Topsoil industry to lose passionate educator

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Topsoil industry to lose passionate educator: The UK’s topsoil industry is to lose to retirement someone who has spent the past 26 years raising the quality bar for manufactured topsoils and leading the industry in educating and informing customers across the construction, landscaping, and amenity markets.

Andy Spetch is retiring at the end of April after a career with British Sugar spanning 36 years. He joined as an agricultural trainee in 1987 and worked as an agronomist for the company in the UK and Poland before starting up British Sugar’s TOPSOIL division in 1997.

Topsoil industry to lose passionate educator

Topsoil industry to lose passionate educator

Recognising that the rich arable soil brought into British Sugar’s UK factories on the sugar beet was a valuable resource, and in line with the company’s vision to make its operations environmentally and commercially sustainable, Andy set about designing quality topsoil products. Working closely with soil scientist Tim O’Hare, with whom he has continued to work to develop products and stringent testing and analysis protocols, Andy developed a range of products for the construction, landscaping, and sports amenity markets.

Key to TOPSOIL’s success has been Andy’s determination to provide customers with continual independent detailed product analysis, case studies and testimonials, and reports on scientific trials carried out on TOPSOIL products by respected organisations such as the Sports Turf Research Institute and Cranfield University. He has always believed passionately in informing and educating customers about soils and soil products so that they have the information they need to make informed choices. All data, analysis, trial reports, and case studies remain freely available for download from the company’s website.

Andy’s all-encompassing role at TOPSOIL is being re-structured in advance of his departure. Senior TOPSOIL Manager Natalie Gudgin, who joined British Sugar in 2009 and who has worked closely with Andy in managing the TOPSOIL sales team, will take on the strategic sales role. Overall responsibility for production, testing and analysis will rest with the topsoil production managers, and British Sugar’s marketing department will take on direct responsibility for promoting TOPSOIL and its products to its key markets.

“I would like to thank our customers for their support over the years; I know Natalie and the TOPSOIL team will continue to give them excellent service and advice going forwards. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the trade associations we have worked with from day one. In particular, BALI and the late John O’Conner of John O’Conner Grounds Maintenance who was such a tremendous help to me personally as I found my way around the landscape industry back in the late 1990’s, and Geoff Webb and Jason Booth of the GMA who have been a great support throughout TOPSOIL’s development and growth.”

Commenting on his future plans, Andy said:

“My time with British Sugar, and particularly heading up TOPSOIL, has been incredibly rewarding. Together with the great team at TOPSOIL, I hope I’ve managed to make a positive contribution to the use and acceptance of quality manufactured topsoils, which must be the future if we are to protect the earth’s soils.

“In retirement I’m looking forward to continuing as a volunteer pitch advisor for the RFU and to doing more bicycle touring. In July this year we will be riding from home to Switzerland, following the Rhine for over 700 miles. I want to use this ride to raise funds for research into Motor Neurone Disease to show my support for Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow, Ed Slater and others suffering with this awful and currently incurable disease.”

You can sponsor Andy at JustGiving by clicking here or visiting www.justgiving.com/page/andrew-spetch-1673869582965

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Scots Turf Show Scotland’s inaugural event of 2023

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Scots Turf Show Scotland’s inaugural event of 2023: The 1st of March 2023 marks the inaugural year of a major new turf care event in Scotland, with The Scots Turf Show opening its doors at Hamilton Park Racecourse.

Devised by 17 of the industry’s most influential companies, The Scots Turf Show strives to give back to the Scottish turf community by providing a local event.

Scots Turf Show Scotland’s inaugural event of 2023

Scots Turf Show Scotland’s inaugural event of 2023

It is thought that almost 50% of the grounds industry in Scotland, be they groundsmen or greenkeepers working in football, rugby, golf or at schools or councils, have never attended an industry event.

A primary reason for this is the time and cost of travelling to existing exhibitions in England. This had to change for Alan Thompson of AllGrass Turf Care, who had the original idea behind reviving a Scottish Turf event.

