Tag Archive for: Returns

SoilsCon returns in 2024

SoilsCon returns in 2024: After a four-year break, during which time the world has experienced pandemic, dramatic changes to its climate patterns, and major advances in science and technology, SoilsCon – the landscape industry’s ‘go to’ conference for soil-related topics – is returning.

The one-day conference will take place on Wednesday, 28th February 2024, at the elegant Phyllis Court in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Organised by soil scientist and landscape consultant Tim O’Hare, it promises landscape architects and specifiers, housebuilders, landscape contractors and designers, developers, topsoil manufacturers, local government officers, and professionals from the wider industry, a day of invaluable professional development, discussion and debate, with presentations by some of the leading experts in their respective fields.

SoilsCon returns in 2024

SoilsCon returns in 2024

So far, the SoilsCon 2024 speaker line-up features:

Tim O’Hare, Principal Consultant, Tim O’Hare Associates

Tim White, Senior Associate, Tim O’Hare Associates

Dr Iain Gould, Associate Professor in Soil Science, University of Lincoln

Helen Elks-Smith, Principal, Elk-Smith Landscape & Garden Design

Jennifer Mui, Director, MRG Studio

Katherine Iles (Principal Engineer) and Ryan Coghlan (Senior Landscape Architect), ARUP

Subjects will include:

  • Soil health and functions in landscapes – a practical approach
  • Soil requirements for Biodiversity Net Gain typologies
  • Soil organic matter and carbon sequestration
  • The challenges of garden construction
  • Species-rich soils – a National Trust case study
  • Biochar and Dolerite – the science behind these soil conditioners

A Soil Surgery, popular with delegates at previous SoilsCon events, will be held during the day’s networking periods with members of the Tim O’Hare Associates team on hand to help delegates with their specific soil issues.

The final programme and conference details will be issued shortly but to express your interest in attending, please email sharon.frost@toha.co.uk or call 01491 822653.

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Perennial returns to RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Perennial returns to RHS Chelsea Flower Show: Following last year’s success with the Perennial Garden ‘With Love’ by Richard Miers winning the RHS People’s Choice Award, Perennial is returning to the 2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Over 50 people were directly involved in the creation of the winning garden last year, showcasing a fraction of all those working in horticulture that the charity supports and cares for, who shape, nurture, and protect our beautiful gardens and green spaces across the UK.

Perennial returns to RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Perennial returns to RHS Chelsea Flower Show

However, the Perennial presence will be a little different this year as they will be appearing in the Grand Pavilion, where you can join the team on their exhibit in the Discovery Zone for an Alan Titchmarsh-led audio visual experience, to learn about the charity and how they help those who work with plants, trees, flowers, or grass.

Beautifully created with plants, designed to demonstrate the diversity and interest that can be created in a vertical garden, the stand will include new ‘Plants for Perennial’ varieties; Dianthus Pink Celebration, Nemesia Peaches and Cream, Clematis Prince George, and Salvia Cuello in both white and pink forms. All have been produced in collaboration with four wholesale nurseries to raise funds to support for the work that Perennial does, and it will be the first time that the plants will all be appearing together.

“Perennial has taken a different approach this year.” says Director of Marketing and Fundraising, Anita Bates. “In order to reach as many people as possible so they know we are here for them; we are always adapting. We’re looking forward to telling our story, launching our new ‘Plants for Perennial’ varieties, and showcasing some of the people we are proud to support. If you’re attending Chelsea Flower Show, do drop by exhibit 004 and meet the team.”

Read more about Perennial’s Chelsea presence this year at perennial.org.uk/chelsea

As the UK’s only charity helping all those working in, and retired from horticulture, Perennial is always on hand to offer support, information and advice and there is plenty of opportunity for everyone to get involved. Visit perennial.org.uk

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Turf Tank returns to SALTEX

Turf Tank returns to SALTEX: Turf Tank, leading robotic line marking company and winner of the 2017 Saltex Innovation Award, is bringing the revolutionary Turf Tank One back to Saltex 2022.

Booth No G085

This year the company is bringing a new surprise to the show, the next generation robotic line marking software. Visitors will have a chance to discover the latest features, that improve usability, make the process even faster and easier, and offer more customisation options.

