How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

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How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

Maintaining top-flight playing surfaces across a large, multi-use facility demands more than just quality turfcare equipment – it requires absolute reliability, operational efficiency and a consistently high standard of finish.

How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

How The Vale Resort Achieves Perfection with Baroness

For The Vale Resort, Baroness has become an increasingly important part of that equation, with the recent delivery of four LM551 fairway mowers adding to the finesse delivered by four LM331 surrounds mowers already at the venue.

Recognised as one of Wales’ most prestigious resorts, the site nestled among the Vale of Glamorgan countryside has undergone significant expansion over the years. Within the 650-acre private estate is a hotel, health and racquets club used by leisure members and six football and rugby pitches, for training by the FAW and WRU. Under the longstanding involvement of Head Greenkeeper Mike Bevan, the golf element has grown from a modest nine-hole layout into two 18-hole championship courses, maintained by a team of 12 greenkeepers.

“We try to limit the sharing of equipment between departments as, when you get a break in the weather, it tends to be the same machines that are in demand site-wide” explains Noel Werner, Golf Manager at the Vale Resort. “This drove a conscious decision to invest in equipment that is dedicated for golf. In exploring the options available in the mower market with the support of Geraint Richards at GJR Machinery, the quality of cut from Baroness stood out immediately.”

“We purchased four LM331 mowers in 2022 which are used daily during the main growing season on banks, tee and green surrounds and other peripheral areas. These mowers tick a lot of boxes – not just the quality of cut they deliver and the fact they stay on cut incredibly well, but from a maintenance and servicing perspective everything is super simple to work on.” Noel adds, “Their reliable performance is invaluable to us as such a busy resort where downtime just isn’t an option.”

Building on the success of the LM331’s, the club expanded its Baroness fleet further in October 2025 with the purchase of four LM551 mowers for the fairways. While winter conditions have limited their usage to date, expectations are high for the season ahead.

“The whole team are really looking forward to getting them out when new season growth arrives. Based on our experience with the surround mowers, we’re confident they’ll deliver the same precision, consistency and reliability on the fairways.”

Support has been another key factor in the relationship – with GJR Machinery and Baroness’s Paul Watson delivering fast, effective back-up when needed. “For a complex of this size, support is critical.” He emphasises, “Knowing there’s a team behind us, that understands our operation and is available to offer help and advice just further reinforces our confidence in the brand. It makes a massive difference.”

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FSI B31-980 REMOTE proves the perfect fit for NOMA

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FSI B31-980 REMOTE proves the perfect fit for NOMA: When working in domestic gardens and areas with restricted access you quickly learn that, when it comes to equipment, size matters! For Liam Simpson, Director of NOMA, finding the right stump grinder wasn’t about getting the biggest machine – it was about getting the right one, and the FSI B31-980 REMOTE has proven to be a match for every challenge.

Having founded NOMA Property Services several years ago, Liam built the business from property maintenance into waste removal before expanding into tree work five years ago. Predominately tackling stump clearance in city locations, access is key and, at just 74cm wide, the FSI B31 all-but-eliminates the challenges. “It’s narrow enough to pass through alleyways, garden gates and tight spots – we’ve even, on the odd occasion, tracked the FSI B31 through a customer’s lounge” he explains.

FSI B31-980 REMOTE proves the perfect fit for NOMA

FSI B31-980 REMOTE proves the perfect fit for NOMA

Remote Control, Real Difference

The transportation of the FSI B31 is made even more convenient with the machines full-remote operation which Liam describes as a ‘gamechanger’. “Firstly, this means that the unit only requires one person to move and operate. Secondly, compared to our previous pedestrian machine that required constant manual positioning, the FSI B31 reduces vibration and allows us to stand safely away from the work area, improving comfort and productivity over long working days.”

“Tasks that previously took us four to six hours can now be completed in under an hour” he adds. “We’ve eliminated 17 small stumps in a morning with this machine and, on one occasion, 10 stumps in one session while seated comfortably at a safe distance.”

Increased Safety, Reduced Maintenance

Safety is not only enhanced for the operator with the FSI B31, Liam notes the machine’s rubber guards which effectively contain debris – a priority when working in close proximity to homes, fences and domestic clients. “We of course still use the safety barriers, but the rubber guards on the FSI do such a fantastic job. We see significantly less in the way of stones and debris ejecting unpredictably.”

“We also like the fact the B31 is hydraulically-driven as opposed to belt-driven which reduces maintenance demands. Even though we’ve put the machine through its paces, touch wood, we’ve had no downtime which is critical for keeping our calendar on track” Liam says.

After nearly a year of ownership, the verdict for Liam is clear. “This stump grinder has transformed how we work in domestic settings. The combination of its compact design, remote-control operation and high productivity gives us the very best of all worlds.”

You can learn more about NOMA on Instagram via @noma.ltd and find more information on the FSI Stump Cutter range by visiting fsi-stumpcutters.co.uk

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EGO’s new range of upgraded mowers

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EGO’s new range of upgraded mowers: EGO has enhanced its portfolio of cordless lawnmowers for 2026, with exciting new upgrades to four of its existing models. Providing homeowners with the power and performance to make this year’s lawncare a breeze, two of the EGO push mowers; and two of its self-propelled models now offer professional-grade mowing with optimal comfort for gardeners.

The LM1710E push mower and LM1710E-SP self-propelled mower provide a 42cm cutting width, perfect for smaller lawns, while the LM1910E push mower and LM1910E-SP self-propelled models feature a 47cm deck, making them the go-to for medium and larger lawns. Designed to suit lawns of all sizes, these new mowers are essential for those looking to enhance their gardening experience whilst maximising time efficiency.

