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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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Wiedenmann double all in a day’s work

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Wiedenmann double all in a day’s work: This summer, Brian Dunne, celebrates 20 years as Course Superintendent at Adare Manor Old Course GC in the southwest of Ireland.

He has built a long-established relationship with local Wiedenmann dealer Seamus Weldon, at nearby Killarney.

Wiedenmann double all in a day’s work

Wiedenmann double all in a day’s work

“We go back years; they’ve always been there for us,” he said. “When we purchased a new blower back in 2008 or thereabouts, Michael Weldon pointed us in the direction of a Wiedenmann Whisper Twister. It was new to the market, and we were among the first to buy.

“You can’t fault it. Aside from a new belt and some wheel bearings, it’s never missed a beat. We’d be lost without it.

“From October to December, it’s out every day of the week on leaf clearance duty. Our course is lined with beech and oak trees so there’s plenty of work. One of the team on our small tractor blows the leaves into lines and our collector follows behind. It has dozens of tasks; we use it to dry off the fairways or tee boxes, it helps year-round with presentation and tidying and, of course, when we’ve had storms, it’s come into its own.”

“We used to bring contractors in to help with deep aeration on our fairways. It was always a struggle to book the right week: and balance weather and the needs of golfers. It was also getting very expensive.

“I asked Michael if he could source a second-hand aerator so we could do the job ourselves. He came back with a beautifully refurbished Wiedenmann Terra Spike XP, and we haven’t looked back.

“Your own machine makes such a difference.  We try to do our fairways twice a year. We just pick when the conditions are right and do two or three at a time. We’ve got twelve acres in total, as well as walkways and tee boxes, so it takes us around a week and a half normally to do all the split sessions.

“We were out in late January and with 20 mm diameter tines down to 250 mm. In some choice places known to hold water, we went a little deeper, so around 300 mm and we might revisit these more frequently.

Brian’s team, three at present, with a vacancy about to be filled, takes on two summer workers to help them cope. The friendly parkland club is constantly busy, its history and dramatic setting, marking it out as not your typical golfing experience, so enjoys lots of visitors.

Very few clubs can boast anything as spectacular as Desmond Castle (1200 AD) which nestles in the background of the 1st and 15th greens. Move to the centre of the course and the ruins of the Franciscan Abbey (1464 AD) let you know you’ve arrived somewhere extraordinary.

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TradeHelp – supporting all trades in 2023

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TradeHelp – supporting all trades in 2023: TradeHelp announces plans to further grow its 15,000 strong network, having extended the free benefits to now support trades of all types.

Originally launched in 2014, TradeHelp has fast become the leading network for tradespeople, primarily supporting SMEs in the heating and plumbing industry with free software and special offers negotiated via a Buying Group.

TradeHelp - supporting all trades in 2023

TradeHelp – supporting all trades in 2023

Now, following a period of exciting progression, with developments to the leading mobile app and the addition of new industry partnerships, the door has been opened for even more trades to benefit from the TradeHelp network.

The free app, along with free desktop log-in, has an abundance of tools enabling trades to manage their businesses from the office, at home or on the road.  With personalised quote and invoice templates, customer and appointment management, electronic forms and works records – to name just a few of the benefits and features – companies can provide professional documents and save time at the touch of a button.  And more importantly, at no extra cost to them.

TradeHelp has also negotiated discounts and special offers with partners including Toolstation (5% off and quarterly prize draws), Trade Direct Insurance (up to 20% off), Trade Marketing (10% off), Enterprise Van Hire (10% off), Atoa Instant Bank Pay (0.5% fees and £40 cashback) plus many more. All ideal for smaller businesses.

Martin Jones, Managing Director of TradeHelp, explained: “We are delighted to be able to support even more tradespeople across the UK, with additions to the software and support from multi-trade merchants and business service partners. With the current economic climate and cost of living increases, there is no better time for businesses to make additional savings. This is where we can help.

“From electricians to builders and locksmiths, TradeHelp offers something for everyone, with no cost or commitment.  Our members simply take advantage of what works for their business. It’s been a great success within the heating and plumbing sector so far and we look forward to continuing this with other trades into the future.”

To join the free TradeHelp Network, visit tradehelp.co.uk or download the free app from the App Store or Google Play.

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