York House School uses Polaris Ranger

York House School uses Polaris Ranger: Customer use of the Polaris RANGER is diverse and far-reaching, ranging from agriculture and forestry to wildlife sanctuaries and conservation; but sometimes the stories that are the most heartwarming are those where a small decision has made a huge impact on someone’s happiness.

Enter York House School and their decision to use the RANGER to improve a student’s educational experience.

York House School uses Polaris Ranger

York House School uses Polaris Ranger

Located in Hertfordshire, York House School is a leading co-educational independent school for girls and boys aged 3 to 13, set in a historic listed building alongside modern purpose-built school facilities nestled within a beautiful 50-acre site. A year ago, the Estate Management team chose to purchase a Polaris RANGER XP 1000 Crew from their local Polaris dealer, Taylors Tools, for a variety of reasons, the most significant being its ability to safely transport a student with a medical condition to outside areas of the school; allowing him to join his classmates in the fields for outdoor education for the first time.

Jason Jaekel, Estate Manager said: “The Polaris has truly transformed a particular pupil’s experience here at York House School, which is something we’re very proud of. With specific risk assessment criteria that need to be met before he can be transported in a vehicle, we meticulously tested a range of UTVs and found that, during our test of the Ranger, the safety equipment built into the Polaris was extremely comprehensive. The RANGER XP 1000 has a three-point safety belt which is vital, the seats are also very comfortable, and it rides smoothly over off-road terrain, so we are now able to safely and confidently escort this student, and any other students that need it, around the site.”

York House School prides itself on providing a broad and enjoyable education for its pupils, encouraging wonder and adventure throughout the learning experience; a sentiment that is similar to Polaris’ own “Think Outside” motif. Now, with the introduction of the Polaris RANGER, York House School continues to ensure all of its students can enjoy its extensive facilities—including its multi-use sports pitch and smallholding with rescue animals—as well as its huge range of co-curricular activities and clubs.

The RANGER XP 1000 Crew model features 33 centimetres of ground clearance, along with 27.9 centimetres of suspension travel on the front and rear, smoothing out even the most severe ruts and rough terrain. There’s also a three-mode throttle control switch with standard, work and performance settings for optimal throttle control and performance. Inside, the RANGER Crew features contour-fit bench-style seats for up to 6 riders, as well as electronic power steering and a premium tilting steering wheel.

Outside of student transport, the RANGER has a number of other uses that aid the school environment, including the ability to showcase the school grounds to prospective students and parents with space for up to 6 riders, and offering a transportation option for parents, grandparents and guests in any weather.

Jaekel continued: “We’ve fitted a full cab with a roof, doors, and a heater system, so we can take guests on tours in all weather conditions and temperatures, maintaining a high standard of comfort whilst showcasing our fantastic facilities. Not only that, we have previously driven parents and grandparents to the far fields so they can watch their children or grandchildren playing sports from a safe and warm environment – the tip-out windshield helps to see everything from the comfort of the cab.”

When it comes to estate work across the 50-acre site, the RANGER comes into its own, easily accessing every metre of the school’s grounds thanks to its on-demand all-wheel drive. In contrast, its Versatrac Turf mode feature that unlocks the rear differential and drives just one rear wheel means that the Estate Management team can drive on the sports grounds without marking or tearing up the grass, also meaning the team can access these areas in all conditions without concern; even in the wet.

For more information on York House School, please visit their website here.

For more information on the Polaris RANGER, please visit the Polaris Britain website here.

To discover more ways that RANGER is helping customers around the world, check out our Ranger Stories series on YouTube.

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Dr. Simon Watson strengthens service team

Dr. Simon Watson strengthens service team: Dr. Simon Watson, an industry expert within Turf Agronomy and specifically Sports Turf Management, has joined The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service, bringing over 20 years of experience in the turf, amenity and agriculture industry to the service.

With a strong interest and passion for sports turf agronomy, Watson adds to the already impressive lineup of agronomists at The R&A. Prior to joining, he travelled the world gaining invaluable experience across different climates, turf conditions and locations, all of which has shaped his expansive knowledge of the industry today.

Dr. Simon Watson strengthens service team

Dr. Simon Watson strengthens service team

“My background has allowed me to learn and develop my understanding of the industry across many sectors, and through my time at STRI and Syngenta, I have had an extensive amount of practical experience that I’m excited to utilise with the team,” comments Simon Watson, Senior Agronomist at The R&A.

“The opportunity to join The R&A was something I simply couldn’t miss. Its involvement and commitment to not only fostering the growth of golf, but also the importance it places on sustainability and how golf can be good for the environment, is an ethos that I’m proud to now be a part of.”

Based predominantly in the Southeast of England, Watson is already working with a host of clubs in the area, alongside other venues across the country and into mainland Europe.

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service has grown since its inception in 2022, with a comprehensive and well-recognised team plotted around the country. The consultancy service gives clubs access to a wealth of agronomic experience, positioning The R&A firmly in the centre of sustainable development within the game.

