Tag Archive for: Show

A show for Scotland

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A show for Scotland: Scott MacCallum applauds the vision which has introduced a trade show for Scotland, by Scotland, to replace a lamented event which closed over a decade ago.

It takes foresight, imagination and determination to launch a trade show in our industry, but with The Scots Turf Show, which has quickly become a feature of the Scottish amenity turf scene, it also took a visit to the Golden Arches.

A show for Scotland

A show for Scotland

That is where Richard Heywood and Alan Thomson, both well known figures within the Scottish scene, came up with the idea of launching a Scottish-based show to fill the void left when the original Scotsturf closed its doors over 10 years ago.

“It was back in 2019 and we were having one of our regular catch-ups.

We got chatting about trade shows and we got on to wondered if we could bring something back for the Scottish market,” recalled Richard, of the pair’s meeting in the McDonald’s close to Ibrox stadium, in Glasgow,

“We really missed the old IOG Scotsturf Show and we thought that there must be a way of doing something which would bring back the sense community within the Scottish turf scene,” said Richard.

Richard and Alan, while never having been with the same company have worked alongside each other for many years, wanted to see if there was an appetite to do something along those lines. If there wasn’t, they would console themselves with the fact that they’d given it a try.

The chat continued and what came out of it was an Open Day held at Falkirk Tryst in 2019.

“The only way that we felt we could make it work was to get some companies interested in the idea and work together. That is what we did and that first Open day worked really well.

We thought it was a tremendous and were planning a bigger show for the next year. Then along came Covid,” recalled Alan.

After the enforced lay-off Richard and Alan returned with what they also called an Open Day, this time at Hamilton Racecourse.

“We really didn’t want to go to Edinburgh or Glasgow, as traffic can be an issue, but while considering potential venues, Hamilton Park Racecourse became a possibility,” said Alan, whose day job is UK & US Sales Manager for SIS Pitches.”

“We paid a visit, walked around the site with Mark Bemrose, who was Head Groundsman at the time, and we also met with the caterers, Sodexo.

We looked at each other and thought this place is absolutely perfect,” said Richard, whose day job is Product Specialist for Campey Turfcare.

“That year, 2023, it was effectively the 12 companies who we’d already working closely with at Falkirk Tryst. There has continued to be a group of us that gets together once a year and looks at the direction we should be going,” said Alan.

A show for Scotland

A show for Scotland

That first Hamilton event was a huge success with excellent speakers delivering interesting talks in front of a large and appreciative audience. Over 300 people attended and immediately plans were put in place for the next year – what the guys call the first The Scots Turf Show.

Well 2024 went from 12 companies to just over 60. Then last year, when the rain gods paid a visit, there were over 70 companies in attendance.

“This year we are looking to be pushing beyond those 2025 numbers,” said Richard.

One nagging issue that was at the back of their minds was what the GMA might think of the Scotsturf name being taken, tweaked slightly and becoming The Scots Turf Show.

Those concerns were quashed when Richard bumped into Jason Booth, the GMA’s Operations Director, at a Saltex a couple of years ago.

“I saw Jason walking towards me and my first thought was ‘Oh no, what is he going to say?’. But he was brilliant, very positive and full of encouragement,” recalled Richard.

Jason’s message was to go for it and if it was successful he’d be absolutely delighted.

“We’re actually paying homage to what it once was, and I think the GMA appreciated that,” said Alan.

The original Scotsturf, had been a fixture on the Scottish turf calendar for many years.

“It was great for bringing together everyone from the Scottish side of the industry. Initially it was a one day show and there was a real buzz about it,” said Richard.

“There were buses coming in, the place was rammed. It was just a brilliant occasion, almost like a mini Harrogate. It had that same kind of vibe about it.

“Then it moved to two days and transferred from the Lowland Hall into the Highland Hall but the show just wasn’t big enough to fill it and it just seemed to lose momentum,” he added.

While accepting that they are not in the same league at the UK’s bigger shows the guys want their show to aspire to be a little like that other recently launched show – GroundsFest, with a blend of fun and business.

But visitors to this year’s show – on March 4th – will see the developments that have been introduced since the 2025 edition.

“We’re going to try and have badges printed off so that people will have lanyards and badges so that we know who people are when they’re walking around the show field.

“Last year it was just swing the doors open and let everybody in. We gave away food vouchers which gave us an idea of the numbers coming through the gates,” said Alan.

“We’re also increasing the value of the food vouchers which will add to the visitor experience,” he added.

Another important element of the day is the education and, again, they are hoping to build on what they had delivered in previous years.

