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MM60 Grass Seed: A Grassroots Success Story

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MM60 Grass Seed: A Grassroots Success Story: In the world of football, the quality of the playing surface can make a significant difference in the game’s outcome and the overall experience for players and spectators alike.

While top-tier stadiums often boast pristine pitches, grassroots clubs often struggle to attain the same level of excellence due to budget constraints and limited resources.

MM60 Grass Seed: A Grassroots Success Story

MM60 Grass Seed: A Grassroots Success Story

However, Charlestown Football Club, a youth football club nestled in the heart of St Austell, Cornwall, has defied this norm. Thanks to the leading MM60 grass seed their pitches have undergone a remarkable transformation, setting a new standard for grassroots football.

Charlestown Football Club, established in 1972 is a vibrant community hub with over 300 registered players aged between 5 and 16. The club prides itself on providing a nurturing environment for both boys and girls to foster their love for the beautiful game. From organising annual summer tournaments that draw teams from across Cornwall to running the Mini Soccer Centre at St Mewan Park since 2006, Charlestown FC is committed to nurturing grassroots football talent.

MM60 grass seed, renowned for its exceptional quality and performance in professional stadiums, found its way to Charlestown FC, courtesy of David Bevan from Agrovista Amenity – a distributor of MM grass seed. A 100% Ryegrass formula boasting high disease resistance, rapid germination, and superior aesthetic qualities, MM60 has proven to be a game-changer for Charlestown FC’s pitches. Enhanced by Headstart® GOLD treatment, this grass seed ensures not just fast germination but also robust establishment, even under challenging conditions.

David’s journey with Charlestown FC began when his son joined the club and has since become a coach. Recognising the opportunity to contribute his expertise, David became instrumental in advising the club on pitch maintenance and renovation. Leveraging his professional knowledge, David spearheaded the adoption of MM60 for the club’s pitches, emphasising the importance of investing in top-quality resources, regardless of the level of play.

“I worked on the theory that just because it is a youth football club, why shouldn’t they use the best grass seed there is and that is why I went with MM60,” said David. “Personally, I think it is the best winter sports mixture you can get. Because of the huge amount of play the pitches receive, getting sward density consistent over all of them was primarily the main reason for going with MM60. It is really hard wearing, fast germinating and I know it is quick to establish.”

As the Chairman of Charlestown FC, James Hutchings has witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of MM60 grass seed on the club’s pitches. Under David’s guidance, the club embarked on a comprehensive renovation project, reaping the rewards of their investment in the superior grass seed.

James emphasised the invaluable role David and Agrovista Amenity have played in maximising the club’s grant funding.

“As a club we have been extremely pleased with the service David and Agrovista Amenity have provided us with. David’s advice has been a bit of a godsend, and he has come along at the right time. We’ve had work done in the past but not to the level which David has been able to advise us on. Last year he took soil samples and checked the density and supplied us with MM60. It was put down at the end of May and quickly after we were seeing the benefits.

“We are very fortunate to have a very dedicated team of volunteers and we are all in agreement that it has been worth the investment. We want the pitches looking and playing on-point as much as possible. Parents have been commenting positively on how fresh everything looks, and visiting teams are asking how we are managing to have so much grass on the pitch.”

By using MM60 grass seed, Charlestown FC has set a new standard for pitch quality and performance at grassroots level. As other clubs aspire to emulate their success, Charlestown FC is proving that with passion, dedication, and the right resources, every football pitch can be one to be proud of.

For further information, please contact DLF UK on 01386 719758 or visit the MM website www.mm-seeds.co.uk.

You can also follow the company on Twitter: @MM_Seed

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Mansfield Sand – the story behind the sand

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Mansfield Sand – the story behind the sand: The products are widely used, and everyone has heard of the name – but how much do you know about Mansfield Sand?

Mansfield Sand is company with history and pedigree – in fact, its origins can be traced as far back to 1840. In complementing the company’s wonderful heritage, the family-run company insists on reinvesting in its infrastructure to keep moving with the times.

Mansfield Sand – the story behind the sand

Mansfield Sand – the story behind the sand

Mansfield Sand has been a long-standing pioneer in the development and production of premium quality silica sand-based products for over 170 years. Over recent years the company has invested approximately £20m in a state-of-the-art brick facility and, more recently, a new purpose-built quarry. The brickworks is now one of the most modern and technically advanced in Europe, while the Two Oaks Quarry, which has been in operation since 2015, has the most up-to-date and advanced equipment currently in the industry.

The washing plant is the beating heart of the quarry. This highly efficient plant was designed to give the flexibility needed to produce an extensive range of silica sand products that can meet the requirements of Mansfield Sand customers. The quarry also has an automated bagging plant, producing over 2 million bags of dry sand per annum.

Furthermore, in 2019 the company acquired a new larger head office to provide the capacity to support its aspirations for continued growth. The spacious office in Mansfield is located within equal distance to all production sites.

Supported by over 70 staff across its two operational sites and its head office, Mansfield Sand supplies a number of different sectors with its range of products including:

  • Silica sands;
  • Industrial sands;
  • Pavior and foundry sands;
  • A wide range of concrete brick products.

