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RHS Badminton Flower Show to feature largest ever show garden

RHS Badminton Flower Show to feature largest ever show garden

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RHS Badminton Flower Show to feature largest ever show garden

RHS Badminton Flower Show adds to its horticultural line up with the RHS’ largest ever Feature Garden, created by award-winning designer Tom Stuart-Smith, and a planted exploration into the human mind designed by singer Will Young with plantsman and broadcaster Jamie Butterworth.

RHS Badminton Flower Show to feature largest ever show garden

RHS Badminton Flower Show to feature largest ever show garden

Measuring 2,400m2, The Julia Rausing Garden designed by Tom Stuart-Smith is the largest garden ever seen at an RHS Show and will be a celebration of the life and philanthropic work of Julia Rausing. Fresh from his gold medal winning garden at RHS Chelsea, Tom is now taking on the challenge of the largest garden at an RHS Show, equivalent in size to nine Wimbledon tennis courts, with its huge scale enabling meandering paths for visitors to be fully immersed in its planting.

The garden’s design is inspired by the pastoral setting at Badminton Estate and frames views over the lake and back to Badminton House. A central terrace and fountain will be surrounded by a flower garden in which woodland edge planting will be set amongst multi-stemmed trees with a dry meadow of drought tolerant perennials. This inner area will be enveloped by a wildflower meadow with lime trees and a wild beehive.

Tom Stuart-Smith said: “It is an honour and a joy to design a garden to celebrate the legacy of Julia Rausing, whom I knew well. She loved gardens, and this is a tribute to her work supporting garden projects and causes across health, welfare, and the arts. Her generosity is reflected in a design where visitors are welcomed into the heart of the garden and can experience its beauty up close. After the show, the herbaceous plants will be sold to raise funds for Horatio’s Garden, a wonderful charity that has been supported by the Julia Rausing Foundation.”

Creating his first exhibit at an RHS Show, Will Young has collaborated with Jamie Butterworth to design Out of the Shadows, an exhibit interpreting Carl Jung’s ‘shadow self’, or the part of ourselves we keep hidden from the world, through planting. The exhibit will be formed by three planted cubes showing the journey from introspection and isolation to openness and the embrace of possibility.

Across the three cubes, shade loving plants gradually give way to airy grasses and flowers as light is let in. The first cube represents the hidden parts of out psyche with dense, layered planting creating a quiet atmosphere of seclusion. The second cube portrays a transitional garden with dappled shade and lighter planting, symbolising where the shadow self meets our conscious persona. The final cube follows a light, naturalistic planting scheme where shadows start to lift and new perspectives emerge.

Will Young said: “I’d been looking at Jungian shadow work for some time and thought it was fascinating and could translate so well into planting and a garden installation. I’d like people to see how density and shade can be beautiful and as a metaphor, encourage people to look into their own psyche as beauty often hides in the dark.”

Jamie Butterworth adds: “It’s a pleasure to be working with Will at RHS Badminton this year to deliver a planting installation full of amazing plants that visitors can incorporate in their gardens at home.  Working side-by-side in the garden, or outside space, sharing knowledge and discovering new planting combinations together is one of the best things we can do, it strengthens not just our mental health but our bonds of friendship too.”

Joining the line-up of show features is Perfume Pavilions by Nicholson’s Garden Design, a sensory garden celebrating botany as the source of scent and perfume. The garden will feature lavender, honeysuckle, daphne, and phlox to immerse the space in scent whilst also entertaining the other senses with rustling leaves, flavour packed herbs, and colourful blooms.

These feature gardens and exhibits join a host of award-winning gardens, expert growers and nurseries, floral installations, talks stages, and live music.

RHS Badminton Flower Show runs from 8-12 July 2026 and tickets are available online at rhs.org.uk/badminton

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Matt Axton officially joins Bernhard Academy

Matt Axton officially joins Bernhard Academy

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Matt Axton officially joins Bernhard Academy

Bernhard Academy is delighted to officially welcome Matt Axton to the team as Programme Leader for Technical Training and Advisory, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Academy’s technical education offering.

Matt Axton officially joins Bernhard Academy

Matt Axton officially joins Bernhard Academy

Following the announcement of his appointment earlier this year, Matt has now officially started his role with Bernhard Academy, bringing with him extensive international experience in managing and maintaining golf course machinery fleets as well as leading technical teams.

With a career spanning leading venues including The Belfry, Copt Heath Golf Club and The Warwickshire Golf & Country Club, alongside international roles in Bahrain and Qatar, Matt’s expertise further strengthens Bernhard Academy’s commitment to delivering practical, industry-relevant training for turf professionals.

Matt also brings significant experience in equipment management, dealer support and industry collaboration, having played a key role in developing the Turf Equipment Technicians Organisation (TETO), helping create a strong community focused on knowledge sharing and professional development.