A show for Scotland

A show for Scotland

“We’re going to take more control of the presentations. Last time we gave exhibiting companies slots and told them that they could talk about whatever they wanted..

“This year it will be a lot less commercial and we’re taking control of who’s going to be talking and what they’re going to be talking about. Listen to top professionals within our industry imparting their knowledge should be a draw to people to come and listen,” said Richard.

The layout this year will be more compact and give it a definite feel of walking into an event.

We’re not a GMA, we’re not a BIGGA and both of these organisations have a wealth of experience, a wealth of knowledge, and are really geared up towards putting on events. We’re not, and we don’t profess to be, so we ask all our exhibitors to help promote the show. We provide email headers and footers for them to include in their correspondence to customers and suppliers,” said Alan.

The only other help that the Show gets is from Campey Turfcare, who offer admin support, but the guys are keen to stress that The Scots Turf Show is very much independent.

Looking down the line and to the future of The Scots Turf Show Richard is honest

“I don’t know where we want to take it. It’s down to the visitors. We could get a year where nobody wants to exhibit and then the show dies. We could get a year when nobody comes to visit and the show dies. So we’re really driven by what people want.”

On the other hand, they have to consider how to grow the Show if the momentum that has been created continues. “We are restricted by Hamilton Park, particularly the outdoor areas as there is a limit to the hard standing they can offer us. We’re also restricted by the car parking.

“At the moment, the outdoor areas could be a little bigger, but not much. If the weather allows, we want to run some demo areas as well. Indoor areas can be increased substantially. We will find space and we don’t turn anybody down.

“Anybody wants to come and exhibit, it’s all inclusive!” said Richard.

Looking beyond that?

“If the show decides to get much bigger we would move it, we’re not wedded to Hamilton. Its natural home might be Ingleston, but we are mindful of costs increasing when you move to these big venues. And that increases the risk,” explained Richard.

At the current rate of trajectory those might be good problems to have but as it stands The Scots Turf Show is moving along nicely and 2026 is shaping up to be a must visit event for everyone in the Scottish turf industry.

This year’s show? The best yet

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This year’s show? The best yet: The third edition of GroundsFest had a lot to live up to, given that the first two exhibitions had established it as one of the biggest and best shows of its type on the country.

Indeed, last year the organisers were awarded Best Trade Show in the prestigious EN Awards.

This year’s show? The best yet

This year’s show? The best yet

So the pressure was on for 2025. But do you know what? This year’s exhibition was the best yet. The opening day was truly outstanding. The sun shone and everywhere you looked there were visitors lining the aisles and chatting with exhibitors on their stands.

And, when you wanted a break from business there was always something to take your attention, whether that be lawnmower racing, machinery testing with “Machinery Live” or competitions of all descriptions.

The promotional video put out a few weeks later could not have showcased GroundsFest 25 any better. If you weren’t there, it would certainly persuade you to make the trip to Stoneleigh next year. Just don’t examine that video too closely as you’ll see yours truly reliving his youth in a dodgem!

The 2025 Exhibition was considerable bigger than its two predecessors, the flexible nature of the Stoneleigh site lending itself to expansion, while at the same time not losing the cohesive nature of the site. Given the success of the show building yet further on that, with more space and more exhibitors, is going to be a challenge but any potential exhibitor who visited just to test the water is very likely to be encouraged to book some space and join the party in 2026.

The GroundsFest Academy has quickly become one of the most exciting educational initiatives in the groundscare and landscaping industries – and it’s continuing to grow.

The Academy was created with a simple but powerful mission: to provide free, high-quality, practical training for professionals and volunteers across the industry. What makes it truly unique is that it’s entirely funded by profits from the annual GroundsFest event, ensuring that money goes back into supporting skills, knowledge, and career development for the people who make the industry thrive.

“Our goal has always been to make education accessible, engaging, and relevant,” said Bradley Tennant, Director of Education for the GroundsFest Academy.

“We’re not trying to replicate what’s already out there – we’re reimagining how learning can be delivered. Every session is practical, hands-on, and shaped by real-world challenges. The enthusiasm from delegates and partners so far shows that people are hungry for this kind of training.”

From grounds managers and contractors to sports turf specialists, students, volunteers, and landscaping enthusiasts, the Academy offers something for everyone. Each event is CPD-accredited and designed to deliver immediate, real-world value – whether that’s through hands-on workshops, expert-led seminars, or interactive demonstrations.

Sessions so far have covered a wide range of topics, from irrigation maintenance and robotics to seed science.

