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Birkdale provides all you need

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Birkdale provides all you need: Birkdale has introduced five new additions to its SITEMATE® tools range: the Heavy Duty Professional Double Shovel Holer, Micro Shovel, Irish Pattern Long Handle Shovel, D-Handled Fencing Shovel and the Manual Fence Post Auger. Each tool has been developed with practicality and efficiency in mind, and the range helps to make high-quality fencing installations as simple as possible.

The Heavy Duty Professional Double Shovel Holer provides efficient removal of soil to create holes for fence posts. 1600m in length, it has been designed to offer enhanced leverage and grip, making soil and stone removal effortless. The scissor action handle provides greater closing power and a fully adjustable blade pitch enables the user to adjust the soil removal capacity, as they work to deliver deep, narrow, vertical sided post holes.

Birkdale provides all you need

Birkdale provides all you need

Another addition to the range is the handy Micro Shovel. Available in a square or round mouth option, it offers an ideal tool for digging or shovelling with precision and accuracy in tight or confined spaces. With a reinforced fibreglass shaft and soft grip handle, the shovel combines both comfort and practicality.

The Irish Pattern Long Handle Shovel is a versatile option, suitable for a wide variety of general landscaping and groundwork. Featuring a comfortable grip hardwood shaft, hardening steel socket and a V-shaped blade, angled for ergonomic digging and scooping, the shovel is highly durable and effective – ideal for contractors and use on building sites.

Also new to the range is the D-Handled Fencing Shovel. With the addition of the ‘D’ handle, the shovel provides an enhanced grip, leverage and comfort along with greater scooping capacity. The shovel incorporates a threaded plug at the top of the handle, allowing the handle tube to be filled with cement to add desired weight.

Finally, the versatile Manual Fence Post Auger, made from high-grade carbon steel, provides maximum speed, strength and quality. Ideal for drilling holes for fence posts, as well as planting shrubs and trees, it offers a fast and accurate method for producing 150mm diameter holes in all types of soil conditions. Furthermore, a removable steel handle means it is convenient to store away.

John Abernethie, Managing Director at Birkdale commented: “Our growing SITEMATE® tools range means that trade professionals can come to us for everything they need to get the fencing job complete, and in whatever conditions they face – quickly, easily and to a high standard.”

Birkdale offers a full range of fencing and gate solutions. For more information about its SITEMATE® range, visit https://www.birkdalesales.com/pages/stockists-sitemate.

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GKB to showcase solutions for all at SALTEX

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GKB to showcase solutions for all at SALTEX: Whether aeration, overseeding or topdressing of natural surfaces is on the agenda, or routine brushing or more intensive renovations of synthetic surfaces is required, visitors to SALTEX are guaranteed to find robust and reliable solutions on the GKB Machines stand, H053, this October.

From the natural portfolio, a particular highlight promises to be the GKB Combislit, which will be making its SALTEX debut. With the climatic challenges driving an ever-increasing requirement for regular aeration, the Combislit delivers fast and effective relief to depths of up to 15cm (6”) with minimal surface disruption. Available in 1.6m and 2.0m working widths, the Combislit uses GKB’s unique Evolvente® blades to spike and open all types of natural and hybrid surface ensuring optimal oxygen and moisture movement and linking up with deeper decompaction work conducted throughout the season.

GKB to showcase solutions for all at SALTEX

GKB to showcase solutions for all at SALTEX

The Combislit joins the Deep Tine Aerator (DTA) and the multi-functional Sandfiller in the GKB aeration portfolio, offering effective solutions for sports pitches, golf courses and other intensively managed green spaces.

Also on display will be the GKB Combitool. The Combitool gives turf managers the option of conducting multiple operations such as slitting, raking, rolling and brushing in one quick and simple pass. Delivering versatility and value for money, the Combitool is available in 1.2m, 1.6m, 2.0m or 2.4m working widths and is ideal for multi-sport venues, schools, local authorities and contractors.

The GKB technical team will be on hand across the two days to discuss the full range of equipment available for natural turf, together with maintenance machinery for synthetic surfaces – such as the GKB Deep Clean. The Deep Clean quickly and effectively screens and cleans out contaminants from all types of synthetic pitch. The combination of a vibrating screen and vacuum unit removes dirt, dust and detritus returning clean, de-compacted infill to your surface for optimal play performance.

More information is available on stand H053 as SALTEX returns on the 30th and 31st October 2024.

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The all new DPB-2500

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The all new DPB-2500: ECHO have launched the DPB-2500 power blower – the latest addition to the 56v eFORCE range. Perfect for medium duty use by professional gardeners, the blower is packed with features that make it effective and comfortable to use in a wide range of different applications.

First and foremost, the DPB-2500 is a very capable handheld blower. It has a blowing force of 16N at an impressive 65.9m/s. All this from a machine that weighs just 2.6kg (without battery).

The all new DPB-2500

The all new DPB-2500

For larger clearing jobs, there is a throttle-lock ‘cruise control’ setting, which reduces operator hand fatigue during longer working sessions. When precision is required, the highly tactile, variable speed throttle allows for refined, feathered control of the air flow – giving you the ability to accurately steer leaves and debris wherever you want.  A ‘boost’ function helps things a long when blowing clumped leaves or heavier material.

Rubber, over-molded handle grips provide the user with comfortable control – with or without gloves; and dual-sided air intakes eliminate blockages caused by trouser fabric getting sucked against the inlets. Being an ECHO tool, there is near perfect weight distribution, making the DPB-2500 comfortable to operate over long periods of time.

