GroundsFest Wins Prestigious Industry Impact Award

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GroundsFest Wins Prestigious Industry Impact Award: GroundsFest has been recognised for its exceptional contribution to the groundscare and landscaping industry, having won the Industry Impact Award at the EN Indy Awards.

The Industry Impact Award celebrates an exhibition or trade show that has demonstrably changed, influenced, or significantly contributed to the growth and advancement of the industry it serves – and in just three years, GroundsFest has done exactly that.

GroundsFest Wins Prestigious Industry Impact Award

GroundsFest Wins Prestigious Industry Impact Award

Since its launch, GroundsFest has grown into the UK’s largest industry event, uniting professionals and volunteers from every corner of the groundscare and landscaping sectors. From live machinery demonstrations and hands-on experiences to its unique combination of business, education, and entertainment, the event has created something truly special for the industry.

The judges praised GroundsFest for its genuine connection to its audience and the positive change it continues to deliver. Feedback included:

“The event really has its ‘roots’ in its target audience and is making a significant impact on the industry.”

“Support for their audience extends beyond the focus of business needs. The GroundsFest Academy is a great initiative, which shows a forward-thinking strategy of impacting the next generation.”

“This event clearly demonstrates support for its community. Measurable impact delivered and fantastic feedback received.”

Judges were particularly impressed by the fact that profits from the show are reinvested back into the industry.

That commitment is brought to life through the GroundsFest Academy, an educational initiative designed to give back to the industry by providing free training and development opportunities for professionals and volunteers alike. The Academy offers hands-on workshops, expert-led seminars, and interactive demonstrations.

“It’s great to see we’re making a difference,” said Christopher Bassett, Event Director of GroundsFest. “When we launched the show, we wanted to create something that genuinely supported the industry – not just for today, but for the future. GroundsFest, and the Academy, are about helping to put the industry on the map, providing opportunities for learning, and inspiring the next generation of professionals to come through.”

This latest recognition cements GroundsFest’s reputation as an event that not only celebrates the industry but actively helps it grow. With a firm focus on community, education, and long-term progress, GroundsFest continues to make a lasting impact.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfestacademy.com

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

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New Reesink depot launches in Lossiemouth

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New Reesink depot launches in Lossiemouth: Reesink UK expanded its presence in Scotland with the opening of a new depot in Lossiemouth this January, enhancing sales and aftersales support for customers in the area north of Aberdeen.

Operational since February, the Lossiemouth depot is now receiving daily deliveries and is fully staffed with Jim McKay, Area Sales Manager North, and Gordon Rodgers, a full-time engineer/mechanic.

New Reesink depot launches in Lossiemouth

New Reesink depot launches in Lossiemouth

Matching the product range of the Reesink Scotland Livingston branch, the depot sells leases primarily for Toro machinery. ReeAssure maintenance plans are available through the satellite branch, too.

Reesink Scotland Branch Manager Mike Turnbull runs the depot, drawing on over 25 years’ industry experience at Reesink UK and Toro Spellbrook. “I’m setting a clear trajectory for growth with the new depot, closely modelled on the operations down in Livingston,” Mike says. “This is a really exciting venture – I’m pleased Reesink UK and Toro let us expand our business to support the growing customer base.”

With Scotland hailed as the birthplace of golf and housing the world’s most prestigious clubs today, the core customers for the Lossiemouth depot certainly reflect this. It already services many of the country’s leading golf clubs, such as Cabot Highlands, Royal Dornoch Golf Club, and Nairn Golf Club, three long-term Toro machinery customers. The depot also works with a wide range of grounds clients, from municipalities and councils to contractors and sports fields.

Rather than a standard walk-in depot, customers can continue to contact Reesink Scotland in Livingston to enquire about prices or demos, buy a lease, or book a service, who will then connect them to the appropriate branch depending on their location.

The Lossiemouth depot currently stocks all the fast-moving genuine parts, and in most instances, when needed, can courier other parts from Livingston so they reach Lossiemouth by the next morning.

One of the main advantages of the new branch opening is reducing customer downtime. “We want to offer the same service we do at Livingston to customers further north, prioritising quicker call-out times,” Mike shares. “We can now have qualified people on the ground to help with equipment maintenance and repairs, cutting response time down from days to hours.”

The depot will be instrumental in broadening Reesink UK’s customer reach, Mike says: “Opening this depot is not only a business move – it’s a vital investment in our customers, as we can now more efficiently offer genuine parts, leases, maintenance service and support packages to our more northerly customers.”

