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Discover the Free Education Programme at GroundsFest

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Discover the Free Education Programme at GroundsFest: GroundsFest 2024 is set to be an unmissable event for anyone looking to enhance their knowledge and skills in the land-based industries. With a comprehensive education programme spread across four seminar theatres, including practical sessions, there’s something for everyone. The seminars are free to attend, and visitors can earn up to 12 CPD points by attending the sessions.

Seminar Theatre 1, sponsored by Lantra, kicks off on 10th September with a range of sessions designed to tackle the latest challenges and innovations in the amenity sector. Highlights include:

  • OCR Regulations – All You Need to Know by The Amenity Forum.
  • A Year in Edgbaston – Gary Barwell from Warwickshire County Cricket Club.
  • Challenges and Opportunities in the Amenity Sector, featuring experts like Professor John Moverley (Lantra), Jim Croxton (BIGGA) and Alisdair Mason (LanGuard).
  • How Hybrid Grass is Powering More Play in Grassroots and Professional Sports by SIS Grass.
  • Integrated Turf Management for Grassroots by Mark De Ath from Origin Amenity Solutions.
Discover the Free Education Programme at GroundsFest

Discover the Free Education Programme at GroundsFest

On 11th September, Seminar Theatre 1 continues with sessions like Reducing Glyphosate in Amenity Settings and The Benefits of Volunteering to Progress Your Career.

Seminar Theatre 2, sponsored by Dennis and SISIS, will feature equally engaging content on 10th September, such as:

  • Sustainable Seed Solutions for Landscaping and Sports Turf by Stuart Yarwood from DLF.
  • The Future of Amenity Weed Management by Sean Faulkner from Kersten UK Ltd.
  • Boost Your Turf: How Silicon Supercharges Grass Growth by Kate Williams from Orion Future Technology.

On 11th September, don’t miss Water Management for Grassroots Football by Kelly Clack, An Introduction into Playground Standards and Inspections by Jon Dalton from The Play Inspection Company, and Understanding Gravity-Fed Chippers: How To Ensure Your Customer Gets The Right Solution by Andy Wain from HANSA.

Explore The Landscape Zone

The Landscape Zone will host a series of seminars across two days, addressing key issues and trends in landscaping and garden design. On 10th September, look forward to:

  • Birmingham: The City of 1000 Green Spaces by Ryan Suddall from Fira Landscape.
  • Building a Successful Landscaping Business, featuring insights from Herman Pobrati and Ben Parkinson.
  • Prioritising Pollinators—a vital discussion on supporting declining pollinator populations.

On 11th September, seminars like Enhancing Biodiversity: The Role of Landscapers and Garden Designers in Shaping Sustainable Ecosystems by Noel Brock, and How to Incorporate Sustainable Water Management into Everyday Gardens will provide practical tips for creating eco-friendly outdoor spaces.

Practical Training Sessions by Grounds Training

GroundsFest 2024 also features practical training sessions designed to give hands-on experience in key areas:

Tuesday, 10th September 2024

  • Training 101 for Managers: An informative session for grounds managers covering workplace training, current legislation, and planning training for your organization.
  • Calibration Station: Knapsack Sprayers: A practical session demonstrating the calibration process and maintenance of knapsack sprayers, with delegates encouraged to participate.
  • Launch of Lantra Robotic GPS Line Marking Course: Learn more about the new Robotic GPS Line Marking Course.

Wednesday, 11th September 2024

  • Health and Safety Workshop: A talk to raise awareness of Health and Safety legislation within the industry.
  • Introduction to Pedestrian Mowers Cylinder: Introduction to the Lantra competency course, covering legislation, risk assessments, and equipment familiarisation.
  • Introduction to Handheld Machinery: Overview of the Lantra competency courses, including relevant legislation, risk assessments, and equipment handling.

These sessions, along with many others, offer an invaluable opportunity to learn from experts, earn CPD points, and stay at the forefront of industry trends. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, GroundsFest 2024’s education programme has something to offer everyone.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the industry’s must-attend event. Register now for free at www.groundsfest.com

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

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Green-tech helps The Point at Polzeath

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Green-tech helps The Point at Polzeath: The Point is a collection of self-catering holiday homes in the heart of picturesque Cornwall.  The family-run business includes The Point at Polzeath, where several timber-built cabins have been created which required green roofs to be installed to comply with planning regulations.

