Green-tech supply gtCoir Matting to stabilise the bank

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Green-tech supply gtCoir Matting to stabilise the bank: Ermine Street Church Academy, located in the growing community of Alconbury Weald, Huntingdon, required the reinstatement and stabilisation of a sloped bank within the school to blend seamlessly with the existing landscaping.

The Solution

Barnes Construction engaged Fordham Landscapes, based in Ely, Cambridgeshire, to carry out the project. Leveraging their longstanding partnership with leading landscape supplier Green-tech, Fordham Landscapes sourced gtCoir Matting, a robust and sustainable erosion control material, to address the site’s needs.

Green-tech supply gtCoir Matting to stabilise the bank

Green-tech supply gtCoir Matting to stabilise the bank

Green-tech provides innovative and sustainable solutions for a wide range of projects. With a comprehensive product range that includes tree planting materials, soils, and erosion control products, Green-tech supports landscape contractors, architects, and developers in creating environmentally friendly and long-lasting landscapes.

Products Used

After discussing the project requirements with the Green-tech sales team, it was decided that gtCoir Matting was the most appropriate product. Green-tech supplied four rolls, totalling 200m², for this project.

gtCoir Matting is a popular choice because it is eco-friendly, durable, and water-resistant. It also encourages re-vegetation by creating a stable growing surface. It is supplied in rolls and supports embankments and slopes where extensive ground stabilisation is needed. It is a heavy-duty, hand-twisted coir matting suitable for soil reinforcement and ground protection projects. The matting can be over-seeded with grass and/or wildflower seeds.

The Outcome

The installation of gtCoir Matting was a success. It effectively stabilised the bank while supporting the establishment of vegetation. Its eco-friendly design provided a sustainable and long-lasting solution.

Andi Elstone, Business Manager at Fordham Landscapes, comments, “Green-tech is always our first call for specialist landscape materials. Their prompt response, excellent product range, and fair pricing are the reasons we’ve worked with them for so many years. The gtCoir Matting provided an excellent solution for the bank stabilisation at Ermine Street Church Academy.”

Conclusion

Green-tech’s commitment to quality and innovation, combined with Fordham Landscapes expertise, ensured the successful completion of this project. GtCoir Matting stabilised the bank, enhanced the landscape, and contributed to a safe, sustainable environment for the school community. This project exemplifies how Green-tech supports contractors in delivering outstanding and environmentally responsible results.

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Ben Morgan becomes new DLF Amenity Technical Manager

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Ben Morgan becomes new DLF Amenity Technical Manager: DLF are pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Morgan as their new Regional Amenity Technical Manager for the North East.

With more than two decades of hands-on experience in the turf industry, Ben is well placed to support customers across the DLF portfolio of brands on grass seed selection and sustainable surface management.

Ben Morgan becomes new DLF Amenity Technical Manager

Ben Morgan becomes new DLF Amenity Technical Manager

Driven by a sense of accomplishment in growing businesses and solving challenges, Ben is a true professional who takes pride in every blade of grass he nurtures – and having been in the industry for 24 years, that’s a lot of blades! During his tenure as a Consultant Agronomist for the STRI Group, Ben developed a deep technical knowledge and understanding which was combined with a genuine passion for sustainable turfgrass management. Holding a BSc (Hons) and a Foundation Degree in Sustainable Turfgrass Management, along with BASIS and FACTS certifications, he’s built an impressive career across technical sales roles within Countrywide, AGS and Origin.

Ben’s expertise extends beyond the theory, with years of ‘on-the-tool’ greenkeeping work in both the UK and USA under his belt. His career highlights include working at prestigious sites such as St Andrews’ The Old Course and Pinehurst Golf Resort in North Carolina USA. Whether as a greenkeeper or an agronomist, Ben has cultivated a reputation for delivering results and tackling turfgrass challenges, with a firm belief that seed holds the key to many future solutions.

