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Versatility when managing natural turf areas

May 9, 2023/in News, Press Release/by Peter Driver

Versatility when managing natural turf areas: Managing a property with a huge variety of habitats and landscapes, sports fields, a golf course, formal gardens, lakes, woodlands and heathland areas, is the responsibility of Mark Dodd, the grounds and Gardens Manager at Wellington College in Crowthorne, Berkshiire. He and his team require different management techniques when […]

Exhibitor demand fuels growth of SALTEX

May 5, 2023/in News, Press Release/by Rosie Duckworth

Exhibitor demand fuels growth of SALTEX: SALTEX is on track to have one of its biggest years yet as exhibitor demand sees the floor plan for 2023 increase by 20 percent to accommodate bookings. Show organisers at the Grounds Management Association have confirmed early bird bookings are up ten percent from the 2022 show and […]

Versatility when managing natural turf areas

May 9, 2023/in News, Press Release/by Peter Driver

Exhibitor demand fuels growth of SALTEX

May 5, 2023/in News, Press Release/by Rosie Duckworth

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Versatility when managing natural turf areas

May 9, 2023/in News, Press Release/by Peter Driver

Versatility when managing natural turf areas: Managing a property with a huge variety of habitats and landscapes, sports fields, a golf course, formal gardens, lakes, woodlands and heathland areas, is the responsibility of Mark Dodd, the grounds and Gardens Manager at Wellington College in Crowthorne, Berkshiire. He and his team require different management techniques when maintaining the divesre areas on the 410-acre site.

To assist with this complex management puzzle, he has purchased a package of equipment from his local dealer, RT Machinery Ltd, which includes a 4520 all-terrain compact tractor unit, with attachments that includes a 72-inch Finishing deck, a Tough Cut deck and a Stump Grinder.

Versatility when managing natural turf areas

“We initially hired-in a machine with a Tough Cut deck to work on the banks clearing scrub on our 9-hole golf course, but quickly appreciated the opportunity the versatility of the machine could provide across the estate,” he said.

“Unfortunately for our Golf team, the machine is used almost exclusively by the Grounds team and that’s simple down to its versatility. The Finishing deck was initially purchased for use on our formal lawns, as it leaves a very pleasing stripe and presentation is very important here at Wellington.

“We used to cut our pitches with a ride-on cylinder mower, but the quality of cut from the Finishing deck is excellent and now we use it extensively on our winter pitches. The light footprint of the machine is another factor and we can continue our maintenance regimes, even in inclement weather.

“We hosted the Women’s Rugby Under-18 Six Nations Festival in April, which included three back-to-back matches over 10 days. It’s a quick turnaround and we cut the main pitch with the Ventrac and finished with our Dennis hand mowers.

“The design of the Ventrac has been well thought through; maintenance is easy and the mounting system allows for a quick and easy exchange of attachments. Add to this the responsive support from our dealer, RT Machinery, and we have a package that we are delighted with.”

Mark Dodd heads a team of 16 across three departments: Grounds, Gardens and Golf. He has been in his current role for the past two years, having joined Wellington in 2015. Prior to this he spent seven years at Benenden School and three years at Epsom College as Head of Grounds & Gardens.

www.priceturfcare.com

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Exhibitor demand fuels growth of SALTEX

May 5, 2023/in News, Press Release/by Rosie Duckworth

Exhibitor demand fuels growth of SALTEX: SALTEX is on track to have one of its biggest years yet as exhibitor demand sees the floor plan for 2023 increase by 20 percent to accommodate bookings.

Show organisers at the Grounds Management Association have confirmed early bird bookings are up ten percent from the 2022 show and there’s a 12 percent increase in exhibitor numbers with 6000 sqm of hall space already sold.

Exhibitor demand fuels growth of SALTEX

Sarah Cunningham, director of commercial and events at the Grounds Management Association, who has been joined on the sales team by Jill Rodham, comments: “Thanks to the early interest in the show the footprint has been increased by 3000 sqm to accommodate the extra demand for space from exhibitors, making it 20 percent bigger than the 2022 show. And plans are well underway for this year’s event with visitor registration due to open in early June.”

So, what does Sarah contribute this early success to? “That’s down to our incredible exhibitors. Those who are returning year after year thanks to continued success in previous years and an influx of new exhibitors who are keen to see what sales success SALTEX can bring them.”

New to the show are Asecos Limited, BigChange, EGHOLM A/S, FJ Dynamics, Grundfos Pumps Ltd, Hopespare Limited, Hubscape, QCR, Syngenta UK Ltd and Watermatic Ltd. New World Sports and Trafalgar Cleaning Equipment were last at the show in 2019 and 2017 respectively and are coming back in 2023.

A successful early bird signing period has also led to big industry names returning to SALTEX including Baroness, Dennis and Sisis, Husqvarna, ICL, Kubota, Ransomes, Reesink UK, Toro and Weibang amongst many others.

Sarah continues: “The 2022 show confirmed the confidence visitors and exhibitors have in SALTEX – it’s an event worth their time to attend. Deals happen, learning takes place and networking is enjoyed, all in a place conveniently located for most of the country. To be in the 77^th year of a show and still commanding this level of commitment from the sectors we represent, is proof that the show is as relevant now as it ever was.

“I think people appreciate this is a show which contributes significantly to the growth and success of the industry. SALTEX and the Grounds Management Association work hand in hand – SALTEX is powered by the GMA and in turn SALTEX feeds into the GMA’s extensive work in supporting, and raising the profile of, the groundscare industry in all its guises.”

The show takes place at Birmingham NEC on 1-2 November 2023. Exhibitors wishing to secure their place at Europe’s largest free sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition, should contact GMA Sales Manager, Jill Rodham at jrodham@thegma.org.uk or 07754 552405.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

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Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Versatility when managing natural turf areas

Exhibitor demand fuels growth of SALTEX

Versatility when managing natural turf areas

Exhibitor demand fuels growth of SALTEX

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Versatility when managing natural turf areas

Exhibitor demand fuels growth of SALTEX

Exhibitor demand fuels growth of SALTEX: SALTEX is on track to have one of its biggest years yet as exhibitor demand sees the floor plan for 2023 increase by 20 percent to accommodate bookings.

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