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Greenfingers Charity builds on a year of completed gardens

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Greenfingers Charity builds on a year of completed gardens: The Greenfingers Charity is preparing for a significant year ahead, announcing further details of its hospice garden programme for 2026, following the completion of five new therapeutic gardens across the UK in 2025.

Gardens completed in 2025

During 2025, Greenfingers opened five new bespoke hospice gardens, each carefully designed to support children with life-limiting conditions, their families and the professionals who care for them. New gardens were completed at The Nook (East Anglia), Chestnut Tree House (Arundel), Hope House (Shropshire), Acorns (Walsall) and Bluebell Wood (Sheffield).

Greenfingers Charity builds on a year of completed gardens

Greenfingers Charity builds on a year of completed gardens

These gardens are already being used as vital outdoor environments where children can experience nature safely, feeling fresh air, colour, texture and seasonal change, often for those whose medical needs limit their access to the outdoors. For families, the gardens provide rare opportunities to be together away from clinical spaces, while hospice staff benefit from restorative areas that support wellbeing.

New Greenfingers gardens planned for 2026

Building on this momentum, Greenfingers is now progressing three new garden projects for 2026. Each will be delivered as a bespoke, highly specialist space, shaped around the specific needs of its hospice community.

Naomi House and Jack’s Place, Winchester

The new garden planned for Naomi House and Jack’s Place will be Greenfingers’ 75th garden, marking an important milestone in the charity’s work across the UK. Designed by Helen Elks Smith, with early design stages already underway, the project will transform existing lawned areas into a welcoming, inclusive outdoor space for children, siblings, parents and hospice staff alike. Carefully shaped to support both play and quiet reflection, the garden will give families a place to step outside together, to breathe, connect and create precious memories away from the pressures of indoor care.

This garden will also be the focus of Greenfingers’ 2026 Kilimanjaro fundraising challenge, with trekkers taking on the climb to help fund the creation of this very space. Their efforts will play a direct role in bringing this garden to life, turning extraordinary personal challenges into a lasting legacy for the children and families who will use it for years to come.

Little Havens, Essex

The 2026 project at Little Havens will see Greenfingers return to the hospice to deliver a major refresh and redevelopment of the existing Grow Your Own garden. The new design will focus on improving accessibility and sensory engagement, enabling children with complex needs to interact safely with planting, textures and the natural environment. Designed to support everyday hospice life, the garden will provide space for play, therapy and rest, while offering families precious opportunities to spend time outdoors together in a setting that feels calm, supportive and human.

Haven House, Woodford Green

At Haven House, Greenfingers will deliver a thoughtfully designed memorial and reflection garden within the hospice grounds. The project will be delivered by Baylis Landscapes, with the space carefully shaped to provide families with a calm, dignified outdoor environment where they can pause, reflect and remember. A central feature of the garden will be a Corten steel memorial tree, supplied by Caltef Designs, alongside screened seating, connected pathways and sensitive planting. Together, these elements will create a space that offers privacy, comfort and a sense of peace, supporting families through some of the most emotionally challenging moments of their lives.

Neil Sewell, Operations Director at Greenfingers, said: “Every unique Greenfingers garden starts with listening to the hospice teams, to families, and to what children need most in that moment. These are not decorative spaces; they are places where children can experience fresh air, colour and a sense of freedom, sometimes for the only time. As we move into 2026, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve delivered so far, and deeply aware of how vital continued support is to help us create more of these life-changing gardens.”

Looking ahead – creating gardens that change lives

As Greenfingers looks towards 2026, its focus is firmly on turning ambition into action – creating highly specialist hospice gardens that meet complex needs and change daily life for children and families. These spaces take months of careful design, sensitive construction and long-term commitment to deliver, and they simply cannot happen without continued fundraising and support. Every penny raised plays a vital role, helping to transform bare or underused spaces into safe, welcoming gardens where children can experience the outdoors, families can spend precious time together, and memories can be made when they matter most.

To find out more about the Greenfingers Charity, discover how to support its work, or get involved through fundraising, partnerships or volunteering, visit www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk.

You can also follow the charity’s latest updates on Instagram and LinkedIn @GreenfingersCharity, Facebook facebook.com/Greenfingerscharity, and X @GreenfingersCha.

