BODPAVE Provides the Ideal Stabilising Solution

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BODPAVE Provides the Ideal Stabilising Solution: Barratt Homes Northeast acquired a parcel of derelict land opposite the North Shore Academy on the outskirts of Stockton-on-Tees. The land is of particular historical interest, being the site of the wagon works for the world’s first ever passenger railway line, from Stockton to Darlington. The works were later used during World War 2 for the manufacture of de Havilland Mosquito bombers.

The development comprised 300 new homes, with a combined direct and indirect investment of £160 million. As with most housing developments nowadays, care was taken to include sufficient green space area for residents to enjoy. Along with play areas, part of this included a large swale at the front of the development bordering North Road, to help cope with excess water runoff or flooding during heavy rain events.

BODPAVE Provides the Ideal Stabilising Solution

BODPAVE Provides the Ideal Stabilising Solution

Green-tech’s involvement:

Several areas around the main swale and service areas, although grassed, needed additional ground stabilisation to avoid the surface becoming rutted or worn. Green-tech has been working with Northeast builders’ merchants, James Burrell Ltd for 17 years, and they came to Green-tech to order 300 square metres of BODPAVE 85, to stabilise the grass top surface.

BODPAVE is an interlocking, porous, cellular plastic paving grid system used as an effective ground reinforcement solution, that can be backfilled with either gravel, hardcore or a soil/grass mix. The design of the units resists lateral movement yet allows for expansion and contraction.

It is an ideal base for sown grass, as the units both stabilise the ground and protect the roots, allowing the grass to grow through the cells and rendering the units practically invisible over time, especially if the green colourway is used. It is ideally suited for:

  • Car/Coach parking
  • Overspill grass car parks
  • Emergency Service (Fire access routes)
  • Walkways and access routes
  • Golf buggy paths
  • Driveways or on-grass parking
  • Grass aircraft taxiways and helipads

BODPAVE is made here in the UK from UV stabilised. 100% recycled waste plastic. Completely non-toxic, once backfilled the units can stand up to 400 tonnes/m2, transferring the load laterally across the surrounding units. With each paver having 18 ground spikes, BODPAVE can be used on slopes up to 12%/7°.

As well as BODPAVE 85, we also offer the slightly shallower, new improved BODPAVE 40, available in green or black, but with a load bearing capacity of 250 tonnes/m2. This provides a stable base car parks and it can be supplied with white markers for parking spaces.

The swale area was finished off with tree planting to soften the boundaries around the perimeter, and for which Green-tech supplied the necessary stakes and rubber ties and blocks.

Alasdair Innes – Green-tech Specification Advisor comments, “Although a fairly straightforward project, it is always nice to see the landscaping around new developments settling in. As time goes on, the BODPAVE will become less noticeable as the grass grows and covers the units.

For any further product information or to request a CPD in person or remotely on any of our urban or rural modules please contact Alasdair Innes at alasdairi@green-tech.co.uk  or telephone 01423 332177.

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DLF Didbrook to host the UK Lawn Care Association

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DLF Didbrook to host the UK Lawn Care Association: Leading global seed breeders DLF are pleased to be playing host to the last event in a packed summer season of seminars and events for the UK Lawn Care Association (UKLCA).

Open to members, the visit to the trial plots and research facility at Hailes Farm, Didbrook, will take place on Tuesday 11th July with only a limited number of spaces remaining.

DLF Didbrook to host the UK Lawn Care Association

DLF Didbrook to host the UK Lawn Care Association

Hailes Farm has been home to research and development across the amenity, forage and agricultural breeding programme for more than 40 years. With cutting-edge technology, the facility has been deemed a centre of excellency for the trialling and evaluation of grass species in the UK – leading to the emergence of a number of high-performance varieties, used at topflight amenity venues at home and around the world.