Its specialist products include:

  • Equestrian silica sand products including Fibresand Equestrian;
  • Specialist sports surfaces for both construction and renovation in golf, football and rugby including fibresand and fibrelastic.

With its wide range of products and its robust and extremely well-developed infrastructure, Mansfield Sand’s forward-thinking approach is ensuring it continues to lead the way within the marketplace.

It is for this reason that the company is extremely proud to boast a prestigious client list which includes some of the most prominent sporting venues in the UK and beyond. From winter sports pitches, golf courses, bowling greens and all amenity turf areas – Mansfield Sand has a solution for all.

Mansfield Sand’s ownership structure is another significant feather in its cap, as it is both agile and robust enough to accommodate the requirements of its customer base. The fact that it remains a family run business ensures that decisions can be made quickly. Where demand from customers necessitates change, as an SME Mansfield Sand can react rapidly and adapt to suit customer requirements. This agility is highly valued by its vast customer base.

With unrivalled experience and an ongoing commitment to investing in its facilities and product range, Mansfield Sand is well placed to add further to its already illustrious history.

For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk

You can also follow the company on Twitter – @MansfieldSand and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldSandSportSurfaces/

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Mulching Head Success Story

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Mulching Head Success Story: SW Landscapes in the South West and South Wales provide grounds maintenance services to small and large customers in both the public and private sectors including property management companies, retail parks, industrial estates, parish councils, housing associations, residential developments, schools and local authorities.

The company is, like many, giving serious thought to carbon footprint management, and for one particular Housing Association they undertook a joint consultation to assess ways of accomplishing a reduction.

Mulching Head Success Story

A fundamental point was grass collection; the housing association understandably wanted their grass looking its best, and a successful approach put forward by Will Stops was the use of a mulching head fitted to a SCAG Tiger Cat ride-on mower, supplied by STM Co Ltd.

Will knew the SCAG make from past experience and has always found them sturdy, reliable and impressive.

Equally impressive have been the results from this exercise. Importantly, the Housing Association have been pleased with the look of the grass, and for SW Landscapes they easily show the benefits: previously they would take two vehicles and three men – and the extra vehicle was only just enough for the grasscuttings. Now they take two men and one van – the Transit that the SCAG Tiger Cat neatly fits into. They mow a little more frequently to keep the mulching process as effective as possible, but it’s a quick cut, because the grass isn’t too long.

The whole venture has proved to be, in Will Stops’ own words: a “win-win situation”; a happy customer and clearly identifiable efficiency savings in time, fuel and carbon emissions.

SCAG machines are available through the STM dealership network. To find your nearest dealer ring 01789 488450, email info@st-mach.com or look at our website www.st-mach.com

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Makita Help Create War Horse Story

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Makita Help Create War Horse Story: War Horse, the war drama film by Steven Spielberg, and hero of Michael Morpurgo’s novel, has taken many Best Picture, golden Globe Awards and BAFTAs.  It is the story of Joey, the much loved horse of young Albert Narracott who lived in south west England with his family.  Joey was one of the millions of horses, mules and donkeys who served their time in World War 1.  They were used for transport, communication and companionship, carrying water, food, ammunition and medical supplies to men at the front while some 200,000 pigeons carried essential messages.  Of our soldiers, 886,000 men died representing 2% of the country’s entire population.

Ian Murray, the renowned chainsaw sculptor, has carved many and varied subjects from timber  mostly as commissioned works from individuals and organisation keen to have his breath taking works of art.  As 2018 marks the 100th Centennial of the end of World War 1, and to commemorate this special occasion, Ian has been tasked to carve a life size Joey, standing at 7’3”, from solid oak, in just 70 amazing hours.  Chainsaws and other high performance tools, accessories and PPE have been supplied by Makita UK, the UK’s number 1 professional power tool manufacturer, via regional distributor Morris Garden Machinery, Rhuddlan.

Makita Help Create War Horse Story

Richard Kendrick, Royal British Legion organiser in Rhyl, N Wales, who is responsible for the Poppy Appeal, is aiming to raise £3,500 to pay for the creation of Joey.  He is working with local schools and colleges to help raise these funds.  “When Ian has finished creating War Horse, we plan to visit local schools and educate our children about World War 1,” says Richard.  “Together we want to tell children about the war and what happened – to understand the hardships our soldiers and our horses endured.”

Adds Ian Murray: “We’re hoping the children will enjoy this real-life lesson as they will be able to connect with War Horse, to see him and touch him, and we hope they will appreciate how much our servicemen and women did for us over 100 years ago.”

There is also hope that local MP Chris Ruane may be successful in arranging for War Horse to visit the Palace of Westminster, the iconic home of UK parliament, and that other children around the UK will see and request a visit to their own school and to learn of our gallant forces and what they contributed to the country.

Makita UK has supported the project in supplying chainsaws to Ian Murray, a keen Makita fan, for the creation of War Horse including three chainsaws, one with Easy Start and another featuring the market leading Vibration Dampening technology; a cordless LXT blower; 18v cordless grinder, file sander and die grinder, as well as accessories and PPE.

