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It’s Baroness from tee to green at Ilkley GC

May 22, 2025/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Admin

It’s Baroness from tee to green at Ilkley GC: What started as just one hand mower purchased close to 30 years ago has blossomed into a full fleet of mowing equipment from Baroness for the team at Ilkley Golf Club. Today, the 18-hole parkland course is mown from tee to green with 11 machines from […]

Bionema Receives the King’s Award

May 21, 2025/in Awards, News, Press Release/by Admin

Bionema Receives the King’s Award: Bionema Group Ltd., a pioneering UK biocontrol technology company, has been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise – Innovation 2024, recognising its world-leading innovations in sustainable crop protection and soil regeneration. The prestigious award was formally presented by Mrs. Louise Fleet CStJ, JP, His Majesty The King’s Lord-Lieutenant for West […]

It’s Baroness from tee to green at Ilkley GC

May 22, 2025/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Admin

Bionema Receives the King’s Award

May 21, 2025/in Awards, News, Press Release/by Admin

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It’s Baroness from tee to green at Ilkley GC

May 22, 2025/in Machinery, News, Press Release/by Admin

It’s Baroness from tee to green at Ilkley GC: What started as just one hand mower purchased close to 30 years ago has blossomed into a full fleet of mowing equipment from Baroness for the team at Ilkley Golf Club.

Today, the 18-hole parkland course is mown from tee to green with 11 machines from the Baroness precision fine turf range, bringing not just cut quality but outstanding reliability to operations at the third oldest club in Yorkshire.

It’s Baroness from tee to green at Ilkley GC

It isn’t only the Baroness brand that has been a stalwart to proceedings, Head Greenkeeper Duncan Campbell has chalked up over 43 years of loyal service – today supported by a team of six. “Our approach has always favoured hand mowing the greens most mornings which was why we purchased our first Baroness (formally Saxon) back in the mid 1990’s” explains Duncan. “From the off, the build quality of these machines was evident and the team enjoyed using them so one quickly became two, before becoming five which is what we continue to run today on a turnover programme.”

Alongside the five Baroness LM56 pedestrian greens mowers are an LM66 hand mower for tees, an LM315 greens mower, an LM331 for surrounds and approaches, an LM2700 and LM551B for the fairways and a GM2810A semi-rough mower – the latest purchases delivered by local dealers GGM in early April.

“There’s a lot to like about the Baroness machines starting with the build quality and simplicity of operation.” He emphasises, “We have a highly skilled team that don’t need to rely on fancy gadgets or a computer to do an incredibly good job. Then there’s the cut quality which is consistent throughout the range, both rotary and cylinder. With fewer chemical controls we get a lot of worms and wormcasts here at Ilkley which is, unfortunately, another thing to bear in mind with mowing equipment. The Baroness cylinders deal with this incredibly well, retaining sharpness for a quality cut.”

Duncan goes on to further note the support from GGM and Baroness’ own Andrew Darley. “While we’ve barely had any issues over the years, the back up support and advice we’ve had from Andy and the team at GGM has been brilliant. It helps to make Baroness the ‘complete package’.”

The recent delivery of the GM2810 five-deck rotary mower, together with Duncan’s LM551B are also equipped with the optional Baroness weather cabs. Providing a cost-effective alternative to a full cab, the windscreen and wiper utilise the existing roof, while the soft back and sides provide protection from the elements when needed or can be simply rolled up to optimise airflow in the warmer weather.

For more information on the Baroness range, or to find your local dealer, visit www.baronessuk.com

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Bionema Receives the King’s Award

May 21, 2025/in Awards, News, Press Release/by Admin

Bionema Receives the King’s Award: Bionema Group Ltd., a pioneering UK biocontrol technology company, has been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise – Innovation 2024, recognising its world-leading innovations in sustainable crop protection and soil regeneration.

The prestigious award was formally presented by Mrs. Louise Fleet CStJ, JP, His Majesty The King’s Lord-Lieutenant for West Glamorgan, acting as the personal representative of His Majesty King Charles III, during a grand ceremony held on 15 May 2025 at The Guildhall, Swansea.

Bionema Receives the King’s Aaward

“This once-in-a-lifetime honour highlights the global impact of Bionema’s nature-based innovations,” said Dr. Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema. “We are proud to lead a movement away from harmful chemicals and toward a more regenerative, sustainable future in farming.

Why Bionema Was Selected

Innovative Technology: Patented NemaTrident®, a tri-component nematode-based bioinsecticide system with a biocompatible wetting agent—acquired by Syngenta in 2021.
Environmental Impact: Zero residue, safe for non-target species, and free from pesticide resistance, supporting biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.
Commercial Growth: 1,882% export growth, 105% increase in total sales, and 62% of turnover driven by innovation.
Customer Success Model: Integrated technical training and support to ensure optimal field performance.
ESG Leadership: Proven alignment with sustainability goals and environmental stewardship.

Royal Recognition at Windsor Castle

In July 2024, Dr. Ansari was invited to Windsor Castle, where he met His Majesty The King and shared insights into Bionema’s microbial innovations. This rare honour underscored the national significance of Bionema’s leadership in advancing nature-based crop protection.

Award Celebration – The Guildhall, Swansea | 15 May 2025

The formal award ceremony gathered over 70 distinguished guests, including:

Mrs. Louise Fleet CStJ, JP – HM Lord-Lieutenant of West Glamorgan.

Mrs. Diana Stroia, High Sheriff of West Glamorgan, and Mr. Dave Matthews.

Cllr. Paxton Hood-Williams, Lord Mayor of Swansea, and Lady Mayoress Patricia Hood-Williams.

Cllr. Wayne Carpenter, Mayor of Neath Port Talbot, and Mayoress Carol Carpenter.

Prof. David Smith, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University.

Representatives from Swansea University, Innovate UK, UK Agri-Tech Centres, and regional leaders in science, government, and business

Keynote speakers:

Prof. Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, Chairman of Bionema

Dr. Minshad Ansari, Founder and CEO

Stephen Ford, Chief Technology Officer

“This is a proud day for UK science and sustainability,” added Stephen Ford, Bionema’s CTO.

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.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

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Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

It’s Baroness from tee to green at Ilkley GC

Bionema Receives the King’s Award

It’s Baroness from tee to green at Ilkley GC

Bionema Receives the King’s Award

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

It’s Baroness from tee to green at Ilkley GC

It’s Baroness from tee to green at Ilkley GC: What started as just one hand mower purchased close to 30 years ago has blossomed into a full fleet of mowing equipment from Baroness for the team at Ilkley Golf Club.

Bionema Receives the King’s Award

Bionema Receives the King’s Award: Bionema Group Ltd., a pioneering UK biocontrol technology company, has been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise – Innovation 2024, recognising its world-leading innovations in sustainable crop protection and soil regeneration.

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