Wilcox Groundcare perfects bowling green preparations with Baroness

Wilcox Groundcare perfects bowling green preparations with Baroness

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Wilcox Groundcare perfects bowling green preparations with Baroness

When Harry Wilcox, founder of contractors Wilcox Groundcare, took on his first bowls contract in 2020, he knew having the right equipment would be critical. After evaluating the options, he found that nothing matched the cut quality of a Baroness LM66 hand mower. Six years on, and with two further bowls clubs on his books, the decision was made to invest in two more LM66’s – the trio now delivering precise, consistent and efficient mowing on all three sites.

Wilcox Groundcare perfects bowling green preparations with Baroness

Wilcox Groundcare perfects bowling green preparations with Baroness

With the assistance of a team of five, Harry looks after a vast and varied portfolio of amateur and professional sports clubs across north-west London, encompassing rugby and cricket alongside lawn bowls. To get the finesse demanded for a first-class bowling green, Harry consulted with Jon Ryan of dealers George Browns to explore the options. “It quite quickly became clear that the Baroness machine not only gave the best quality of cut and finish, but also the weight and width of the machine was ideal for cutting the green in less time than other hand mowers available” he says.

He specified the LM66 with an 11-blade cutting cylinder, additionally equipped with a front-mounted 94-blade groomer. “This combination is a gamechanger. In one pass I can groom and cut, all-but-eliminating the need to do additional verti-cutting.” Harry continues, “We’ve reduced the poa content on the green by grooming this out, and the amount of weed control we need to do has also reduced as nothing has an opportunity to grow and take hold.”

“We’ve taken this set-up that works so well and now have two further LM66’s, delivered in February 2026, all equipped with groomers at each of our bowling greens. This reduces the need to transport machines around, thereby lowering our chances of transferring weed seeds or diseases from green to green, as well as reducing our risk of knocking machines off cut or damaging them in transit. Each machine can then be fully configured to the needs of that specific site and green, maintaining that all-important consistency and quality with every cut.”

The LM66 from the Baroness pedestrian range is designed to provide the highest quality finish, with a solid build but a light footprint for its class. By utilising nickel-chrome-molybdenum alloy steel cutting cylinders and specially hardened, tipped bedknives, operators are ensured of samurai sword sharpness that keeps its cutting edge longer than any other mower in the market.

He adds, “In terms of maintenance, there isn’t much to say as I’ve not had a single breakdown in the six years I’ve had the mower! We just keep on top of the regular upkeep and in return, get a mower that performs perfectly every time.”

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Krinkels powers Westminster parks with Kress fleet

Krinkels powers Westminster parks with Kress fleet

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Krinkels powers Westminster parks with Kress fleet

Krinkels UK has reinforced its commitment to sustainable grounds maintenance with a major investment in a fleet of Kress commercial battery powered equipment, supporting the upkeep of parks, open spaces across Westminster.

Krinkels powers Westminster parks with Kress fleet

Krinkels powers Westminster parks with Kress fleet

The new fleet, including mowers, blowers and brushcutters, was delivered to the company’s base at Victoria Embankment Gardens. The setting provided a striking backdrop for a milestone moment, as operatives were introduced to the new equipment through live demonstrations and hands-on training sessions covering both the machinery and the Kress app system.

Krinkels UK holds a major contract with Westminster City Council, making performance, reliability and efficiency essential across all operations. For Assistant Operations Director Steve Morris, the investment reflects both day-to-day operational needs and a clear long-term plan.

“Wherever possible, our instinct is to move towards electric equipment,” he said. “That said, we have to be realistic about what we’re delivering on the ground. We need to know that any solution can meet our contractual commitments, whether that’s power, battery life, and the practicality of carrying enough batteries for a full day’s work, and ultimately whether it represents value for money for our customers.”

“It’s important to us that we deliver a high-quality service, but also that we do so in the most environmentally responsible way possible.”

Krinkels powers Westminster parks with Kress fleet

Krinkels powers Westminster parks with Kress fleet

“This is a significant initial investment, but when viewed over the long term, it makes sense. It’s not just a financial investment, we’re investing in the future of the environment, and in the wellbeing of the public and our teams.”

“Westminster is a particularly important step,” added Steve. “Operating in the heart of London brings additional responsibilities, and there is a clear ambition to move towards fully electric operations as part of wider air quality improvements. This sits alongside broader goals around greening, biodiversity net gain, and the development of connected green corridors in response to the climate emergency.”

Built for professional use, the Kress commercial range delivers the power required for demanding urban environments, alongside long run times and fast charging that help keep downtime to a minimum. The consistent performance across the range ensures teams can work efficiently throughout the day, while low noise levels and reduced vibration improve operator comfort. In addition, the Kress app system provides valuable insight into battery performance and equipment usage, helping teams plan more effectively and get the most from their fleet.

Ian Harwood, Sales Director at Groundserv, the supplying dealer, has seen growing demand for high-performance battery solutions.

Krinkels powers Westminster parks with Kress fleet

Krinkels powers Westminster parks with Kress fleet

 

“We carry out demonstrations for a wide range of customers and people often say they’ve trialled other battery powered brands that haven’t quite ticked every box,” he said. “With Kress, it’s the combination of battery charging times, reduced downtime and the power of the machines that really stands out.”

For Kress UK, seeing its equipment in action across one of the capital’s most iconic landscapes is a proud moment.

“It’s amazing, a real privilege,” said Vince Jenkins, National Account Manager at Kress UK. “We’ve worked with Krinkels for around two years, supporting that transition from petrol to battery. Westminster is a prestigious and beautiful location, so to see the Kress fleet in operation here for the 2026 season is fantastic. It’s been a pleasure working together.”

As Krinkels continues the transition, Westminster marks an important milestone in the shift towards cleaner, quieter and more efficient grounds maintenance in the heart of the capital.

For more information, please visit https://www.kress.com/en-gb/

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