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The British greenkeeper building a world-class course

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The British greenkeeper building a world-class course: Jamie Faulkner’s journey from suburban London to the searing heat of Bahrain has been defined by travel and an enduring love of greenkeeping.

He first got on a mower at 16, working at Bletchingley Golf Club in Surrey. “I just liked using the machines,” he says. “It felt like a fun job at first, but once I started playing golf, I was hooked. I’ve never thought about doing anything else.”

The British greenkeeper building a world-class course

The British greenkeeper building a world-class course

That early enthusiasm has taken him across the world. From his roots in Croydon, Jamie has built a career that’s seen him work on courses in Australia, the United States, India and Saudi Arabia before settling in Bahrain as Director of Agronomy at The Royal Golf Club — the only grass course on the island.

The Royal hosted a DP World Tour event this month, so it’s a venue where expectations are high and presentation is everything. The course is also the country’s golfing flagship, setting the standard for two new developments now being planned elsewhere on the island.

“The players love coming here because it’s such a contrast to the rest of the region,” says Jamie. “Presentation and playing consistency are everything. Our goal for the DP World Tour was for the course to be the best it’s ever been.”

Huge investment

The club recently completed a £1.5 million machinery investment, replacing an ageing competitor fleet with a full suite of John Deere equipment supplied by Orient Irrigation Services.

“The guys love the machines, especially the mowers,” says Jamie. “The kit we had before was 15 years old and completely run into the ground, so these are a huge step up. Everyone’s very happy with them.”

The new fleet includes compact tractors, mowers, and two HD200 sprayers on ProGators. While the purchase was driven by the golf course, the machinery will also support the wider operation, which includes maintaining the nearby horse racing track and landscaping around 1,000 villas that neighbour the club.

“I’ve got 85 staff in the landscape business and 45 on the course,” Jamie explains. “It’s quite normal managing big teams here in the Middle East because the conditions are so demanding. The desert environment means there’s a lot of manual labour, from weeding and raking sand dunes to constant irrigation work.”

Away from home, but the weather still dominates

The heat presents relentless challenges. Temperatures can climb to 50 degrees with 90% humidity, making disease and pest prevention a year-round priority. “It’s a brutal climate,” he says. “We have to stay on top of everything, especially pythium root rot, which can take hold fast in the summer.”

Jamie’s journey to this point has been anything but ordinary. After several years working in and around London, first at Chipstead and then at The Addington, he decided to take his greenkeeping skills overseas.

His first stop was Kalgoorlie Golf Club near Perth, Australia, followed by a posting to Fiddlesticks Country Club in south-west Florida through the Ohio State University internship programme.

He spent three years in Bahrain before taking a superintendent’s role at a course in Bangalore, India, before moving to Riyadh to work for Golf Saudi. When travel restrictions hit during the pandemic, he commuted 600 kilometres between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain every two weeks to see his family.

“I’ve been away from the UK for 12 years now,” he says. “I was desperate to see the world, and I wanted to learn something new with every move. You pick up so much experience working in different climates and with different grasses. I think it makes you a better greenkeeper.”

The Royal’s 450 members are mainly ex-pat golfers, but with two new courses planned in Bahrain, there’s optimism that more international visitors will follow. For now, Jamie’s focus is on perfecting the playing surfaces and ensuring the club continues to set the standard for golf in the region.

Dealer support a major factor 

Dealer support plays a big part in that. Jamie works with Orient’s Harry Pattinson, a former outlet manager at John Deere dealer Thomas Sherriff in the UK. Despite being based an hour’s flight away, Harry provides ongoing technical and parts backup.

“We’ve agreed to do an annual expert check of the fleet,” says Harry. “We’ll spend a week going through every machine, checking for any small warranty issues and making sure Jamie’s team gets the most from the investment.”

For Jamie, keeping things simple is key. “We’ve got a huge workforce with people jumping on and off machines all day,” he says. “They need to be easy to use and reliable, which John Deere delivers. Out here, that’s what really matters.”

From his early days cutting greens in Surrey to preparing a DP World Tour venue in Bahrain, Jamie’s story is proof that passion and persistence can take you a long way. Even to the edge of the desert.

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STIGA Launches a New Lineup of Electric Tractors

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STIGA Launches a New Lineup of Electric Tractors: STIGA, Europe’s leading manufacturer and distributor of garden care machinery and equipment, unveils its new lineup of 100% electric tractors.

