Industry-Leading Brands Back GMA Connect

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Industry-Leading Brands Back GMA Connect: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is excited to announce the support of leading industry brands for its new regional event series, GMA Connect – a dedicated hub for grounds professionals.

Taking place in Bristol and Durham, these one-day events bring grounds professionals together at a regional level, providing hands-on insights through seminars, live demonstrations and practical workshops.

Industry-Leading Brands Back GMA Connect

Industry-Leading Brands Back GMA Connect

The 2025 events will focus on “Turf Management in the Current Climate” addressing the key issues facing the industry today.

GMA Connect is backed by headline sponsor Cramer, alongside ISEKI UK & Ireland, Campey Turf Care Systems, Fleet Line Markers, GKB Machines, Abundigro, Turfix and The Aquatrols Company, with more to be announced.

Some of the sector’s most recognisable names will be on hand to share new equipment and ideas to tackle common challenges – with attendees able to see a range of them in action through live demonstrations. Headline sponsor Cramer will be showcasing a selection of their battery-powered range, including robotic mowers, a zero-turn mower and pedestrian mowers designed for all-terrain use.

ISEKI and GKB will deliver a joint demonstration, featuring a 25hp tractor fitted with a GKB Combi Tool and a 40/50hp tractor paired with a GKB deep aerator – highlighting practical solutions for improving ground conditions and operational efficiency.

Confirmed 2025 events:

  • Tuesday 13 May 2025 – Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol
  • Wednesday 18 June 2025 – Durham County Cricket Club, Durham

John McGrady, National Sales Manager at headline sponsor Cramer, said: “We are delighted to support the launch of GMA Connect and be part of these brand-new regional events. For us, it’s a fantastic opportunity to engage directly with professional users and understand their challenges so that we can help them succeed. We look forward to seeing the impact GMA Connect will have in bringing the industry together and supporting the future of grounds management.”

Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the GMA, said: “It’s great to have the support of industry-leading brands for our first two GMA Connect events. Their backing reinforces the value these events will bring to the sector, providing a unique opportunity for grounds professionals to connect and explore the latest innovations. GMA Connect ensures that expertise and solutions are more accessible than ever.”

GMA Connect is free for GMA members, while non-members can attend for £15. Membership also provides year-round access to exclusive resources, training discounts and the Member Assistance Programme.

For more information or to register, visit thegma.org.uk/events

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Peter Donegan announced for Grand Designs Live

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Peter Donegan announced for Grand Designs Live: International Garden Designer Peter Donegan MSGLD MAPL is set to head the Grand Designs Live stage May 2025 at The ExCel London, the UK’s leading home design and garden exhibition has announced.

Fresh from hosting The Association of Professional Landscapers (APL) Awards for Britains greatest horticulture trade organisation at The Brewery on Chiswell Street, the title of his talk ‘working with a garden designer and how it could save you thousands of pounds’ leads Saturdays talks stage for the Kevin McCloud hosted Channel 4 television show live event and is billed as one of the not to miss highlights of The Home and Garden main stage according to organisers.

Peter Donegan announced for Grand Designs Live

Peter Donegan announced for Grand Designs Live

Named in The Top 100 UK Garden Designers and Top 70 UK TV Presenters, Donegan designed the shows featured garden at Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) winning Silver medal, The People’s Choice Award and The AIH International Horticulture Award, where he was also a garden judge at the show.

The year previous he became the first Irish landscape architect invited to design at MIFGS the Southern Hemisphere’s largest and most prestigious flower show where he won Gold medal and The Australian Institute of Horticulture’s International Award of Excellence.

Of other historic builds internationally the Irish landscape architect was one of 14 designers selected globally and designed and realises the WW1 Centenary Peace Garden at Château de Péronne in 2018. Peter returned in 2022 and designed a 2nd inaugurated garden at the 13th Century castle known also as the Historial de la Grande Guerre, home to Europe’s largest war museum.

From 2019 to 2022, The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) silver medallist assumed the role of series garden designer for Ireland’s most watched TV show, RTE’s DIY SOS The Big Build.

In 2001, aged 24, horticulturist Donegan began designing under his own name and swiftly won a host of awards for 17th & 18th century gardens designed & show gardens at national competition.

Peter Donegan MSGLD MAPL is a registered member of The Society of Garden Designers (UK) and a Designer Member of The APL (UK) has been a garden judge in London & Melbourne and, international speaker, master of ceremonies and garden design lecturer.

This summer 2025 the award winning garden designer will also speak at Limerick Garden Festival, D and M Garden Centre’s 40th anniversary celebrations, Tipperary Town Library’s Bealtaine Festival and the main stage at The Royal Horticultural Society’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

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STIHL launches Master Technician Course

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STIHL launches Master Technician Course: STIHL has launched its highly anticipated Master Technician Course, the pinnacle of its dealer training programme, designed to provide expert-level servicing and diagnostics across the full STIHL product range.

Following extensive development and a successful pilot earlier this year, the Master Technician Course is now available exclusively to STIHL Approved dealers who have completed the full training pathway, comprising Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced Servicing courses.

STIHL launches Master Technician Course

STIHL launches Master Technician Course

The final stage of the programme includes an online entry exam and pre-requisite modules, followed by an intensive three-day face-to-face training experience at STIHL’s headquarters, Contra House.