Speaking about officially joining the organisation, Matt Axton said:

“I’m incredibly excited to officially begin this journey with Bernhard Academy. The opportunity to support the industry through practical technical education is something I’m deeply passionate about, and I’m looking forward to helping professionals develop their skills and confidence at every stage of their careers and to raise awareness of equipment management as a rewarding career path.”

As Programme Leader for Technical Training and Advisory, Matt will lead the delivery and continued development of Bernhard Academy’s growing technical training programmes, supporting turf professionals, equipment technicians and organisations across the industry.

Sami Strutt, Education Director at Bernhard Academy, commented:

“We are thrilled to officially welcome Matt to the team. His technical expertise, industry knowledge and passion for supporting others make him an outstanding fit for Bernhard Academy. We are excited about the impact he will have as we continue to grow our technical education offering and support the future of the industry.”

Matt’s arrival comes during a period of continued growth for Bernhard Academy, with increasing demand for technical, leadership and management education across the turf industry. The Academy remains committed to creating accessible, practical and forward-thinking learning opportunities for professionals around the world.

To learn more about Bernhard Academy and its educational programmes, visit Bernhard Academy.

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GKB V-Strong puts scarification back in the hands of Leyland GC

GKB V-Strong puts scarification back in the hands of Leyland GC

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GKB V-Strong puts scarification back in the hands of Leyland GC

Renovation season at Leyland Golf Club has delivered impressive results following the investment in a V-Strong from GKB Machines. Installed in February 2026 by Balmers GM, the club’s first in-house scarifier quickly proved its worth surpassing the expectations of Head Greenkeeper John Edge – enabling him and the team to cover significantly more ground, with even better results, than ever previously achieved.

GKB V-Strong puts scarification back in the hands of Leyland GC

GKB V-Strong puts scarification back in the hands of Leyland GC

John has been at the 18-hole parkland course for the last two years, joining the club in its celebratory centenary year. Looking to deliver the consistent playing conditions expected by the 600 members, John immediately reviewed the maintenance and renovation programme, swiftly bringing in a contractor to give the greens a kick-start in the spring of 2024. “I’ve used various makes and models of scarifier previously, but this contractor came in with the GKB V-Strong and it blew me away” comments John.

“Firstly the speed at which it covered the greens was seriously impressive. But it wasn’t just speed, it was the fact that it simultaneously picked up so well. It got the job done efficiently and effectively and left the greens clean and ready for play almost immediately.”

Featuring GKB’s unique CombiRotor and heavy-duty steel blades, the V-Strong makes light work of scarifying golf greens and other sports surfaces – removing lateral growth and organic matter to depths of up to 40mm. After two further visits from the contractor, John was sold on having a V-Strong in his own machinery armoury. “The results spoke for themselves, and the General Manager and Chairman were both on board with us making the investment. We also received fantastic support from Dan Whalley and Andrew Meeks at Balmers who got the team primed and ready for the upcoming renovation window.”

And it’s fair to say, the anticipation was matched by impressive in-field performance! “We renovated all 18 greens at the start of April and, due to the speed of operation with the V-Strong, we actually managed to do all the approaches as well – getting the whole lot scarified in one day. We found we didn’t need to follow the machine with blowers because the pick-up was so good and, within a week, all the renovated areas were back in play. We knew the machine was good, but it truly did exceed our expectations.”

John continues, “Having our own machine will give us the flexibility to conduct scarification more frequently, and in the optimum windows for recovery – no longer limited by cost or contractor availability. We can spend a bit of time educating the team on the reasons why we scarify and transfer those benefits to other areas, such as the approaches, which we’ve previously not had the resources to scarify.”

“There’s no doubt in our minds that, with this machine, we’ll quickly reap the benefits in terms of both plant health and player satisfaction.”

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KAR UK Launches K-Series Hose Reel Trolley

KAR UK Launches K-Series Hose Reel Trolley

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KAR UK Launches K-Series Hose Reel Trolley

KAR UK has announced the launch of its brand-new K-Series Hose Reel Trolley – a robust, British-built solution designed to meet the demands of modern turf care and industrial washdown applications.

KAR UK Launches K-Series Hose Reel Trolley

KAR UK Launches K-Series Hose Reel Trolley

Handmade in the UK by a local manufacturing partner close to KAR UK’s headquarters, the K-Series Hose Reel Trolley combines craftsmanship, durability and practical design all in one compact unit.

Developed for use across golf courses, sports pitches, parks, nurseries, agriculture and industrial environments, the K-Series Hose Reel Trolley has been engineered with daily, heavy-duty use in mind. Its sturdy construction and thoughtful design make it ideal for both field operations and on-site washdown tasks where reliability is critical.

At the heart of the design is a weather-resistant blue powder-coated frame, finished with a distinctive KAR-made laser-cut logo, reinforcing the quality and provenance behind the product. A heavy-duty galvanised tow hitch ensures strength and longevity, even in challenging conditions.

