Nothing compares to MM seed

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Nothing compares to MM seed: Andy Richards, grounds manager at Haileybury – an independent co-educational boarding and day school, insists that grass seed is the first place to start in producing the best possible sports pitches and he believes that nothing compares to Limagrain’s MM brand of grass seed.  

Andy was renowned for producing sports pitches of the highest quality in his previous role at Shrewsbury School and after recently celebrating his one-year anniversary at Haileybury, he is hoping to raise the bar even further in his new role.

Nothing compares to MM seed

Nothing compares to MM seed

“I introduced Limagrain’s MM50 and MM60 seed mixtures at Shrewsbury six years ago and they made a huge difference to the pitches,” he said. “I recommended the MM range to so many other schools and clubs across the country from Wales to the South Coast because it is so reliable, and the recovery rate is better than anything I have ever used.

“I’m now using the mixtures here at Haileybury and I’m hoping that with a bit of time, we can match those highly regarded pitches at Shrewsbury and go one step further – in fact I’m confident that we can better them eventually.”

Introducing Limagrain MM seed was one of Andy’s first actions when he took the reins at Haileybury and although he had every faith in the mixtures, it was not plain sailing to start with.

“In the time that I’ve been here, we have fraise mowed all five cricket squares, taken off 20mm of thatch and organic matter, and re-seeded with Limagrain’s MM50. The results were very good; the grass was healthy, they played well, the Director of Cricket was pleased with them and aesthetically they looked brilliant.

“However, there was an underlying issue in the sense that the squares were not constructed correctly to start with. Therefore, we started the process of relaying them from scratch and then reseeded again with MM50. Now we are in a position where we can kick on and improve the squares even more.

“In my mind MM50 is the best seed mix for cricket and fine turf, there is nothing else that can touch it or even compare to it.”

This hard-wearing MM50 mix has rapid germination, very fine leaved appearance, high shoot density and is tolerant to very close mowing, along with high disease resistance. All these attributes together produce a fantastic sward that has great colour all year round. It is also widely praised for its excellent and rapid recovery.

When it comes to his winter pitches Andy relies on Limagrain’s MM60; a 100% Ryegrass formula which is perfect for renovation and divot repair, has a high disease resistance, fantastic aesthetic qualities and offers extremely fast germination:

“We have overseeded with MM60 on all of the pitches and the grass coverage has improved by around 40% in the 12 months I’ve been here. It offers fantastic colour and is the perfect mix for rugby and football,” said Andy.

With both MM mixtures at his disposal, Andy feels that they allow him to create the best possible sports pitches – something which he believes is a vital ingredient in the private school experience.

‘’Sport is an important aspect of the school’s offer and we want to do everything we can to give the pupils the best surfaces to play on; Limagrain’s MM seed will be integral to this’’.

“I’m a firm believer in starting with the best seed – grass is what we are all trying to grow and that is what sport is played on. Everything else will fall into place afterwards.

“My advice is to start with the best you can and in my opinion MM seed is the best.”

For further information, please contact Limagrain UK on 01472 371471 or visit the company’s website www.lgseeds.co.uk/mm. You can also follow the company on Twitter: @MM_Seed

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Kasco helps to capture the perfect shot

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Kasco helps to capture the perfect shot: Waterton Park Hotel, in West Yorkshire, has recently benefited from a set of new decorative Kasco water fountains which were supplied by Water Garden UK.

The stunning Waterton Park is a 4-star hotel in a scenic setting of rolling parkland with its own lake, a backdrop of ancient woodland and surrounded by a championship golf course. It also has a luxury spa and extensive conference and banqueting facilities.

Kasco helps to capture the perfect shot

Kasco helps to capture the perfect shot

The hotel is a highly popular venue for weddings and boasts an idyllic lakeside setting – the perfect backdrop for photographs. This lakeside setting has recently been aesthetically enhanced by the installation of two Kasco 4400EJF decorative fountains with Redwood Nozzles.

