Etesia Hydro 100 Proves the Perfect Fit

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Etesia Hydro 100 Proves the Perfect Fit: With 12 acres of immaculately kept gardens, Grade I listed grounds, and renowned memorial spaces, Golders Green Crematorium in North London is one of the most historic and revered sites of its kind in the world. Keeping the grounds to a consistently high standard falls to a small but dedicated team—and their latest secret is the Etesia Hydro 100 ride-on mower.

For Head Gardener Ian Harman, investing in the right machinery was a top priority from the start.

Etesia Hydro 100 Proves the Perfect Fit

Etesia Hydro 100 Proves the Perfect Fit

“We’re a small team of just four, and we’re constantly busy with everything from maintaining rose beds to managing formal lawns and the large scatter lawn,” said Ian. “Machinery plays a key role in helping us work efficiently, especially with the tight spaces and tree cover we deal with here.”

Ian had previously heard positive things about Etesia mowers and decided to turn to the brand after becoming frustrated following issues using a different manufacturer. “The last mower we had just kept clogging,” he explained. “It slowed us down massively. When I came into the role, I went on a demo day and was really impressed with the Hydro 100—so we decided to go with Etesia.”

Since making the switch, the results speak for themselves.

“We’ve put about 60 hours on the Hydro 100 and had absolutely no clogging. It leaves a clean cut, picks up leaves and grass efficiently—even in wet conditions—and saves us lots of time. It also mulches the leaves as it goes, which helps with our composting.”

For a site like Golders Green, where space is at a premium and storage is limited, the compact design of the Hydro 100 has also been a huge bonus.

“We couldn’t store a large tractor-style machine, and we don’t need one,” Ian added. “This mower is the perfect size. You get the benefits of a large collection box with the manoeuvrability needed for tighter areas. It’s like having a garden vacuum—clean, simple, and effective.”

Ease of maintenance and usability were also deciding factors.

“It’s a very straightforward machine,” Ian said. “Fuel efficient, easy to service, and intuitive to operate. You’ve got a hydrostatic drive, simple controls, and changing the height of cut is quick—ideal if you hit a patch that’s slightly overgrown.”

Adam Nicholls, a gardener at the crematorium for over 11 years, agrees. “We’ve got a lot of trees here, and the Etesia is the best machine we’ve found for picking up leaves. The open chute design just swallows them—wet or dry—and shoots them straight into the back. No blockages, no messing about.”

Adam also praised its versatility across the crematorium’s varied terrain. “It handles tight corners just as well as big open areas. Even in damp conditions, the finish is clean and professional. It’s the easiest mower I’ve ever used.”

The Hydro 100 is powered by an 18HP Kawasaki engine and features a 500-litre grass collector with hydraulic tipping, which can be emptied from the seat. With a modern hydrostatic transmission and differential lock, it’s designed for durability, comfort, and productivity—especially in demanding, high-collection environments.

For Ian and Adam, the support from Etesia dealer RT Machinery was another big plus. “I’ve known Scott Reynolds from RT Machinery for years,” said Ian. “They really helped us choose the right model for our needs—no upselling, just honest advice. Their service is second to none.”

Compact, reliable, and efficient, the Etesia Hydro 100 has proved the ideal solution for Golders Green Crematorium’s unique needs. As Ian sums it up: “If you’ve got restricted space, need a clean finish, and want a machine you can rely on—this is the mower for you.”

To watch a video of the customer in action click here.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on X @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK

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Westfields groundsman wins social media acclaim

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Westfields groundsman wins social media acclaim: A non-league football club groundsman has lit up social media with his latest pitch-mowing creation.

Joe Mecke-Davis looks after the pitch at Westfields FC in Hereford and posted an image on X of his beloved pitch ahead of the club’s first pre-season game.

Westfields groundsman wins social media acclaim

Westfields groundsman wins social media acclaim

Read the full story here

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BIGGA and GroundsFest Announce Strategic Industry Partnership

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BIGGA and GroundsFest Announce Strategic Industry Partnership: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), organisers of BTME, and GroundsFest are proud to announce a new collaboration aimed at strengthening both events while bringing together professionals from across the grounds care, landscaping, and golf sectors.

The partnership will see BIGGA and GroundsFest working closely on joint initiatives throughout the year, including attending and supporting each other’s events, hosting tailored educational content, and working together on joint marketing campaigns.At the heart of the collaboration is a shared desire to encourage crossover between both event communities – helping professionals discover the value that each show offers. It’s a fantastic opportunity for community-building and cross-sector engagement. From greenkeepers and grounds managers to landscapers and contractors, the partnership aims to unite the wider industry.

BIGGA and GroundsFest Announce Strategic Industry Partnership

BIGGA and GroundsFest Announce Strategic Industry Partnership

The complementary nature of the two events makes them natural partners: BTME is a long-established, much-loved winter event held in January in the scenic surroundings of Harrogate, while GroundsFest offers a vibrant, hands-on summer experience where visitors can see live equipment demonstrations in action.

Quote from Jim Croxton, CEO, BIGGA:

“We at BIGGA are hugely proud of our flagship event, BTME, and the positive impact it has, particularly on the golf greenkeeping industry on an annual basis and at a perfect time of the year to give turf managers a much needed boost, be that to their morale, their industry knowledge or their skill set. However it is our ambition to engage with our members and the wider industry far more than just once a year. GroundsFest provides us with a brilliant opportunity to do so at a different time of year and in a very different environment. We are looking forward to engaging with many greenkeepers at Stoneleigh Park this September and to working closely with GroundsFest on a number of initiatives to move our industry forward.”

