Mike Herring, head groundsman at Berkhamsted School in Hertfordshire, has reported excellent results after using Limagrain’s MM50 grass seed in a new construction and in the renovation of the school’s two cricket wickets.

Berkhamsted School’s illustrious history can be traced all the way back to 1541, when John Incent, Dean of St Paul’s, was granted a Licence by Henry VIII to found a school in his home town. Today, Berkhamsted School is one of Britain’s leading independent schools, offering both single sex (from age 11 – 16) and co-educational teaching for boys and girls aged 3 – 18.

Boasting excellent academic results, students excel not only in the classroom but also in sports. Over the last two academic years, Berkhamsted School pupils have secured nine national titles in rounders, netball and lacrosse, the 1st XV rugby team lost only one regular fixture and the U13 Football team made it to the last 16 of the national ISFA competition.

Berkhamsted sport is not just about the elite performers, however, it is also about taking part; the vast majority of boys and girls in Year 7 represent the school at sport as teams are fielded at C, D and E level.

Students can participate in a wide variety of sports which take place on truly first-class facilities. Overseeing the 40 acres of playing fields and sports facilities is head groundsman Mike Herring, who decided to bring in leading sports turf contractor Fineturf to renovate an existing cricket wicket and construct a completely new one.

“I had heard of the work Fineturf had done at various sites across the country – at the test grounds and county grounds and I was under the impression that Fineturf were the best in the construction of cricket wickets. I just thought that the service and the aftercare was the finest that I’d ever come across. They were by far the best contractor myself and the school have ever dealt with,” said Mike.

The Fineturf team got to work by starting on the renovation and the new construction and when the time came for seeding, there was only one brand of product they were going to use.
“We only exclusively use Limagrain seeds,” says Anthony Hardy, operations director for Fineturf. “We just wouldn’t use any other grass seed unless specified, mainly because of the quality and guaranteed results that the Limagrain seed produces. We have to be 100% confident in the products that we use for our contracting work, to absolutely know that we are going to get the desired results for the end user. Limagrain seed gives us that reassurance.”

For the project at Berkhamsted, Fineturf used Limagrain’s MM50 – which is the number one choice of seed for cricket groundsmen. Those representing grass roots, schools, local clubs and international test venues have all benefitted from using MM50 as it possesses exceptional shoot density along with tolerance to close mowing making it particularly suitable for all cricket squares. Other key features include fast recovery from wear and damage and high disease resistance.

This superior mix contains the perennial ryegrass cultivars, Venice, Alison and Malibu, which are renowned for providing a great sward for cricket use. MM50 is also treated with HEADSTART® GOLD – Limagrain’s unique seaweed based seed treatment which helps to ensure rapid and even germination. This tried and tested grass seed treatment helps the seed get off to the best possible start – therefore it is ideal to use in the less than favourable conditions that can sometimes be found on cricket squares during renovations.
Mike was certainly impressed with the end result.

“The weather was very kind when the project was being carried out and as soon as it rained the germination was absolutely superb – the establishment was excellent – in fact I would say it was 100% or as near to 100% as you could measure. We didn’t need to overseed, we didn’t put any patches in, and quite simply it was just an excellent choice of seed,” he said.

For further information, please contact Limagrain UK on 01472 371471 or visit the company’s website www.limagrain.co.uk

For further information about Fineturf please visit www.fine-turf.co.uk

John Ledwidge, grounds manager for reigning Premier League champions Leicester City FC, believes that his new range of Pellenc battery powered equipment offers his staff a safer, healthier and higher performing alternative to petrol powered products.

From a team that spent the majority of the 2014/15 season close to the bottom of the table and among the favourites for relegation for the 2015/16 season, a combination of hard work and talent saw them transform into Premier League champions. In doing so, Leicester City FC captured the imaginations of football fans around the world with one of the most unlikely sporting triumphs ever seen.

Arguably, the key ingredient in that success was team-spirit and that applied to everyone at the club – from the manager and players through to the employees who do a magnificent job on a daily basis behind the scenes. It is safe to say that Leicester City FC is a tightly-knit family, so when the opportunity arose to provide a healthier and safety working environment for his grounds staff – John wasn’t about to dismiss it.

“As a manager it is imperative that I consider health and safety as well as the comfortable use of machinery for my staff. For example, heavy vibrating tools can bring about White Finger (an industrial injury triggered by continuous use of vibrating hand-held machinery). Then of course if you’ve got a hand held product with the engine at the base – they are quite heavy and cumbersome and they take their toll on your arms. Then there are the petrol fumes to consider.

“The Pellenc equipment had been recommended to me on a few occasions so I felt that I needed to see them in action. To be honest, I was a little sceptical because I wasn’t sure if you would get enough power out of battery products compared to a petrol engine. However, a full demonstration ensued and every one of us tried every product. We were all blown away and were exceptionally impressed with just how powerful they were. By our own admission I think we were a little ignorant as to just how far advanced battery powered products had become.”

With more than 100 experts including engineers and technicians specialised in research, computer modelling, prototyping, electronics, electrical engineering and mechanics, Pellenc works tirelessly to create the most innovative battery powered products which contribute to reducing the consumption of fossil fuels while increasing your productivity and cost effectiveness.

John went onto purchase a range of Pellenc equipment, including an Airion blower, a Helion hedge cutter, a Selion M12 chainsaw, a Selion polesaw and the Rasion Smart rotary mower – which are all used at the King Power Stadium and its surrounding areas as well as at the club’s training ground.

“We have been over the moon with all of the products but the one we use the most is the Airion blower. Not only do we use it for clearing leaves and debris but we also use it to ‘blow off’ our machinery. Everything that goes into our store has to be clean and dry so that we haven’t got any water sitting on any of the products. For that reason we use the Airion blower on the highest setting, which knocks all the water out of the bearings or joints.

“The engineering behind the Rasion mower is simply fantastic. The way it adjusts itself, the different speed settings, and the way it moves the deck up and down simply knocked our socks off – it was almost like someone landing a spaceship. Outside the stadium we have a nature reserve which is cut down to 70mm and a memorial garden which is cut to 25mm – to be able to press just two buttons to drop the deck according to the height of cut you require is fantastic.”

The products are all powered by Pellenc’s ultra-lithium batteries which feature carrying harnesses to effectively and evenly distribute the weight of the battery. This multi-purpose battery can be used to operate any tool from Pellenc’s electric handheld range and they have been designed to last for up to a full day’s work.

“I’m really impressed with the battery life and how you can get a full day’s work out of one charge. The versatility of simply plugging in a number of products to one battery is also extremely beneficial. Then of course there are the savings – your battery is in effect your fuel costs and electric is considerably cheaper than fuel. I think that just with the mower, we forecasted that we will save around £4,500 over the course of a few years.

“For me, ultimately it’s always about the end product. Is it as powerful as a petrol engine? Yes. Does it do as good a job? Yes. If all that falls into place as well as having the added bonus of being environmentally friendly and being better for my staff to use – then it makes complete sense. I think more and more people are gaining confidence in battery powered equipment and they are right to do so.”

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk where you can also find more information on Pellenc which is sold exclusively in the UK by Etesia UK.