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One Kubota Tractor extends to full partnership deal

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One Kubota Tractor extends to full partnership deal: What began as one Kubota tractor at one football complex in Eastleigh is blossoming into a prolific partnership between dealers Rod Gaskin Ltd and Hampshire FA (HFA).

In his day job as HFA Facility Operations Manager, Pete Hussey puts their Kubota L2501 to task maintaining the five natural pitches at the Stoneham Lane Complex. This positive first-hand experience puts Pete in good stead when in his other guise – conducting Pitch Power surveys to provide valuable advice and machinery recommendations to benefit hundreds of grassroots facilities in the county.

One Kubota Tractor extends to full partnership deal

One Kubota Tractor extends to full partnership deal

“Hampshire FA acquired the Stoneham Lane facility in 2020, and while I already had two other venues under my remit, this was the first with natural turf pitches to look after” explains Pete. “I started from square one, understanding what equipment we needed and working with local dealers to find the best fit for our site and our requirements. The first priority was finding the right tractor that would give us versatility, reliability and become the heart of our maintenance programme. For this, we opted for Kubota.”

Specifically, the facility purchased a 50hp Kubota L2501 with full cab and a range of additional features including cruise control and air conditioning for optimal operator comfort. “Most of the jobs we do will take a number of hours to complete so it was very important for us not just to find a tractor powerful and durable enough to use with a wide range of implements, but that would also make for a positive all-round experience for the driver.”

“In addition, we have enjoyed outstanding reliability with this tractor which is testament to the Kubota build quality and the regular servicing and maintenance conducted by the team at Rod Gaskin.”

With the successes of this partnership bearing fruit for both parties, the tie-up became official in September 2023 with Rod Gaskin Ltd announced as Hampshire FA’s official supplier of grounds machinery. Pete explains, “This gives hundreds of grassroots football clubs and now schools and local councils as well, access to a fantastic range of quality machinery from brands like Kubota with an abundance of grants and funding available via the Football Foundation. The possibilities of this scheme are very exciting and can be the difference between bringing core, basic pitches up to a good or advanced level to benefit clubs and communities alike.”

Tom Merritt-Smith, Groundcare Sales Specialist at Rod Gaskin Ltd adds, “We have a great relationship with Pete and the team at Hampshire FA and are delighted to be working in partnership with them to support the growth of grassroots football. Being sports orientated, I know the importance of maintaining football pitches to the highest possible standards. We look forward to supporting Pete, Hampshire FA and clubs in the area with quality groundcare equipment and our aftersales facility for many years to come.”

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Rolawn celebrates double customer service award win

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Rolawn celebrates double customer service award win: Rolawn, the UK’s leading turf grower and supplier of soft landscaping products, is thrilled to be a winner of not just one, but two awards from independent review platform, Feefo.

Having once again won the Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award for 2024, recognising businesses that consistently deliver a world-class customer experience, Rolawn is also one of a select few businesses to receive Feefo’s inaugural 10 Years of Excellence Award.

Rolawn celebrates double customer service award win

Rolawn celebrates double customer service award win

This new award is an independent seal of excellence that recognises dedication to and consistency in customer service over a ten-year period.

Jonathan Hill, Rolawn’s Sales and Marketing Director, commented: “We’re very excited to receive both the 10 Years of Excellence Award and the Gold Trusted Service Award as a result of our customer reviews in 2023. In a customer-centric business like ours, it is reassuring to receive affirmation that our dedication to exceeding our customers’ expectations is reflected in their experience.”

Feefo established the Trusted Service Awards in 2014 to recognise brands that use the platform to collect verified reviews and receive exceptional feedback from their customers.

The awards are unique because they truly reflect a business’s dedication to providing outstanding customer service by analysing feedback from real customers.

Feefo introduced the 10 Years of Excellence Award to businesses which have won a Trusted Service Award ten years in a row. It shows their dedication and commitment to giving customers the best experience they can.

Working with over 6,500 brands, Feefo is the world’s largest provider of verified reviews, helping brands understand customers by analysing verified reviews and providing insight into trends, needs and habits.

