BioScapes Group heralds a new era for Rolawn

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BioScapes Group heralds a new era for Rolawn: Leading UK turf and topsoil supplier Rolawn announces a strategic realignment of its brand portfolio, with BioScapes becoming the lead Group brand and Rolawn, Hallstone and newly launched BluWater Solutions operating as specialist sub-brands.

The move responds to rising demand for nature-based solutions that help the built environment perform under climate pressure – bringing together expertise in water management, biodiversity and landscaping to deliver resilient landscapes with long term value.

BioScapes Group heralds a new era for Rolawn

BioScapes Group heralds a new era for Rolawn

“BioScapes was created from a simple conviction: the future of outdoor spaces has to work harder – for people, for nature and for water,” said Paul Dawson, Managing Director and Chairman of the BioScapes Group. “We’re inspiring customers to exchange landscaping for ‘bioscaping’, creating places that balance nature with functionality and support life in every form. By connecting healthier landscapes, biodiversity and smarter rainfall management, we can help build a more resilient future.”

The Group is strengthening its blue-green innovation pipeline with developments including solutions for green and blue roofs and walls, in addition to partnerships with leading names in blue-green infrastructure, recently being named sole UK distributor and fulfilment partner for Hydrorock.

Responding to urgent environmental pressures

The realignment comes as the UK faces accelerating environmental and climate risks:

• Biodiversity loss: UK species have declined by around 19% on average since 1970, and nearly 1 in 6 are threatened with extinction1.
• Surface water flooding: 4.6 million properties are currently at risk from surface water flooding in England2.
• Wellbeing: Access to nature is consistently linked with better mental and physical health outcomes.

The Group’s ecologically sound product suite and associated services actively promote environmental stewardship, supporting the eco-system while creating opportunities for exposure to and interaction with nature.

A clearer offer for a changing market

Paul Bensley, Group Commercial Director of BioScapes Group, said: “This brand architecture is designed to simplify specification and procurement – enabling earlier collaboration and more integrated outcomes from concept and compliance through to installation and long-term performance.”

Under the new structure:

• BioScapes Group provides the strategic, joined-up offer across water, nature and wellbeing, translating complex requirements into practical, deliverable solutions.
• Rolawn remains the specialist brand for high-quality landscaping materials and expertise.
• Hallstone continues to make professional-grade landscaping materials easily accessible across the industry.
• BluWater Solutions leads on blue-green water management solutions, supporting sustainable drainage and resilient place-making.

The realignment of this leading group of companies marks an exciting period of growth and expansion intended to address market needs with a portfolio of future proof products and services.

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Putting the Lights On for Brighton

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Putting the Lights On for Brighton: Winchester-based Wildwood Machinery has partnered with Dutch giant Stogger Turf Care to install and maintain a state-of-the-art grow-light system for Premier League football club Brighton & Hove Albion.

Grow-lights are used to optimise germination, root development and shoot growth in grass pitches. Stogger Turf Care’s state-of-the-art LED light rigs represent the way forward for elite sports clubs in terms of quality, efficiency and sustainability.

Putting the Lights On for Brighton

Putting the Lights On for Brighton

Managing director of Wildwood Machinery, James Bastian, says: “We’re delighted to be working with two major names in elite sport to install and maintain one of the biggest LED grow-light projects in the UK. A lot of Premiership and Championship football clubs, and other elite sports clubs will be watching this development with interest, especially with HPS lights likely to be outlawed from 2027 due to their inefficiency.”

Stogger Turf Care LED lights vs competitors

The Stogger Turf Care grow-light system is acknowledged to be the leader in this sector. With the highest overall light levels in the market, 4-channel dynamic light spectrum, superior glass lens design, upgradeable LED engines, and advanced thermal management there are clear advantages in sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness.

“Wildwood Machinery worked closely with Stogger Turf Care on a lengthy pre-installation trial and due diligence,” says James Bastian. “We’ll now provide a complete aftercare, backup and support service for the groundcare equipment, as per our exclusive UK partnership with Stogger Turf Care.”

“Brighton FC is widely regarded as one of the best-managed, most sustainable clubs in the Premier League, while Stogger Turf Care technology is the most efficient LED grow-lighting system available. We’ll be doing everything we can to support Brighton’s ambitions on the pitch and to help showcase Stogger’s outstanding technology in the UK.”

The installation at Brighton & Hove Albion FC includes: 9 × Booster Carbon 460 units; 2 × Booster 60 units; 4 × Booster Carbon Compact units and 4 x turf fans covering 4,300 square metres of surface area, which makes this one of the three largest LED grow light projects in the UK.

Phil Fifield, Head of Sports Turf Stadia at Brighton FC, said: “We are committed to excellence in all of our operations, and of course the playing surface is a key part of that. We’re looking forward to seeing what we can achieve with Stogger Turf Care and Wildwood Machinery on our side.”

Florian Mans, International Sales Manager at Stogger Turf Care, said: “At Stogger Turf Care, we remain fully committed to working closely with end users across the industry to engineer and develop practical, innovative and forward-thinking solutions. We thank Brighton & Hove Albion and their outstanding grounds team for the trust placed in Stogger Turf Care. Together, we are committed to making this an unprecedented success.”

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Maintaining Grass Cover in a Shaded Stadium

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Maintaining Grass Cover in a Shaded Stadium: Sheffield Wednesday’s stadium presents a challenging environment for turf, with significant shade and limited use of supplementary lighting. Alongside this, the pitch sees consistent use from first team and under-21 fixtures, as well as training sessions.

“Our biggest challenge is a very old, heavily shaded stadium with limited use of lighting rigs,” says Head Groundsman Lee Jackson. “Maintaining grass cover through the season is never straightforward.”

Maintaining Grass Cover in a Shaded Stadium

Maintaining Grass Cover in a Shaded Stadium

As part of a partial rebuild ahead of the 2025 season, ProSelect 1 Premium Pitch, a perennial ryegrass mixture designed for high-wear sports pitches, was used for renovation and overseeding.

“I’ve used ProSelect 1 for close to 10 years and have always trusted how it performs, so I had no hesitation using it again, even in a completely different environment,” Lee explains.

Establishment proved difficult initially due to high temperatures during summer 2025 and the nature of the rebuild.

“The early grow-in was tough because of the heat, but once it got going the coverage developed faster than I’ve seen for a number of years.”

Following establishment, the pitch was subjected to sustained use, particularly between December and February.

“We had eight first team games and ten training sessions on the pitch during that period, and we’re around 10% up on usage compared to last season,” says Lee.

Despite this, grass cover has been maintained through the winter months.

“We’ve kept more grass cover than many expected through that period, and recovery after use has been strong, especially considering the environment.”

Presentation and surface consistency have also improved across the season, supported by relatively low disease pressure.

“There’s been a noticeable improvement overall, and that’s been recognised by players and staff who have been here a number of years,” Lee adds.

For Lee, performance in this type of environment is the real measure.

“If you can get grass growing and maintain it in this kind of stadium, with limited lighting, it shows its value as part of the overall pitch management programme.”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-growingsolutions.com

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