Speaking on the collaboration, Christopher Bassett, GroundsFest’s Event Director, said:

“The two shows complement one another brilliantly – both in format and timing. BTME is a long-standing and special event, while GroundsFest delivers a dynamic, summer-based event where people can get hands-on with the latest kit. We’re proud to be working with BIGGA, a fantastic association, and we believe this collaboration will bring real value to the industry. We very much see this as a long- term partnership – action-driven and focused on delivering real benefits to the sectors we serve.”

Outside of the two events, BIGGA and GroundsFest are also exploring further educational opportunities. BIGGA is widely recognised for its exceptional training and professional development programmes, and with the recent launch of the GroundsFest Academy, there is clear potential to co-develop training content that supports professionals across the entire industry – from golf greenkeeping to wider grounds and landscape management.

As both events continue to grow, this partnership sets the tone for a more collaborative future for everyone working in grounds care, landscaping, and golf. More updates will be shared soon.

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Maximise uptime with Toro’s MVP kits

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Maximise uptime with Toro’s MVP kits: Minimising downtime is something turfcare professionals actively guard against – and rightly so – but how much is maximising uptime considered? With Toro there are numerous ways to do this – and a small way that can make a significant difference. 

Maintenance, value, performance – the three top priorities for turfcare professionals all wrapped up in one time-saving, budget-stretching package. Toro MVP kits provide all the parts for over 100 different maintenance issues in one box, helping to maximise uptime in multiple ways.

Maximise uptime with Toro's MVP kits

Maximise uptime with Toro’s MVP kits

Lasts longer

They are the same MVP kits everyone is used to with one significant difference – now the contents can cover longer hours, starting at 400 hours with some covering up to 1000.

Savings on individual parts costs

Not only are these maintenance parts competitively priced, but the total cost of each kit is significantly less than what it would be to purchase each part separately.

Streamline the process to save time

Toro understands that maintenance teams and workshop managers have lots of tasks to prioritise and these kits take several steps out of the process. With the maintenance task list listed on the box, it’s easy to stay on track and eliminate the guesswork.

Make planning easy

Why complicate maintenance? These kits bring peace of mind that the workshop is fully stocked all the time. They eliminate the need for much of the workshop planning and streamline the shopping list – and now there’s no need to look up the individual parts numbers!

Guarantee factory line specifications

MVP kits are designed to make it easier for technicians to maintain Toro equipment to factory specifications – every part fits perfectly and everyone can rely on the fact that the equipment is always properly maintained.

No downtime, only uptime

There’s no need to worry about missing that vital part right when it is needed and putting a hold on the machine incurring lost hours. Pretty much every eventuality is covered Toro’s MVP kits from rebuilding rollers and replacing hydraulic hoses to overhauling cutting units – making sure that no matter what the issue uptime is maximised and the machine keeps up with the turf’s demands.

Michael Hampton, Purchasing and Sales Process Manager at UK Toro distributor Reesink Turfcare, says: “It’s important for a machine’s performance and longevity that genuine parts are used with the exact engineering specifications for the machine. By choosing Toro MVP kits customers can be sure they get the best performance now with fewer problems down the line, all at the best possible price.”

Contact a local dealer to take advantage of Toro’s MVP kits, visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk or call 01480 226800.

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All-female Grounds Team to Take Centre Stage

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All-female Grounds Team to Take Centre Stage: This September, a landmark moment for Rugby will take place at the Twickenham Stadium as an all-female team of grounds professionals will prepare the pitch for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Final and Bronze Final, marking a historic first for the sport.

Led by the Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) NextGen group, alongside England Rugby and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, the initiative aims to champion female representation in the sector and promote the diverse career pathways that grounds management has to offer.

All-female Grounds Team to Take Centre Stage

All-female Grounds Team to Take Centre Stage

Applications are now open for women working in the industry to join the 15-strong matchday team. These professionals will be responsible for managing the playing surface in the lead-up to, and during, two of the most high-profile fixtures in the women’s rugby calendar – both broadcast live on the BBC on Saturday 27 September 2025.

With women still underrepresented in the grounds management sector – making up less than 10% of the professional workforce – this initiative directly tackles the need for greater visibility, inclusion and long-term workforce sustainability.

Jim Buttar, Head of Grounds and Technical Operations at Twickenham Stadium, and GMA Board Member said: “We’re really proud to be hosting this initiative at Twickenham Stadium and to support the team delivering the pitch for such a major occasion. It’s no secret that our industry needs greater visibility and diversity, especially around female representation, so to see an all-female grounds team leading on one of rugby’s biggest stages will be a huge step forward. It sends a clear message about the opportunities that exist in grounds management, and we’re excited to play a part in that.”

It builds on the momentum of recent GMA initiatives designed to spotlight including the all-female grounds team that prepared the pitch at the Emirates Stadium for the Women’s Super League North London Derby between Arsenal and Tottenham in March 2024.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the leading membership organisation representing grounds personnel in the UK, the Grounds Management Association, says: “We’re incredibly proud to work with England Rugby and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 to champion visibility and representation of our industry and the career opportunities that it presents. With women’s sport growing rapidly, it’s time the teams behind the scenes reflect that progress too. We want this to inspire more opportunities for women to consider careers in grounds management and to increase awareness of what a great opportunity a career in sports turf management offers, and to see that anything is possible.”

The opportunity is open to women across the sector with relevant experience, and successful applicants will take part in pre-event training and preparation ahead of matchday.

If you’re working in grounds care and want to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime moment, register your interest here. 

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