Consumer confidence is now at its highest level since 2021 as living standards show signs of improvement, but consumers remain cautious with their spending. The businesses that stand out will be those who put excellence in their service and weave in a customer advocacy strategy. This award celebrates brands that are delivering standards that go above and beyond.

Congratulating Rolawn, Tony Wheble, CEO at Feefo, said: “With customers continuing to build resilience in a time of economic uncertainty, we’re delighted to showcase thousands of our clients who are continuing to go above and beyond for each and every customer.

“The Trusted Service Awards have always been about recognising companies that go way beyond the norm in customer service and in turn receive great feedback from delighted customers.

“Particular congratulations to Rolawn for winning the first-ever 10 Years of Excellence Award, by going above and beyond for their customers consistently over ten years. They should be proud of this achievement, and I look forward to seeing them continue to achieve next year and beyond.”

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Celebrity garden designer opens national education awards

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Celebrity garden designer opens national education awards: Inspiring, celebrity garden designer, Danny Clarke (aka The Black Gardener) is hosting the ceremony for the national Land-Based & Environment Learner (LBEL) Awards later this year, with today marking the opening of nominations for 2024 entries.

For the second year running, this exciting Awards scheme will recognise the outstanding talent, successes, and achievements of learners from across England and Northern Ireland in the land-based and environment sector.

Celebrity garden designer opens national education awards

Celebrity garden designer opens national education awards

Celebrity garden designer opens national education awardsvThe winners will be announced at a genuine celebration of talent on the 21 November 2024 at the centrally located, National Conference Centre in Birmingham. The ceremony will be hosted by Danny Clarke, who changed from a career in sales to horticulture in his early forties.

Danny Clarke, who trained as a garden designer at Hadlow College said: “I am thrilled to be hosting this year’s ceremony to recognise the talent and dedication of people in education who are taking care of and creating green spaces and looking after animals.”

“Although I didn’t change career until I was middle-aged, my love of the outdoors started early on in my life. I can’t wait to hear the stories behind the nominations, some of whom I expect will be career changers, like me, or young people embarking on their career. Either way, it looks set to be a memorable date in the calendar!”

The Awards organisers, Lantra and Landex, are actively encouraging land-based employers, colleges, private training providers and universities to recognise and promote their top candidates by nominating them for a prestigious award. The deadline for entries is 11 June 2024.

Dr David Llewellyn CBE, Lantra’s Chair of Trustees commented: ‘’We were overwhelmed by the 120 nominations that were received in the first year of the Awards. The LBEL Awards already play a key role in celebrating hard-work and success and in this second year, we are urging employers of apprentices to put their best candidates forward. In this way, we can recognise and reward the very best of our developing workforce.’’

Marcus Clinton, Chair of Landex commented: “Landex is calling on the network of land-based colleges and universities to identify outstanding learners who have the talent and drive to push the industry forward. We want them to take some time to nominate these fantastic individuals and join us in giving them the recognition they deserve.”

The annual awards are open to individuals on a full-time or part-time Land-Based and Environment course or Apprenticeship in England between September 2022 and September 2024. The award categories include Agriculture; Aquaculture and Fisheries, Arboriculture; Forestry and Woodland Management; Equine and Farriery; Floristry; Landscape and Horticulture; Land-Based Engineering; Animal Care and Management; Veterinary Nursing; Environmental Conservation, Game and Wildlife; and Sports Turf and Greenkeeping.

Prizes for the above categories apply across Private Training providers, Further Education (FE), Apprenticeships Awards (Level 2-3), Higher Education (HE) and Higher Apprenticeship Awards (Level 4-7). This year we will be introducing a new category: Research Student of the Year, where supervisors are encouraged to nominate a student studying a post-graduate level either for a master’s degree or a Doctoral Degree.

