GGM Group get on their bikes

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GGM Group get on their bikes: A Lancashire business has demonstrated that it will always go the extra mile for charity, as the team at Groundscare specialist the GGM Group have committed to a year of activity to support the North West Air Ambulance.

The activity kicks off with a company-wide sponsored cycle, with staff getting on their bikes and riding between their two depots in Haydock and Colne along the Leeds-Liverpool canal on Friday 12th August.

GGM Group get on their bikes

GGM Group get on their bikes

Over 20 team members, from across all departments, will take on the 95km route, finishing off with a well-deserved team bbq to celebrate.

The business, which operates across the North West and Yorkshire, is following in the footsteps of last year’s highly successful charitable efforts, where the organisation raised over £10,000 for charities across the North West, and is keen to build on this success and keep the momentum running.

Managing Director Chris Gibson explain more:

“Every year we aim to carry out a number of physical challenges to raise funds for our company charity and it’s a huge highlight in our calendar. We’ve previously completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks and in 2020 we didn’t let lockdown dampen our spirits, carrying out a charity walk and cycle ride in socially distanced stints. We’re very much looking forward to this year’s event and it’s great so many team members want to get involved.”

The event will raise money for the organisations chosen company charity of the year, the North West Air Ambulance, to help raise much needed funds during these difficult times.  Since the charity launched in 1999, it operates 365 days a year and they have responded to over 24,500 missions across the Northwest and must raise over £9.5m each year to remain operational.

The GGM Group consists of two businesses across two depots. PSD Groundscare is the national distributor of specialist landscaping equipment including award winning innovative manufacturers Eliet and Koppl. GGM Groundscare is a specialist supplier of tractors and high-quality professional land-based equipment for commercial and domestic use. Servicing the North West and Yorkshire, it supplies a range of products from leading franchises including Kubota, Baroness and Amazone.

Chris Gibson concluded:

“I am hugely proud of what our staff have committed to do and it is teamwork in the truest sense. Not everyone regularly cycles, yet they have committed to taking part in this challenge for our charity. As a family business, it’s fantastic for us all to come together.

“It’s a key part of our ethos at The GGM Group to give something back to the local community and North West Air Ambulance provide an essential service. Amazingly they receive no government or NHS funding so every penny we raise for the charity makes such a lifesaving difference.”

To support the team and make a donation visit the Justgiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the-ggm-group

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Greenkeepers selected to join Wentworth team

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Greenkeepers selected to join Wentworth team: Members of the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) will gain an unrivalled behind-the-scenes look at preparations for the BMW PGA Championship this September after being selected to join the Wentworth Club’s greenkeeping team for the duration of the event.

Supplementing Wentworth Club’s inhouse greenkeeping team will be 24 volunteers from across the greenkeeping association. The volunteer BIGGA members will fully integrate with the Wentworth greenkeeping team and take on important maintenance tasks to help prepare the course for play each day.

Greenkeepers selected to join Wentworth team

Greenkeepers selected to join Wentworth team

Wentworth Club Courses and Grounds Manager Daniel Clarke said: “We value our relationship with BIGGA highly and given every member of the Wentworth greenkeeping team is a part of the association and has access to the training and education it offers, we know how committed and capable these volunteers will be as we prepare the West Course for the DP World Tour’s flagship event. Over the years the BMW PGA Volunteer Support Team has evolved from being a helping hand to now being an instrumental part of the in-house greenkeeping team and I’m excited to welcome them all to Wentworth Club in September.”

The BMW PGA Volunteer Support Team is just one of a number of exclusive and career-defining initiatives made available to members of BIGGA, the UK’s only dedicated membership association for golf greenkeepers. Head to www.bigga.org.uk for more information.

The BIGGA members who have been invited to join the Wentworth team as volunteers for the duration of the BMW PGA Championship are:

  • Wayne Aris, Langley Park GC
  • Callum Atkinson, Prestbury GC
  • Tom Barnett, Drayton Park GC
  • Euan Bogle, Lanark GC
  • David Bruce, The Gleneagles Hotel
  • Martin Coe, China Fleet CC
  • Luke Fitzpatrick, The Buckinghamshire GC
  • Calum Forsyth, Carrbridge GC
  • Jack Hall, Lutterworth GC
  • James Hook, The Bristol GC
  • Greg Jones, JCB G&CC
  • Ryan Lindsay, East Sussex National GC
  • Daniel Long-Greatorex, JCB G&CC
  • Thibault Marcazzan, Le Touquet
  • Charlie Munn-Cocks, Camberley Heath GC
  • Stanley Murphy, Ealing GC
  • Scott Patrick, Prestwick St Cuthbert GC
  • Daniel Rigby, Chigwell GC
  • Andrew Sellars, The Grove
  • Matthew Shaul, Ashby Decoy GC
  • Tom Silcock, Prestbury GC
  • Ben Sixsmith, Ganton GC
  • Philip Slater, West Herts GC

Ross Traill, Kilmarnock (Barassie) GC

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Kubota Launch colouring challenge

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Kubota Launch colouring challenge: Leading mini-excavator manufacturer, Kubota, has launched a colouring challenge in time for the summer holidays. Artists across the country are being asked to colour in one of Kubota’s digger pictures to help celebrate being 25 years at number one market share in the mini excavator market for the UK & R.O.I.