“Back in 2019, I went to Richard Heywood at Campey Turf Care with an idea to create an event in Scotland that gave back to the Scottish market,” Alan explained.

“There used to be Scots Turf, and we’ve not had it for roughly 15 years, and as a result, almost half of the Scottish turf industry has missed out on educational opportunities and seeing machinery that could help them in their day-to-day work.

“Clubs can’t afford to let their staff go to current events, which means two days away from Scotland, financially they can’t do it, and there are various other reasons.

“We held a trial event in 2019 with seven companies at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club and had 118 people turn out. The clubhouse was probably only big enough for 50, so it was great to see that there was something there.

“After a delay due to Covid. We got back to the vision of how big we could make this. We had to bring it back to earth a little because we’d love to have 40 companies there and make it a big grand event, but we want to grow at a steady rate that works for the visitors and companies involved.

“So, this is another step. There’s a market, and there is a demand. This year we have a fantastic venue at Hamilton Park Racecourse. There’s plenty of parking, an onsite hotel, various marquees and live demonstrations outside.

“As well as the 17 companies, we’ll have seminars in one day consisting of twenty-minute sessions, so people stay engaged. We have devised everything to benefit those attending, and we’re looking forward to their support so we can continue to provide this for them.”

A significant difference between this event and others already on the industry calendar is it is purely financed by the companies, which in 2023 includes Campey Turf Care, AllGrass, Dennis, SIS Pitches, John Deere and more.

This allows for every discipline of turf care to be covered in a focused one-day event that engages visitors and makes it financially viable for whole teams to attend.

Please RSVP by 20th February to scotsturfshow@gmail.com to register your attendance.

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Origin Amenity Solutions go for gold

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Origin Amenity Solutions go for gold: Origin Amenity Solutions has announced that the company is now a gold member of the BIGGA (British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association) Regional Patron Scheme for 2023.

As part of the scheme, Origin Amenity Solutions, a leading supplier to the UK amenity, turf, and sports markets, will attend and support BIGGA in their regional events across the UK, which will include a mix of seminars, education workshops and golf days.

Origin Amenity Solutions go for gold

Origin Amenity Solutions go for gold

Origin Amenity Solutions brings together four well established industry leading brands, Headland Amenity, Rigby Taylor, Symbio and Turfkeeper to offer greenkeepers and groundsmen access to a single supplier for all the advice and products needed for a robust management programme. The group is supported by a number of agronomists, product specialists and a Research and Development centre to offer their customers a unique holistic approach.

Commenting on the scheme, Commercial Director Andy Russell said: “We are a resolute supporter of BIGGA and of raising the profile of greenkeepers within the industry. It is important that schemes like this exist to provide learning and networking opportunities for members and peers across the industry and I am proud to support the Regional Patron Scheme. Our national coverage will allow us to support events across all five regions.”

Lauren Frazer, Head of Business Development at BIGGA, adds, “Origin Amenity Solutions are a Premium Partner of BIGGA and support many events and initiatives.  I am delighted that they are involved with the Regional Patron Scheme – it’s always good to see a market leader and big brand name give something back and lend their support to such worthwhile schemes. Education and training opportunities are essential for the professional development of our members and the Origin team has a lot of experience and knowledge to share.”

For more information visit www.originamenity.com

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Redexim and OAS team up

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Redexim and OAS team up: In conjunction with Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS), Redexim launched a brand new seed promotion at BTME 2023 to help clubs and facilities with the costs associated with overseeding.

Available now and until September, purchase one of a qualifying range of Redexim Seeders and receive a redeemable voucher for £500 of seed from OAS’s new Carbon4Grass collection.

Redexim and OAS team up

Redexim and OAS team up

Following the prolonged hot summer of 2022, followed by a wet winter, it is likely that overseeding will be high on the agenda for many Turf Managers preparing for the new season. Aware of the pressures on budgets and the many cost increases impacting on maintenance programmes, Redexim and partners OAS have teamed up to support clubs with materials so desperately needed.