This advanced range is designed to meet the needs of demanding users, integrating the same high-performance technology found in STIGA’s professional equipment. At the heart of the new electric tractor models lies the proprietary ePower Pro battery system—engineered to deliver superior power, extended autonomy, and modular operation for effortless management of big, domestic gardens and for professional outdoor maintenance. This cutting-edge performance is complemented by the machines’ redesigned aesthetic — a look that embodies strength, innovation, and efficiency.

STIGA Launches a New Lineup of Electric Tractors

STIGA Launches a New Lineup of Electric Tractors

Modular technology for unlimited and customizable runtime 

At the heart of the new Electric Tractors is the 40 Ah (56V – 2,016 Wh) STIGA ePower Pro battery – durable, powerful and modular. A single battery can cover up to 7,500 m², while adding a second battery extends the autonomy up to cover 15,000 m², offering a flexible solution for any mowing need. The modular structure of its battery compartment, combined with separate recharging capability, allows for storage and charging anywhere – even during winter months – ensuring complete freedom of use. For extended mowing sessions, the possibility to swap batteries independently means users can personalise the tractor’s runtime according to their garden size, for unlimited work capacity. 

Powerful performance for the most demanding conditions 

The new electric tractors are available in both side-discharge and collecting versions, each equipped with an advanced cutting system featuring a central tunnel design that ensures a constant grass flow and a consistently clean cut. The electric blade motors deliver steady speed and optimal performance, even in the most demanding conditions. Thanks to direct power transmission, response is immediate, providing smooth, quiet operation and unparalleled cutting comfort — fully electric.

Fresh aesthetic and features built for efficiency

The Electric Tractor range stands out with a bold new look: full-black details, a redesigned front grid for a new, aggressive appearance, and enhanced front LED headlights for superior visibility. A built-in storage compartment under the bonnet offers a convenient, dust-proof space to store the charger and other accessories.

Enhanced driving experience and comfort

Engineered with user comfort and simplicity in mind, the new STIGA Electric Tractor features the Quick Reverse Cut system, allowing the blades to remain active while reversing – activated by a simple click, simplifying manoeuvres even in tighter spaces. Driving the STIGA electric tractor means enjoying a comfortable driving experience. Start-up is immediate, and all controls are easily managed via the integrated dashboard. The One-pedal drive system allows you to move forward and backwards with ease, ensuring full control in every situation. What’s more, you can optimise your mowing session by connecting the machine to the STIGA.GO app, which offers personalised advice via the virtual dashboard. All this without fumes and with significantly reduced noise and vibration levels.

A complete lineup  for every need

The range includes models tailored to different garden sizes and cutting preferences, varying in cutting width, runtime, and discharge configurations – from rear collection to side discharge. Among the models: Tornado 398e, Tornado 5108e, Estate 384e, and Estate 598e, which can be configured with one or two 40 Ah ePower Pro batteries. Although aimed at consumers, each model is built on the same advanced battery architecture as STIGA’s professional-grade machines.

Sustainable power engineered to endure

Choosing a STIGA Electric Tractor means investing in a high-performance solution with low environmental impact. With zero emissions, silent operation, limited vibrations and ease of maintenance, it is ideal for private use with a focus on comfort, efficiency, and power. Finally, its robust design and advanced engineering ensure it will be a reliable companion for years to come. Learn more about the new electric tractors line-up at www.stiga.com/uk/eparkpro-battery-front-mower. The machines are available for purchase through authorised.

Key highlights:

  • 40 Ah ePower Pro battery: removable, portable, and swappable for customizable working capacity, up to cover 15,000 m².
  • Modular battery system: flexible charging, easy battery management and easy storage.
  • A   fresh aesthetic with a redesigned grille, full-black details and powerful LED headlights.
  • Quick   Reverse Cut feature: reverse driving with blades active, simplifying manoeuvres.
  • Multiple cutting configurations: suitable for different garden sizes and discharge options.
  • Zero emissions and low noise: fully electric drive for quiet, eco-friendly operation.

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La Finca Golf Resort a Premium Sustainable Agronomy Venue

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La Finca Golf Resort a Premium Sustainable Agronomy Venue: The R&A has welcomed La Finca Resort as one of the select venues working with The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service under a premium venue support agreement. La Finca Golf is situated in Algorfa, Alicante, one of Spain’s most famous golfing destinations, and is known for its striking design and resort facilities.