The approach is simple: bring together leading manufacturers, educators, and practitioners to share knowledge in an open, collaborative format – free of charge.

Irrigation Maintenance introduced participants to the latest irrigation advancements, complete with handson demos and there was also the hugely popular KAR UK Sprinkler Service Challenge – a timed, practical test that had delegates racing to assemble a sprinkler head.

Robotics and Sustainable Technology saw the Academy team up with Husqvarna, Lantra, and Origin Amenity Solutions to showcase how automation and battery power are shaping the future of grounds management. Delegates explored robotic mowers, automated line-marking systems, and green technologies in a realistic outdoor setting.

Seed Science, in partnership with DLF UK, took delegates deep into the world of grass and seed technology. From seed identification and germination tests to sowing techniques and aftercare, attendees walked away with practical insights they could apply immediately in their own environments.

The Academy’s collaborative approach has been met with enthusiasm from both partners and participants.

“It’s great to show what we do, but even better to contribute to education and understanding in the industry,” said Matt Gresty, MM and Designer Sales & Brand Manager at DLF UK.

“From wildflower seeds to sports turf, we want to help people improve their work through better knowledge.” Adam Little, Key Account Manager for Husqvarna UK, agreed: “There was an abundance of questions from the delegates – which shows how good the event was and how engaged the group was.

Demonstrating the machines on a green space gives people a feel for how they’d actually use them.”

Delegates have been equally positive. David Newell, Deputy Head Groundsman at Reading FC, praised the Academy’s unique format:

“You never know that to expect from a new event, but it’s been really educational. It’s different to anything you get anywhere else.”

That educational focus was echoed by Mike Green, a groundsman at Winterborne Cricket Club:

“It’s really good to come here and keep your CPD going. These events are so important for bringing new talent into our industry – showing the younger generation what technology is out there. Events like this are great to showcase what we do in our industry. It’s really important to stay up to date with emerging technology to help us with climate change and sustainability.”

The Academy has already partnered with Origin Amenity, KAR UK, DLF, Lantra, and Husqvarna UK, with many more collaborations planned.

It has also teamed up with BIGGA to develop joint educational initiatives aimed at strengthening professional standards and supporting the next generation of industry talent.

“We’re seeing incredible engagement – from apprentices just starting out to seasoned professionals wanting to refresh their skills,” added Bradley Tennant.

“Education shouldn’t be static. We’re keeping things fresh, relevant, and inspiring. The GroundsFest Academy is here to grow with the industry.”

As it continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the GroundsFest Academy isn’t just teaching skills – it’s helping to build a stronger, more connected, and better-equipped industry for the future.

The Show Goes On with Kubota Fleet at The NEC

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The Show Goes On with Kubota Fleet at The NEC: A fleet of 30 G261 units from Kubota’s G-Series are helping to keep waste and facilities services on track at one of the country’s leading exhibition centres. The delivery from Hunts Engineering to The NEC Birmingham in March 2025 was well received by Darren Hawkins, Head of Soft Services, and a large team of OCS Group operatives who are now benefitting from Kubota comfort, convenience and reliability across the NEC, Vox Conference Centre and BP Pulse Arena.

OCS Group have been responsible for cleaning, waste, cloakrooms, portering and the wider estates at the NEC Group’s venues since 2012. Encompassing five venues in total, the need arose to replace the vehicles which are pivotal to the maintenance operation at three of the campus’s busiest sites. “We narrowed our search down to two brands before speaking to Richard Lucas from Hunts Engineering who brought us a Kubota G261 on demonstration” explains Darren. “We really put the machine through its paces, determined to find the limits of its capability and quite quickly discovered it could deliver everything our previous machines could with the added benefit of fantastic support from Richard and the team.”

The Show Goes On with Kubota Fleet at The NEC

The Show Goes On with Kubota Fleet at The NEC

With a couple of additional bespoke features – such as the fitting of amber safety beacons – to ensure the G261’s were fully fit for purpose, the first delivery of 20 units was made in March 2025, later joined by an additional 10 in July. “Their main task is to tow 1280 litre bins to various points, collecting litter and other waste during event build ups and breakdowns. As the old saying goes ‘the show must go on’ whether we’ve got machines to collect the litter or not so reliability is critical for us. So far, the Kubota’s haven’t missed a beat.”

The reliability of the fleet of G261’s reaffirms the sentiments of the NEC Estates Team, who have benefitted from the trusty power and performance of a Kubota M5-092 for the last 18 months. “It was the positive feedback from the Estates Department that really spurred me on to look at smaller machines in the Kubota range” Darren adds.