Turf Tank returns to SALTEX

Turf Tank returns to SALTEX

The Turf Tank UK team is inviting everybody interested in the technology to visit Stand G085 and learn how Turf Tank could improve their line marking operations.

Read more

We’re dealing with an establishment where people are investing a lot of money sending their kids to a private school which excels in all areas of education on and off the pitch. So, I want to make sure that the pitches reflect that level of expectation. The Turf Tank robot brings a quality of perfomance and reliability that we expect.

– Lee Marshallsay, Grounds Manager, Eton College

With the traditional way of marking pitches, there was a lot of time wasted. Today we’ve marked five pitches, which would have taken our staff three-four days. With the robot, we’ve done that in an afternoon! It’s the future of line marking!

– Richard Hare, Head Groundsperson, Bromsgrove School

It wasn’t until we used the GPS machine that it highlighted the fact that when you come to mark a line freehand, they creep a bit. And then they creep a little bit more. And then they creep a little bit more, and you don’t really notice the little bit of creeping until you get a GPS line marker overmarking the pitches that were already there. You realise that they’ve moved a considerable amount of distance, and it kind of highlights that the lines were actually in the wrong place.

– Ewan Hunter, Grounds Manager, Nottingham Forest FC

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ICL Schools Seminar Returns in Style

ICL Schools Seminar Returns in Style: The ICL Independent Schools Seminar recently returned in full force after a two-year absence due to the pandemic.

Held at the all-new Sports Turf Academy within Leicester City FC’s world-class training facility, approximately 50 turf professionals from the Independent Schools sector attended the event to network and enhance their education.

ICL Schools Seminar Returns in Style

ICL Schools Seminar Returns in Style

With the last seminar taking place in 2019, many attendees saw it as a valuable opportunity to catch-up on trends and topics within the ever-changing world of turf management.

“You’ve got to stay up to date,” said Gary Austin, Deputy Head Groundsman at Radley College. “In the short amount of time between the seminars, things have moved on so quickly and less products have become available. If you don’t attend events like this and keep yourself aware, then you will get left behind.”

ICL’s Dr Richard Collins was the first to take to the stage and proceeded to provide an overview and update on the many research projects being conducted by ICL. Richard explained the importance of research and trials; detailed the types of research being carried out by ICL including internal studies and those in partnership with leading universities; and he also offered an insight into specific projects such as SMX – a soluble seaweed concentrate, and a variety of wetting agents.

Turf in the metaverse was up next as Syngenta’s Daniel Lightfoot addressed the exciting potential of digital agronomy. In his presentation, Daniel explained how digital activity will underpin the future of turf management, encouraging less chemical applications and more accurate biological ones. Attendees then saw how Syngenta’s Pest Management app is helping to provide turf professionals with essential product and application information.

A short coffee break allowed delegates to reflect on the morning seminars before ICL’s Henry Bechelet outlined strategies for effective renovations. Step-by-step Henry went through the stages of a successful renovation process by covering everything from seed

choice to early establishment and proven fertilisers to the use of supported technologies.

Lunch signalled the halfway point and, in turn, provided the fuel for attendees to share their opinions in a panel debate led by Adam King, Head of Grounds at Radley College. It presented an opportunity to discuss the biggest issues that the Independent Schools sector cares most about. Conversations focussed on staffing levels, recruitment, pay grades, how to get more people into the industry and whether industry organisations should be doing more for the sector. The refreshing debate could have continued long into the evening as attendees shared their own experiences and collaboratively explored potential solutions.

Host for the day and Head of Sports Turf and Grounds, John Ledwidge, then provided a fascinating insight into the recently launched Sports Turf Academy. John explained how the Academy aims to inspire the next generation of sports turf students by offering an elite training environment, with access to the latest technology and expertise.

The day concluded with a memorable behind the scenes tour of the club’s state-of-the-art training facility and the consensus was that the attendees were pleased to see the return of the seminar.

“I’m taking so much away with me,” said Chris Moody, Head of Grounds at Ratcliffe College. “Firstly, it has shown me just how much research goes into each and every ICL product. I found the digital technology presentation fascinating; it was a real eye-opener and I’ll be downloading the app as soon as I can, especially as it is free at a time when we’re all trying to keep within our budgets. Overall, days like this are very much needed – we all have time pressures, but we still need to take the time to attend something informative which brings together people of the same ilk.”