The Kasco 1HP 4400EJF decorative fountains are a perfect way to beautify any larger pond or water-garden. The fountains have recently been improved through the enhancement of the housing, impeller and nozzles to create an even better product.

Both flow rate and pattern size have been improved without increasing amp draw. This dramatically improves aesthetic appeal without increasing operating costs or fountain pricing. In addition, assembly, as well as nozzle changes are faster and easier.

This versatile fountain comes with six interchangeable nozzle heads, giving you the option to choose and change the spray pattern as you wish. There are also optional lighting packages available.

The Kasco range of products are extremely popular with hotels like Waterton Park and also with theme parks, stately homes, country parks, or other venues looking for a stand-out water feature.

Commenting on the fountains installed at Waterton Park, Jack Wooller from Water Garden UK said: “The fountains look incredible. As you walk over the bridge you are now greeted by these wonderful fountains either side which have a high-rise effect. They offer an opportunity for a bride and groom to get that perfect picture.”

As importers of the Kasco brand, KAR UK has seen a huge increase in the demand for the products and so too has Water Garden UK. It has been a fruitful partnership to date and recently KAR UK awarded Water Garden UK with the 2019 top sales award after its impressive distribution of Kasco products.

“The business relationship with KAR UK is going really well, and it is growing year on year,” said Jack. “In fact, each year we’ve been working with KAR UK we have beaten the last in terms of sales. Long may it continue.”

For more information, please visit www.karuk.com

You can also follow KAR UK on Twitter @KARUK_LTD for much more news, reviews and insightful views

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Makita’s third generation of accessories

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Makita’s third generation of accessories: Makita UK has launched a new and improved collection of belts and pouches to its extensive and popular range of accessories.

The newly designed range makes it even easier for tradespeople to safely and easily store and transport their tools and accessories. The collection includes belts, braces, pouches, holders, bags, cases, gear and equipment, and offers users the durability and reliability needed for everyday use.

Makita's third generation of accessories

Makita’s third generation of accessories

It is important for tradespeople to have easy access to their tools wherever they are on site to ensure they are equipped for the job in hand. Makita’s new and improved range of belts, bags and pouches means users can safely and securely transport tools to and from the van and around the work area. Each product in the range has been designed for longevity and durability, as well as ease of use and comfort.

With over 40 products in the range, Makita has a solution to suit every task; the pouches and holsters are available in a range of designs, depending on the end use. Each has the benefit of Anti-Slip Technology, which is used on all friction points and pocket edges, to tightly grip tools, stopping them from sliding around and keeping them securely in place to help prevent accidental falls. This is also ideal for those working in awkward positions where they need both hands free. Due to its rigidity, Anti-Slip Technology also helps to extend the lifespan of the item by allowing it to retain its shape. All belts and pouches are inclusive of 3L Technology, a unique three layer combination of polyesters and foam, to provide additional cushioning and improve user comfort.

For ease of use, Makita’s innovative Strap Belt System allows users to effortlessly connect Makita belts or shoulder straps to pouches, holders, bags and cases for trouble free carrying. The belt loop holders (which are compatible with all Makita work belts) can also be used to hang anything with a carabiner – their light weight, flexibility and strength make them suitable for carrying a wide range of products.

In addition, a heavy load support system has been incorporated into products such as the Ultimate Padded Braces, which works by distributing the weight between the waist and shoulders to reduce hip and lower back pain – thereby reducing fatigue on these areas and allowing users to continue to work in comfort for longer.

To store tools easily, almost all of Makita’s bags, pouches and holders include elastic loops that can be used to organise tools and essential items, keeping them secure during transportation. In addition, the innovative Tool Loops System, which is available in the new tool cases, allows the user to store numerous tools without having to make any adjustments. The system can hold a wide variety of tools thanks to a combination of loop sizes, with a single or twin row formation to maximise capacity. Makita’s new tool cases also give users the flexibility to customise the internal compartments using the new Rail Guide System – the perfect combination of plastic side rails and light separating walls.

