GroundsFest Academy Goes Behind the Scenes at Lord’s

GroundsFest Academy Goes Behind the Scenes at Lord’s

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GroundsFest Academy Goes Behind the Scenes at Lord’s

Selected attendees from GroundsFest Academy events were recently given the opportunity to experience a truly unforgettable day at Lord’s Cricket Ground, widely regarded as the Home of Cricket.

GroundsFest Academy Goes Behind the Scenes at Lord’s

GroundsFest Academy Goes Behind the Scenes at Lord’s

The exclusive experience day offered delegates a behind-the-scenes look at elite-level turf management within one of the world’s most iconic sporting venues. Hosted by Lord’s Head Groundsman Karl McDermott, the day combined practical learning, networking, and insight into the precision and planning required to maintain world-class cricket surfaces.

Throughout the morning, attendees explored every aspect of stadium turf management, including access and zoning logistics, matchday preparation, wicket and outfield construction, drainage and irrigation systems, grass species selection, and managing weather impacts. Delegates were also given access to machinery, equipment, and operational areas rarely seen by the public, alongside a personal tour of the famous square and outfield.

For Peter Dawson from Berkshire College of Agriculture, the visit was both inspiring and educational.

“Obviously, Lord’s is iconic – the home of cricket. It’s been fantastic. Karl took us around the ground, showed us the pitches and explained the techniques behind preparation and renovation. I really enjoyed learning about how he works with his staff and apprentices, particularly the responsibility they’re given. Each member of staff prepares their own pitch for matches, which I thought was a brilliant way to help people learn and develop confidence.

It’s definitely something I can take back into my apprenticeship role at BCA.”

Mark Morgan from Belper Meadows Cricket Club described the experience as a “bucket list” moment.

“When you hear the word Lord’s, you immediately think of the best-looking ground in the world and the home of cricket. To actually walk onto the square and see how everything operates behind the scenes was incredible. We learnt so much about renovations, pitch planning, wetting agents, and the processes they use throughout the season. Karl was brilliant and really open with sharing his knowledge. It’s also fantastic what GroundsFest is doing because there aren’t many opportunities like this available to everyday groundspeople.”

For Greenkeeper Garry Letheren, the experience highlighted how knowledge can transfer across different sectors of the industry.

“You see Lord’s on television all the time, but to come here and understand what goes into maintaining it is something completely different. Even though I work in golf, there are still so many practices and ideas you can take away and adapt. Karl showed us everything from pitch preparation stages to machinery and long-term planning across the year. It was incredibly insightful and a fantastic opportunity to actually walk on the outfield and see things up close.”

GroundsFest Academy Director of Education Bradley Tennant said the experience days were created to give something extra back to the industry.

“The whole reason behind these days was to create new opportunities and give more back to the industry. We already provide free educational events, but these experience days allow selected attendees to step inside environments they may never normally get to see. Venues like Lord’s are iconic, and for many people this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s not just about seeing the venue; it’s about learning from experienced professionals, sharing stories, networking, and taking ideas back into the workplace. The feedback we’ve had has been incredibly positive and we’ll definitely be doing more experience days in the future.”

The GroundsFest Academy experience at Lord’s once again demonstrated the value of hands-on learning, industry collaboration, and creating opportunities for professionals to gain insight from some of the very best in the business.

The free sustainability assessment tool is now available at www.groundsfestacademy.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on X, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFestAcademy for much more news, reviews and insightful views

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GGM Group and Kubota Celebrate 50 Year Partnership

GGM Group and Kubota Celebrate 50 Year Partnership

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GGM Group and Kubota Celebrate 50 Year Partnership

GGM Group is proud to announce the celebration of a remarkable milestone: 50 years of partnership with Kubota. This enduring collaboration reflects a shared commitment to quality, innovation, and customer service that has spanned generations and helped shape the landscape of groundcare and machinery solutions across the UK.

GGM Group and Kubota Celebrate 50 Year Partnership

GGM Group and Kubota Celebrate 50 Year Partnership

Since the partnership began in 1976, GGM Group and Kubota have worked side by side to deliver industry leading equipment and support to customers nationwide. Built on mutual trust and aligned values, the relationship has grown into one of the most respected and longstanding distributor-manufacturer partnerships in the sector.