In their capacity as sponsors of the UKLCA, DLF will be opening the gates to Hailes Farm next month for members to learn first-hand the science behind some of the most popular lawn mixtures and grass varieties. Following an introduction to DLF, visitors can look forward to a session on grass identification, an overview of the complex breeding processes and tips for optimising usage of the BSPB grass seed guide. Guests will then be given a tour of the trial plots to see some of the latest work and emerging trends in the world of grass seed.

“We are delighted to provide an opportunity to our members to develop their knowledge and understanding of grass science and technology- and where better to do that, than at DLF” comments Tom Arnold, Chairman of the UK Lawn Care Association. “The chance to visit facilities as established as DLF Didbrook are rare so it’s brilliant to be able to host this event with them and thank them for their continued support of those working hard in the UK lawncare sector.”

Numbers are limited, but those interested in attending or who would like further information should get in touch via the UKLCA website – www.uklawncare.net

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MM50 serves up a treat at Roehampton

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MM50 serves up a treat at Roehampton: MM50 grass seed was recently selected for the construction of nine qualifying tennis practice courts and one show court at AELTC Wimbledon Qualifying and Community Sports Centre Roehampton.

Formally the Bank of England Sports Centre, the site is managed by the All England Lawn Tennis Club. As well as hosting the Wimbledon Qualifying Event, the Club provides facilities for community sport and works with local schools and groups to host sporting activities, training sessions and matches from September to May.

MM50 serves up a treat at Roehampton

MM50 serves up a treat at Roehampton

Fineturf, a long-established, sports turf contractor, carried out the vast project at Roehampton due to its long-standing working relationship with AELTC. The project consisted of the construction of nine qualifying practice courts and one show court as well as irrigation to all surfaces.

Jim Coleman, Contracts Manager for Fineturf, explained why MM50 was the seed of choice for the project.

“For over 20 years, we have been using MM Seed. We chose them for this project and many past projects due to their quality and purity of seed. It was the only choice for us, and we have used MM50 on many previous tennis courts. It has always delivered excellent results.”

MM is one of the most respected brands in the UK amenity industry, with over 40 years of experience and knowledge. The extensive product portfolio is second to none with performance proven mixtures that are used at many leading venues in the UK and Europe.

MM50, in particular, is one of the UK’s biggest selling grass mixtures. The hard-wearing ryegrass mix is very fine leaved, has high shoot density, is tolerant to close mowing down to 4-5mm and produces a great colour all year round. It also has quick recovery from damage and play.

The Fineturf team applied MM50 at a rate of 70g per m2 in late summer at Roehampton and Jim quickly saw results.

“The 100% Ryegrass seed germinated quickly and was soon tillering out ready for its first cut – we have always found the germination speed good. The Headstart® GOLD seed treatment always seems to make a difference which can be very important when working to tight deadlines.”

As Jim says, Headstart® GOLD is a revolutionary grass seed treatment that ensures rapid germination. It benefits from minerals such as Phosphorus, Sulphur, Copper and Molybdenum which all help to stimulate root formation, development and growth ensuring that the seedling grass plant develops a strong root system during the critical start-up phase.

The project was another huge success for Fineturf and Jim believes he gets more than just a product from MM.

“We have a close working relationship with Matt Gresty (MM Sales and Marketing Manager) whom we have come to rely on for our technical back up with seed. Working with both MM and Matt during this project has been nothing but positive. Our relationship has grown and enabled us to complete many projects to the highest quality and outcome. We would highly recommend all MM products.”

For further information, please contact MM Sports Seed on 01386 791102 or visit the company’s website www.mm-seeds.co.uk.

You can also follow the company on Twitter: @MM_Seed.

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Rams choose Mansfield Sand

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Rams choose Mansfield Sand: Derby County Football Club have been using Mansfield Sand’s products for over 20 years and Head Groundsperson Paul Thompson has explained exactly why.

Derby County recently won the Sky Bet League One’s 2022/23 Grounds Team of the Season. It is a fantastic achievement for Paul and his team.