EGO's new range of upgraded mowers

EGO’s new range of upgraded mowers

All four mowers use EGO’s 56V ARC Lithium™ portable batteries, allowing homeowners to achieve the same power and performance as petrol tools without the fumes, noise and hassle of petrol. These four models represent the next generation of EGO’s residential lawnmower line-up with added functionality and ergonomics.

Joerg Bauerle, Product Manager at EGO, commented, “We understand that cutting the lawn can be a laborious task and not always easy, especially when tackling larger gardens. This new range of mowers is designed to provide ease and high-performance mowing to homeowners with self-propelled mowers taking the risk of physical strain away from customers, they also provide a consistent cut quality, improving the overall health of a lawn. It’s a no-brainer for those wanting to achieve professional-looking results with minimal effort.”

For seamless usability, the mowers feature a redesigned wheel system for smoother movement across all types of terrain, and each boasts an interactive LED dashboard that displays battery life and blade speed, while a fault indicator adds extra peace of mind. Equipped with LED headlights, these mowers also provide improved visibility for shaded areas or evening mowing.

Equipped with a 55-litre grass box, all four models offer a 4-in1 functionality, mulching, bagging, rear discharge and side discharge so gardeners can pick the best method for them depending on the lawn and season. Whether users are looking for a clean, collected finish or wish to return nutrients to the soil, these mowers can be adapted to suit a variety of lawn health needs or preferences.

With their adjustable blade speed, interactive display, superior ergonomics and collection capability, all backed by EGO’s proven battery technology, the upgraded models are more than just lawn mowers. They are a convenient, cleaner and more efficient way to care for your garden. These mowers are built for performance and designed for comfort.

This lawn mower range starts at £529 RRP, for more information visit: https://egopowerplus.co.uk/

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Kubota Powers Guards Polo Club with Reliable Fleet

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Kubota Powers Guards Polo Club with Reliable Fleet: One of the world’s most prestigious polo venues has revealed how it relies on a versatile fleet of M4, M5 and M6 tractors, alongside four RTV-X1110 utility vehicles from Kubota.

Based in Windsor Great Park, Guards Polo Club hosted more than 750 games in its 2025 season which was only possible thanks to a monumental team effort and the Kubota equipment which is at the heart of every element of polo field preparation.

Kubota Powers Guards Polo Club with Reliable Fleet

Kubota Powers Guards Polo Club with Reliable Fleet

Guards Polo is comprised of three sites and ten full-size polo fields, playing host to some of the highest levels of polo including frequent high goal tournaments. Regularly welcoming distinguished and royal players, the packed calendar from mid-April to mid-September places immense pressure on both the equipment and team of ten. Leading that team since March, is Grounds Manager Paul Brown.

“Our Kubota tractors are the heartbeat of our operations” Paul explains. “Whether we’re mowing, verti-draining or moving irrigation from field to field, we depend on these tractors.”

Paul was pleased to see a new suite of tractors, installed and supported by local dealers Lister Wilder on his arrival at Guards – put straight to work on one of the busiest seasons in the club’s history. “The two M4-073’s and two M5-112’s are the perfect blend of power and manoeuvrability, while our M6-142 picks up where the others finish, handling the heavier implements and largest-scale tasks across the farm and polo grounds.”

“They’ve stood up to every test, providing comfort and simplicity of operation for the team which is crucial given the intensity of our schedule” he adds.

With three separate sites and distances of several mile between them, the road-registered RTV-X1110s have also become indispensable – relied upon daily for transport, movement of tools and materials and general ground support. “The safety, speed and versatility of these four RTV’s is invaluable.”

Kubota’s reputation for reliability and durability was central to the club’s decision to renew its fleet earlier this year. Paul says, “Many of the machines these replaced had clocked up more than 15 years and thousands of hours of service. For us, Kubota strikes the perfect balance of dependability, performance and cost-effectiveness.”

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STIHL unveils high-performance battery-powered brush cutter

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STIHL unveils high-performance battery-powered brush cutter: STIHL has launched the new FSA 250 battery-operated brush cutter, offering professionals an excellent cutting performance for both mowing and clearing work. 

Whilst fitted as standard with a metal cutting blade, for versatility, the new addition can also accommodate an extensive range of cutting attachments, including mowing heads with traditional line and a wide 480mm mowing diameter, polymer blades for tougher trimming tasks, as well as metal tools such as shredder and circular saw blades for clearing tough areas of scrub and even small trees, respectively.  This makes the machine ideal for a range of professional landscaping maintenance tasks with the simple change of cutting attachment.

STIHL unveils high-performance battery-powered brush cutter

STIHL unveils high-performance battery-powered brush cutter

Offering a comparable alternative to petrol machines such as the FS 240 C-E, the powerful tool offers emission-free operation and provides the benefit of quiet operation, perfect for use in noise-sensitive areas and to provide a more pleasant working experience for the operator.

For energy efficiency and an optimum cutting performance, the machine’s powerful EC motor can be adjusted to 3 levels depending on the task, with its LED display indicating which mode is in use.

Combined with its optimum balance and low weight characteristics, the FSA 250’s ergonomic bike handle and grip system contributes to prolonged user comfort and effortless guidance.

Engineered with professional use in mind, its easy-to-clean air filter guarantees efficiency and effective motor cooling, contributing to a long-service life. In addition, the tool can be used in all weather conditions thanks to its IPX 4-certification.

For more information on the STIHL FSA 250, visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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