The offer is available to anybody who purchases a SpeedSeed or Multi-Seeder from the Redexim dimple seeder collection, or an Overseeder 3D disc-seeder through any Redexim Regional Partner. Following the purchase, the customer will then receive a voucher for free seed to the minimum value of £500.

The promotion also highlights the Carbon4Grass range from OAS – developed to support the industry’s awareness of carbon mitigation in amenity and landscaped areas. During photosynthesis grasses absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere into the leaves and roots, sequestering carbon into the soil as they senesce and decompose. With the 10 mixes that make up the Carbon4Grass range, cultivars that sequester relatively more carbon have been specifically chosen to help mitigate the environmental impact of maintaining intensively managed turf without compromising on quality.

Commenting on the launch, Redexim Commercial Director Paul Langford said, “The challenges facing clubs trying to deliver surfaces that meet the expectations of the players is ever increasing, so this deal is designed to give something back and support users from across the sporting spectrum with quality products in a package that delivers real added value.”

Jayne Leyland, Seed Product Manager for OAS added, “We are delighted that following 18 years of research into carbon sequestration, it has culminated in the development of a comprehensive range of grass mixtures for fine turf, sports turf and landscaping applications. Sustainability is a major part of the OAS environmental strategy and that of many leading sporting venues so teaming up with Redexim to offer customers an introduction to the Carbon4Grass range is a great way to not only assure quality performance and results but to make significant inroads to helping our customers offset their carbon footprint.”

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Proper planning prevents poor performance

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Proper planning prevents poor performance: Proper planning and preparation now by restocking Toro genuine parts will see machines putting in their best performance throughout the busy season and avoiding costly downtime.

Machinery maintenance is an expense clubs won’t want to take risks with, especially when so many find themselves navigating price increases across the board says Michael Hampton, purchasing and sales process manager at Reesink Turfcare: “The cost of living crisis will be putting a pinch on many golf clubs’ budgets and planning ahead will be essential to help manage costs, keep machines’ performance on point and unnecessary downtime to a minimum.”

Proper planning prevents poor performance

Proper planning prevents poor performance

With the spring mowing season around the corner machines need to be ready to roll and able to perform throughout some of the busiest months of the year and now is the perfect time to stock up on common parts such as belts, blades, bedknives, bearings and filters.

Michael continues: “Having parts available is the difference between working time and downtime and by preparing ahead machines can spend less time in the workshop and more time on the greens.”

Investing in genuine parts ensures the optimum performance and longevity from the machine. Toro parts are designed with exact engineering specifications for the equipment, meaning machines are not only not guaranteed to perform, but there’s no risk of damaging the part or the machine, which can occur with non-genuine parts.

Michael says: “Using genuine Toro parts is the failsafe way to get a better performance for longer and a higher residual value when the time comes to sell. Toro parts fit perfectly in a Toro machine. They are identical to those used in the original machine, giving like-for-like off the product line fit.”

Bringing extra value to the decision to go genuine with Toro is the second-to-none backup and direct access to factory-trained technicians from distributor Reesink. Genuine Toro Parts are easily sourced via local dealers and Reesink branches’ comprehensive stocks.

Each dealer is computer-linked with the parts department making checking availability and placing an order both quick and efficient. Delivery is within 24 hours and even in the case of parts needing to be shipped overseas, that’s done within 48 hours from the USA.

Stocking up on MVP kits can save additional time and money. These handy packs are named for what they deliver: maintenance, value and performance. From hose kits and cutting unit overhaul kits to deck kits and more, uptime can be maximised to keep up with the demands of the turf. Not to mention the fact that an MVP kit can cost up to 5 percent less than buying each part separately.

To stock up on Toro parts customers can get in touch with their local Toro Genuine Parts dealer or service centre or contact Reesink via reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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