To get in touch with the new depot, call 01506 300880, or email service.scotland@reesinkturfcare.co.uk for service, parts.scotland@reesinkturfcare.co.uk for genuine parts, and mike.turnbull@reesinkuk.co.uk for sales and other enquiries.

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Water feature specialists reveal autumn maintenance steps

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Water feature specialists reveal autumn maintenance steps: Waterscapes Ltd shares critical seasonal care guidelines as UK landscapes face debris and temperature challenges.

As autumn conditions intensify across the UK, water feature specialists are sharing essential maintenance steps to prevent costly winter damage and protect landscape infrastructure investments. The combination of falling leaves, dropping temperatures, and changing water chemistry creates unique challenges that demand immediate attention from facilities managers and landscape contractors.

Water feature specialists reveal autumn maintenance steps

Water feature specialists reveal autumn maintenance steps

“Autumn represents a critical transition period for water features,” said Ed Harwood, Maintenance Contracts Manager of water feature specialists Waterscapes Ltd. “Left unmanaged, this season’s combination of organic debris and cooling water can trigger equipment failures, structural damage, and costly water quality issues that become apparent too late to prevent.”

The guidance comes as property managers prepare outdoor spaces for winter, when inadequate seasonal maintenance can compromise valuable landscape amenities and lead to expensive emergency repairs.

Critical Autumn Challenges

According to Waterscapes, leaf fall presents the most immediate challenge for water features. Decomposing organic matter affects water quality, clogs filtration systems, and can damage pumps if left unmanaged. Physical barriers such as netting provide essential protection, but require regular inspection and clearing during peak leaf fall periods.

“Even small amounts of debris create problems when they settle and break down,” explains Ed. “Professional maintenance schedules typically increase frequency during autumn, with some features requiring attention several times weekly to prevent filtration system damage.”

About Waterscapes Ltd
Waterscapes Ltd specialises in irrigation and bespoke water feature solutions for complex landscapes. The company provides technically reliable, sustainability-led water management systems for landscape architects, urban designers, and infrastructure teams across the UK.

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Agrovista Amenity welcomes new Amenity Specialist

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Agrovista Amenity welcomes new Amenity Specialist: Agrovista Amenity has announced the appointment of Paul Matthew as its newest Amenity Specialist, bringing with him decades of hands-on experience across golf, sports turf, and stadium management.

Paul’s role will primarily focus on stadia and sports facilities, an area in which he has extensive expertise. “My role is going to be primarily stadia, just due to my background as a groundsman,” he explained. “There are so many stadiums, sports grounds and pitches across the country, and it’s something I’m very familiar with and passionate about.”

Agrovista Amenity welcomes new Amenity Specialist

Agrovista Amenity welcomes new Amenity Specialist

Paul joins Agrovista Amenity following a distinguished career that began in greenkeeping before moving into high-level sports turf management. He started as an apprentice greenkeeper at Windyhill Golf Club in 1990, before progressing to Deputy Course Manager.

After a brief period as Deputy Head Greenkeeper at Hardgate Golf Club, Paul became a Golf Machinery Demonstrator for Scottish Grass Machinery – an experience that helped him gain valuable insight into turf equipment and product support.

He went on to spend over a decade working at some of the UK’s most recognised football clubs, including senior positions at Glasgow Rangers and Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Head Groundsman at Motherwell FC. Paul also has experience in the sales sector, having served as Area Sales Manager at Nairn Brown, a leading machinery dealer, and most recently as Sales Advisor for North Grow Lighting.

Reflecting on his move to Agrovista Amenity, Paul said:

“I received a message from Sam Honeyborne, Agrovista UK’s Senior Amenity Manager, inviting me for a coffee in Edinburgh – and it turned out to be much more than a coffee! I was actually offered a position at Agrovista about four or five years ago, but I wasn’t ready to leave my role at Motherwell then. When the opportunity came around again, I met with Sam and John Marland (Head of Amenity), and after a really relaxed chat, I was delighted to be offered the job. I’m so thankful for that and want to repay the faith they’ve shown in me.”

Paul added that it already feels like a natural fit:

“You can tell straight away this is a company with a great support network – everyone’s been so welcoming. It’s a huge company with so much knowledge to tap into. I want to take all my experience from being a groundsman and combine it with the technical expertise that comes from being on this side of the industry. My goal is to be known as Paul from Agrovista, not just Paul the ex-groundsman – and to help customers get the best out of their surfaces with that blend of practical and technical knowledge.”