Wheelbarrow Landscapes provides professional landscaping and garden maintenance services throughout Cornwall. The company is renowned for excellence in landscaping and garden maintenance and was chosen to fulfill this challenging project.  A long-term customer of Green-tech, they turned to their sales advisor George Barton for advice and expertise in supplying green roof materials.

Green-tech helps The Point at Polzeath

Green-tech helps The Point at Polzeath

The primary challenge of this project was to source a solution that managed the weight limitations on the cabin roofs. Initially, the project envisioned using topsoil with wildflowers, but this was rendered unfeasible due to weight constraints.

After exploring available solutions, Wheelbarrow Landscapes opted for Green-tech’s proven roof garden solutions, which included Gt RoofDrain for drainage. This lightweight drainage layer enables the collection and storage of water whilst providing a continuous drainage layer across the roof structure. The core acts as a water reservoir for plant roots to access in dry periods.

Green-tree roof garden substrate was chosen for the planting scheme. It is a blend of lightweight aggregate and award-winning Green-tree topsoil, which is ideal for green roof construction projects, due to its weight, excellent water-holding capacity, optimum drainage properties and good levels of aeration.

Instead of wildflowers or a planting scheme Green Roof Sedum matting was suggested and chosen. This is a lightweight and drought-tolerant green roof vegetation option, ideal for green roofs, especially those with a shallow substrate layer, as in this case. A Sedum Matting roof is a low-maintenance option that provides biodiversity, insulation, improves air quality in urban landscapes, and increases habitat creation. The plants offer a variety of leaf types and flowers which creates a blend of beautiful colours and textures when planted together.

Finally, Edge Guard was supplied to retain the lightweight substrate, which was especially important in areas lacking upstands.

James Ricks, Director at Wheelbarrow Landscapes comments, “We use Green-tech for all of our soft landscaping sundries and they always supply all the products we require, as and when we need them. They are knowledgeable and a pleasure to deal with. Green-tech was able to supply all the products we required for us to install the green roofs and also supplied the Edge Guard powder coated in black to match the black timber cladding. Our client was delighted with the finished product and plans to use it throughout the site on the remaining cabin roofs once they are all built.”

The installation at The Point at Polzeath is testimony to the synergy between sustainable design and innovative environmental solutions. Green-tech’s products addressed challenges such as weight limitations and maintenance concerns and played an essential role in enhancing the aesthetic appeal and ecological sustainability of the project.

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Attraxor’s Impact at Cheltenham College

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Attraxor’s Impact at Cheltenham College: Cheltenham College, a prestigious independent school with a rich history, prides itself on immaculate grounds that reflect its high standards. Central to maintaining these exceptional grounds is Christian Brain, Head of Grounds and his knowledgeable team.

For the past decade, Christian has called upon Agrovista Amenity for expert advice and products, and in recent years, Attraxor has become a crucial tool in his turf management arsenal.

Attraxor's Impact at Cheltenham College

Attraxor’s Impact at Cheltenham College

Cheltenham College, known for its academic excellence and beautiful campus, hosts numerous events and sports activities throughout the year. The main college field, spanning 3 hectares, is a focal point for many of these events, requiring meticulous care and attention to maintain its pristine condition.

Attraxor is a plant growth regulator exclusively available in the UK from Agrovista Amenity. It contains prohexadione calcium, which effectively manages the growth of amenity turf. By inhibiting the gibberellic acid pathway, Attraxor reduces turf height and biomass while promoting root growth and maintaining turf colour and quality. Its innovative formulation allows for fast leaf absorption, delivering almost instant results and offering flexibility in application timing, even during cooler weather.

Christian’s journey with Attraxor began a few years ago, thanks to a recommendation from Ray Hunt from Agrovista Amenity. “I first used Attraxor a few years ago. Ray suggested I give it a try, and I’ve had good results from it ever since,” Christian recalls. His application strategy is both efficient and effective, tailored to fit the busy schedule of an independent school.

Christian typically applies Attraxor in mid-May when the weather has improved, and the growing season is in full swing. He mixes Attraxor with fertiliser in three tanks to cover the 3-hectare main college field. “It helps reduce poa seedheads, which is great, and at that time of the year, the grass is growing a lot, so it helps to get a lot of bulk out of it. With the added bit of nitrogen, it gives it a nice colour,” Christian explains.

The timing of the application is crucial, coinciding with Cheltenham College’s Speech Day at the end of May, a major event which takes place on the field. “Attraxor helps present the field for all the visitors – it really shines it up and makes it ready for the day. It holds it nicely through the summertime as well,” says Christian.