As a reward, entrants who submit their efforts will receive an official Kubota branded colouring book and pencil set, to help them get even more creative over the summer holidays. The activity is running from July 27th until early September, giving plenty of time for Kubota fans and budding artists to get colourful!

Kubota Launch colouring challenge

Kubota Launch colouring challenge

The entry image is free to download via the Kubota website: kubota-eu.com and once completed, challengers are being asked to snap a picture of their masterpiece and send it to kuk_g.marketing@kubota.com alongside their name, age and a delivery address to claim their rewards.

“We’re looking to include everyone in our 25 year celebrations and that is why we have launched the colouring challenge for all the Kubota brand ambassadors out there, young and old, to have some fun over the summer holidays,” says Rob White, Divisional Manager, Construction, Kubota U.K. “Hopefully it can be a family activity or just something to help someone pass the time, who knows, we may even inspire the next Picasso!”

For more information or to download the colouring challenge image, visit: kubota-eu.com

* Submitted pictures of the finished colouring image must contain the image only and no entrants.
** All entries sent to kuk_g.marketing@kubota.com automatically agree for their first name, age and colouring image sent to be shared on Kubota U.K’s social media channels.
*** Delivery address information will NOT be shared elsewhere and ONLY used for the purpose of sending the Kubota colouring book and pencils to entrants.
**** Limited stocks of rewards apply and will be distributed on a first come first served basis.
***** Limited to 1 colouring book & pencil set per image entered, with a maximum of 4 entries per address.

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Vermorel knapsacks put grounds team in comfort zone

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Vermorel knapsacks put grounds team in comfort zone: Head groundsman Jason O’Keele and his six-strong Epsom College team are all dab hands with knapsack sprayers.

“Everyone has their PA6 certificate so they can use them whenever we need to weed and feed,” says Jason.

 

Vermorel knapsacks put grounds team in comfort zone

Vermorel knapsacks put grounds team in comfort zone

The team manage an 85-acre estate, 12 hectares devoted to sport, including five cricket squares, 12 turf pitches, two synthetics and plenty of planted-up borders lining college staff and pupil accommodation at the 1,200-head co-educational independent school, so there’s plenty of opportunity for them to hone their spray skills.

Part of Commercial Groundscare Services’ team of professionals who tend school sports facilities throughout Surrey, the Epsom College contingent are based permanently on site.

“Being here full time means we can really take pride in looking after what are fantastic facilities,” Jason says. And as pupil numbers rise under the  College’s expansion programme, so does the sporting calendar.

“We can have as many as 10 cricket fixtures here on a Saturday for example,” he adds, “while local and league football clubs also train here.”

That all means the pressure’s on to deliver perfectly manicured grounds that reflect the prestige and prowess of the College academically and across a sporting spectrum that includes, football, rugby, hockey, tennis and athletics.

“I like to give team members different jobs to tackle as that creates more interest for them, rather than doing the same thing all the time,” explains Jason, whose allegiance to Hozelock Exel knapsack brands dates back some years.

“Our Cooper Pegler professional sprayer has always run without any trouble but I wanted a couple more knapsacks so that we could speed up the efficiency of our spraying programme,” he says.

“I trialled the 16l capacity Pro Comfort 2000 sprayer in the Berthoud Vermorel range, liked it, and have just bought another one. What impressed me were the chest and back strap supports. Ergonomically designed, they make spraying comfortable, and that’s important if you are out there for a day non stop.

“Also helpful is the zip bag of spare nozzles and accessories and the extendable lance, which lets us reach into corners and the back of borders.”

Jason keeps the weed and feed programmes separate, using each Vermorel knapsack for discrete duties. “In spring and summer we’re out every fortnight for a couple of days, applying liquid iron across the ornamental lawns with one of the knapsacks while using a mix of systemic herbicide and liquid nitrogen with the other.

“Growth retardant applied to banks reduces the need for strimming, and we can use it in the same knapsack as that for feed.”

Winter sees the team applying moss and algae treatment liquid monthly to the two synthetic pitches. “They thrive over the colder weather so we need to tackle growth regularly as playing surfaces can become slippery.”

Jason knows the value of regular maintenance in keeping knapsacks primed. “We run pre-start checks before every outing and in the two years since I bought the first Vermorel knapsack, I haven’t replaced anything.

