ICL Appoints Jack Hetherington

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ICL Appoints Jack Hetherington: ICL has appointed Jack Hetherington as Technical Area Sales Manager for Scotland, bringing over 20 years’ experience in sports turf management, developing high-quality playing surfaces, and implementing effective turf programmes.

He began his career in 2005 as an Assistant Greenkeeper at Ponteland Golf Club, before becoming Course Manager at Alnwick Castle Golf Club in 2016. He later held Course Manager positions at Boldon Golf Club and Chester-le-Street Golf Club.

ICL Appoints Jack Hetherington

ICL Appoints Jack Hetherington

Alongside his club roles, Jack has played an active part in the wider greenkeeping community, serving as Founding Chairman of the BIGGA Young Greenkeepers Committee, BIGGA/Bernhard Delegate to the GIS, and most recently as BIGGA Northern Region Director. He has also volunteered at prestigious events such as The Open, The British Masters, and The BMW PGA Championship.

Jack says joining ICL feels like a natural next step. “When I became a course manager, I quickly realised ICL was the perfect partner for producing premium surfaces,” he said.

“Their industry-leading portfolio, commitment to sustainability and science-driven approach stood out to me from the start. I’m looking forward to working with turf managers and distributors to deliver tailored advice and programmes that enhance turf health, playability, and resource efficiency.”

Phil Collinson, Sales and Business Development Manager – UK North, said Jack’s appointment strengthens the team across the region. “He brings deep practical knowledge and experience with ICL products, which will be of real value to our customers and distributors. His professional attitude and focus on delivering expert advice stood out during recruitment. He’ll be a great fit for our team.”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

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Machinery and live demos at Midlands Machinery Show

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Machinery and live demos at Midlands Machinery Show: Farmers and contractors are invited to step out of the yard and into a full day of machinery, technology and hands-on innovation at this year’s Midlands Machinery Show, taking place on Wednesday 19 November at Newark Showground.

Now in its eleventh year, the show returns with a new one-day format that puts machines, demonstrations and innovation at the heart of the event.

Machinery and live demos at Midlands Machinery Show

Machinery and live demos at Midlands Machinery Show

Free to attend, exhibitors’ stands will showcase new tractors, implements, ATVs and engineering solutions, alongside expert-led talks and opportunities to earn BASIS and NRoSO points ahead of year-end.

“Having everything all in one place and all in one day is our vision for this year’s show,” says Elizabeth Halsall, Events and Development Manager at the Newark & Notts Agricultural Society, which organises the event. “Time away from the business is precious, so we want to give visitors a productive, information-packed day, as well as a social and networking opportunity with their community.”

Ticket registration is free at www.midlandsmachineryshow.com and visitors are advised to pre-register for fast entry.

Those attending can expect to see machinery that’s never been to the show before, as well as a host of demonstrations in the dedicated arena, plus a hands-on experience of all-terrain vehicles.

New kit and features

New for 2025, attendees can get behind the wheel of the Can-Am Traxter HD9, with its heated cab and 65hp Rotax V-twin engine, on the showground’s off-road track. Driving experiences are being provided by 158 Performance.

Chandlers will present two AGCO tractors never before seen at the Midlands Machinery Show – the powerful Valtra S Series and the Fendt 832 Vario Gen 5.

AMTEC will make a high-profile appearance with its new Torox range of heavy-duty discs, which the company says has been built for tough soils and engineered for versatility and precision.

Taylor Attachments returns with new buckets and muck grabs accompanying its proven range of heavy-duty attachments.

Long-standing exhibitor Russells will – alongside its stable of New Holland, Polaris, Stewart and Teagle produces – bring the Horizon DSX drill to show in the demonstration ring.

Debuts for service sector exhibitors

Several new exhibitors will make their debut this year.

Fox Engineering brings its expertise in LOLER, PUWER and PSSR safety inspections, helping farms stay compliant and avoid costly downtime.

