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Powering Sustainability at Paddington Recreation Ground

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Powering Sustainability at Paddington Recreation Ground: Paddington Recreation Ground, in the City of Westminster, has long been a cherished haven for Londoners, offering 27 acres of greenery and diverse amenities since its inception in 1888. Drawing over 2 million visitors annually, this historic parkland boasts a rich tapestry of sports facilities, gardens, and leisure spaces.

To ensure its upkeep and to meet the evolving demands of sustainability, Westminster Council, in collaboration with its leisure contractor Everyone Active, has embarked on a transformative journey, propelled by innovative solutions like the Avant e6 Electric Multi-Functional Loader.

Powering Sustainability at Paddington Recreation Ground

Powering Sustainability at Paddington Recreation Ground

Overseeing the maintenance of the park is Stephen Scott, who has dedicated 12 years to Paddington Recreation Ground, starting from a gardener and ascending to the role of Landscape and Security Manager. He leads a team of 8 landscapers, ensuring the park remains a meticulously kept green space amidst busy urban life. “It is a truly wonderful place and that is why I have been here so long,” he says. “We are fortunate that the site gets a lot of investment from Westminster Council, so it is always improving.”

The decision to integrate electric machinery aligns with Westminster Council’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Stephen notes, “Westminster Council is keen to move our petrol machinery over to electric machinery,” highlighting a shift towards a greener, more sustainable approach. This transition has seen remarkable progress, with Stephen proudly stating, “We were at 20% electric back in 2019, now we are 86% electric in terms of our equipment.”

Central to this transformation is the Avant e6 Electric Multi-Functional Loader, a pioneering solution that combines power, versatility, and eco-friendliness. Powered by a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, the e6 boasts impressive performance metrics, including a 2.8m lift height and a 900kg lift capacity. Its silent operation and zero emissions make it an ideal fit for urban environments like Paddington Recreation Ground.

Stephen recounts the introduction of the Avant e6 to their arsenal of equipment with enthusiasm, emphasising its seamless integration into their daily operations. “We’ve had the Avant e6 since 2021 and it has been a Godsend ever since,” he exclaims. From green waste disposal to heavy deliveries, the e6 has proven its versatility time and again.

Simon Carrig, one of the Landscape Gardeners at Paddington Recreation Ground, attests to the e6’s reliability and ease of use. “It is used every day without fail,” Simon remarks, highlighting its indispensable role in their daily routines. With attachments ranging from buckets to claws, the e6 seamlessly adapts to various tasks, enhancing efficiency and productivity.

“When it comes to battery-life we are able to get all our jobs done throughout the day on one charge,” Simon continues. “The inside of the cab is very comfortable, and it is good in the winter because it has a heated seat.”

Simon also emphasises the e6’s performance, noting its robustness and agility. “I have put it to the test believe me,” he asserts, reflecting on its ability to lift heavy items and navigate tight spaces with ease. Furthermore, its low maintenance requirements and reduced noise emissions contribute to a more favourable working environment.

Ian Royston from Farol, a trusted supplier of groundcare equipment, was instrumental in Paddington Recreation Ground’s purchase of the Avant e6. Stephen commends Ian’s support, stating, “Ian has been supplying equipment to us for years. He first introduced us to the Avant e6, brought it in for a demonstration and we have not looked back since. It is always a great service from Ian and Farol.”

As Paddington Recreation Ground continues to evolve, the Avant e6 Electric Multi-Functional Loader stands as a testament to the power of innovation in driving sustainable progress. With its eco-friendly design and unparalleled versatility, it has become an indispensable asset in maintaining the park’s pristine beauty while reducing its environmental footprint.

For more information, please visit www.avanttecno.com/uk

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Dennis Signals Eco-Conscious Evolution at Murrayfield

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Dennis Signals Eco-Conscious Evolution at Murrayfield: With over a decade of experience nurturing the hallowed grounds of the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium campus (SGM), Jim Dawson has recently embraced a significant change: the adoption of electric turf maintenance equipment, specifically the Dennis ES-860 cylinder mower, marking a shift away from traditional petrol-powered machinery.

Reflecting on his time at the iconic stadium, Head Groundsman Jim says: “I’ve been working here for 13 years now. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time and it’s a great experience to be part of the national team.” Over the years, Jim has witnessed pivotal transformations in pitch maintenance, notably the transition to a hybrid pitch, a decision made a decade ago to combat nematode issues that plagued the turf. “This new pitch was an absolute game-changer,” he adds.

Dennis Signals Eco-Conscious Evolution at Murrayfield

Dennis Signals Eco-Conscious Evolution at Murrayfield

The introduction of the Dennis ES-860 mowers represents a milestone in Murrayfield’s sustainability journey. Jim, a long-time advocate of Dennis Mowers, explains the rationale behind the switch: “Petrol costs have gone up, and there are obviously the environmental aspects to consider – we had to weigh up the pros and cons of going down the electric route.” After thorough demonstrations and evaluations, the ES-860’s robust features, including extended battery life and compatibility with existing G860 mower cassettes, emerged as compelling factors for Jim.