Rams choose Mansfield Sand

Rams choose Mansfield Sand

Paul has been the club for 15 years and now oversees the maintenance of the pitch at Pride Park Stadium and the Moor Farm Training Ground. He oversees a team of 12 members of staff, who all worked tirelessly to produce the best quality playing surface in Sky Bet League One.

Choosing the correct products to apply to the pitch played a part in their success and Paul revealed how products from Mansfield Sand have always had a place in their maintenance programme.

“Ever since I’ve worked at Derby County, we have always used Mansfield Sand products,” he said. “My two predecessors used the products and I saw no reason to change at all.

“Throughout the playing season at the stadium we use the kiln dried sand – DM40, and for renovations we use MM40 sports turf sand. We also use MM40 across the 12 pitches at the training ground.”

Both MM40 and DM40 are sourced directly from the Two Oaks Quarry in Mansfield where the company produces its renowned Mansil range of Silica Sands. MM40 is a moist, medium sand which is predominantly used in the construction and maintenance of a wide range of sports surfaces. DM40 is of the same consistency and quality as MM40 but is kiln dried.

“We always keep a couple of tonnes of DM40 on site, so it is there when we need it, but we tend to apply 10 tonnes in November, and another 10 tonnes in January to the stadium pitch.

We have a SISGrass hybrid system, and the kiln dried sand helps dilute any of the algae build up on top of the surface. It also helps with the playability and drainage.

“Everything that has been delivered over the years has always been clean and ready to use straight away – I wouldn’t expect anything else from Mansfield Sand.”

Mansfield Sand is a company with history and pedigree – in fact, 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.

“The company is local to us, they are reliable and always on the phone if we need them,” continued Paul. “If I need a product as soon as possible then they are always quick to help us out. I normally speak to Sharon Morris (Mansfield Sand Sales Manager) and she will often come out and have a look round. She will also do soil samples as and when we need them, so we know what materials we are putting on.

“Overall, I’m very happy to recommend the company.”

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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Redexim return to SAGE 2023!

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Redexim return to SAGE 2023!: Redexim UK are delighted to be returning to the Sports and Grounds Expo this July, with a showcase of maintenance equipment that is critical to delivering first-class sports surfaces.

Beside their iconic Verti-Drain 2519 which continues to set the benchmark for professional aeration, stands 8 and 8D will be home to a host of other Redexim innovations including the Turf Tidy and 6m wide Top-Brush.

Redexim return to SAGE 2023!

Redexim return to SAGE 2023!

Proving that multi-purpose doesn’t have to mean a compromise in performance, the Redexim Turf Tidy combines de-thatching, flail cutting or sweeping with collection in a single pass. It is designed with a fully floating head that follows the grounds’ contours ensuring clean and even pick-up of clippings, thatch and other debris making it ideal for a wide range of applications.

Speed and efficiency are also at the heart of the Top-Brush 6000 – comprised of three poly brushes which can be accurately set to a desired working depth for dew clearance, worm cast dispersal or simply enhancing presentation of large areas such as golf fairways or sports pitches. Brushes can be set to rotate or contra-rotate to the direction of travel and, once the job is done, the ‘wings’ can be hydraulically lifted and folded for convenient transportation and storage.

Also on show will be the popular Rink DS800 topdresser and the 1575 Overseeder 3D. The Overseeder 3D is one of a number of disc seeders available from the Redexim range, offering an accurate seed delivery mechanism for precision placement and optimal conditions for germination. The Overseeder 3D is also one of the qualifying models for the current Redexim seed promotion, running in conjunction with Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS). To help facilities combat the rising costs associated with overseeding, anybody who purchases a qualifying seeder through a Redexim Regional Partner until September can receive a redeemable voucher for £500 of seed from OAS’s new Carbon4Grass range.

More information on the promotion or products from across the Redexim range can be found by speaking to the technical team at SAGE, on the 19th and 20th July at The Three Counties Showground, Malvern.

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