Fireward joins the show for the first time, raising awareness of automatic fire suppression systems that prevent machinery and combine fires through instant pneumatic detection and targeted extinguishing agents. “At the moment, not enough farmers realise that fire suppression systems are an option,” says Caroline Wilson, Fireward National Sales Manager for Agriculture. “Our focus is on education – showing that there are affordable, practical ways to protect people, machinery and infrastructure.”

Beyond machinery, the show offers a packed day of networking, learning and advice designed to help farmers make confident decisions for the year ahead.

The NFU Midlands Environment Conference, chaired by NFU President Tom Bradshaw, will explore ‘Adapting Farming for the Future: Sustainable Production, Products & Markets’, offering practical insight into policy changes, sustainability and business resilience. With agricultural policy at a crossroads, these expert-led sessions provide essential guidance to strengthen farm businesses across the region and beyond.

Exhibitors are also ready to help visitors tackle the industry’s wider challenges. Openfield, the UK’s only farmer-owned grain marketing cooperative, will share expert insight on planning ahead amid market volatility and changing support payments. “There’s never been a more important time to talk about what goes in the ground,” says Jerome Fielder, Head of Farm Business Team at Openfield. “We’ll be there to offer straight-talking advice, whatever the question.”

Optimal Risk Group will launch its Rural SafeGuard Programme, providing security training and risk management solutions to help farmers protect their assets from crime. “We help farmers not just respond to rural crime, but reduce the opportunities for it to happen in the first place,” explains Frank Cannon, Senior Consultant at Optimal Risk.

Visitors can also find confidential guidance from The Farming Community Network (FCN) on topics from mental health to succession planning. “There are so many factors outside farmers’ control right now,” says Rachel Davey, Marketing and Events Officer at FCN. “We’re here to help them find a way forward and secure their businesses for the next generation.”

“Whether you’re exploring new machinery, looking for smarter solutions or simply catching up with suppliers and colleagues, the Midlands Machinery Show is a day built around real conversations and quality connections,” says Elizabeth. “We look forward to welcoming visitors to Newark this November for a day that truly celebrates innovation, resilience and the future of British agriculture.

“Register in advance online now for smooth, free access to the event on the day.”

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Loads of power, any condition

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Loads of power, any condition: Founded in the US in 1967, Billy Goat®, is a leading designer and manufacturer of turf renovation and clean-up equipment, and forms part of the Briggs & Stratton family of brands.

Known for practical innovation and high-performance specialty turf care solutions, Billy Goat’s product range covers a host of landscaping needs from aerators, sod cutters and brush cutters to blowers, lawn vacuums and debris loaders. This line-up supports professionals in the residential, commercial, rental and municipal sectors.

Loads of power, any condition

Loads of power, any condition

Traditionally, debris loaders have struggled to cope with peak volumes of wet, heavy and compacted material such as leaves and other organic debris, leading to engine strain, higher fuel use and downtime. On top of that, many engines were awkward to service, so even small breakdowns caused long delays. For contractors and municipalities, that meant rising costs, missed schedules and extra pressure on crews. These challenges drove Billy Goat to identify a clear goal: to find a solution tough enough for heavy-duty professional demands, while remaining efficient and easy to service.

Billy Goat’s engineers reviewed and evaluated several large commercial engines on the market to determine which could best meet the demands of the DL37. Ultimately, the Vanguard® 27,6 kW EFI/ETC V-Twin BIG BLOCK™ engine stood out as the clear choice for meeting the high-demand performance required.

Although Billy Goat is part of the Briggs & Stratton family, the decision to use a Vanguard engine was based on suitability above all else. The EFI/ETC V-Twin offered the torque and durability needed to drive Billy Goat’s largest impeller while maintaining strong vacuum and debris reduction. Its EFI/ETC technology also cuts fuel consumption, solves cold-start issues in winter, and keeps performance stable under fluctuating loads – directly addressing the key challenges of demanding clean-up work.

In addition, Vanguard’s three-year commercial warranty and comprehensive service network provides users greater assurance that the equipment will deliver long-term reliability with minimal downtime. By pairing Billy Goat’s innovation with Vanguard’s trusted engineering, the DL3701VE debris loader delivers a solution that professionals can depend on.