The Dennis ES-860, a 34″ battery-powered turf

management system, epitomises versatility and efficiency. Offering a range of 13 interchangeable cassette options for tasks such as cutting, scarifying, brushing, and verticutting, it ensures optimal performance for day-to-day maintenance needs. Powered by a 48V battery, the ES-860 boasts a quick 120-minute recharge time, eliminating concerns of range anxiety during prolonged use.

Jim highlights the integration of the ES-860 into Murrayfield’s operations: “The battery life is great – we can get the whole pitch cut on a single charge with no problem at all.” Leveraging the versatility of the machine, Jim utilises various cassettes tailored to specific maintenance requirements. “Predominantly we use the cylinders for cutting,” he explains. “The brush cassettes come in handy during the winter to remove debris from the pitch to keep it clean and we’ve also got the verticutting cassette.”

One of the standout features of the ES-860 is its ultra-quiet operation, a big advantage for Murrayfield’s busy matchday preparations. Jim notes, “Because we have a lot of press and media still working and ‘on air’ a couple of hours after the full time whistle, they are always asking for us to turn the petrol mowers off! However, we can now carry on working with the ES-860’s, because they are so quiet in operation.” This not only enhances efficiency but also creates a more favourable working environment for the groundskeeping team. “I love how quiet the machines are – we can talk over them, and we don’t find ourselves shouting from one end of the pitch to another,” adds Jim.

Dennis Signals Eco-Conscious Evolution at Murrayfield

Dennis Signals Eco-Conscious Evolution at Murrayfield

Moreover, Jim commends Dennis Mowers for their exceptional service and expertise, particularly highlighting Ewen Wilson, Sales Manager for Scotland. “I receive an outstanding service from Dennis Mowers,” he states. “Ewen has helped me a lot over the years and his knowledge of the equipment is fantastic.”

As Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium continues its sustainability journey, Jim says there will be more electric equipment on the way, affirming, “Battery-power is the way forward.”

With market-leading turf maintenance equipment like the Dennis ES-860, Jim Dawson and his team are certainly ensuring that Scotland’s rugby legacy thrives for generations to come.

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter and Instagram @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK. You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers

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Sweeping Success with SISIS at Merchiston Castle School

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Sweeping Success with SISIS at Merchiston Castle School: Stuart Chalmers, Head Groundsman at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, has recently elevated his maintenance procedures with the addition of the SISIS Litamina 1200.

This innovative tractor-mounted sweeper is helping to enhance the upkeep of Scotland’s only all-boys independent boarding school.

Sweeping Success with SISIS at Merchiston Castle School

Sweeping Success with SISIS at Merchiston Castle School

Merchiston Castle School boasts a rich tapestry of sporting facilities, including rugby, football, hockey, cricket, tennis, and a golf academy. Spanning just under 100 acres, the school’s grounds present a diverse array of maintenance challenges throughout the year. Stuart, who has climbed the ranks since joining the school in 2012, understands the importance of using robust equipment to meet these challenges.

“As a school, we’ve long relied on SISIS equipment,” remarks Stuart. “Their machines were here when I first started, and they’ve proven their longevity over the years. We’re constantly striving to make improvements, and SISIS equipment aligns perfectly with our ethos.”

The Litamina 1200, a highly popular model in the SISIS range, has earned Stuart’s praise. “We had an older Litamina 1200 that served us well for over 10 years,” he explains. “When the time came to replace it, there was no question—we opted for the same machine. It’s simply that good.”

With its spiral-designed brush and galvanised collection hopper, the Litamina 1200 excels in collecting a wide range of debris while delicately following ground contours. Stuart highlights the modernised features of the new model, including stands for convenient storage and enhanced practicality and ease of use.

“The Litamina 1200 has become indispensable in our maintenance routine,” says Stuart. “Primarily used on our rugby and football pitches, it not only cleans the surface but also helps rejuvenate the grass, allowing for better air circulation and preparing the turf for our mowing programme.”

Stuart outlines the meticulous scheduling of maintenance tasks, which often includes alternating the use of the Litamina 1200 with other SISIS equipment such as the Maxislit, a tractor-mounted deep slitting lawn aerator. “We utilise the Litamina for leaf collection as well, demonstrating its versatility and efficiency,” he adds.

Ewen Wilson, Sales Manager for Scotland at SISIS, also receives praise from Stuart for his excellent service. “The support we receive from Ewen is first-class. It’s reassuring to know that we have a reliable partner in SISIS.”

As Merchiston Castle School prepares for exciting expansions, including a new nursery school and junior school, Stuart remains committed to maintaining pristine grounds. With the SISIS Litamina 1200 at his disposal, Stuart and his team continue to raise the bar, ensuring that the school’s sporting facilities remain a source of pride for years to come.

