Mansfield Sand is fab for Forest

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Mansfield Sand is fab for Forest: Ewan Hunter, Grounds Manager at Nottingham Forest FC, has praised the products and service he receives from Mansfield Sand.

After starting his career as a greenkeeper, Ewan Hunter moved into football grounds management and has remained in the sector for over 20 years. His first job in football was at Rushden & Diamonds FC before starting at Nottingham Forest FC in 2005. Having been at the club ever since, Ewan’s work has been recognised through numerous groundsman awards, and he can now add the title ‘Premier League Groundsman’ to his CV after Forest recently achieved promotion to the top tier.

Mansfield Sand is fab for Forest

Mansfield Sand is fab for Forest

Ever the professional, Ewan remains focussed.

“Our work won’t change with us being in the Premier League,” he said. “We will continue to do our job the same way we always have. Obviously, we want to improve standards all the time, and there are future projects, which include new first-team pitches for the training ground, and eventually we will have a new stadium pitch. Yes, the technology we utilise might be better and more modern, but our work will remain the same.”

Ewan oversees a team of seven members of staff that work across the stadium pitch and the training ground. All the pitches across the two sites are of the same construction as Ewan explains.

“All of the pitches we have here are Fibresand, and we use a variety of Mansfield Sand’s products. I’ve been working with Mansfield Sand since my days at Rushden and Diamonds, so well over 20 years.”

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.

Ewan continued to offer an insight into how he uses Mansfield Sand’s products.

“Most of the products we use from Mansfield Sand are renovation products. We will strip the pitches, Koro them off and then top dress with Mansfield’s MM40. If we are adding fibre to the pitch then we will use their Fibresand, and that is mixed into the rootzone by the contractor.

“Through the season, we will use their top dressing and a little bit of rootzone, mainly to level out the goal mouths that get a lot of wear.

“Rootzone is very important and is integral to a healthy pitch.”

Furthermore, two pitches at the training ground are currently being reconstructed using 5000 tonnes of gravel, 6902 tonnes of MM40 sand and 4089 tonnes of 85/15 sand soil rootzone, all of which are sourced directly from Mansfield Sand’s Two Oaks Quarry.

The work is being carried out by Ewan’s reliable contractors MJ Abbot and Premier Pitches, who order the products directly from Mansfield Sand. Ewan may not necessarily be involved in the ordering process anymore, but he still maintains a good relationship with the company.

“The customer service from Mansfield Sand is perfect, and Sharon Morris (Sales Manager) is brilliant. She is a life-long Forest fan, and she comes to watch the games. I talk to her pretty much after every home game and she will wander down from the stands after the match to have a chat. She is always on the other end of the phone if we need her, and she always goes out of her way for us.”

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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GKB SP100 top of the topdressers

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GKB SP100 top of the topdressers: To support their rapid and continued growth, Garsons Group Ltd have been investing in equipment to help them deliver contracting and maintenance services to the full spectrum of sports surfaces.

One machine that joined the fleet and has now become their ‘go-to’ for topdressing is the GKB Sandspreader – and while perhaps it wasn’t quite ‘love’ at first sight, Director Gareth Davies says it was definitely ‘the perfect fit’ at first sight after spotting the SP100 at BTME!

GKB SP100 top of the topdressers

GKB SP100 top of the topdressers

“Straight away, I could tell that SP100 was a great size machine that would suit the variety of work we do” explains Gareth, who has spent 25 years working in the groundcare industry and established Garsons as a limited company three years ago. “We’re conducting renovations, reconstructions and ongoing maintenance for winter sports pitches, cricket and golf courses so need something with a large enough hopper capacity to be efficient, but not too big that access to certain sites may become compromised. The Sandspreader ticks all the boxes.”

Gareth opted for the mounted SP100 model and, since its delivery in the spring of 2021 from local dealer Ernest Does, he estimates they’ve applied in the region of 4000 tonnes of sand with it. “The hopper is the main benefit for us. The SP100 holds 1m3 of material at a time meaning we can apply over 100 tonnes in a day which is critical when the team are working to tight deadlines. It’s also really easy to use and adjust for lighter or heavier applications when needed. We use it primarily for football and rugby, but this year we used it on a cricket square for the first time and it did a brilliant job.”

The GKB SP100 is the smallest unit in the Sandspreader range, with larger models offering up to a 4m3 hopper capacity. The material is transported from the hopper to the adjustable metering valve via an internal conveyor belt, before being efficiently and evenly distributed via the double disc hydraulic spinners. As well as trailed and mounted formats, GKB also offer the SPM model, which features a side material handler for the convenient filling of bunkers or trenches.

“Another big thing for us, has been the support and customer service from GKB, which has been excellent throughout. Tom Shinkins is always on hand for advice and, when we needed some additional parts recently, he was able to get them to us in under 24 hours which is the kind of back-up we need as we drive our business forward.”

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Irrigation powered by the sun and cloud

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Irrigation powered by the sun and cloud: Toro’s latest irrigation technology unites with sustainability in the new Tempus Air, a solar-powered, cloud-based, battery-operated, remote-controlled, wireless control system offering flexible programming to take water automation to the next level.

Technology and sustainability form a symbiotic partnership as we see a solar panel power a nine-volt battery in a product where all its data and information are stored in the cloud. It is a perfect example of how, when the two work together, a cost-effective green solution emerges.