Lyndsey Bailey, Assistant Product Manager at Makita said: “To complete the range, Makita has also launched a range of handy additional accessories – including smartphone holders, flasks, a work vest with adjustable pockets, knee pads, a guide rail protective holder, lunch bags and a thermal mug. Makita has designed each product with its end use in mind and has introduced a number of new technologies and innovative features to guarantee suitability. These fantastic new products offer users increased comfort, ease of use, flexibility and reliability.”

To find out more about Makita and its products visit: www.makitauk.com

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Thieves target Kirkstall Cricket Club

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Thieves target Kirkstall Cricket Club: Thieves have stolen more than £20,000 worth of equipment from Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club (KECC).

The club, off Queenswood Drive, was targeted by thieves between 5pm Friday and Sunday lunch time.

Greenkeeper retires after 47 years

Greenkeeper retires after 47 years

Items take included a Lloyd’s Paladin, a Groundsman Spiker, plus three rotary mowers, a strimmer and a Sisis Auto Rotorake.

KECC’s groundsman David Hodgson said on social media:

“We are a small community cricket club providing for not just cricket but for the community in many other areas including youth group, music venue, a community hire venue. In a period of about five years we have been victims of similar break ins some 18 times. As if it hadn’t been hard enough this year.”

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A new deal for Newquay Golf Club

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A new deal for Newquay Golf Club: Dan Kendle, head greenkeeper at Newquay Golf Club, says it is great being back at work after lockdown with his full team, on a busy golf course, with the added bonus of using several new John Deere course maintenance machines supplied by local dealer Masons Kings at St Columb.

Newquay’s scenic seaside location on the Cornish coast overlooks the world famous surfing venue of Fistral Beach, with the golf links guarded by pot bunkers and fringed with marram grass dunes – so when the wind is up, as it often is, it’s a course to be reckoned with.

A new deal for Newquay Golf Club

A new deal for Newquay Golf Club

Dan managed the course on his own during lockdown before the club opened again for play in May, mainly cutting grass and doing a bit of spraying to keep the course as tidy as the pandemic restrictions allowed. Since the rest of the greenkeeping team returned to work, he reckons they were just about on top of everything again by early September.

“And we needed to be, as we’ve been getting twice as many visitors compared to a normal year, as well as picking up new members,” says Dan. “On some days the club’s taken double the usual amount of green fees, which seems crazy but the demand has been there from the off.”

The first of the club’s new John Deere machines, a 2500E hybrid electric triplex greens mower, was delivered in September last year, with the remaining machines arriving this spring and summer. These included a second 2500E plus a 7700A PrecisionCut fairway mower and a new 4049R compact tractor plus front loader.

The compact replaced a 30 year old John Deere 1550 utility tractor, and the club had bought a number of Gator utility vehicles from Masons Kings before, but this was Newquay’s first John Deere fleet deal. The mowers have been bought on a five-year John Deere Financial operating lease, while the tractor is on hire purchase, and all service and maintenance operations are carried out on-site.

“Our previous mowers were coming to the end of their lease period, and for this new deal we were looking at new options, particularly in terms of dealer support,” says Dan Kendle. “Masons Kings is a very local dealership with a good reputation for reliable service and back-up, so it made sense for us to speak to them and have some machines in on demonstration.

“Everyone in the team had a go on the new machines, and we were all impressed with their operator comfort and user-friendly features. The quality of cut in particular sealed the deal for me, and I like the password protected TechControl system on the 7700A, which allows me to set the mower to get the same consistent results whoever is operating, in all conditions.

“The hybrid electric 2500Es also come into their own when cutting the practice putting green and the greens closest to the houses that surround three sides of the course. Their quiet operation keeps the neighbours happy while also reducing fuel consumption and the chance of any hydraulic leaks.

“As with all new machines, there were a few issues during the initial set-up but they were all sorted out very quickly by John Deere and Masons Kings, which was important. We’ve continued to receive great support and back-up from the dealership’s salesman David Barnes and technician Gavin Hearne, even during lockdown, so we’re very pleased all round as it shows we made the right decision.”

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