To find out more about the Sustainable Agronomy Service, please contact sustainableagronomy@randa.org or head to https://www.randa.org/en/sustainability/agronomy

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Wembley creates recyclable pitch process

Wembley creates recyclable pitch process: Wembley Stadium has staged some of the nation’s most memorable moments of the last century, but now the hallowed turf of the national stadium is set to create its own piece of history.

Wembley Stadium connected by EE has developed a unique new process to make its famous pitch 100% recyclable. The project is believed to be a first in the world of football.

Wembley creates recyclable pitch process

Wembley creates recyclable pitch process

It is the result of a meticulous two-year plan to find a suitable solution to recycling modern-day football pitches, which are a hybrid of grass and synthetic plastic.

A large amount of professional playing surfaces in today’s game contain plastic to make them more durable. Hybrid pitches have become popular because they offer increased reliability in variable weather and can be used more for multiple purposes.

However, the recycling of old hybrid pitches has been a challenge. The plastic contained within the hybrid pitch means they do not break down naturally, and the majority of old pitches are sent to waste landfill sites at the end of their life-cycle.

Now, the team at Wembley Stadium have come up with a process which means the plastic can be extracted from the pitch and repurposed. In the first of its kind, they have created a bench, made entirely out of plastic from a pitch that saw the likes of Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Lauren James and Mary Earps all perform on.

Karl Standley is the Grounds Manager at Wembley Stadium. He said: “Extracting the plastic from a hybrid pitch is notoriously difficult, due to its compound and structure. When we first mooted the idea of recycling it, we were told it couldn’t be done. However, we were determined to find a sustainable answer to the problem.

“It’s been a long journey, testing and re-testing, but we have finally come up with a solution we are happy with.

“Creating something from a pitch that has had world class players perform on it is the ultimate memento. I am excited about what else we can possibly create in the future.”

Since the new stadium opened in 2007, Wembley has been committed to developing sustainable initiatives to ensure it is one of the greenest stadia in the world.

The team already recycled large elements of the pitch (rootzone and sand) back into grassroots pitches and wanted to take a lead in the research and development of a 100% sustainable process for the type of hybrid pitches installed at Wembley Stadium.

They worked with recycling specialists Circular 11 to find a suitable solution. Connor Winter from Circular 11 said: “The full circle pitch has been one of the most technically demanding and exciting projects that we’ve worked on to date, and we’re really proud to be a part of this pioneering project.

“It demonstrates that there are huge opportunities to increase plastic recycling when companies have unrelentingly high standards about what happens to the materials they use, as Wembley does, and shows the potential for composite technology to transform previously unrecyclable plastic into a resource.”

Wembley Stadium now hopes the process will pave the way for other stadiums across the UK and Europe to become more sustainable.

Karl added: “As more stadiums become multi-purpose venues, hosting a variety of sports, music and entertainment shows, there is a need to use more hybrid carpet surfaces throughout the year.

“By ensuring old pitches don’t go to landfill we can create a cycle that will ultimately reduce our impact on the environment and benefit community clubs up and down the country for a long time to come.”

The stadium team estimate that around 50 benches could be created from one pitch with scope to develop the recycled plastic into other uses within grassroots football.

The prototype bench will be placed within the stadium footprint in memory of a stadium employee who passed away last year.

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Reesink gives Keys Brothers the keys to Toro

Reesink gives Keys Brothers the keys to Toro: Keys Brothers Horticulture Ltd in Hillsborough, Northern Ireland, been appointed as the only authorised dealer for Toro fine turf and groundscare machinery in Ulster.

It’s been a record-breaking start for the dealer with eight new members of staff recruited to accommodate the increase in business and further plans for expansion.

Reesink gives Keys Brothers the keys to Toro

Reesink gives Keys Brothers the keys to Toro

Although the appointment is relatively new, the history between Keys Brothers and Reesink Turfcare is enduring. They’ve been in partnership since 2018 when the company was chosen as a service centre for Reesink, delivering customers exceptional support and after-sales services.

Andy Keys, director at Keys Brothers Horticulture Ltd, says: “Working as a service centre for Reesink was a successful endeavour, so it made sense for that relationship to evolve into us becoming a dealer. We’re 12 months into the relationship and delighted to report a record-breaking start with sales numbers exceeding all expectations.”

Keys Brothers Horticulture Ltd has over 25 years of experience in horticultural equipment servicing and repairs, stocking a wide range of new and used machinery as well as an extensive range of spare parts for all its brands.

Reesink and Toro have proven to be an ideal fit for the business’ customer base of golf courses, councils, education authorities and sports centres in Hillsborough, Lisburn and across Northern Ireland.

Andy says: “We focus on delivering high performance, superior quality machines and exceptional after-sale service. The combination of Toro being a leading brand when it comes to quality machines and performance, the backup and service Reesink provides, and the face-to-face contact, social media content and industry training we offer, have all contributed to our success.”

