SoilsCon returns in 2024

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SoilsCon returns in 2024: After a four-year break, during which time the world has experienced pandemic, dramatic changes to its climate patterns, and major advances in science and technology, SoilsCon – the landscape industry’s ‘go to’ conference for soil-related topics – is returning.

The one-day conference will take place on Wednesday, 28th February 2024, at the elegant Phyllis Court in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Organised by soil scientist and landscape consultant Tim O’Hare, it promises landscape architects and specifiers, housebuilders, landscape contractors and designers, developers, topsoil manufacturers, local government officers, and professionals from the wider industry, a day of invaluable professional development, discussion and debate, with presentations by some of the leading experts in their respective fields.

SoilsCon returns in 2024

SoilsCon returns in 2024

So far, the SoilsCon 2024 speaker line-up features:

Tim O’Hare, Principal Consultant, Tim O’Hare Associates

Tim White, Senior Associate, Tim O’Hare Associates

Dr Iain Gould, Associate Professor in Soil Science, University of Lincoln

Helen Elks-Smith, Principal, Elk-Smith Landscape & Garden Design

Jennifer Mui, Director, MRG Studio

Katherine Iles (Principal Engineer) and Ryan Coghlan (Senior Landscape Architect), ARUP

Subjects will include:

  • Soil health and functions in landscapes – a practical approach
  • Soil requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain typologies
  • Soil organic matter and carbon sequestration
  • The challenges of garden construction
  • Species-rich soils – a National Trust case study
  • Biochar and Dolerite – the science behind these soil conditioners

A Soil Surgery, popular with delegates at previous SoilsCon events, will be held during the day’s networking periods with members of the Tim O’Hare Associates team on hand to help delegates with their specific soil issues.

The final programme and conference details will be issued shortly but to express your interest in attending, please email sharon.frost@toha.co.uk or call 01491 822653.

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Ryan Beck joins ICL

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Ryan Beck joins ICL: ICL is delighted to announce the appointment of Ryan Beck as the new Technical Area Sales Manager, covering Scotland.

Ryan brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise, having spent several years in the turf industry, making him a valuable addition to the ICL team.

Ryan Beck joins ICL

Ryan Beck joins ICL

Ryan’s journey in the turf industry began at Broomieknowe Golf Club, where he worked as a greenkeeper. He then joined The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (Muirfield). Ryan’s career progressed to the position of Head Greenkeeper at Melville Golf Club.

Drawing from his vast experience as a greenkeeper, Ryan later transitioned to the trade side of the industry with Fleet Line Markers and then Aitkens.

In his new role as the Technical Area Sales Manager for Scotland, Ryan will be responsible for overseeing sales activities, building and maintaining relationships with clients, and providing expert guidance on ICL’s range of innovative turf solutions.

“I am excited to be joining such a high-profile company and market leader in ICL,” Ryan expressed. “I look forward to meeting customers and relish the opportunities that this role offers.”

ICL, with its commitment to excellence and cutting-edge turf solutions, is confident that Ryan’s appointment will further strengthen its presence in Scotland and reinforce its position as a market leader in the turf industry.

For more information, please visit www.icl-growingsolutions.uk

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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Mansfield Sand improves drainage and rooting

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Mansfield Sand improves drainage and rooting: Matthew Newman, Grounds and Sports Turf Manager at Hartpury University and College, in Gloucester, believes that MM40 from Mansfield Sand plays an integral role in his renovation work.

Hartpury University and College are specialist education providers in agriculture, animal, equine, sport, and veterinary nursing, offering world-class degrees and facilities to over 4,500 students from over 60 countries.

Mansfield Sand improves drainage and rooting

Mansfield Sand improves drainage and rooting

Matthew himself was once a student at Hartpury. Fast forward two decades and he now oversees a team of thirteen members of staff at the college where he became qualified.

Matthew and his team have been carrying out their own renovations for three years after previously employing contractors to do the work. When it comes to sand for renovations, he uses MM40 Sport from Mansfield Sand.

Mansfield Sand is a company with history and pedigree – its origins can be traced as far back to 1840. It has been a long-standing pioneer in the development and production of premium sand-based products and boasts the most up-to-date and advanced equipment currently in the industry.

From winter sports pitches, golf courses, bowling greens and all amenity turf areas – Mansfield Sand has a solution for all.

MM40 Sport is sourced directly from the Two Oaks Quarry in Mansfield where the company produces its renowned Mansil range of Silica Sands. MM40 is a medium sand which is predominantly used in the construction and maintenance of a wide range of sports surfaces.

“We mainly use the MM40 for renovations,” said Matthew. “We use two tonnes of it on the PGA spec Mackenzie golf green; so, we vertidrain it and then we will top dress with MM40.

“We use ninety tonnes of if on the football pitches. This year we are taking the pitches down to 10mm. We then take all the debris off, scarify in three directions, and then collect any debris again so we have massively opened up the pores by now and got rid of all the thatch. We then will fertilise, top dress with the MM40 sand and then apply the seed.”