There are overall prizes for: Research Student of the Year; Apprentice of the Year; Overall Winner; and Runners Up. Online entries are being encouraged, as the quicker and more sustainable option. However, paper copies of the nomination form are available on request, by emailing lbels@lantra.co.uk

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The weed brush for every application

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The weed brush for every application:  With its mechanical weed brushes, AS-Motor offers a method for sustainable, cost-effective and efficient weed removal on paved surfaces. The familiar portfolio is now being usefully supplemented by a new top model: the AS 60 WeedHex with a working width of 60 cm and the reliable Honda GCV 200 with 5.6 hp maximum power.

The AS 60 WeedHex was developed to meet the requirements of construction yards and service providers and is therefore extremely versatile. Its working width makes it ideal for cleaning large areas. However, its compact design also allows it to be used in confined and uneven areas in public spaces and along walls and kerbs. For this purpose, the brush can be adjusted sideways to work even better in joints or crevices.

The weed brush for every application

The weed brush for every application

The torque is multiplied by a mechanical reduction gear on the brush. This allows the brush speed to be reduced to just 190 revolutions per minute. The low brush speed ensures a very long brush service life and minimises the risk of stone chipping. The brush therefore comes without a protective cloth as standard. An adjustable protective cloth is available as an option, which holds the swept material together in a swath and makes subsequent sweeping easier. A metal ring around the brush holder prevents the brushes from hitting corners, edges and obstacles.

Thanks to a blade clutch, the brush head can be conveniently switched on or off even when the motor is running. The even weight distribution of the AS 60 WeedHex makes it easier to push the machine, which can also negotiate steps and landings thanks to its large pneumatic tyres with ball bearings.

The AS 60 WeedHex is available to order now and will be delivered from May 2024.

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Book tickets for horticulture’s party of the year!

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Book tickets for horticulture’s party of the year!: Party for Perennial this spring at your charity party of the year! Let’s come together to make a difference for all those working with plants, trees, flowers or grass.

Gather your friends and colleagues from across the industry and mark your calendars for Thursday 9 May, 7pm at Core Bar, London. Get ready for an evening buzzing with camaraderie, excitement and generosity in support of Perennial, the charity helping people in horticulture.

Book tickets for horticulture’s party of the year!

Book tickets for horticulture’s party of the year!

In the charity’s 185th year, the fundraiser, proudly sponsored by Core Landscape Products, is a memorable way to dig deep for your industry peers while making new connections and catching up with familiar faces. The ticket price of £35 includes bubbles on arrival and some delicious nibbles, plus the chance to win some great prizes in the Party for Perennial raffle.

“Phil and the team at Perennial play a vital role in our industry. We have been big supporters of the charity for the last few years and try to help wherever we can. Party for Perennial is always a great night out and with the chosen venue being called ‘CORE’ it just made sense to sponsor this fantastic event,” says Manni Keates, Managing Director of CORE Landscape Products.

Anita Bates, Perennial’s Director of Marketing and Fundraising comments: “Our popular annual party is a highly rewarding evening spent with friends and colleagues and an entertaining way to help us raise money to support more people in horticulture. Every time our Perennial Partners and supporters buy a ticket and dig deep, people and their families have a chance to build better lives. Whether taking on a Milestone challenge in May or hosting a fundraising event, your wholehearted efforts all year make a difference in the ways we can help. It’s only through growing our partnerships with businesses and organisations that we can reach more people in need. Tickets are on sale now, so please put the date in your diary and join us!”

Perennial knows only too well that times are tough, particularly amidst the current cost of living crisis. Consequently, there’s been a significant 21% increase in individuals seeking personal support. The charity’s online tools have also become more important with a 27% increase in people in need accessing digital resources.

There are lots of reasons why people turn to the charity, such as bereavement, the impact of an accident, health issues or a family breakdown. As the only UK charity helping everyone working in or retired from horticulture and their families, Perennial relies on support from the industry.

All proceeds from Party for Perennial ticket sales and raffle help support people in need. Every time Perennial’s supporters dig deep, they make a difference to the lives of people in horticulture and their families.

Let’s make this an unforgettable event while making a positive impact in our community!

Book tickets and join the fundraising at www.perennial.org.uk/party

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

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