This hands-on course offers participants an in-depth technical deep dive, featuring:

  •  Eight specialist assessments
  •  Extensive product usage training
  •  A guided Contra House tour
  •  A structured recertification process, including an annual online exam

With a strong emphasis on practical learning, the Master Technician Course provides a small group setting, ensuring each technician receives expert guidance. Courses are strictly limited to six participants per session, allowing for focused, hands-on experience with STIHL’s latest tools and servicing techniques.

Since launching the Master Technician learning pathway in 2023, nearly 100 face-to-face training courses have taken place across all four levels, reinforcing STIHL’s commitment to dealer training and technical excellence.

The first Master Technician Course officially launched online on 10th February, with nine further face-to-face sessions planned throughout 2025.

For more information, please contact learning@stihl.co.uk.

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Hunter Industries’ New Wireless Valve Link Now Available

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Hunter Industries’ New Wireless Valve Link Now Available: KAR UK is excited to announce the arrival of the Hunter Wireless Valve Link. Designed to simplify irrigation projects of all sizes, this innovative accessory eliminates the need for traditional wiring, offering landscape professionals and contractors a faster, cleaner, and more cost-effective way to manage valve control.

As a cutting-edge wireless add-on for the Hunter ICC2 and HCC controllers, the Wireless Valve Link allows for seamless communication directly to the valve box—completely wire-free. It’s a powerful tool for those looking to extend or install irrigation systems without the time, cost, or disruption that trenching and copper field wiring often require.

Hunter Industries’ New Wireless Valve Link Now Available

Hunter Industries’ New Wireless Valve Link Now Available

A Smarter, Simpler Way to Work

At the heart of the Wireless Valve Link is LoRa® technology, a licence-free communication system that’s both robust and reliable. It enables connection to up to 54 individual stations plus a master valve, with a line-of-sight range of up to 650 metres—or even further when used with a repeater.

By removing the need for copper wiring, the system not only slashes installation time and expense but also avoids common wired-system issues such as wire degradation and lightning damage.

Key Benefits at a Glance:

Wireless Valve Control: Eliminates the need for copper field wiring, enabling installations across difficult terrains and hard surfaces.

Efficient Setup: Avoid cutting into concrete or boring under paths—ideal for retrofit projects or sensitive landscapes.

Advanced Compatibility: Integrates seamlessly with Hunter’s Centralus™ and Hydrawise™ platforms, and works alongside ICM or EZDS modules for a fully tailored system.

Flexible Expansion: Add new zones or areas without returning to the controller or disturbing existing infrastructure.

Installation, Without the Headache

Whether working on residential gardens or large-scale commercial sites, the Wireless Valve Link enables contractors to work smarter. With no hardwiring required, installation becomes more straightforward and less disruptive—especially in areas with existing hardscapes, roads, or tree roots.

This new solution allows for cleaner, more scalable system design, making it ideal for projects where adaptability, speed, and reliability are critical.

Now available from KAR UK, the Hunter Wireless Valve Link brings the future of irrigation control to the present—streamlining installations, enhancing reliability, and giving professionals more flexibility than ever before.

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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The world’s only Wi-Fi irrigation decoder system

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The world’s only Wi-Fi irrigation decoder system: Toro keeps innovating irrigation management with the launch of the Tempus Decoder System, the world’s first Wi-Fi-enabled decoder solution.

Developed to provide stadium managers and grounds teams with a smarter way to control irrigation, the system simplifies installation and minimises wiring costs with a unique wireless interface.

The world's only Wi-Fi irrigation decoder system

The world’s only Wi-Fi irrigation decoder system

At the heart of the system is the Tempus 2-wire interface, which seamlessly converts a Tempus controller into an essential 2-wire system – eliminating the need for multiple cables thanks to its Wi-Fi communication. The decoders receive instructions from the interface, activating the connected sprinklers to deliver precise and impeccable irrigation control.

This modular design, with a main interface that communicates wirelessly with multiple decoders, makes Toro’s solution remarkably easy to scale. Additional decoders can be integrated at any time, linking to the main system through a simple Wi-Fi connection, allowing users to manage up to 48 stations with a single controller.

The result is a future-proof irrigation solution that adapts to evolving turf needs and can be expanded in no time with minimum costs.

“With the Tempus Decoder System, Toro is bringing simplicity and efficiency to turf irrigation,” says Robert Jackson, Division Manager, Reesink Hydro-Scapes. “Turf managers need solutions that not only optimise water usage but make their jobs easier. This system reduces installation complexity while delivering the reliability and performance Toro is known for.”

By leveraging Wi-Fi connectivity, the Tempus Decoder System also enables users to control their irrigation system remotely, making real-time adjustments as needed. This combination of convenience, flexibility and Toro’s trusted innovation makes it the ideal solution for modern turf management.

With smart irrigation technology that saves time, reduces labour and enhances water efficiency, the Tempus Decoder System represents the next generation of turf irrigation control for sports venues.

To find out how your system can be upgraded quickly with fewer cables and to adopt remote access irrigation control, call 01480 226948, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visit reesink-hydroscapes.co.uk today.

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