GroundsFest’s education programme better than ever

/in , , /by

GroundsFest’s education programme better than ever: GroundsFest 2025 is raising the bar yet again – and this year’s FREE cpd-accredited educational programme is set to be bigger, and more varied than ever before.

With FIVE dedicated seminar theatres, a host of expert speakers, and topics that truly reflect the challenges and opportunities in today’s outdoor spaces, GroundsFest is the go-to destination for professional development – whether you’re in turf, landscaping, horticulture, groundscare, or greenkeeping.

GroundsFest’s education programme better than ever

GroundsFest’s education programme better than ever

Here is a snapshot of what to expect from the education programme:

A Must-Attend for Greenkeepers

The British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) will be delivering a selection of educational seminars, specially designed for greenkeepers or anyone working in golf course management. BIGGA’s seminars have built a reputation for combining practical insight with thought leadership. Expect expert-led discussions, game-changing ideas, and actionable advice to take your course management to the next level.

Pitchcare Theatre

Tackle key sports turf topics including moisture management, plant growth regulators, and the rise of robotics, along with sessions on employment and biodiversity. These seminars will be delivered by a range of leading sports turf experts.

Lantra Theatre

Lanta will be exploring ‘How industry can collaborate in addressing recruitment and retention’. Acting as session chair, Lantra trustee – Professor John Moverley will set the scene, introduce individual members of the panel and then invite them in turn to speak for about 5 minutes each. The panel has been chosen to draw from different sub sectors to share thoughts and experiences around sector recruitment and retention. After the presentations, John will then invite the audience to make comment and ask questions. In this seminar theatre visitors also can discover what’s changing at BASIS, with essential updates on how training and certification are evolving to support the sector.

The Landscape Theatre

From AI in marketing to urban sustainability, mental health in the trades to wildflower meadows, this theatre brings together real-world business strategies and green innovation. With speakers from Glendale, Blakedown, The Green Partnership and more, these sessions are a must for anyone in landscaping or urban greenspace development.

Hort Week Theatre

Join Hort Week’s Rachael Forsyth and leading horticultural experts for a packed agenda. Topics include integrated weed management with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, machinery tips, scam prevention, and a lively Horticulture Question Time. Plus, don’t miss the Innovation Awards in this theatre, sponsored by Cramer and Bosch, celebrating the products shaping our industry.

Bowls Seminar Theatre

Dedicated to improving greens and supporting bowls clubs at all levels, this two-day masterclass will offer insider knowledge from top suppliers and provide greenkeepers with actionable takeaways to improve playability and performance. It will feature insights from DLF, Aquatrols, Agrovista Amenity, Dennis, SISIS and KAR UK. From seed selection and fertiliser to machinery and irrigation, these sessions will cover all the essential elements that contribute to a high-performing green. Whether you’re a club volunteer or a full-time professional, this is your chance to learn from the very best in the business.

From sports turf to local authority, estate management to landscaping – GroundsFest’s education programme is tailored to every corner of the industry and it’s completely free to attend.

Register for your FREE tickets at www.groundsfest.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on X, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFest for much more news, reviews and insightful views

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Wildwood Machinery’s first Open Day a success

/in , , /by

Wildwood Machinery’s first Open Day a success: A host of the biggest brands in ground and turfcare were on show at Wildwood Machinery’s first Open Day, at East Horton Golf Club on 3 July, attended by groundcare professionals and buyers from across Southern England.

Wildwood Machinery Managing Director, James Bastian said: “We put on the Open Day to thank our partners, suppliers, staff and customers. It was an opportunity to showcase our growing range of state-of-the-art machinery, and I wanted to do it in an environment where everyone could relax and have a bit of fun, but also try putting the machinery through its paces.”

Wildwood Machinery’s first Open Day a success

Wildwood Machinery’s first Open Day a success

“We’re very lucky that East Horton Golf Club is a core part of our family business and it proved to be the perfect venue. Lots of our guests were also able to enjoy a round of golf as part of the day – a perfect mix of business and pleasure!”