Michael Hood, Head Groundsman at Leicester Grammar School, agreed: “It has been great catching up and meeting people from other schools to share advice,” he said.

“We’ve all got the same problems, but we don’t get the chance to talk about it very often so today has been very beneficial.”

It was the first ICL seminar Ipswich School has attended, and Head Groundsman Martin Cull wasn’t disappointed: “We came today not really knowing what to expect but it has been amazing. Seeing all the research gives you even more trust in the products. Talking to other like-minded people and finding out how they deal with certain issues has also been very useful.”

“We haven’t got a huge budget, so the timing of product application is essential,” added Martin’s colleague Ollie Jones. “Therefore, the biggest thing I’ll be taking away with me from today is knowing exactly when to use products. It has been a real privilege to attend – the facilities here are breath-taking.”

The event certainly struck a chord with Aaron Winfield, Assistant Groundsman at Harrow School: “Listening to John Ledwidge and finding out how he is trying to develop the industry through the Sports Turf Academy was incredible. There is a clear hole in the industry which he is trying to fill. I also enjoyed participating in the panel debate because people are leaving the industry, which is hard to see when you love it. Today we have established that we need to educate more people from outside the industry as to just how great this job is.

“This event has been brilliant, and we need more days like this because it has allowed us to come together and help us nurture the future of the industry. I’d like to say a big thank you to Emma Kilby (founder of the seminar) and everyone else at ICL.”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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‘Thank A Greenkeeper Day’ returns

‘Thank A Greenkeeper Day’ returns: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) is joining other organisations across golf to offer a message of thanks to greenkeepers and sports turf professionals on Tuesday 14 September 2021.

For the second year running, BIGGA is working alongside other global greenkeeping and superintendent groups to recognise those who help golf courses enjoyable and sustainable. Thank A Greenkeeper Day will take place on 14 September and will encourage those who love golf to take a moment or two to thank their golf course’s greenkeeping team.

‘Thank A Greenkeeper Day’ returns

‘Thank A Greenkeeper Day’ returns

In 2020, the hashtag #ThankAGreenkeeper trended within the top 10 of UK topics on social media throughout the day as celebrities, professional golfers and countless others offered messages of thanks to their greenkeepers and groundsmen. Some clubs even laid on hot breakfasts or meals for their teams!

In addition to BIGGA, other groups taking part in the global event include the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), the Australian Sports Turf Managers Association (ASTMA), the Canadian Golf Superintendents Association (CGSA) and the Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations (FEGGA). All together the groups represent more than 31,000 golf course management professionals in 78 countries around the world.

The celebration will include a commercial that will appear on the Golf Channel and other media outlets and social media messages touting the many ways that greenkeepers benefit the game and their communities’ golfers. Golf fans are invited to join the conversation on social media using the hashtags #ThankAGreenkeeper or #ThankASuper, depending on the country’s nomenclature.

In addition, golf courses and other groups are encouraged to provide special recognition for their course manager and greenkeeping staff on 14 September.

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Kubota’s photo competition returns

Kubota’s photo competition returns: The #MyKubota photo competition is back, and Kubota UK is inviting all Kubota operators to take part, with the chance to win a £200 retail voucher and a number of runner-up prizes.

Running from the 3rd to the 31st of May, operators are invited to submit an image of their Kubota machine to the Kubota UK Twitter or Facebook page, using the hashtag #MyKubota, along with a few words on why their Kubota is their machine of choice.

Kubota’s photo competition returns

Kubota’s photo competition returns

Crucially, this year’s #MyKubota competition will be judged by a group of independent panellists, so entrants are encouraged to be as ambitious and creative as they like. But please make you follow all relevant safety guidelines, when getting that shot.

The lucky winner will be presented with a £200 retail voucher, while eight runners-up will receive an exclusive collection of Kubota merchandise.

David Hart, managing director of Kubota UK, said: “#MyKubota is a great opportunity for Kubota users of every stripe to show off and celebrate their machines alongside the entire Kubota community. Having such a diverse and versatile portfolio within agriculture, ground care and construction machinery, used in diverse environments and situations, we are looking forward to seeing what our customers come up with.”