Matthew continued to explain exactly why a good quality sand is so important.

“We are predominantly on heavy clay, so in the winter it is holding moisture, and, in the summer, you can’t get enough moisture into it. The reason for the sand is to try and change that soil profile and give the grass something to reach into. So, we are trying to break that pan of clay up and inject sand into it.

“It’s a theory as opposed to digging up the entire pitch and starting again, but we are already seeing the MM40 improve drainage and rooting.”

For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk

You can also follow the company on Twitter – @MansfieldSand and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldSandSportSurfaces/

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E P Barrus Ltd appoints Graham Knox as new CEO

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E P Barrus Ltd appoints Graham Knox as new CEO: Barrus today announced the appointment of Graham Knox as its new Chief Executive Officer, following an extensive search process. Graham will replace Robert Muir, when he retires from Barrus at the end of December this year, after 33 successful years at Barrus.

Graham brings a huge amount of relevant experience to Barrus, having had a successful career in heavy trucks, industrial & marine engines and transmissions. Graham is a business leader with an excellent track record in a successful family owned business.

E P Barrus Ltd appoints Graham Knox as new CEO

E P Barrus Ltd appoints Graham Knox as new CEO

Graham started his career as an engineer with a custom builder of trucks and buses. He moved from engineering through after sales service to sales, and then on to senior management positions in engineering companies.

From 4 September Graham will be spending many weeks getting to know Barrus’ customers and teams, prior to starting a more office-based handover. There will be opportunities to meet Graham as he will be visiting the Southampton International Boat Show; DSEI the defence show, at Excel; the Emergency Services Show at the NEC and the grounds care show, SALTEX at the NEC.

Graham said: “I am truly honoured and excited to be joining the team at Barrus. I want to express my gratitude to the board for entrusting me with this role and to Robert Muir for his remarkable 33 years of leadership with the company. Barrus has a rich history and a reputation for excellence in various industries, and I am eager to contribute my experience to develop the company further.

Throughout my career journey I have gained a deep understanding of the intricacies of our industries. I am committed to building upon the strong foundations laid by my predecessors and to working closely with our dedicated teams to drive innovation, growth, and customer satisfaction.

Over the next few months, I am looking forward to immersing myself in Barrus’ operations, meeting our valued customers, getting to know the talented individuals who make this company thrive. I am looking forward to having the time to get to know our customers and stakeholders.

My goal is to ensure a seamless transition and to lead Barrus with the same dedication and passion that is the hallmark of the company. I believe in fostering collaboration, embracing innovation, and delivering results that exceed expectations. Together with the Barrus team, I am confident that we will continue to achieve new heights and create value for our customers, partners, and stakeholders.”

E P Barrus Ltd Chairman, Tara Glen said: “We are delighted to welcome Graham as our new Chief Executive in January. Graham shares the Barrus ethos with a very relevant background of experiences and an excellent track record of delivery. He has strong strategic capabilities, proven operational effectiveness, and great understanding of the diverse areas that Barrus operates in.

The Board looks forward to Graham building on the phenomenal leadership that Robert Muir has given the company. Robert will continue to lead Barrus until he retires at the end of December this year. With Graham joining us now we are able to manage an orderly handover and give Graham an opportunity to visit many of our customers before he takes over leadership responsibility”.

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BIGGA CPD credits available at GroundsFest

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BIGGA CPD credits available at GroundsFest: It has been confirmed that BIGGA (The British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association) CPD credits are now available for attending the education programme at GroundsFest.

The announcement comes due to the high demand of greenkeepers and course managers that are planning on attending GroundsFest which takes place at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire on 20 and 21 September.

BIGGA CPD credits available at GroundsFest

BIGGA CPD credits available at GroundsFest

BIGGA members can claim one education CPD credit for each session they attend and can do so by entering the details on to their CPD account. All members are eligible to join the CPD programme and are automatically signed up to the programme when they join BIGGA.

The BIGGA CPD programme has several benefits including opportunities for career advancement, personal development, proficiency, confidence, engagement with the wider industry, networking, recognition, quality standard, and to adapt outdated skills.

There will be plenty of seminars on offer at GroundsFest including topics such as: the changing face of chemicals and the effect this will have on the industry; Microdochium disease management and winter fertiliser recovery; data and water testing; the advantages of using apprenticeships in a staffing shortage; how networking and volunteering are two great ways to advance a career, plus many more.

The outdoor practical timetable will also be of interest to the golf sector and will feature free hands-on, training sessions on pedestrian mowers, ride-on mowers, handheld machinery, and the calibration and use of knapsack sprayers and boom sprayers.

Commenting on BIGGA CPD credits being available at GroundsFest, Event Director Christopher Bassett said: “We are delighted to see so many greenkeepers and course managers register to attend GroundsFest, and it is for this reason that we wanted to be able to offer BIGGA CPD credits to them. I’d like to say a big thank you to BIGGA for their co-operation in making this possible.”

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFest for much more news, reviews and insightful views.  

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