“From an engineering perspective, the integration of a Vanguard engine was more than just fitting a larger unit to the frame”, said Tim Ummenthum, Engineering Manager at Billy Goat EMEA. “We collaborated closely with our Vanguard colleagues to calibrate the engine’s torque, power delivery and load response to the DL37’s mechanical systems, ensuring reliability and serviceability weren’t compromised. The result is a system where the engine and machine complement one another, delivering consistent performance under demanding conditions”.

Feedback from landscaping and groundcare professionals, contractors, and municipal teams has been particularly positive, with the EFI/ETC system being a standout benefit. EFI/ETC engine’s proven ability to reduce fuel consumption by up to 25% and simplify maintenance has had a clear impact in the field. Combined with the engine’s reliability in all weather conditions, the DL3701VE has allowed businesses to complete jobs more efficiently while keeping downtime to a minimum.

By partnering with Vanguard, Billy Goat achieved exactly what it set out to do: deliver a debris loader tough enough for heavy-duty demands, yet efficient and easy to service. The DL3701VE stands as proof of that success.

Dennie Smeets, Senior Product Manager at Billy Goat EMEA, states: “The Vanguard 27,6 kW horizontal shaft V-Twin engine is a reliable and powerful product and an excellent choice for demanding professional applications, no matter the requirements. Combining the powerful and dependable Vanguard commercial engine with Billy Goat’s cutting-edge debris loader created the perfect solution to a long-standing debris processing issue.

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BGL partners with Carr Golf to elevate agronomic standards

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BGL partners with Carr Golf to elevate agronomic standards: BGL (Burhill Group Limited), one of the UK’s largest multi-club operating groups, has announced a new partnership with Carr Golf, a leading golf service provider, to deliver agronomic consultancy and greenkeeping support across its golf venues in England.

The collaboration brings together two family-owned businesses with deep roots in golf, combining BGL’s long-standing commitment to exceptional customer experiences with Carr Golf’s proven expertise in course maintenance, technical support, and data-driven agronomy.

BGL partners with Carr Golf to elevate agronomic standards

BGL partners with Carr Golf to elevate agronomic standards

“Partnering with Carr Golf represents a major step forward for BGL as we continue to raise the standard of our golf courses and invest in our people,” said Guy Riggott, Chief Operating Officer of BGL’s Golf Division. “As environmental, technological, and financial pressures grow, we believe that working collaboratively with experts who share our values will help us meet these challenges head on and deliver an even better experience for our growing number of members and guests.”

Carr Golf will work closely with BGL’s course managers and greenkeeping teams to provide technical guidance, mechanical support, and detailed agronomic planning. The consultancy will also help BGL enhance sustainability reporting, leveraging data to track resource efficiency, support GEO recertifications, and inform long-term investment decisions.

“This partnership is not about wholesale change,” added Riggott. “It’s about applying best practice, mentoring and developing our talented teams, and embracing new ways of working that will ensure our venues continue to lead in course presentation and conditioning.”

Ed Pettit, Managing Director of Carr Golf’s Maintenance Division, said: “We’re delighted to partner with BGL and bring our agronomic expertise, technical support, and data-driven approach to their outstanding portfolio of venues. Our focus is on working hand-in-hand with course managers and greenkeeping teams. Supporting them with the tools, insight, and training they need to help raise standards, improve sustainability, and deliver an even better experience for golfers. This collaboration is built on shared values and a passion for continuous improvement, and we’re excited to see what we can achieve together.”

Carr Golf has already begun integrating with clubs across the BGL portfolio, working closely with maintenance teams to implement best practices and develop new agronomic programmes. This process will continue throughout the remainder of the year and beyond, ensuring every venue is equipped to meet future challenges while consistently progressing in course quality and playing conditions.

To find out more about BGL Golf and all 10 venues located around the UK, visit: https://bglcompany.co.uk/golf/

To find out more about Carr Golf, visit: www.carrgolfmaintenance.com 

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