To stay up-to-date with the competition, follow Kubota UK’s Twitter page at twitter.com/KubotaUK, or like the Facebook page at facebook.com/KubotaUK

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Plant based podcast returns

Plant based podcast returns: On Sunday 8th March, The Plant Based Podcast will return for its third series, bringing with it a brand-new sponsor and a stellar line up of guests and famous faces.

The podcast launched last February and became an instant hit, amassing a large audience tuning in for the latest plant-based news, features and interviews every fortnight.

Plant based podcast returns

Plant based podcast returns

Series three is set to continue exploring everything plant-based the planet has to offer, being bigger and better than ever before! As part of this a new sponsor has been announced. Natural Grower, a manufacturer of plant based, chemical free fertilisers, is the proud partner for series three – with a commitment to inspiring growers to adopt an organic and sustainable approach it is the perfect partner.

The show hosts Michael Perry and Ellen Mary are prolific gardening writers, bloggers and presenters with a strong social media following that has helped catapult the podcast to the heights of the podcast charts. Their light-hearted and entertaining podcasting style has been a big hit with listeners of all ages with interests beyond gardening. The show is far from the usual gardening programme with the typical how-to gardening tips, instead it celebrates places and people worldwide with a true passion for plants.

In series three, Michael and Ellen will meet famous faces who champion plants, horticulture and plant-based living. Some of the brilliant guests booked for series three include Mark Lane, award winning garden designer and one of the presenters of BBC Gardeners’ World; creator of the world famous plant-based skincare range, Liz Earle; naturalist, television presenter and author, Chris Packham; and Alex Petrides, the founder of All Plants, the first entirely plant-based meal delivery service.

Ellen Mary commented: “Both Michael and I are overwhelmed by the success of the podcast, we had no idea what it would turn out to be or how popular it would become. It’s amazing that its success means that now we can attract big names like Chris Packham and Liz Earle to help continue to spread the word about just how amazing plants are. We’re thrilled to be working with Natural Grower, their company ethos is amazing, and we love the products. Their support has allowed us to elevate the podcast to the next level”.

Series three will launch on Sunday 8th March, and episodes will be released on Sundays fortnightly thereafter.

Fans of the podcast can now get even more plant-based news through Plant Based Podcast TV! Michael and Ellen have kicked off their YouTube channel which is proving popular with the Plant Based Podcast following. Plant Based Podcast TV brings viewers more horticultural hi-jinks and educational content, delivered in the signature Plant Based Podcast style.

Subscribe via iTunes or Spotify, and visit theplantbasedpodcast.net for more information. On the website you will also find exclusive content and articles to coincide with the topic of each episode, as well as further information about Natural Grower. Watch Plant Based Podcast TV on YouTube.

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Vincent’s Dig Dag Returns

Vincent’s Dig Dag Returns: West Country Kubota dealership, Vincent Tractors & Plant has announced that it’s popular Dig Day will return for a fourth year.  This year the event is being held on Wednesday 3rd April at the Ashbury Hotel, Fowley Cross, near Okehampton between 12noon and 6:30pm. 

The annual event allows visitors to put a range of Kubota excavators through their paces as well as find out more about the construction range that Vincent Tractors & Plant supplies.

Vincent's Dig Dag Returns

Nick Vincent, Vincent Tractors & Plant’s Construction Sales Person for Devon said “It’s not often that people get the chance to try out so many excavators in one location.  The Kubota range of excavators is world class, with the range starting at 0.8 tonne and going through to their flagship 8 tonne machine – the KX080-4”.

“There will also be a number of other different manufacturers there which will allow visitors to see a range of different attachments for excavators in operation.  We will have representatives from Kubota, Exac-One, Husqvarna, Engcon, Whites and Geith.  This is the ideal opportunity for people to find out more about the range of construction machinery that we can supply.”

Staff from Vincent Tractors & Plant, together with representatives from various manufacturers will be on hand at the event to answer visitors’ questions.

Everyone who is interested in attending the day is asked to register their interest either by calling 01726 860332 or via email jenna.k@vincenttractors.co.uk.