“This carving of War Horse has been a bit daunting,” reports Ian, “and I had to make this creation in two bursts due to essential overseas travel in the middle of the project. But this allowed the timber time to stabilise and take on a new position while it dries out naturally adding greater dynamics to the wonderful Joey.  I’m very pleased with this creation.”

Jonathon Morris of Morris Garden Machinery has encouraged Ian Murray over recent years.  “His sculptures show exceptional talent and we are delighted that he uses Makita saws. We are a Makita approved PDI dealer and sales have expanded tremendously in recent years.  The products are excellent and, above all, reliable,” reports Mr Morris.

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The Polaris RANGER Story

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The Polaris RANGER Story: It’s been two decades since the RANGER® 6×6 vehicle was introduced and revolutionised the side-by-side category back in 1998. Mitchell Johnson, son of David Johnson – one of the founders of Polaris in the 1950s – was vital to the conception of the iconic machine and discusses how the RANGER® rode to market…

“When discussing the beginning of the RANGER®, we first have to think about the vehicle in the context of what Polaris was doing at that time. In the 1990s, the Sportsman ATVs were Polaris’ only Off-Road Vehicle and was selling well.”

The Polaris RANGER Story

Polaris’ reputation for being one of the fastest developing companies in the powersport industry held true, RANGER® went from initial development to production line in just two years.

“We had talked from time-to-time about making a side by side ATV for a driver and passenger. Every Friday we had a staff meeting in the morning and then in the afternoon, we’d go out and ride ORVs. We always took at least one 6×6 ATV to carry everything. We would try and ride around with one person sitting on each fender to see what it was like. One day, Edgar Hetteen [one of our founders] came to my office and said we should make a 6×6 in a side-by-side configuration, he loved the machine but wanted to ride beside his wife Hannah.”

Major decisions about the new model were all made as ‘gut calls’.

“Edgar mocked up side-by-side seating on a 6×6 in his workshop, we spent an hour or so sitting in it to see what it was like – should it have handlebars or a steering wheel? Should it be ride-on or ride-in? These are all things that are gut calls and we made using our experience. With brand new products like the RANGER®, you never know if you’re going to hit the bullseye with customers – the customers themselves don’t envision how the product will or can be used. Take the microwave for example, it hasn’t replaced the oven like the developers thought it would, but has instead created a new market.”

The key in developing the RANGER® in Mitchell’s opinion was to keep the team and investment small.

“I’m not sitting here saying that we knew it was going to be a success but we knew we had to get something out there. If we had identified a need, then we needed to find out. I worked with Edgar, Chuck Baxter – who was the VP of engineering – and James Bergman at BEAMCO in Alvardo, MN, to see if he would do the initial concept work. The idea was to keep investment small, so that if we didn’t hit the bulls eye, we could adjust the sights easily to get on closer to the target centre.”

During early conversations, the main characteristics that the new machine had to have were fairly clear.

“Good speed, great ride and handling with excellent off-road capability, plus a greater payload than any of the utility haulers on the market were all attributes we wanted the vehicle to have. Most of all, it had to be a lot of fun to drive and ride like the already popular Sportsman line.”

“The initial prototype was received well by management. And the first production made a small profit in the first year. We also achieved ‘off-road’ status for the vehicle – which was essential.”

The RANGER® is testament to the Polaris culture – innovation and development, moving with the times and trusting staff to make decisions. Even the name of the new model was helped decided by employees.

“We’d been playing around with names. One of the early Polaris products was a RANGER® snowmobile, when this model was discontinued, so was the name – which I always thought was a shame and I wanted to bring it back. We went out to the employees to ask them to think of a name and said we’d give $100 if their name was chosen. Mike Trihey and Donny Whiteman submitted RANGER® name and were given $100 each.

“The RANGER® name represents the category – it’s fun to ride and that’s one of the most important elements for us. That’s the history of Polaris throughout the years, people realise how much fun they are to ride and the volume grows, plus the RANGER® does a lot of work.

“The RANGER® was a team effort. This stuff doesn’t happen without the people on the team – contributing, listening and pushing, we don’t know for sure what is wrong or right – that’s what has made this successful. The culture at Polaris is one full of passion and an overwhelming desire for the products and people to succeed.”

Polaris celebrated rolling the one-millionth RANGER® machine off the production line in 2017 and 2018 marks two decades since the utility vehicle was introduced to the Polaris line-up. Forming a key part of the Polaris product line, the RANGER® is used all over the globe for a variety of tasks – with the RANGER® Diesel and RANGER® 570 variants being international best sellers.

The RANGER® legacy gets stronger every year, with the RANGER® XP 1000, the latest addition 2018, setting a new industry standard and boasting over one hundred user-inspired improvements. The model has class-leading power (82hp) and torque (61lb-ft), industry-leading towing (over 1100 Kg) and ground clearance (330mm) – making it the hardest working, smoothest riding SXS built.

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