“We can all sit at our desks sending emails and making phone calls”, says James, “but ultimately, we want the end user to get their hands on this equipment and see just how good it is.”

Manufacturers showcasing their wares included: Aspen, DeWalt, ECHO Robotics, Gambetti Amenity & Golf, INFINICUT, ISEKI, Jacobsen, Ransomes, Raymo, RovMo, Stogger and Wessex International.

According to James Bastian, the Wildwood Machinery Open Day was “such a huge success that we’re already looking forward to doing it again next year – but bigger and better!”

“The whole environment had a lovely vibe about it today. We’ve had great support from our manufacturers and our customers have turned out in force. What more could we have asked for?”

The next major event for Wildwood Machinery, marking the company’s rapid growth since launching in 2022, is the opening of a purpose-built new showroom and headquarters on the East Horton site, scheduled for late 2025.

With a growing number of elite sports clubs, local authorities, estates and schools tapping into Wildwood’s unmatched range of manufacturer partnerships and reliable after-sales service, the business has grown steadily throughout 2025, necessitating more showroom and workshop space.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Green-tech to Exhibit at GLAS 2025

/in , , /by

Green-tech to Exhibit at GLAS 2025: Green-tech has confirmed it will be exhibiting at GLAS 2025, Ireland’s leading trade event for the horticulture, landscape, and sports turf sectors.

The team will be on Stand F3, showcasing the company’s extensive range of landscaping and tree planting products and inviting visitors to stop for a chat and expert advice.

Green-tech to Exhibit at GLAS 2025

Green-tech to Exhibit at GLAS 2025

With thousands of landscaping products available, including specialist soils, urban tree planting systems, irrigation, fertilisers, and wildflower seeds, Green-tech supports contractors, landscape architects, and specifiers with reliable solutions for successful soft landscaping projects.

Green-tech’s presence at GLAS 2025 reflects its growing commitment to the Irish market, following the launch of its dedicated depot in Derry in 2023. This investment enables faster delivery times, improved local availability and tailored support for projects across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Richard Gill, Sales Director at Green-tech, commented, “GLAS is always a fantastic event for us. It gives us the opportunity to meet with our Irish customers and showcase some of the innovative solutions we supply across the landscaping sector. With our Irish depot, we are well-positioned to offer improved service levels to customers across the region. We are looking forward to another busy and productive show.”

At last year’s GLAS, Green-tech won the Best New Product Award for their TreeParker urban tree planting system. This modular system is designed to support healthy tree growth in hard landscapes and urban environments. This year, they are hoping to be a strong contender for the Supplier of the Year award. People can vote online at – Supplier of the Year Award – GLAS IRELAND

Visitors to Stand F3 will have the opportunity to view a selection of Green-tech’s most popular and innovative products, meet the team and discuss their upcoming projects in more detail.

Registration for GLAS 2025 is free, via the official GLAS website – Home – GLAS IRELAND

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

First Cricket Edition Of Schools Into Stadia

/in , , /by

First Cricket Edition Of Schools Into Stadia: The Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) NextGen group bowled over students at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Friday 27 June, as the Schools Into Stadia initiative delivered its first ever cricket-focused edition.

Local school students were offered a rare behind the scenes look at one of the world’s most iconic sporting venues, whilst getting a hands-on introduction to the world of grounds management – a profession that plays a vital yet often overlooked role in sport.

First Cricket Edition Of Schools Into Stadia

First Cricket Edition Of Schools Into Stadia

The students got stuck in with practical activities led by the Lord’s grounds team, learning how to prepare a pitch and apply turf care techniques used at the highest level of the game.

They also had the unique opportunity to hear from industry professionals about their career journeys, gaining real insight into the skills and science that make sport possible.

Jack Langley, GMA NextGen Co-Chair, said: “Giving people an opportunity to come into professional venues in the first place is key. It’s great to show off what we’re doing and show the students that this career is a great opportunity.

“It’s second to none being outside, working outdoors, meeting people, learning science of the grass.”

The Schools Into Stadia initiative, supported by GMA NextGen sponsor Reesink UK, has now reached students at top-tier venues including Wimbledon’s All England Club, Anfield Stadium, Goodison Park and Ashton Gate.