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STIHL Returns To Glee

STIHL Returns To Glee: Following the success of last year’s show, STIHL will be returning to Glee on 10th – 12th September to showcase its range of cordless garden tools.

As the popularity of battery powered products continues to rise amongst keen gardeners, STIHL’s Lithium-Ion powered cordless range is designed to meet the needs of domestic users. Delivering high performance, the affordable tools are supplied with either built in or interchangeable Lithium-Ion batteries, making garden tasks even easier to complete.

STIHL Returns To Glee

The full range now includes more than 35 light-weight, well balanced and quiet machines such as; chainsaws, hedge and grass trimmers, pole pruners, long reach hedge trimmers, lawn mowers and much more. These join STIHL’s range of electrical tools including pressure washers, grass and hedge trimmers as well as blowers and vacuum shredders.

Traditionally only available through its network of over 700 garden machinery and forestry specialists, STIHL’s cordless range is now also stocked in select gardening centres throughout the UK, including Dobbies and Hilliers.

Simon Hewitt, Head of Marketing at STIHL GB, said: “We’re delighted to be returning to Glee as the show presents the perfect platform to exhibit our range of accessible cordless tools and how they can benefit everyday gardeners.

“The STIHL Lithium-Ion range and award-winning STIHL Compact Cordless System have proven to be incredibly popular with domestic users, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to the stand to find out more about the products.”

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Goodwood Returns To Toro

Goodwood Returns To Toro: Goodwood has returned to Toro as it continues in its ambition to develop a ‘super fleet’ for its 12,000-acre estate based in Sussex.

The last time we caught up with Phil Helmn, general manager of sports turf and grounds at the all-encompassing Goodwood, he had taken delivery of a fleet of Toro fine turf machinery for The Downs and The Park golf courses in 2015 and said it signalled the start of a more structured approach to machinery operation.

Goodwood Returns To Toro

True to his word, we’re back in touch with Phil as he receives his six latest Toro purchases, all grounds machines to take care of the estate gardens, grassed lawn areas, the motor circuit, airfield and horse race course.

Phil says: “Since I joined Goodwood four years ago, it has been my intention to make the estate 100 percent Toro. It made good business sense to follow up from our fine turf machinery deal and develop the relationship with the brand. It’s far easier to deal with one supplier and share resources.”

Such a large enterprise as Goodwood comes with a wide set of challenges and having a Toro ‘super fleet’ enables three mechanics to become Toro-trained to a high standard to limit sub-contracting and out-sourcing. The estate will also now carry a range of parts for the equipment it operates to “drive efficiency”, says Phil, and allow for an instant response to any issues.

It makes sense then that included in the order of three Groundsmaster 3500-D mowers, a Groundsmaster 4300-D, two Groundsmaster 5910 mowers, and two UTVs – the GTX and MDX-D, is the new MyTurf servicing system.

The Pro fleet management program, myTurf, operates by automatically recording how long the machines have been in operation and how many hours they have accrued when they re-enter the maintenance facility and pass a sensor at the door. This allows the mechanics to calculate preventative maintenance and replacement parts needed, and machine history can be accessed by simply logging in to the system on a computer.

Phil says: “Fleet maintenance is crucial to the performance of the machines, and this is a much slicker way of keeping on top of that.”

Phil says the demonstrations required to make sure the machines he chose were relevant for the different areas, complementing wide ranging criteria, wasn’t actually as complicated a process as one may expect. “We performed due diligence with demos, but the process of deciding which grounds machines to get was actually pretty straightforward. When you know and trust a brand the decision-making becomes easy. For this recent order we opted for rotary mowers. The floating decks eliminate scalping and the rear rollers provides a really good striping effect. The finish is excellent.”

This latest Toro order is the culmination of a few years work for Phil, assessing how best to manage such a large estate and team. He says: “Having one big fleet has brought our four teams of 35 gardeners, groundsmen and greenkeepers together, to share techniques and skills according to the different environments they are using the machines on.

“Back in 2015, when the fine turf fleet arrived, my priority was to ensure the entire Goodwood enterprise was maintained to the same exacting standards. I have used Toro for most of my career and personal experience tells me it’s a quality product and will not let me down. The fact that I can now extend the same standards to the grounds here at Goodwood means we can deliver the best results possible across the entire 12,000 acres.”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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