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter or Instagram @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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MND campaign celebrated at RHS Flower Show

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MND campaign celebrated at RHS Flower Show: A garden dedicated to Doddie Weir and his charity for research into Motor Neurone Disease will be showcased at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2024 this summer as the show celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Designed by Pip Probert, My Name’5 Doddie will incorporate the colours of the player’s own private tartan, sculptures representing players in a line out, rugby goal posts and a water feature based on the tartan flower brooch used by the charity.

MND campaign celebrated at RHS Flower Show

MND campaign celebrated at RHS Flower Show

Weir was one of rugby’s most recognisable personalities. The Scot revealed in June 2017 he was suffering from MND and launched the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation in November of that year with a vision of ridding the world of the disease. The garden’s scheme will represent the number 5 – his position in the sport.

Other gardens include The 1804 Garden by Carolyn Hardern and Jon Jarvis, the design duo behind last year’s Best Show Garden. Hardern and Jarvis continue their campaign to support construction workers, this time focusing on how a garden can be designed to mitigate against the risks of melanoma caused by excessive sun exposure.

Skills of local artisans and crafts people are celebrated in The Grant Horticulture Arts & Crafts Garden by Callum Bain MacKay. Inspired by the arts and crafts movement, billowing grasses, multi-stemmed trees and soft pastel toned perennials are interspersed with a hand-milled and hand-constructed timber pavilion, and hand-crafted wooden patio furniture and creasing tile sculptures, with materials sourced locally to emphasise sustainability.

The final Show Garden comes from Ollie Pike, with This Garden Isn’t Finished Without You, sponsored by the Methodist Church, showcasing the church’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

In the Terrace Gardens, Tom Saunders will bring a touch of the Andes to a Peak District setting with The Orchid Garden, after the designer’s travels to South America where he saw the flowers growing in their natural ecosystem and realised that native orchids can be grown domestically and set within dry stone walls.

Sophie Godber’s Big Picture Garden highlights conscious consumerism, embracing a repurposed appearance with objects and materials sourced from a 19th century farmstead to demonstrate how building a new garden doesn’t need to cost the earth, while Hilary Newhall’s The Secret Garden: For Us, By Us raises awareness of autistic adults and the challenges they encounter, particularly in employment and being a business owner.

This year will also see the return of the Long Borders. Women’s rights and the colours of the Women’s Suffrage Movement are highlighted in Susan Booth’s garden, Barbie says, ‘Women can be anything they want.’ (On the shoulders of giants), complete with glitter ball. Other themes touched upon include the Cheshire rail network, LGBTQ+ rights, the Manchester skyline and an edible family garden.

This year, the show has also introduced a new competition, RHS Career Changers of the Year, reflecting the increasing number of people who are choosing to enter horticulture and garden design. The show will also host the coveted RHS Young Designer of the Year competition, launching the careers of many a top name talent. Further details of entrants for these categories will be announced in due course.

The next time that RHS Flower Show Tatton Park will be on the site will be in 2027, as part of a roster of changes to the shows schedule announced by the RHS earlier this year.

Sarah Poll, RHS Head of Shows Development, said: “What a fantastic line-up for the 25th anniversary of the wonderful RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. From gardens addressing illnesses such as MND to sustainability, arts and crafts, orchids and even Barbie – we’re delighted to showcase the best of cutting-edge design and thought provoking gardens. We’ve also got a superb range of food and drinks, live entertainment and shopping opportunities so everyone, young or old, families or individuals can come and enjoy a great day out.”

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park takes place from 17-21 July. Tickets can be bought here: www.rhs.org.uk/tatton

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Campey Australasia at ASTMA 2024

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Campey Australasia at ASTMA 2024: Campey Australasia was launched in 2022 and is delighted to announce that it will be exhibiting at ASTMA 2024.

This expansion by Campey Turf Care Systems has led to an established presence in Australasia delivering the leading machinery and customer service which Campey  is known for across the globe. Through appointing local established dealers, such as Fernland, Mexted Sports Turf and Turfmate, Australasia now has access to some of the most renowned turf maintenance equipment in the world.

Campey Australasia at ASTMA 2024

Campey Australasia at ASTMA 2024

We are delighted to being able to highlight a wide selection of these products, some well-known and others new, designed to address any turf maintenance issues across the spectrum of natural turf sports pitches and golf courses. Products such as such as scarifiers, brushes, rakes, drag mats, sprayers, including Campey™ Uni-Scratch, UniRake, Campey™ Speedresser and the ML Sprayer.

The Australian arm of the brand is overseen by Campey export sales manager Nick Brown, who will be there, along with representation from our dealers to explain how the company operates and to provide you with valuable insights in tackling your individual turf maintenance concerns.

It is through working closely with dealers and customers on an individual basis, through export development, Campey has earned the trust of greenkeepers and groundsmen worldwide delivering natural approaches to rejuvenating the soil.

We look forward to welcoming you to our stand in Brisbane!

For further information, please visit our website: www.campeyaustralasia.comOr contact Nick Brown at nick@campeyturfcare.com

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