Meg Lay, GMA NextGen Co-Chair and Groundsperson at Lord’s, said: “If you want to be out in the middle of an iconic venue like Lord’s or the Emirates, Anfield, Wembley, wherever it may be, there’s only a few ways you can do that – one of those is playing, you might be a coach, or you’re cutting the grass.

“We’re bumping shoulders with some of the biggest athletes in the world every day and it’s one of the only ways you can do it.”

With under 35 representation now on the rise in grounds management, initiatives like this are helping to future-proof the industry, making sure young people know that careers in grounds management are not only possible, but exciting and vital to sport at every level.

Gillian Haverson, Marketing & Communications Manager at Reesink UK, said: “The fact the students have been able to walk out onto the playing surface and see the place where in two weeks’ time, England will play a test match, is incredible. They’ve been able to do the pitch tests themselves, and I think that practical element is crucial for young people because they really get something out of that. It gets them thinking what the role of a groundsperson actually entails so it’s been very valuable.”

To find out more about the GMA NextGen group, visit thegma.org.uk/nextgen.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Power the future of grounds management

/in , , /by

Power the future of grounds management: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is proud to reaffirm what truly sets SALTEX apart: every penny generated by the show is reinvested directly into the grounds management industry, supporting the people that keep sport and community spaces thriving across the nation.

For nearly nine decades, SALTEX has existed with a singular purpose: to elevate and advance the profession of grounds management. As a not-for-profit, mission-led event, SALTEX reinvests every pound it generates back into the industry – supporting everyone from grassroots volunteers maintaining local pitches to elite professionals delivering world-class playing surfaces around the globe.

Power the future of grounds management

Power the future of grounds management

Revenue from SALTEX 2024 has enabled the GMA to subsidise approximately 63% of its membership base, delivering essential support to both professional and volunteer grounds staff. Community and the brand-new free student memberships have benefited most, strengthening the GMA’s promise to nurture new talent and ensuring the highest standards of grounds care are applied across the country.

SALTEX profits also support the funding of the industry’s gold-standard training. In the last financial year, income from the show subsidised over 2,000 GMA training courses and qualifications, helping more groundspeople to upskill and grow. The subsidised fees have attracted an extra 7% of learners this year, widening access and upskilling even more people across the sector. The GMA remains the only sector body accredited under the Department for Education’s matrix Standard – a testament to the quality of the association’s training and support.

The GMA’s work to champion the sector wouldn’t be possible without SALTEX. The exhibition enables key initiatives like the annual Industry Awards, recognising excellence at all levels, and #GroundsWeek, the GMA’s national campaign shining a spotlight on the vital work of grounds teams. This year’s #GroundsWeek reached more than 20 million people, the biggest audience to date, inspiring future recruits and building recognition for the profession.

For over ten years, SALTEX has served as a vital meeting ground for the UK’s leading sports governing bodies (NGBs) including The FA, Football Foundation, ECB, RFU and RFL, who consistently choose the show as a trusted platform to engage with the industry. Their presence enables a shared focus on improving facilities at every level. By aligning with the GMA and SALTEX, the NGBs are investing in the long-term sustainability and success of the spaces where sport happens.

Sarah Cunningham, Director of Commercial, Membership and Events at the GMA, said: “SALTEX is the engine room of our industry. Every exhibitor and every visitor helps us reinvest in the people who make sport possible, from the volunteers who keep local pitches playable to the professionals preparing world-class surfaces and green spaces.

“And the impact is far-reaching in helping fund the training, resources, initiatives and recognition our sector needs to thrive. When people choose to be part of SALTEX either as an exhibitor or a visitor, they’re directly supporting the future of grounds management, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”

As the only event of its kind that gives back to the industry, SALTEX remains the professional choice for those committed to the future of grounds management.

SALTEX takes place at Birmingham NEC on 12-13 November 2025. Exhibitors wishing to secure their place at Europe’s cutting-edge grounds management show should contact saltexsales@thegma.org.uk.

For more information and to register for your FREE ticket, visit www.saltex.org.uk.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.