Depending on the event calendar, it’s not unusual for 20 or more of the G261’s to be out working on any given day. “The team have all received training on their operation which has made the transition relatively seamless, and hopefully means we’ll be able to better protect our investment.” Moving forwards, a combination of in-house monitoring and routine maintenance and servicing by Hunts will ensure the venue can continue to depend on the performance of the G261’s for years to come.

Steve Cartmell, NEC Group FM Contract Support Manager added, ““The teams’ choice of working with Hunts to provide Kubota machinery has ensured that the services OCS provide across our site can continue with improved reliability, fuel efficiency and user safety features, making the operation from event to event seamless.”

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Midlands Machinery Show finds farmers still wanting clarity

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Midlands Machinery Show finds farmers still wanting clarity: Farmers need more confidence in the industry before they can plan their next business investments.

That was the sentiment of exhibitors at the new-look Midlands Machinery Show which took place at Newark Showground last week.

Midlands Machinery Show finds farmers still wanting clarity

Midlands Machinery Show finds farmers still wanting clarity

Redesigned into a one-day format, thousands arrived at a chilly – but dry – show to talk to suppliers, gain CPD points, and socialise with their peers.

With budget day on the horizon and still no government announcements over the future of environmental schemes, exhibitors networked with land and business owners who are tentative about major investments.

NFU President sets out the challenge

One of the draws to this week’s show was the NFU’s Midlands Environment Conference.

Tom Bradshaw, NFU President, opened by stressing how high the stakes have become for farm businesses trying to navigate environmental policy. He pointed to recent public attention on the human impact of current inheritance tax rules and said the union is doing everything possible to turn that scrutiny into political pressure.

He warned that Defra’s environmental schemes remain in a state of flux, with SFI and Countryside Stewardship decisions creating clear winners and losers at a time when farmers need certainty. He called for transparency around the remaining ELMS budget and a clear plan for how farmers will be prioritised as more than 10,000 agreements expire in 2026.

Tom said environmental delivery will only succeed if farmers have confidence to invest in productivity, which is why the NFU continues to push for a workable SFI offer, rollover support where needed, and long-term clarity on the shape of future schemes.

Sentiment felt on the stands

Sharmans Agricultural, which took first prize in the Best Agricultural Trade Stand class, brought a broad range of machines to the show, including a Krone BiG Pack baler, Amazone Pantera self-propelled sprayer, and JCB telehandler.

Group Marketing Director Sally-Ann Hazard said the show is on the “home patch” for the Sharmans’ Grantham depot and was an opportunity to meet customers with the next 12 months in mind.

“The stand was built to give customers a proper look at the machines they are considering for the year ahead, and a chance to talk through plans for the coming season,” she said.

“Footfall was stronger than expected and conversations were upbeat. We understand why people are cautious but engaged, and the show offered a rare moment where the industry felt forward-looking again.”

David Musson Fencing took the best allied trade stand with a display that showed why the business has become a fixture at the Midlands Machinery Show.

The company’s Kerry Smith, who oversees purchasing, said agriculture remains a core market alongside equestrian, domestic and commercial work, and that the past year has seen strong demand for their products, underpinned by capital grants for fencing.

Kerry said the show is one of the best opportunities they have to see both long-standing customers and new faces.

“Footfall was good and the conversations were productive, with visitors willing to spend time talking through projects in a way that is impossible when they come to collect products from the yard or going to a job,” she said. “The overall mood feels more upbeat than expected and offered a welcome sign that confidence is still there beneath the uncertainty.”

Investing in efficiencies

Alan Parry, a software development manager with farm compliance app MeritAgCheck, said the challenge facing farming was driving investment in efficiencies.

“We used the show to give demonstrations of how our app can cut down on bureaucracy and paperwork, which always results in unnecessary costs for farm businesses,” he said.

“When profitability is under pressure you look at where you can shed costs, and adopting technology is one of the routes to achieving that.”

Similarly, first-time exhibitor Fireward, used its show presence to demonstrate how proven fire-suppression technology could prevent losses caused by machinery fires, particularly to balers and combines.

Marketing Manager Ben Robinson said: “Our systems have been used in construction and other major plant equipment for years but we’re now seeing how it can cut insurance costs and also the cost of losing farm equipment to fire damage.”

The Midlands Machinery Show has run for more than a decade and is organised by the Newark & Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society.

Events and Development Manager, Elizabeth Halsall, said: “We all know the challenges facing the industry, and that goes for the show’s visitors and exhibitors alike. But there was positivity to be found at the show, and a strong turnout is testament to the resilience of the sector and the need for events such as this to bring people together.”