David Timms, national accounts manager for Reesink Turfcare, says its notable how the business has focused its attention on its new customer base for great results already: “Since the appointment Keys Brothers’ has focused on winning back business and nurturing relationships, and has in turn amassed a sizeable order bank. Simply putting themselves back in front of customers on a regular basis is proving its worth.

“Their workshops have grown in strength with the additional workload, and they’ve recently recruited additional technicians to the team. If they continue in the manner, then we will have a terrific outlet for the Toro golf and commercial brands for the future.”

To find out more about the complete collection of turfcare and transport options from Reesink Turfcare, visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or call 01480 226800.

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Makita adds to XGT battery platform

Makita adds to XGT battery platform: Makita has unveiled a number of new products to help keep lawns pristine. The company’s growing range aimed at the professional sector now includes two additional cordless lawn mowers – the 40VMax XGT LM003G and LM004G and its first cordless scarifier, the 40VMax XGT UV001GZ.

The new lawnmowers are powered by Makita’s advanced XGT technology and feature a high-torque motor that provides powerful and quiet operation, making quick work of grass cutting tasks.

Makita adds to XGT battery platform

Makita adds to XGT battery platform

The LM003G 40VMax XGT 380mm Lawnmower provides superb mowing performance, thanks to its advanced blade design. Tilting down towards the front of the mower, it helps to minimise double-cutting and reduces the load on the machine – this leads to reduced energy consumption, superior cutting feel and better grass collecting.

The LM004G 40VMax XGT 430mm Lawnmower, with a similar blade design to the LM003G, is a slightly larger model that also has two different blades available for different applications.

Both the LM003G and the LM004G can be fitted with a mulching blade to cut grass clippings into small particles and scatter them evenly on the ground. Furthermore, both mowers offer a continuous runtime of around 50 minutes, depending on the setting and the grass conditions, and have numerous additional features designed to improve comfort and ease of use. They require less force to turn thanks to a redesigned switch lever, while the easy-to-operate handle lock levers mean that each side of the handle can be locked and unlocked in a single action without the need for tools.

Both models also offer simple cutting height adjustment with easy-to-grip egg-shaped lever tops and u-shaped notches, and can be washed with water on the inside (provided high-pressure water is not used).

UV001G 40VMax XGT Brushless 380mm Lawn Scarifier

In addition to the two new mowers, Makita has also launched the UV001G 40VMax XGT Brushless 380mm Lawn Scarifier available as a body only model (UV001GZ), or complete with 2x 5.0Ah batteries and charger (UV001GM201).

The first scarifier to join Makita’s cordless line up, this machine has a high-power output of 1.7kW to cut through the toughest lawn thatching in order to improve airflow and nutrient penetration. Operating to a depth range of 5mm down to -12mm, this machine comes with a vertical cutting blade for aerating soil below the top surface of the lawn, and a thatching blade for removing deposited lawn clippings and surface moss.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita UK commented: “Makita’s product development continues to redefine the industry, with products that support the trade. With new comfort-enhancing features, the new cordless lawn mowers and scarifier are perfect for users who want to keep lawns and grassed areas in pristine condition, without the hassle of tangled cords or fuel refills.”

To find out more about Makita and its range of products visit: www.makitauk.com.

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Scots Turf Organisers ‘Blown Away’ by Show Success

Scots Turf Organisers ‘Blown Away’ by Show Success: With over 700 visitors and over 60 companies exhibiting, the second edition of Scots Turf demonstrated substantial growth and has built a platform for an exciting future.

The aim of this show was to build on the success of the previous year by offering more stands and educational opportunities for visitors to explore at Hamilton Park Racecourse. An increase in the number of exhibitors from 16 to 64 ensured a diverse range of products from leading industry names such as Campey Turf Care, AllGrass, Dennis, SIS Pitches, and John Deere.

Scots Turf Organisers ‘Blown Away’ by Show Success

Scots Turf Organisers ‘Blown Away’ by Show Success

The growing stand count, set to increase again for the third event, has proven the Scotland’s desire for a dedicated show, and Scots Turf Founding Committee member Richard Heywood is ready to continue the growth.

“It was fantastic to see such a broad selection of visitors from all aspects of our industry, and the feedback we received from everyone we asked was incredibly positive,” he said.

“We were blown away and delighted with the response we received from companies wanting to exhibit. Our target in year two was to attract 30 businesses. In reality, we ended up attracting over 60, with a waiting list of ten more, and I think that shows the positive impact we’re having in Scotland.

“I’d say this is our first proper year as a ‘trade show,’ and we were very much encouraged by seeing over 700 visitors coming through the gates, with around 500 arriving in the first hour.

“It really shows an appetite for something like this in Scotland, and we will be looking to grow year upon year, helping to establish this once again as an event that you need to put in your diary.”

Updates on Scots Turf 2025 will follow throughout the year, including initiatives to support Scottish charitable causes. While demand for stands is high, companies are invited to apply for next year.

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