Irrigation powered by the sun and cloud

Irrigation powered by the sun and cloud

So, what’s the difference between traditional and air automation? Well, air is fully automated, moveable, scalable, precise and affordable, providing detailed feedback and information.

Robert Jackson, division manager for Reesink Hydro-Scapes, the UK distributor of Toro irrigation products, explains more: “Air automation removes some of the inevitable issues of traditional automation such as the expense, labour required, and time needed to install. It’s the no effort way to take control of your water. It’s an extremely stable and secure connection offering real-time connectivity, now proven in the field.

“Scalability is a key feature making this an affordable water delivery solution – Wi-Fi allows you to manage up to 30 modules and 3G manages up to 25. Field conditions can be remotely monitored, and you can programme by time, volume and rainfall. And being able to deliver water at the right time and place means there’s no water wastage.”

Tempus Air can also control the hydraulic valves, water pumps, pressure valve sensors and filters; you can link moisture levels, temperature, wind speed, so adding a lot of functionality as well as monitoring a wide set of field parameters for even more precise and efficient irrigation scheduling.

“Toro has designed a one-of-a-kind next generation system,” continues Robert. “It is entirely unique with nothing else like it on the market today. It’s fully app controlled so no control box or PC set up,” Robert continues. “The app itself is very intuitive and user friendly and Bluetooth connectivity is integrated to allow full control through the app via a smartphone, tablet or PC if you prefer – simply download and choose up to six stations, four independent programmes and three start times.”

In terms of the sprinklers that can be used, Robert explains: “As you may expect the connecting modules fit into Toro Infinity Sprinklers, the smartest, hardest-working sprinklers on the market – top accessibility to all the critical components and built for flexible expansion, it’s the perfect combination.”

Rob continues: “Combining all these features makes Tempus Air ideal for those looking for a sustainable and unique solution and where areas without electricity such as sports pitches, stadiums and training grounds keen to eliminate cables from the sidelines and professional landscaping projects. Remote management allows for control from up to 800 metres away and automated responses can be applied based on pre-set thresholds.”

To find out how the perfect combination of technology and sustainability can benefit your water regime and business’ bottom line, call Reesink Hydro-Scapes on 01480 226800 or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk for further information.

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Brad Stiles appointed by EMEAA

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Brad Stiles appointed by EMEAA: AriensCo, an industry leader in outdoor power equipment, is pleased to announce the appointment of Brad Stiles as its new Vice President of Sales for EMEAA. Stiles, who has been with AriensCo for over 11 years, brings unparalleled expertise that will help drive AriensCo’s sales throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa while also ensuring continued growth in Asia Pacific and across UK business activities.

The new appointment highlights AriensCo’s continued investment in its operations and will help AriensCo continue to grow its commercial presence throughout EMEAA. This includes the acquisition of German professional mower manufacturer, AS-Motor, appointing Jochen Schneider as Executive Vice President of EMEAA and moving its CE zero-turn mower production to Oxford, United Kingdom.

Brad Stiles appointed by EMEAA

Brad Stiles appointed by EMEAA

Stiles, whose father worked at AriensCo for over 25 years, vacates his previous position of Director of Sales and Marketing for EMEAA – which he was promoted to in 2020. It was in this post that he demonstrated an exceptional understanding of the Ariens business in the UK, including the key differences between the UK, European and US markets, built lasting relationships within the EMEAA distributor networks and helped customers achieve their goals.

“Brad continues to be the driving force behind AriensCo’s remarkable growth throughout EMEAA,” said Jochen Schneider, Executive Vice President of EMEAA. “Having worked at AriensCo for over a decade he not only embodies our family values but is best placed to ensure our customers get the products and support they depend on.”

Stiles will report to Jochen Schneider, Executive Vice President of EMEAA and is eager to get to work, “For over a  decade I have witnessed AriensCo’s fast paced growth and now, in this new position, I can play an even greater role in keeping up that momentum. From strengthening current markets to reaching new ones, these truly are exciting times for AriensCo and all its customers, present and future.”

Regional sales managers in Germany, France and UK along with the export sales teams from EMEAA will report into Stiles.

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Hose pipe ban exemptions

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Hose pipe ban exemptions: The Turfgrass Growers Association (TGA) which represents turf growers nationally is pleased to see that water companies are including watering of newly laid turfgrass within their hose pipe ban exemption.

The current exemption allows for watering of newly laid turfgrass for up to 28 days after installation.

Hose pipe ban exemptions

Hose pipe ban exemptions

Freshly laid turf needs water during establishment and that without an exemption communities and landscape contractors would suffer hardship as well as the turfgrass growers themselves. “In addition to that,” says Richard Owens, Chair of the TGA, “it would be perverse in the extreme to effectively curtail the planting of something which – apart from preventing soil erosion, preventing water run-off, and locking up CO2 – is of positive benefit to individuals and communities both in private gardens and in the public realm.”

TGA spokesperson, Stacie Rae is also keen to stress that turfgrass growers recognise that they have a part to play in helping gardeners and landscapers get through the current situation. “Short term, our members are preparing advice for both the amateur gardener and the landscape professional on how they can establish new-laid turf with the minimum of water usage. This includes using recycled water and observing timings of watering.”

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