The 2026 Midlands Machinery Show will be held on Wednesday 18 November.

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Machinery and live demos at Midlands Machinery Show

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Machinery and live demos at Midlands Machinery Show: Farmers and contractors are invited to step out of the yard and into a full day of machinery, technology and hands-on innovation at this year’s Midlands Machinery Show, taking place on Wednesday 19 November at Newark Showground.

Now in its eleventh year, the show returns with a new one-day format that puts machines, demonstrations and innovation at the heart of the event.

Machinery and live demos at Midlands Machinery Show

Machinery and live demos at Midlands Machinery Show

Free to attend, exhibitors’ stands will showcase new tractors, implements, ATVs and engineering solutions, alongside expert-led talks and opportunities to earn BASIS and NRoSO points ahead of year-end.

“Having everything all in one place and all in one day is our vision for this year’s show,” says Elizabeth Halsall, Events and Development Manager at the Newark & Notts Agricultural Society, which organises the event. “Time away from the business is precious, so we want to give visitors a productive, information-packed day, as well as a social and networking opportunity with their community.”

Ticket registration is free at www.midlandsmachineryshow.com and visitors are advised to pre-register for fast entry.

Those attending can expect to see machinery that’s never been to the show before, as well as a host of demonstrations in the dedicated arena, plus a hands-on experience of all-terrain vehicles.

New kit and features

New for 2025, attendees can get behind the wheel of the Can-Am Traxter HD9, with its heated cab and 65hp Rotax V-twin engine, on the showground’s off-road track. Driving experiences are being provided by 158 Performance.

Chandlers will present two AGCO tractors never before seen at the Midlands Machinery Show – the powerful Valtra S Series and the Fendt 832 Vario Gen 5.

AMTEC will make a high-profile appearance with its new Torox range of heavy-duty discs, which the company says has been built for tough soils and engineered for versatility and precision.

Taylor Attachments returns with new buckets and muck grabs accompanying its proven range of heavy-duty attachments.

Long-standing exhibitor Russells will – alongside its stable of New Holland, Polaris, Stewart and Teagle produces – bring the Horizon DSX drill to show in the demonstration ring.

Debuts for service sector exhibitors

Several new exhibitors will make their debut this year.

Fox Engineering brings its expertise in LOLER, PUWER and PSSR safety inspections, helping farms stay compliant and avoid costly downtime.

Fireward joins the show for the first time, raising awareness of automatic fire suppression systems that prevent machinery and combine fires through instant pneumatic detection and targeted extinguishing agents. “At the moment, not enough farmers realise that fire suppression systems are an option,” says Caroline Wilson, Fireward National Sales Manager for Agriculture. “Our focus is on education – showing that there are affordable, practical ways to protect people, machinery and infrastructure.”

Beyond machinery, the show offers a packed day of networking, learning and advice designed to help farmers make confident decisions for the year ahead.

The NFU Midlands Environment Conference, chaired by NFU President Tom Bradshaw, will explore ‘Adapting Farming for the Future: Sustainable Production, Products & Markets’, offering practical insight into policy changes, sustainability and business resilience. With agricultural policy at a crossroads, these expert-led sessions provide essential guidance to strengthen farm businesses across the region and beyond.

Exhibitors are also ready to help visitors tackle the industry’s wider challenges. Openfield, the UK’s only farmer-owned grain marketing cooperative, will share expert insight on planning ahead amid market volatility and changing support payments. “There’s never been a more important time to talk about what goes in the ground,” says Jerome Fielder, Head of Farm Business Team at Openfield. “We’ll be there to offer straight-talking advice, whatever the question.”

Optimal Risk Group will launch its Rural SafeGuard Programme, providing security training and risk management solutions to help farmers protect their assets from crime. “We help farmers not just respond to rural crime, but reduce the opportunities for it to happen in the first place,” explains Frank Cannon, Senior Consultant at Optimal Risk.

Visitors can also find confidential guidance from The Farming Community Network (FCN) on topics from mental health to succession planning. “There are so many factors outside farmers’ control right now,” says Rachel Davey, Marketing and Events Officer at FCN. “We’re here to help them find a way forward and secure their businesses for the next generation.”

“Whether you’re exploring new machinery, looking for smarter solutions or simply catching up with suppliers and colleagues, the Midlands Machinery Show is a day built around real conversations and quality connections,” says Elizabeth. “We look forward to welcoming visitors to Newark this November for a day that truly celebrates innovation, resilience and the future of British agriculture.

“Register in advance online now for smooth, free access to the event on the day.”

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