Mobility across sensitive turf areas has also been carefully considered. The trolley is fitted with wide pneumatic tyres featuring turf-friendly tread, providing excellent stability while minimising surface impact – a key benefit for greenkeepers and grounds professionals working on fine turf.

The K-Series Hose Reel Trolley is available in two configurations to suit different operational needs:

BARE unit – ideal for users looking to integrate the trolley into existing hose and equipment setups.

Ready-to-Go bundle – supplied complete with 50 metres of 1-inch hose and a Hunter SpotShot, offering a turnkey solution straight out of the box.

To ensure consistent service and support, the K-Series Hose Reel Trolley will be available exclusively through KAR UK’s trusted distributor network

The K-Series Hose Reel Trolley has already been put through its paces in real working conditions by Jimmy Butler, Head Greenkeeper at Wyke Green Golf Club, who praised its practicality and build quality.

“As a course manager, I’ve found the KAR Hose Trailer to be a very practical and durable piece of equipment. It clips easily onto our course workman/runaround, making it quick and simple to use during daily maintenance.”

Jimmy also highlighted the trolley’s stability and reliability during regular use:

“The trailer is well-built and handles regular use on the course without any problems. It tows smoothly over uneven ground and feels secure at all times. After consistent use, it has proven to be strong and reliable with no issues.”

“Overall, it’s a tough, easy-to-use hose trailer that saves time and does the job well. I’d recommend it to any golf course looking for a reliable hose transport solution.”

With British manufacturing at its core and a focus on strength, usability and professional performance, the K-Series Hose Reel Trolley sets a new standard for hose transport in turf care and industrial applications.

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on X and Instagram @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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New Synthetic Turf Pitch Offers Year-Round Sport

New Synthetic Turf Pitch Offers Year-Round Sport

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New Synthetic Turf Pitch Offers Year-Round Sport

A new synthetic turf project in Coventry, West Midlands has equipped Henley Green Primary School with a high-quality pitch, providing year-round access to sport for both pupils and the surrounding community.

New Synthetic Turf Pitch Offers Year-Round Sport

New Synthetic Turf Pitch Offers Year-Round Sport

The new playing surface addresses a long-standing issue in one of Coventry’s more deprived areas, where the lack of a reliable all-weather playing surface has previously hindered opportunities, both in school hours and beyond.

The new synthetic turf pitch provides a safe, durable surface designed for football, multi-skills sessions and athletics, supporting the school’s PE programme while also offering local teams and residents access to a top-quality facility outside school hours. Offering the facilities outside of school hours will also provide the school with additional revenue streams.

Synthetic turf has become the go-to for projects of this kind for good reason. Pitches can sustain intensive, year-round use without compromising on playing quality or safety, without worrying about the effects of overplay, waterlogging or seasonal downtime.

For a school and community sharing a single facility, this is incredibly important. It means PE lessons, lunchtime activities, after-school clubs, evening community use and weekend matches can all take place on the same surface with a greatly reduced risk of deterioration, and without the maintenance costs that come with managing a natural grass pitch.

The performance characteristics of modern synthetic turf also support better, more inclusive sport. Consistent surface conditions help reduce the unpredictability that can disrupt training sessions or community programmes, while the all-weather nature of 3G means children, families and grassroots teams are not at the mercy of British weather. With the winter of 2025-26 seeing England receive 35% more precipitation than the long-term meteorological average (LTA), and this trend set to continue, the issue becomes even more pertinent. For schools in particular, this opens up a far broader range of activities than would otherwise be possible, supporting confidence and engagement with sport from an earlier age.

The installation at Henley Green Primary School was delivered by Notts Sport in partnership with Groundwork and Leisure, the specialist sports surfaces contractor, and aligns with the work of Sky Blues in the Community, the official charity of Coventry City Football Club. The charity has supported young people in the West Henley, Earl Marsh and Moat House areas of Coventry for more than a decade, and the pitch is expected to play a central role in its ongoing efforts to improve health, education and inclusion outcomes through sport.

Stefan Diderich, Director General/CEO of EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC), said: “Projects like this demonstrate exactly why synthetic turf has become such an important part of the community sport landscape. A synthetic turf pitch transforms what a school and its surrounding area can offer, providing a safe, durable surface that can be used year-round without the maintenance burden or weather dependency of natural grass.

“In areas where access to sport has historically been limited, facilities like this one at Henley Green Primary School can have an impact that goes far beyond PE lessons. They support healthier, more active communities, give young people somewhere meaningful to spend their time and create opportunities for grassroots clubs and local programmes to thrive. It is a clear example of synthetic turf delivering real social value.”

The pitch is now in use, with the official opening marked by a celebratory event attended by students, staff, parents, local dignitaries and community members, including a ribbon-cutting ceremony and demonstration match by the school’s football team.

For more information, please visit: www.estc.info

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