The ECHO DPB-2500 is available now from ECHO dealers nationwide and is priced at £299 (inc-VAT).

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Calling All Grounds Care Heroes

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Calling All Grounds Care Heroes: Nominations and entries are now open for the Grounds Management Association’s (GMA) Industry Awards and, this year, we’re turning up the excitement!  

Anfield Stadium, the iconic home of Liverpool FC, will be the new backdrop for this prestigious event on Thursday 13 March 2025.

Calling All Grounds Care Heroes

Calling All Grounds Care Heroes

Breaking new ground, the Industry Awards are making their debut at Anfield Stadium, following previous editions at Headingley Stadium and the NEC alongside Europe’s premier grounds management show, SALTEX.

Since 2009, the GMA Industry Awards have celebrated outstanding achievements in grounds care across professional, amateur, and voluntary sectors, spanning a variety of sports. But this year it’s extra special, as it kicks off the GMA’s annual awareness campaign: #GroundsWeek, running from March 17 to 23, 2025. ISEKI returns as the Industry Awards platinum sponsor for 2025, reaffirming their support for the sector, alongside award category sponsors, DLF Seeds and Syngenta.

Shifting from its traditional November date to March, these awards now support the vital mission of #GroundsWeek, honouring the unsung heroes – the grounds care professionals and volunteers who keep the nation’s playing surfaces pristine!

Categories That Inspire Greatness: 

With 17 categories spanning the entire sector, the GMA Industry Awards provide the perfect opportunity to shine a spotlight on the year-round contribution of grounds staff towards maintaining and improving playing surfaces.

  • Young Groundsperson of the Year – Recognising rising stars
  • Newcomer of the Year – Welcoming fresh talent
  • Volunteer Groundsperson/Team of the Year – Honouring those who go above and beyond
  • Community Groundsperson/Team of the Year – Making a difference in local sports
  • Best Managed Artificial Surface of the Year – Innovation on display
  • Environmental and Sustainability Impact Award – Champions of eco-friendly practices (Sponsored by Syngenta)
  • Bowls & Croquet Groundsperson/Team of the Year – Precision and passion
  • Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year – Pitch-perfect excellence
  • Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team of the Year – Serving up aces in turf management
  • Professional Horse Racing Grounds Team of the Year – Galloping towards excellence
  • Professional Rugby League Grounds Team of the Year – Tackling pitches head on
  • Professional Rugby Union Grounds Team of the Year – Scrumming up perfection
  • Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year – Scoring perfection, the MVPs behind the scenes
  • Professional Football Grounds Team of the Year (Elite) – Elevating the game, making stadiums roar
  • University & College Grounds Team of the Year - Cultivating knowledge and green spaces
  • Independent School Grounds Team of the Year – Nurturing growth in every blade (Sponsored by ISEKI)
  • GMA Grounds Manager of the Year – Celebrating the very best across the industry  (Sponsored by DLF Seeds)

Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the GMA said:
“The GMA Industry Awards are a fantastic opportunity for individuals and teams to gain the recognition they deserve for their vital work across the grounds care industry. I urge everyone to get involved and submit their nominations – It’s going to be a great event at Anfield Stadium, and we look forward to celebrating the outstanding achievements.”

Are You Ready to nominate or enter?

You can now nominate someone deserving, or enter yourself, by visiting https://gmaindustryawards.uk/. We encourage everyone in the industry to join in and celebrate the outstanding work being done in the grounds care industry.

Important Dates: 

  • Award Nominations Close: Friday 13 September 2024
  • Final Entries Close: Friday 27 September 2024

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Emily Herrington by emailing eherrington@thegma.org.uk.

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J All Bent to the rescue

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J All Bent to the rescue: When previous attempts to get a practice putting green back into play at Vicars Cross Golf Club in Cheshire had failed, in stepped new Golf Course Manager Richie Stephens, armed with the J All Bent mixture from Johnsons Sports Seed.

A few short months from seeding, and with some favourable assistance from mother nature, the USGA spec green was in business – with the programme then implemented on the construction of a new chipping green that enjoyed similar success!

J All Bent to the rescue

J All Bent to the rescue

Upon joining Vicars Cross just over 12 months ago, Richie was tasked with the completion of the putting surface which had been out of action for close to two years. Keen to unlock the solution, he spoke to DLF’s Stuart Yarwood. “I’ve known Stuart for years and his greenkeeping background means he gives not only technical advice, but the right advice for our situation as he understands the challenge having been in our shoes” Richie says. “We opted to overseed with a 100% bent mix in the form of Johnsons J All Bent.”

The blend of three top-rated browntop bent cultivars in J All Bent delivers a hard-wearing, visually-striking sward, equipped to cope with close cutting and a range of environmental stresses. Its reduced reliance on chemical inputs makes it a popular choice for clubs pursuing a fast but sustainable greens strategy.

“We got it in the ground in May, we were fortunate with the weather and it came through really well. In August we then built a chipping green which overran the original schedule and meant we didn’t get seed until mid-November. Despite this, we still saw fantastic strike before Christmas, even coverage and strong visual impact. The speeds we’re achieving on the putting green is now comparable to what we’re achieving on our regular greens.”

The other 18 greens are overseeded annually during summer renovations with J All Bent, a programme introduced by Richie to try and promote an increase in the bent populations across the site. Elsewhere, it’s PM45 Tee and Fairway Plus from DLF’s Masterline range. “We use this on areas off the greens which has proven very successful.”

“The club, the players and my team have all noticed how far the surfaces have come on since we introduced the DLF mixtures and we’re definitely coming out of winter in a stronger, better position than we have before.”

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