On his new position, Ben comments, “As a self-confessed turf enthusiast, working with the team at DLF was an opportunity I could not turn down. The incredible research and development taking place across DLF’s global breeder network puts us in great stead to provide the right solutions for our customers now and long into the future. I look forward to hitting the road and helping facilities across the sporting spectrum to make informed, tailored decisions on their seed selection over the coming months and years.”

When not ‘talking turf’, Ben enjoys a range of different hobbies. You’ll often find him fishing for barbel on the River Derwent or tending to his 15 colonies of bees. A black belt in kickboxing, he balances a love for precision and discipline with an appreciation for light-hearted banter with colleagues, customers and friends.

Ben can be contacted on 07801 459623 or via email on Ben.Morgan@dlf.com

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Royal Ascot Golf Club trials robot mowers

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Royal Ascot Golf Club trials robot mowers: A fleet of robotic mowers which reduces carbon emissions and enhances greenkeeping capabilities is being trialled at Royal Ascot Golf Club as part of its development strategy.

The Winkfield Road venue introduced BigMow technology to its 150 acre wooded Crown land course this week with a view to further enhancing the playing quality and experience of members and visitors alike.

Royal Ascot Golf Club trials robot mowers

Royal Ascot Golf Club trials robot mowers

Each mower is capable of cutting rough, semi-rough and fairway patches of ground for two hours using GPS technology, can operate in all weather conditions and will save an estimated five tonnes of carbon emissions each year – the equivalent of a return journey by plane from London Heathrow to Perth.

It is hoped the move will streamline tasks currently delegated to the club’s team of eight greenkeeping staff who will be able to invest more resource into green preparation, aeration, top dressing and overall presentation.

The demo will help the club to better understand how technology can be used to its advantage in the long-term with a fleet exchange planned for 2027.

Benefits of BigMow technology

Ian Hockley, Course Manager at Royal Ascot Golf Club, said: “The benefits of BigMow technology to the club are fourfold.

“Mowing is typically a greenkeeper’s most laboursome task, and although we always aim to be out on the course during quieter hours the occasional disruption to play is inevitable.

“Robotic mowers operate with minimal intrusion and are efficient at providing the best playing surface on areas of rough and semi-rough ground plus our fairways. This allows our existing greenkeeping team to prioritise tasks elsewhere on the course which will be a huge asset for us.

“There’s the environment impact too and due to the weight of each robot we can confidently send them out on the course when conditions wouldn’t be suitable for heavier, more traditional, machinery.

“We’re excited about the benefits this can bring to the aesthetics and playing quality of our course which we take great pride in.”

The trial is taking place after Royal Ascot Golf Club’s senior leadership team attended this year’s BTME Exhibition in Harrogate, Europe’s leading greenkeeping and turf management show.

The exhibition allowed the club to explore the latest equipment, learn about sustainable practices and attend a series of seminars.

Stephen Nicholson, General Manager at Royal Ascot Golf Club, added: “We’re continually exploring how we can remain at the forefront of greens maintenance to continue providing an enviable course in the years to come.

“Ensuring our through the door and playing experiences for members and guests alike are at the highest levels possible is a key priority for the team.

“Trialling BigMow technology forms part of this process and we’re grateful to AMS Robotics for their insights into how we can best utilise the technology while retaining our existing greenkeeping team.”

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Green-tech Supply Planters and Irrigation

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Green-tech Supply Planters and Irrigation: The Connah’s Quay War Memorial, situated in Wales, serves as a poignant tribute to the residents of Connah’s Quay and Shotton who were killed or reported missing during the First and Second World Wars.

Flintshire County Council aimed to enhance this memorial site by creating a serene garden space that would provide an area for reflection and honour the memory of those who served.

The Solution

As part of the UK Government Shared Prosperity funding allotted to the Town Centre Investment Programme, Flintshire County Council undertook the project to rejuvenate the memorial’s surroundings. The initiative comprised ten projects aimed at improving urban spaces across Flintshire.

As such, the memorial garden at Connah’s Quay War Memorial was identified. Concurrently, the Interservice Committee approached the council for funding to clean the memorial and to add names of soldiers who had not been previously recognised.