“They are certainly robust and the piston and pump operation really works well, delivering a consistent, continuous spray.”

Variety is the spice of life they say and Jason puts theory into practice. “Everybody takes turns in spraying as they are all trained up to use knapsacks, complete with white suits, wellies and appropriate PPE kit.

“It helps keep everyone engaged, which means we have the best chance of delivering the finest results across the grounds.”

Each of the three premium grade knapsacks – Vermorel 1800, Pro Comfort 2000 and top-range 3000 Electric – come with ergonomically contoured, sturdy backframe as standard.

Safety harnesses provide rising levels of support progressing through the line – from padded shoulder straps on the `1800`, to padded shoulder, waist and chest strapping on the `2000` and fully specified `3000`.

All Vermorel knapsacks are easy to use and dismantle for servicing and repair.  They are also suitable for applying sanitisers and disinfectants and are available with a host of spares and accessories such as spray shields, seal and nozzle kits and multi-nozzle spray booms to give operators even greater flexibility.

www.cooper-pegler.com

www.berthoud.fr/en/

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Game-changing Pellenc suits Hard Graft

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Game-changing Pellenc suits Hard Graft: Hard Graft Garden Services has labelled the Pellenc brand as a “game-changer” after using the battery-powered products for over a year now.

Hard Graft Garden Services is a family-run business based in Longniddry, East Lothian. It was established by Neil Stuart over 30 years ago and is now being run by the next generation of Team Stuart – sons Fraser, Sam and Lewis.

Game-changing Pellenc suits Hard Graft

Game-changing Pellenc suits Hard Graft

Lewis, who is responsible for sourcing all the equipment for the company, revealed the reasons behind wanting to utilise battery-powered technology.

“We decided to invest in the future,” he said. “There were many reasons for switching to battery-powered equipment such as reduced costs and less maintenance; it is more user-friendly and quieter too. Since Covid, many of our customers are working from home so we don’t want to disturb them while we are working in their gardens.”

Lewis admits that he didn’t get off to the best of starts with battery-powered technology. That was until he discovered Pellenc.

“The Pellenc equipment is far superior to other manufacturers we have used – it is commercial grade equipment which has been built to last. It is all fully waterproof, and we use it in all conditions; even in winter we don’t have any issues with the Pellenc battery. In the past we’ve had so many problems with other manufacturers when the temperature starts to drop.

“Reliability was key for us. Based on my past experience I was expecting lots of little niggly things to go wrong but they just haven’t with the Pellenc equipment. It has resulted in a lot less headaches and it means we can just focus on the work ahead.”

Over recent years, Pellenc has gained market recognition by offering a unique range of ‘zero emission’ battery-powered tools, thanks to the development of Lithium-ion ultra-high-performance batteries.

The extensive Pellenc product range features an impressive portfolio – from chainsaws, pole saws and hedge cutters to grass strimmers, brushcutters, blowers and mowers; many of which have been helping the team at Hard Graft, as Lewis explained.

“Our first purchases were the Excelion bruschcutter and the 1500 battery – and we were blown away. The power delivery was incredible, and we were impressed with how slender it was. We have the comfort harness for the battery, and it is like wearing a rucksack.

“Then we got the Airion blower, and I knew straight away that it was going to be a godsend for us. It gives you the same power as petrol units, but you don’t get that screaming noise that you get from the engines. It is particularly useful in autumn time when we are shifting a lot of dead leaves. The switch for jumping between power settings is beneficial and so is the cruise control.

“The features I like best about the Rasion mower are the twin blade system and the way the chute is designed. The wide chute makes all the difference, and the grass just fires straight into the bag. We also like the way it folds for storage. Plus, it is really light and only takes one person to lift it into our van, whereas our petrol mowers are a two-man lift.

“The handbrake on the mower is brilliant especially when we are working on slopes or if the bag is full and we need to stop to empty it. We also love how you can cipher through the blade speed all the way up to 5,000 rpm. Ideally, we want the blade speed as high as possible especially when we are cutting wet grass. You can’t do this with a lot of other battery-powered mowers on the market – typically you’ll get one blade speed, and it is nowhere near the speed of the Pellenc. The boost function on the throttle really comes in handy too.

“On all of the equipment there are so many little features which you don’t think you need but once you have them you can’t imagine life without them. We’ve had the Pellenc equipment for over a year and it has exceeded our expectations.”

Lewis was also quick to praise Agrovista Amenity who he believes has been integral to his overall Pelllenc experience.

“Dealer support is very important, and Allan Wright from Agrovista Amenity has been first-class from the start,” he said. “Allan told me he had some equipment which was going to blow my mind, and he wasn’t wrong.”

Pellenc is distributed exclusively in the UK by Etesia UK.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.pellencuk.com

You can watch a video of Lewis by clicking – https://youtu.be/RJ4LyErufnc

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

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