Tag Archive for: Initiative

GroundsFest Joins Forces with Industry Initiative

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GroundsFest Joins Forces with Industry Initiative: A collaborative initiative ‘Roots for the future, skills for today’, supported by leading industry bodies and influential individuals, is pleased to announce that GroundsFest has officially joined the mission to promote the landscape architecture and horticultural industries to the wider public.

As part of its support, GroundsFest will take the lead by building the industry’s flagship stand at New Scientist Live 2026 which takes place at London’s Excel, October 10-12. The project aims to bring together prominent organisations from across the breadth of UK landscaping and horticulture, to collaborate on an exhibit to raise perceptions through public engagement. The ultimate aim is to address the skills crisis by showcasing the sectors as high-tech, scientific and sustainable, to a large STEM-focused audience. Educational and commercial partners are sought from across sports turf, groundskeeping, forestry, landscaping, ornamental and edible production, garden retail, environmental management, gardens and parks. Sufficient stand sharers are required by 24th March to move the project to its next stage of booking space.

GroundsFest Joins Forces with Industry Initiative

GroundsFest Joins Forces with Industry Initiative

New Scientist Live, held annually in London, attracts over 26,000 visitors including students, school staff, families and science enthusiasts, making it the premier platform to inspire a large public and the next generation.

Award-winning GroundsFest, the UK’s leading annual event for the grounds management, landscaping and arboriculture industries, will bring unparalleled expertise to the project. Their team will oversee the construction of an immersive, interactive stand that demonstrates the technological, engineering and environmental science required to build and maintain the nation’s world-class green spaces and deliver horticultural output.

Christina Walker, leading the project, commented: “I’m thrilled to welcome GroundsFest to this crucial initiative. Their commitment to the landscaping and grounds maintenance industries, plus their award-winning skill in producing events and exhibits makes them the perfect partner to bring this vision to life. By building a stand that is both interactive and scientifically grounded, we can show the New Scientist Live audience the vast array of inspirational and aspirational STEM careers across the landscape and horticulture sectors. I need stand sharers and sponsors to come forward – I’m particularly keen that we have a sport activity to engage visitors around soil science and an urban element is absolutely central to the exhibit.”

Christopher Bassett, Event Director of GroundsFest, added: “Joining this mission was a natural fit for us. At GroundsFest, we are passionate about the future of the industry and reinvesting in the next generation. Building the stand at New Scientist Live 2026 allows us to showcase the incredible craftsmanship and innovation within our sector on a national stage. We look forward to working with our colleagues to create something truly inspiring.” The partnership follows a growing movement within the industry to unify efforts in career promotion, as recently discussed at a cross sector Focus Group. By combining the resources of trade bodies and commercial sponsors with the practical prowess of GroundsFest, the project ensures that the horticulture and landscape architecture sectors will have a commanding and educational presence at one of the world’s largest science festivals.

Stand sharers and sponsors are asked to contact Christina Walker chris1coombes@googlemail.com before 24th March.

About GroundsFest GroundsFest is the UK’s largest annual event for the grounds management, landscaping, and arboriculture sectors. It features a unique combination of indoor and outdoor exhibits, live machinery demonstrations, and the GroundsFest Academy, which provides free educational seminars and training for industry professionals.

About New Scientist Live New Scientist Live is an award-winning science festival that brings together the biggest names in science and technology. The event features immersive experiences, incredible exhibits, and talks from world-leading experts, aimed at inspiring people of all ages about the wonders of the universe.

Media Contact: Christina Walker 07703 592589
chris1coombes@googlemail.com@googlemail.com

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BIGGA launches new ‘BIGGA Elevates’ initiative

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BIGGA launches new ‘BIGGA Elevates’ initiative: The British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association (BIGGA) are proud to announce the launch of BIGGA Elevates – a new initiative that is designed to support, inspire and connect women working in golf and turf.

The inaugural event will take place at the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME) at Harrogate.

BIGGA launches new ‘BIGGA Elevates’ initiative

BIGGA launches new ‘BIGGA Elevates’ initiative

It will be held in The R&A Clubhouse area within Hall 4 of the Harrogate Convention Centre on Wednesday 21 January at 4pm – and is being delivered in collaboration with The R&A and Syngenta.

Aimed at empowering women who work in a traditionally male-dominated industry, BIGGA Elevates will provide a welcoming, inclusive and relaxed environment where attendees can share experiences, access guidance, and build confidence.

The initiative’s aim is to foster a supportive community, helping women working in golf and turf to feel comfortable, free and confident in their careers.

The event will feature a panel session with inspiring speakers, including Jackie Davidson, Director – Golf Education at The R&A, TV presenter Sarah Stirk, and a female greenkeeper who will share her personal journey in the industry.

The panel will answer audience questions and provide insight into their experiences, offering practical advice and encouragement for women navigating their careers.

Lauren Frazer, Head of Commercial & Marketing at BIGGA, said: “We want BIGGA Elevates to be more than just an event – it’s about creating a community.

“We hope it brings women together to share experiences, learn from each other, and access resources and guidance. Working in this industry can be daunting at times, and this initiative is about giving women a platform to relate, connect and gain confidence.”

Sarah Hughes, SPS Business Manager UK & Ireland at Syngenta, said: “We’re proud to support the BIGGA Elevates event at BTME along with The R&A.

“It will be a great networking opportunity recognising the important contributions of women in turf care. Working in this industry myself, I see firsthand both the challenges women face and the exceptional skill they bring to the industry.

“It will be good to connect with greenkeeping professionals whose dedication and excellence are already inspiring future generations to join our industry. This event will provide a welcoming space for women to connect with each other at BTME, building the community and support networks that help us thrive.

