Blog Elements - Turf Matters

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight

March 13, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight: Selected attendees of the 2025 GroundsFest Academy events were recently given a unique opportunity: a behind-the-scenes experience day at the Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal F.C. The day offered a CPD-accredited, practical insight into the operations, challenges, and expertise involved in managing a world-class playing surface and stadium environment. Led […]

TP Woodchippers kick off major UK expansion

March 12, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

TP Woodchippers kick off major UK expansion: TP Woodchippers are pleased to announce the appointment of RT Machinery as an authorised full-line dealer in a significant move that marks the beginning of a major UK-wide dealer network expansion. The signing of RT Machinery for London and the Home Counties is the first in a series […]

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight

March 13, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

TP Woodchippers kick off major UK expansion

March 12, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight

March 13, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight: Selected attendees of the 2025 GroundsFest Academy events were recently given a unique opportunity: a behind-the-scenes experience day at the Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal F.C. The day offered a CPD-accredited, practical insight into the operations, challenges, and expertise involved in managing a world-class playing surface and stadium environment.

Led by Paul Ashcroft, Head of Horticulture & Playing Surface Operations for Arsenal F.C, the morning kicked off with an immersive programme designed to give attendees a full picture of what it takes to maintain a top-tier football pitch.

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight

Participants explored turf management in a stadium setting, internal facilities and groundstaff operations, as well as the tools, machinery, and materials critical to daily work. Matchday preparation and pitch inspections were part of the agenda, alongside deep dives into pitch construction, drainage, irrigation, grass species, microclimates, lighting rigs, and renovations.

The session also addressed integrated weed management and strategies for balancing wear during matches, training, and other events.

Attendees continued to be guided through the day by Paul, with tours of the facilities and a pitch walk giving practical insight into the precision, planning, and teamwork required to maintain a stadium to professional standards.

For attendee Finlay Wiggins, the day offered a rare insight into elite-level pitch preparation:

“It was fascinating to see the specialist equipment up close and understand how each machine plays a vital role in maintaining top-level playing conditions. We also discussed the importance of communication with coaches, balancing their training demands with the need to protect the surface. It really was a fantastic experience.”

Esteve Sanchez was another participant who found the experience beneficial:

“Opportunities like this are not only inspiring but essential for professionals passionate about the craft behind elite-level playing surfaces. Seeing firsthand what it takes to prepare and protect a surface at the highest level truly reinforces the importance of continuous learning and professional development within the grounds industry. Experiences like this allow us to connect theory with practice, exchange ideas, and elevate our technical knowledge.

Hopefully, this is just the beginning of many more opportunities like this in the future.”

And for greenkeeper Steven Connolly, stepping outside his own environment offered fresh perspective:

“It’s always valuable to step outside your own environment and see how another top-tier operation approaches their work. You’re never too experienced to keep learning, and spending time with some of the very best in the turf industry was both insightful and motivating. I came away with ideas and perspectives that I can take back to my own team, which is exactly what these days are all about.”

Bradley Tennant, Director of Education for GroundsFest Academy, reflected on the experience:

“It was a day that won’t be forgotten – spending time behind the scenes with selected attendees of our 2025 events was incredible. Huge thanks to Arsenal F.C and Paul Ashcroft for making this opportunity possible. Keep an eye out for future experience days.”

The GroundsFest Academy Emirates experience offered an unforgettable day of learning, inspiration, and networking, a reminder of the depth, skill, and dedication required to keep stadium pitches at the very highest standard.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfestacademy.com

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

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.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

TP Woodchippers kick off major UK expansion

March 12, 2026/in News, Press Release/by Admin

TP Woodchippers kick off major UK expansion: TP Woodchippers are pleased to announce the appointment of RT Machinery as an authorised full-line dealer in a significant move that marks the beginning of a major UK-wide dealer network expansion.

The signing of RT Machinery for London and the Home Counties is the first in a series of strategic dealer appointments as one of Europe’s leading woodchipper manufacturers accelerate growth and coverage across the UK.

TP Woodchippers kick off major UK expansion

For 25 years, RT Machinery have been at the cutting edge of new technologies – building a strong reputation for providing first-class technical knowledge and expertise on a number of leading brands in the groundcare, estates and homeowner markets.

Extending their portfolio in arboriculture, the team will be providing sales, servicing, parts support and product advice across their territory, ensuring new and existing customers receive the premium experience synonymous with the TP brand.

“TP are very excited about this new partnership with RT Machinery” comments Phil Edmondson, UK Sales Manager for TP Woodchippers. “Their excellent reputation for aftersales support along with a dedicated and experienced sales team made them an ideal prospect when looking for new TP dealers. I am certain having RT Machinery as part of our dealer network will compliment and promote the TP chipper range.”

Richard Taylor, Managing Director of RT Machinery added “We’re delighted to be appointed as specialist dealers for TP Chippers around London and the Home Counties. They are a well-respected brand for robust, reliable and high-efficiency performance chippers which operators also find easy to use and maintain.

We’re also excited to work alongside a company that shares our sustainability goals and journey in producing chippers that are eco-friendly, economical on fuel and simple to maintain. TP’s battery models offer a real alternative for commercial users with amazing power and a level of output that meets the demands of cities, parks and estates, including for those areas that are difficult to access.

Demonstrations will be available so that users can put TP chippers to the test and see the results first hand.”

The expanded dealer network reflects TP’s ambitious growth plans for the UK and will ensure more customers can access the product with local, tailored support. Further dealer appointments are set to be announced over the coming months.

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.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight

TP Woodchippers kick off major UK expansion

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight

TP Woodchippers kick off major UK expansion

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

GroundsFest Academy Attendees’ Emirates insight

TP Woodchippers kick off major UK expansion

TP Woodchippers kick off major UK expansion: TP Woodchippers are pleased to announce the appointment of RT Machinery as an authorised full-line dealer in a significant move that marks the beginning of a major UK-wide dealer network expansion.

RESOURCES

CONTACT

CONNECT