Paul will work closely alongside Ramsay MacGregor, Agrovista Amenity’s long-standing Amenity Specialist for Scotland. Speaking about the appointment, Ramsay said:

“We are delighted to have Paul starting with us. He brings a vast amount of industry experience, and his knowledge of stadia and golf is impressive. We’re really looking forward to working with him going forward.”

With his extensive practical background and passion for the turfcare industry, Paul’s appointment further strengthens Agrovista Amenity’s presence in Scotland and its continued commitment to providing expert support across all areas of the sports turf and amenity sector.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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Celebrating 40 Years of Polaris ATVs

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Celebrating 40 Years of Polaris ATVs: Polaris Off Road, the world leader in powersports and off-road innovation, is celebrating a historic milestone: 40 years since the introduction of the first American-engineered ATV. Since 1985, Polaris has led the way in shaping the ATV industry, delivering purpose-built innovation, legendary performance, and a spirit of adventure that continues to define the category today.

To mark this anniversary, Polaris has unveiled the Sportsman XP 1000 S 40th Anniversary Edition, a limited release that blends nostalgia and modern design with a package of premium features. With a colourway and graphics package inspired by the iconic 1996 Sportsman 500 – one of the bestselling ATVs of its era – the 40th Anniversary Edition carries the legacy forward with exclusive retro-inspired graphics, commemorative badging, and premium Super Graphite paint.

Celebrating 40 Years of Polaris ATVs

Celebrating 40 Years of Polaris ATVs

“The 40th Anniversary Edition is a celebration of the legacy Polaris ATVs have built over four decades,” said Rodrigo Lourenco, Vice President Off Road Vehicles Sales, EMEA. “From the first American-engineered ATV in 1985 to today’s Sportsman and Scrambler models, we have consistently raised the bar for performance, versatility and durability. This anniversary is about honouring that history, while continuing to innovate for the future.”

2026 Sportsman XP 1000 S 40th Anniversary Edition

The Sportsman XP 1000 S 40th Anniversary Edition is a limited release that embodies the spirit of adventure and excellence. The edition offers a unique blend of nostalgia and modern design, with exclusive 90s-inspired graphics that celebrate its heritage, set upon the top-of-the-range 2026 Sportsman XP 1000 S model that features modern technology like multi-select electronic power steering (EPS) for less rider fatigue, ProSteer technology to eliminate bump steer, turf mode for gentler riding, on-demand all-wheel drive (AWD) for extra traction when it is needed most, as well as an engine braking system (EBS) and active descent control (ADC) for a more confident ride.

The Sportsman XP 1000 S platform is Polaris’ top-spec, top-of-the-range ATV, delivering huge off-road capability with its powerful 952cc ProStar engine, and superior stability with its industry-topping 144cm wide stance. Key features include high-clearance dual A-arm suspension with 29.5cm front and 35.6cm rear travel, 27″ Duro Powergrip II tyres for optimal traction, and a high-strength frame engineered for maximum durability. XP 1000 S also comes with three rider-selectable drive modes: standard, work and performance. When it comes to work, Sportsman XP 1000 S is ready to go with a 1,588kg winch fitted as standard, a huge 136kg rear rack /91kg front rack capacity, and 830kg towing capacity.

40 Years Strong Campaign

Polaris is proud to celebrate four decades of innovation, performance and trust with the launch of its new video campaign, “40 Years Strong”.

Polaris has been at the heart of riders’ lives around the world since introducing its first ATV in 1985. The campaign pays tribute to the countless ways customers have relied on Polaris ATVs over the years, from early starts alongside farmers and long days hauling hay for smallholders, to adventurous trail rides through mud and dust, and the excitement of seeing checkered flags in the racing community.

Whether for work, play, or competition, Polaris has proudly stood by its ATV riders for 40 years, and “40 Years Strong” shines a light on the people who have made Polaris part of their journey.

The first episode, titled “40 Years of Early Starts,” pays homage to the farming community that wakes up before dawn each day and relies on Polaris ATVs as a trusted partner in their work. The series will be featured across Polaris Off Road’s social media channels in Europe, as well as on the Polaris Off Road International YouTube channel, with the first episode live today.

The 2026 Sportsman XP 1000 S 40th Anniversary Edition will be available in dealers across Europe this winter.

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