A Legacy Built on Shared Values

Henry Bredin, Division Manager Kubota commented:
“Reaching 50 years in partnership with GGM Group is a testament to the strength of our shared vision and the dedication of both businesses over the decades. GGM has consistently represented the Kubota brand with professionalism, expertise, and a deep understanding of customer needs. We are proud of what we’ve achieved together and excited for what lies ahead.”

Chris Gibson, Managing Director GGM Group, reflected on the journey:
“This milestone is not just about longevity, it’s about relationships. My father was always driven by new ideas. When he purchased the Ramsbottom business at Kirkham in 1976, he set out to find a product that would transform the way horticultural growers operated in glasshouses. Following discussions with John Croft, Kubota’s Sales Agent at the time, he became the first dealer to sign up, and that marked the beginning of the compact tractor business in the UK.

As a family, we are incredibly proud of the foresight he showed. It’s remarkable to think that five decades have passed since we sold our first Kubota B6000. I believe his entrepreneurial spirit continues to guide us today, as we constantly look for new opportunities to evolve our product offering and deliver the highest level of service to our customers.”

Welcoming the Next Generation

As GGM Group celebrates its history, it also looks firmly to the future with the introduction of the next generation of leadership: Andrew and Thomas Gibson. Representing the continuation of a family-led business, both bring fresh perspectives, energy, and a commitment to upholding the values that have defined the company for decades.

Andrew Gibson commented:
“Growing up around the business, Kubota has always been part of our story. It’s an honour to step into this next chapter and continue building on such a strong foundation. We’re focused on innovation, sustainability, and ensuring we continue to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

Thomas Gibson added:
“This partnership has stood the test of time because of its authenticity and shared purpose. As we look ahead, we’re excited to play our part in shaping the future of GGM Group while strengthening our relationship with Kubota and our customers, supported by outstanding customer service and support that stands as a testament to the whole team at GGM.”

Looking Ahead

As GGM Group and Kubota celebrate this golden anniversary, both businesses are reaffirming their commitment to driving innovation, supporting customers, and strengthening their partnership for the decades to come. This commitment has been further demonstrated through continued investment in customer support, including the opening of GGM Group’s Service Centre in Knottingley last year, enhancing support for Kubota customers across Yorkshire.

The milestone will be recognised and celebrated at two dedicated customer events in June, providing an opportunity to thank customers and showcase the strength of the partnership. The 50-year anniversary will also be highlighted throughout the show season, with a strong presence across key industry events.

As part of the celebrations, a customer competition is being launched to find the oldest Kubota machine still in operation today—recognising the longevity and reliability that have defined the brand over the past five decades.

Internally, GGM Group will host a staff summer social event, alongside a series of charity fundraising initiatives centred around the “50” theme, including challenges such as running 50km.

Chris Gibson concluded, “Fifty years is an incredible milestone, but we see it as just the beginning of the next chapter, together with Kubota, our team, and our customers, we look forward to continuing this journey.”

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Milngavie GC boosted by arrival of Jacobsen TR330

Milngavie GC boosted by arrival of Jacobsen TR330

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Milngavie GC boosted by arrival of Jacobsen TR330

Head Greenkeeper, Neil Middleton has started the new season at Milngavie Golf Club with the addition of a refurbished Jacobsen TR330, 3-reel cylinder trim mower.

Milngavie GC boosted by arrival of Jacobsen TR330

Milngavie GC boosted by arrival of Jacobsen TR330

Delivered to the East Dunbartonshire club by Stuart Cameron of Fairways GM, the purchase was made to tackle hard-to-reach areas including bunker faces, roughs, steep slopes and tight turns.

“It’s only been a couple of weeks, but already this is a massive upgrade from the machine we retired,” said Neil.

“One of the main reasons for purchase was the AdaptiShift function and slope performance. Its side-shifting reel moves the cutting units up to 30 cm to either side. Our tee bankings and green bankings are full of undulations and tight spots. The TR330 brings the manoeuvrability and scope to give them as precise a cut as we do the rest of the surfaces. We couldn’t achieve this uniformity and quality until now.”

Other additions to the parkland course have included three new staff members over the last 12 months. Neil and greenkeeper Robert Wards have been joined by Nick McEley, Mitchell Miller-Williams and Cameron Kerr.

“Whether it’s building the right team on the course or having dependable support behind you, good people make a real difference.