Green-tech Supply Planters and Irrigation

Green-tech Supply Planters and Irrigation

This provided the council with the opportunity to consider creating a memorial garden that combines the names in the best way possible. It was decided to use planters around the cenotaph to create a space for reflection and year-round interest for the site. The species identified in the planters offer substantial biodiversity benefits to the area.

To achieve this, Flintshire County Council collaborated with EE Civils, based in Holywell, to install the bespoke planters and Mona Tank 24 irrigation systems and fill them with Green-tree topsoil, all supplied by Green-tech.

This collaborative effort sought to create a peaceful garden area using planters that would contribute to the site’s visual appeal and biodiversity. Additionally, the memorial garden would support community engagement, with plans for local schools to adopt and maintain some of the planters.

Products Used
Green-tech supplied:

  • 30 bespoke planters
  • 30 Mona Tank 24 Irrigation systems
  • 4 Bulk Bags of Green-tree Topsoil

Charlotte Wilcock, Project Development Officer at Flintshire County Council, advises, “Green-tech was selected as the range of planters on offer worked with our requirements and timescales. Our Green-tech advisor, James Renfrew, was supportive in advising and quoting for the required products and discussing the project and its requirements.

Flintshire County Council had previously used Green-tech for another project, and having been pleased with the results and services from that project, there was confidence that this would be repeated on this project.”

The bespoke planters were chosen to provide a specific aesthetic that appealed to the project’s stakeholders while ensuring durability for long-term use. The inclusion of the Mona irrigation system was recommended to facilitate the ongoing maintenance of the planters and enhance their growth and sustainability.

The 100% water-efficient, subterranean plant irrigation system acts as a reservoir to hold water and distribute it to the plant’s roots as and when required.

The Outcome

The transformation of the Connah’s Quay War Memorial into a beautiful garden space was well-received by the community. The planters, now filled with lush greenery, have drawn positive feedback from residents.

Ian Dunbar, Chair of the Interservice Committee, remarked, “We have had many good comments from the public regarding the planters filled with plants, and have a request from some schools to sponsor a planter and look after it, which is brilliant.”

Conclusion

The successful installation of the planters at Connah’s Quay War Memorial highlights the positive impact of collaborative efforts in community regeneration. Green-tech’s commitment to quality products ensured the delivery of a meaningful project that enhances the memorial site, supporting biodiversity and community involvement.

This project is a testament to how thoughtful landscaping can create serene spaces for reflection and remembrance.

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Birkdale introduced two new timber screws

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Birkdale introduced two new timber screws: The UK’s leading fencing and gate accessories manufacturer, Birkdale, has introduced two new screws to its SITEMATE® range – the Flat Head Timber Screw and the Powerpro Flanged Hex Head Timber Screw.

With power and efficiency in mind, both feature unique characteristics to guarantee easy installation and long-lasting results.

Birkdale introduced two new timber screws

Birkdale introduced two new timber screws

The SITEMATE® Flat Head Timber Screw features a torx flat head for improved clamping, a part knurled shank to prevent timber to timber jacking and a Type 17 point to reduce splitting and drive torque. The screw is finished with an olive grey coating, providing a neutral, clean finish suited to any outdoor aesthetic. Available in a range of lengths, the screws come in boxes of 25 or 50 and include a free torx bit for added convenience.

The SITEMATE® Powerpro Flanged Hex Head Timber Screw is an ideal alternative to traditional coach screws for timber to timber applications, and fixing hook on plates to gate posts. The screws also have a Type 17 point for ease of insertion, to reduce torque and to help prevent timber splitting, along with a wax lubricant to increase drive and reduce drag. A variety of sizes are available – bags of 10 and boxes of 25 and 50 – with a hex socket driver included in each pack for easy installation.

Both the SITEMATE® Flat Head Timber Screw and Flanged Hex Head Screw are tested with a neutral salt spray (NSS) test for 1,000 hours to ensure that they remain corrosion free over time.

For more information about the SITEMATE® screws and other products in the range, visit: https://products.birkdalesales.com/core/core__sitemate-fix/.

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