The impact of Attraxor on the college grounds has been significant. Christian notes several key benefits:

Improved Turf Density and Appearance: “I’ve found that it improves density and enhances the appearance of the sward,” he says.

Reduced Clippings and Mowing Frequency: “Reduced clippings and mowing frequency helps in the busy spring/summer period.”

Enhanced Root Formation: “Root formation is also enhanced, which helps the plant’s vigour and colour when rainfall is less frequent.”

Suppressed Poa Annua Seeding: “Poa Annua seeding is suppressed which means less poa seeds germinating and establishing in the sward,” he adds.

Christian believes that the fast-acting nature of Attraxor is essential in a busy environment like Cheltenham College. His limited spraying windows and the constant use of the field requires a product that delivers quick and reliable results.

Christian’s experience with Attraxor at Cheltenham College highlights the product’s efficacy and the importance of expert guidance from Agrovista Amenity. By integrating Attraxor into his turf management routine, Christian continues to maintain the high standards of the college’s grounds.

For more information about Agrovista UK, visit www.agrovista.co.uk/amenity

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FSI to unveil latest addition to stump grinder range at APF

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FSI to unveil latest addition to stump grinder range at APF: FSI Stump Cutters are set to unveil something new at APF 2024, as the UK subsidiary of the world’s only dedicated stump grinder manufacturer takes a stand at the event for the very first time.

While details of the launch are being kept closely under wraps, visitors to stand 1560/1580 this September are assured to find an exciting new addition to their industry-leading portfolio, along with the chance to win a free 3-month hire of an FSI B21.

FSI to unveil latest addition to stump grinder range at APF

FSI to unveil latest addition to stump grinder range at APF

No strangers to the Ragley Estate, FSI have long had a presence at APF but 2024 marks the company’s debut under the banner of FSI Stump Cutters UK. Stand 1560/1580 will bring together stump grinding solutions for all professional situations with the expert advice and support of representatives from FSI UK and Denmark, as well as a number of FSI’s UK dealer partners.

Founded in 2002, FSI Stump Cutters have one of the industry’s widest ranges of quality-built stump grinders spanning engine, hydraulic and PTO-powered models – the latest addition to which will be unveiled on the opening morning. Other stand highlights promise to include the ever-popular FSI B21, which sets the industry standard for walk-behind grinders. The FSI B21 features a 14hp engine and pivoting cutter arm, offering a sweep of up to 90cm and removing stumps downs to depths of 25cm below ground.

Visitors will also have the chance to win a free 3-month hire of an FSI B21 by signing up for the on-stand competition and taking a spin on the ‘Cutterwheel of Fortune’ where a range of FSI goodies will be up for grabs.

More information on FSI and full terms & conditions of the competition can be found by speaking to the UK technical team who will be on hand to assist visitors across the three days.

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Take on the ‘Aspen Challenge’ at GroundsFest

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Take on the ‘Aspen Challenge’ at GroundsFest: Improving the working environment of landscapers and ground professionals for over 40 years, Aspen Fuel will be returning to GroundsFest 2024 to showcase the many benefits of their 2 and 4-stroke Alkylate petrol.

Stand OSA490 is the place to find out more and also the place where brave participants can partake in the ‘Aspen Challenge’ for the chance to win some awesome Aspen prizes!

Take on the ‘Aspen Challenge’ at GroundsFest

Take on the ‘Aspen Challenge’ at GroundsFest

Aspen alkylate petrol is virtually free from sulphur, benzene and solvents making it much less harmful than regular petrol. The reduction in hazardous and toxic hydrocarbons contributes to a cleaner burn, improving not just the reliability of the engine but the immediate operator environment – freeing users from headaches and other health concerns associated with working in close proximity to petrol-powered equipment.

Standard E10 pump fuel now contains around 10% ethanol, the moisture-attracting properties of which can often be the cause of starting difficulties or engine failures in smaller equipment such as strimmers and leaf blowers. Ethanol-free Aspen 2 with its cleaner combustion leaves very little residue or carbon deposits, extending engine lifespan and retaining its original performance for longer.

The benefits for the equipment and the operator, together with a reduction in environmental impact, make Aspen a versatile and economically-viable choice for operators in all sectors looking to move towards more sustainable working practice. Those wanting to discover how Aspen can change their own working environments can also enquire about the risk-free, money-back trial which enables business owners to try Aspen without incurring any increase in their fuel cost, and the option to return the unused fuel if they don’t ‘experience the difference’.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to test their strength in the ‘Aspen Challenge’ which returns for another year – with the chance to win some fantastic prizes over the course of the two days!

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