The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service supports clubs worldwide with independent, science-led expertise, helping them to deliver long-term sustainability alongside outstanding course conditioning and playing performance.

La Finca Golf Resort a Premium Sustainable Agronomy Venue

La Finca Golf Resort a Premium Sustainable Agronomy Venue

Paul Woodham, Sustainable Agronomy Lead for Europe and GB&I at The R&A, said, “La Finca Resort is a fantastic addition to our growing sustainable agronomy portfolio. Its reputation as a premier Spanish golf destination, coupled with its ambition to lead in agronomic and greenkeeping best practice management and drive environmental sustainability, makes this a very exciting collaboration. We look forward to working with the La Finca Golf team to demonstrate how sustainable approaches can enhance quality and resilience for the benefit of golfers and the game.”

The R&A is internationally recognised for staging The Open, the AIG Women’s Open and elite amateur championships, while promoting long-term environmental responsibility across the sport.

Opened in 2002 and designed by the renowned José Gancedo, La Finca Golf, recently enhanced under the consultancy of architect Tim Lobb, has established itself as a benchmark in Spanish golf. Its wide fairways, signature greens and natural water hazards create a unique challenge for advanced amateurs and professionals alike. Over the years, the course has hosted European Junior Championships, Spanish Junior Championships, professional tour events, and national circuits.

Gonzalo Pedrera Martínez, CEO of La Finca Resort, commented, “Joining The R&A’s Sustainable Agronomy programme is a significant step forward for us. It reinforces our commitment to excellence in course presentation while ensuring that sustainability is central to our long-term strategy. We are proud to align with The R&A and contribute to shaping a future for golf that balances performance with responsibility.”

This partnership reflects a shared ambition to set new standards in course management and to strengthen the role of sustainability at the heart of world-class golf.

For information about The R&A Sustainable Agronomy Service, please contact sustainableagronomy@randa.org or visit www.randa.org/sustainability/agronomy.

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Greenmaster Liquid Advance sets a new standard

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Greenmaster Liquid Advance sets a new standard: ICL has launched Greenmaster Liquid Advance, a new liquid fertiliser range developed to support turf performance during periods of stress.

Building on the long-established success of the Greenmaster Liquid range, Greenmaster Liquid Advance represents a significant evolution in liquid turf nutrition, introducing new technology and performance capability beyond what has previously been available across liquid fertilisers.

Greenmaster Liquid Advance sets a new standard

Greenmaster Liquid Advance sets a new standard

Designed for professional turf managers, the range combines proven liquid nutrition with a biostimulant package containing MTU®, a patented molecule now available in turf for the first time.

MTU® has been developed to support plant efficiency when conditions limit normal turf response. Stresses such as low light, temperature extremes, and heavy wear can restrict nutrient uptake and recovery. By helping maintain key plant processes during these periods, MTU® supports turf resilience and more consistent performance.

Integrated into the Greenmaster Liquid Advance formulations, MTU® works alongside balanced nutrition to help turf make more effective use of applied nutrients under pressure. The range also contains pidolic acid, included to support nutrient uptake and stress tolerance, giving turf managers a practical way to feed surfaces when stress limits normal plant response.

Key benefits for turf managers

  • More consistent turf response under challenging conditions
  • Improved nutrient efficiency and colour retention
  • Stronger recovery and playing quality under pressure

Andy Owen, International Technical Manager at ICL, said: “Greenmaster Liquid Advance is designed to support turf performance when stress limits normal plant response. Conditions such as low light, temperature extremes and heavy wear reduce how efficiently turf can use applied nutrition. By combining proven liquid nutrition with MTU® and pidolic acid, the range helps maintain key plant processes under stress, supporting more consistent turf performance and colour through challenging periods.”

Jaroslav Nisler, Head of the Isotope Laboratory at the Institute of Experimental Botany in the Czech Republic and the lead scientist behind MTU®, added: “MTU® is a patented molecule with a clear mode of action. Even at very low concentrations it delivers results, helping turf maintain green leaf area and recover more quickly after stress. Its inclusion in Greenmaster Liquid Advance makes this technology available to turf managers for the first time.”

Availability

Greenmaster Liquid Advance is available now through ICL’s distribution network.

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Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

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