“At Syngenta, we’re passionate about promoting diversity and inclusion because we know it makes for a stronger, more innovative golf sector.”

If your team includes any female greenkeepers, please ensure they register for this event. It’s open to all women attending BTME, with no BIGGA membership required.

The initiative reflects BIGGA’s commitment to promoting diversity and supporting women at all stages of their careers, creating pathways to growth and recognition.

For further information, please follow this link https://www.bigga.org.uk/about/women-in-golf-charter/bigga-elevates.html or  contact Lauren Frazer via email: Lauren@bigga.co.uk

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The R&A seeks feedback on Golf Course 2030 initiative

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The R&A seeks feedback on Golf Course 2030 initiative: Greenkeepers and golf club managers now have an opportunity to influence The R&A’s Golf Course 2030 programme, through a survey designed to identify drivers and needs for future sustainable turf management. 

Greenkeepers and golf course managers can take the five-minute survey here.

The R&A seeks feedback on Golf Course 2030 initiative

The R&A seeks feedback on Golf Course 2030 initiative

Golf Course 2030 aims to help golf courses to mitigate the impact of climate change, resource constraints and regulation on course condition and playability, according to The R&A GC2030 Project Manager, John Kemp. It promotes sustainable golf course management practices to ensure the best possible playing conditions for golfers.

“As part of the ongoing development of Golf Course 2030, we need views and feedback from industry stakeholders to assess the impact of what has been offered by the project so far and what is required for the future. That will ensure it continues to provide practical support to course mangers and clubs,” he says.

“Golf Course 2030 supports golf facilities, greenkeepers and industry advisors with essential information to make more informed everyday business decisions on how they manage their turf.

“It is essential that we identify how useful the guidance and resources provided by Golf Course 2030 have been, as well as their influence in helping golf courses and turf managers to make necessary changes in their practices and identifying future needs to inform business development.”

Find out more about The R&A Golf Course 2030 initiative

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Praise for JCB food initiative

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Praise for JCB food initiative: The leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council today paid tribute to JCB for helping make a “real difference” to the lives of vulnerable people with its special food aid initiative.

Councillor Abi Brown’s comments came as JCB increases its production of meals for the community and works with more local organisations to extend its delivery of the food to the most disadvantaged adults and children.

Praise for JCB food initiative

Praise for JCB food initiative

The company’s catering staff in the UK and India are preparing more than 37,500 meals a week for distribution around towns and villages located close to its plants. The initiative is the idea of Lady Bamford, wife of JCB Chairman Lord Bamford. In the UK, staff started producing 2,000 cottage pies a week for distribution in the North Staffordshire area – and have now boosted production to 2,600.

The first meals have now been delivered to the city council with around 1,000 JCB meals a week expected for distribution to vulnerable adults and children across the city, who have asked for help during the Coronavirus pandemic through the #StokeonTrent Together initiative.

Today Councillor Abi Brown, Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “People, businesses and individuals across the city have stood up and been counted in these testing times. JCB is one such organisation that we are proud to have as a business supporting Stoke-on-Trent. We are grateful to have a business of such calibre supporting the city where hundreds of its employees live and know it will make a huge difference to our most vulnerable residents that we are supporting through our #StokeonTrentTogether initiative. Our heartfelt thanks go to JCB.”
JCB’s kitchens in Staffordshire are being supported with the provision of food from organic farms at Daylesford in Gloucestershire. So far, Daylesford – founded by Lady Bamford – has supplied more than half a tonne of organic beef mince to the project, with staff working seven days a week to support the food aid initiative.

The meals being prepared by JCB arrive in specially prepared containers with a message, which reads: “Lovingly prepared by JCB’s chefs for our local community.”
The scale of the operation in India is even bigger, where the Coronavirus has caused huge disruption to people’s lives. Forty-five JCB staff have been mobilised to cook more than 35,000 meals a week in the company canteens for communities around JCB’s factory locations in Delhi, Pune and Jaipur.

In the UK, JCB is also working with the The Hubb Foundation in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, to distribute food to children and families in need of support across the city and the first of the cottage pies were delivered last week.

Staffordshire Civil Contingencies Unit puts measures in place to support the people of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent in an emergency. One of the partners in this, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, has been helping JCB co-ordinate the distribution of the food, ensuring meals reach front line theatre staff at the Royal Stoke Hospital and providing the link to the city council to extend distribution to more parts of Stoke-on-Trent.

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New Harrowden Turf initiative

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New Harrowden Turf initiative: As Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases are becoming more widespread and the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) have now upgraded this current outbreak to the status of pandemic, we are now having to think about how this affects all of us.

“Let’s Build A Garden” is a social media and e-communications campaign initially aimed at our customers and followers but designed to encourage sharing of information and to engage with vulnerable groups, those with unexpected childminding responsibilities and those self-isolating because of covid-19.

Stuart Ridd-Jones, Managing Director:-

“Horticulture and gardening are “soul” activities and in these unprecedented times we are being encouraged to nurture mind, body and soul. “Let’s Build A Garden” will use social media platforms to provide step by step ideas, resources and “homework” to get these key groups and others starting a garden project. Each week a new step will be introduced – hopefully with ever-growing support.”

We have  also teamed up with the #keepcalmandgetreadytogarden initiated by Porters Fuchsias and #plantsmakepeoplehappy  to try to bring ideas together.

As well as utilising social media platforms “Let’s Build A Garden” will encourage people to send in plans, mood-boards, mind-maps, pictures and ideas to marketing@harrowdenturf.co.uk to be shared and used as inspiration for others.

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