“I enjoy working with Fairways GM,” continued Neil. “On sales, Stuart Cameron really knows his stuff, but it’s also the back-up from the service team and the peace of mind they bring. We have very few problems, but if we need anything, any of the engineers who attend — whether Stuart Mulholland, Willie Ronald or Reece Johnson — are exemplary in how they conduct themselves and help us.”

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Hastings MacHale Park presented with GAA award

Hastings MacHale Park presented with GAA award

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Hastings MacHale Park presented with GAA award

Hastings MacHale Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo has been presented with the GAA National Pitch of the Year 2025 award at the League Final in Croke Park earlier this year.

Hastings MacHale Park presented with GAA award

Hastings MacHale Park presented with GAA award

Sponsored by ICL, the award recognises the work of grounds teams and volunteers responsible for maintaining high standards of pitch quality, presentation and performance across GAA venues in Ireland.

The 2025 finalists were assessed by Stuart Wilson (Grounds Management, Croke Park) and Ian McClements (iTurf Management), with pitches judged against more than 30 criteria including playing quality, presentation, performance and available management resources.

Hastings MacHale Park was selected as the overall winner, with Chadwicks Wexford Park named runner-up. SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and St. Tiernach’s Park, Clones were also recognised as finalists.

The award reflects the significant work involved in preparing pitches throughout the season, often under challenging weather conditions and heavy usage.

Colman Warde, ICL Turf & Landscape, said: “We were pleased to see Hastings MacHale Park recognised with the GAA National Pitch of the Year award. This is a well-deserved achievement for the team in Mayo and reflects the high standards maintained at the venue. ICL is proud to support recognition for grounds teams and volunteers across GAA pitches in Ireland.”

The recognition is a credit to Head Groundsman Philip Heneghan and the wider team at MacHale Park for the standards maintained at the Mayo venue.

As part of the sponsorship, the winners receive a range of products and tools to support ongoing pitch maintenance and performance.

This year’s award highlights the continued importance of recognising the expertise, planning and consistency involved in maintaining high-quality playing surfaces across GAA facilities.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-growingsolutions.com

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OAS extends exclusive UK partnership with TinyMobileRobots

OAS extends exclusive UK partnership with TinyMobileRobots

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OAS extends exclusive UK partnership with TinyMobileRobots

Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) are delighted to announce the extension of their exclusive UK distribution agreement with TinyMobileRobots, marking a significant milestone in a partnership that sets the standard for line marking and robotic solutions across the industry.

OAS extends exclusive UK partnership with TinyMobileRobots

OAS extends exclusive UK partnership with TinyMobileRobots

This renewed long term agreement, reflects a shared commitment to innovation, customer-focused development and the delivery of best-in-class technology. By strengthening its ties with one of the sectors leading innovators, OAS reaffirms its position at the forefront of robotic line marking solutions in the UK.

The partnership combines TinyMobileRobot’s advanced range of robotic platforms with more than a decade of industry experience within the OAS team. With the addition of OAS’ established customer relationships, market leading Duraline and Impact paint ranges and comprehensive service infrastructure, customers benefit not only from unbeatable quality and cutting-edge technology, but also from the training and support required to maximise the markers full potential.

Richard Walton, OAS Managing Director, said, “From the very beginning, TinyMobileRobots demonstrated a second to none level of understanding. From robotic engineers to grounds professionals working at all levels of the game, their focus is, and always has been, on understanding how technology could be enhanced to better serve the end user. From their knowledge and research and our feedback from the field, the result is a range of products that are intuitive, highly-efficient and easy to use.”

“We are incredibly proud of the strong and successful partnership we’ve built with TinyMobileRobots and look forward to our future collaboration as we look to take the technology to the next level.”

Daniel Breum, CEO of TinyMobileRobots added, “Working with a partner of Origin’s calibre and reputation in the UK market is a distinct privilege for us. Our relationship has evolved and our two organisations interact on multiple levels daily, driven by a shared goal to deliver an exceptional customer experience.”

“Looking ahead to the future, I am incredibly excited to strengthen this partnership even further, utilising our combined strengths to set new benchmarks for quality and service in the industry.”

To find out more about TinyMobileRobots and to discover why the Pro X and TinyLineMarker Sport are the trusted choice for facilities around the country and throughout Europe visit tinymobilerobots.co.uk

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