanger. “With a range of tools of all shapes and sizes, it’s not unusual for some machines to sit unused for a year or two at a time. Because Aspen is ethanol-free it doesn’t degrade like traditional petrol which means we can take a saw that hasn’t been used for a while, start it up and get straight to work.” He adds, “Before, we’d be spending money on repairs to machines which had barely clocked up any hours, just because of rotten fuel lines. That hasn’t happened since we started using Aspen fuel.”

The Cowdray team has also adopted Aspen’s Fillpartner Combihandle, bringing further practicality and safety into practice. “With this, we can ensure no spills and quickly and easy swap out the Aspen can with a spare when required to get through a full day’s work with ease.”

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Rhenac RML 400 Delivers Full Spectrum LED Technology

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Rhenac RML 400 Delivers Full Spectrum LED Technology: Rhenac, the grow lighting specialists, has launched the RML 400, the latest addition to its CLS® (Complete Light Spectrum) product range, delivering scientifically optimised turf care across a 400 sqm footprint.

Designed for venues seeking compact, efficient and sustainable pitch management, the RML 400 combines industry-leading LED technology with lightweight rig design, to provide world-class turf growth under artificial conditions.

Rhenac RML 400 Delivers Full Spectrum LED Technology

Rhenac RML 400 Delivers Full Spectrum LED Technology

Modern stadiums and training centres are under increasing pressure to deliver consistent playing surfaces all year round, often under shade from stands and meeting demanding fixture schedules. For grounds professionals, maintaining health turf in these conditions requires tools that not only stimulate growth but do so effectively. The RML 400 has been developed to meet these challenges, providing an adaptable, high-performance solution that integrates seamlessly into the daily routines of venue managers and their teams.

At the heart of the RML 400 is CLS® by Rhenac®, the only patented LED system that replicates the full spectrum of natural sunlight. This unique approach is backed by over 12 years of plant research at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and proven performance at elite stadiums, including the Santiago Bernabéu and Schalke’s Veltins-Arena.

The results are measurable with up to 100% more root growth, double the biomass, 40% fewer input requirements, and 30% more playable hours. With just three RML 400 rigs, pitch managers can achieve full-pitch width coverage with 90% light homogeneity, supporting faster germination and quicker recovery.

Horst Theisen, CEO of Rhenac, explains, “The RML 400, using our LED research from the Technical University of Munich, combines our latest footprint technology and the market’s best homogeneity across 400 square meters, meaning an even coverage with consistent turf quality across all treated zones.

“For us, it’s not just about one monochromatic light; it’s much more. It’s about creating balanced light recipes that replicate natural sunlight and adjusting temperature to support every stage of turf growth.”

“Red light stimulates germination and shoot growth, while blue light promotes root development, shear strength, leaf structure and density. White light enhances overall turf health and vitality, while far red drives length growth. The ability to create bespoke recipes with this mixture of light, combined with infrared heating, ensures the optimal conditions for turf recovery, resilience and consistent playability.”

“We also have analysers and real-time sensors that look deeper into the leaf to understand more about the reaction of the pitch to the light and its circumstances. This allows grounds teams to focus on branching, recovery, and pitch density, and that’s only possible by creating different light recipes.”

Alongside its advanced lighting technology, the RML 400 benefits from Rhenac’s collaboration with TLS, pioneers of single-row aluminium mobile lighting. This ensures a lightweight, easy-to-handle rig that’s practical for grounds teams to transport, deploy and store.

These design benefits translate directly into ease of use for grounds teams. Other features of the RML 400 system include intuitive controls, light sensor automation and smart remote operation from pitchside.

To ensure long-term reliability, Rhenac will provide spare parts for 10 years, and the product will be supported by a comprehensive service model, combining remote assistance with a dedicated international service team.

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Transforming Turf with Origin Amenity Solutions

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Transforming Turf with Origin Amenity Solutions: When Stuart Donald took on the role of Head Greenkeeper at Inverurie Golf Club in April 2024, he faced immediate challenges. “The greens were full of thatch with a shallow black layer,” he recalls. “The course needed remedial work and a clear long-term strategy to improve turf health and playability.”

Stuart was able to draw on a programme he had used successfully at his previous club in Knebworth, Hertfordshire, which relied on advice and products from Headland Amenity. Since Headland’s integration into Origin Amenity Solutions, he has continued that approach, benefiting from the same trusted technical advice and a broader range of science-led products. “The continuity of support and products has made a real difference here too,” he says.

Transforming Turf with Origin Amenity Solutions

Transforming Turf with Origin Amenity Solutions

Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of products and expertise for professional turf management. OAS combines decades of experience with innovative research to deliver healthier, more resilient and sustainable surfaces, providing the technical support and product range that enabled Stuart to implement his programme with confidence.

A Science-Led Approach

Within just a year, progress at Inverurie Golf Club has been remarkable. Stuart has overseen a reduction of around 30mm of thatch, which has reduced the black layer to encourage better rooting. He has successfully implemented a tree management plan that includes gorse reduction to aid better airflow and increase sunlight for the turf, alongside the construction of new ditches to dry out the course more quickly in the winter months.

Stuart’s course maintenance regime relies on a suite of proven OAS products. “We use ProTec Plus and Seamac which really helps the turf recover and stay healthy,” he explains. “Seamac Proturf Fe, Liquid Turf Hardener and Turfite Elite form part of our 20-20-30 tank mix, which we use in conjunction with Mantle and PPT114 to reduce the reliance on fungicides. I am planning for future years when we might not have the option of using fungicides due to ongoing restrictions. Tri-Cure and TeraFirm complete our programme by improving air-to-water ratios in the soil, to improve soil and root health.”

“The results have been very encouraging,” he adds. “Better greens, improved grass coverage and more effective tree management. It’s all starting to show, members have noticed it too, with feedback on truer, smoother putting surfaces.”

Trusted Support

For Stuart, the ongoing support from OAS has been just as important as the products themselves. “The advice and guidance from the advisors have been invaluable. Having worked with Headland Amenity for years, I was happy to continue when they became part of OAS as I could continue the programme, I know works, with the added benefit of a wider range of resources and expertise.”

A Course Transformed

Over the past eighteen months, Inverurie Golf Club has undergone a tangible transformation. Through careful planning, practical interventions and the use of science-led products, Stuart and his team have turned challenging conditions into healthier, more resilient turf. The improvements reflect both the dedication of the greenkeeping team and the trusted partnership with Origin Amenity Solutions.

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All-Female Grounds Team Debuts at Twickenham

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All-Female Grounds Team Debuts at Twickenham: As the final whistle blows on an unforgettable Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, Allianz Stadium celebrates a landmark moment – the debut of its first all-female grounds team.

Brought together by the GMA from sporting institutions across the UK, this trailblazing group of professionals have not only upheld the highest standards of pitch care but also championed greater visibility for women in turf management.

All-Female Grounds Team Debuts at Twickenham

All-Female Grounds Team Debuts at Twickenham

From early morning preparations to post-match recovery, their expertise and teamwork have been truly inspiring. Their presence on the pitch marks a powerful step forward in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

The GMA is proud to support and spotlight the women who are helping shape the future of grounds management – one blade of grass at a time. This wrap-up video captures their journey, their impact and the legacy they’re building for generations to come.

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