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GroundsFest 2024 – Save the Date

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GroundsFest 2024 – Save the Date: After the resounding success of the inaugural GroundsFest, the organising team is gearing up to make next year’s event even more spectacular. Scheduled to take place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, on September 10 and 11, GroundsFest 2024 promises to be an experience like no other.

Building on the feedback received from the first edition, the organising team is working behind the scenes to implement improvements that will elevate the event to new heights. One of the significant changes is the introduction of a more free-flowing layout, enhancing the overall event experience. The addition of a new entrance is set to reduce the walk to the event, ensuring attendees can immerse themselves in the festivities more quickly.

GroundsFest 2024 – Save the Date

GroundsFest 2024 – Save the Date

The camping zone is set to see new facilities and the festival area is also in for a makeover, with plans underway to introduce brand new attractions. This strategic move aims to keep the excitement levels high and provide both exhibitors and visitors with novel and engaging experiences. The goal is clear: GroundsFest 2024 will not just meet expectations but exceed them.

The success of GroundsFest 2023 speaks volumes about the event’s unique approach. With over a 90% rebooking rate from exhibitors, it is evident that the industry has embraced the innovative event concept with open arms. According to the post-show exhibitor survey, a staggering 93% of exhibitors generated new sales leads, showcasing the event’s tangible impact on business growth.

Robbie Hayter from Net World Sports commended GroundsFest, stating, “GroundsFest is doing things differently for the industry, and I think it is refreshing. A lot of the visitors are really excited to see the outdoor demos and the festival is a great idea because you loosen up a little bit and there are more conversations and networking opportunities.”

Megan Oliver from the Howardson Group echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the appeal of seeing products in an outdoor environment. “People are loving GroundsFest and the footfall has been really good. We’ve seen people from all over the country and we’ve taken a lot of enquiries. It’s got a nice festival feel and it makes it an enjoyable place to be.”

GroundsFest visitors were equally upbeat. Christopher Mortimer from Mortimer Contracts Limited said. “It was a fantastic show – the best in years. I bought new kit and saw lots to benefit my company for the future. I also made some great contacts and I’m already looking forward to next year.”

Finn Greer from Trackstars attributed GroundsFest’s success to the diversity of the event. “I think GroundsFest, being indoors and outdoors, and having such a wide variety of demos are the reasons why it has drawn such a large number of people.”

“The buzz is all about GroundsFest now,” shared Tom Duchesne from Top Garden Services, emphasising the event’s growing reputation and influence.

Marketing Director Chris Bennett highlighted the importance of industry feedback in shaping the evolution of GroundsFest. “The only way to evolve GroundsFest is by listening to the industry. This commitment to responsiveness and adaptability ensures that each edition of GroundsFest is a reflection of the evolving needs and desires of the landscaping and grounds management community.”

As anticipation builds for GroundsFest 2024, the industry can expect an event that not only celebrates the latest innovations but also sets new standards for collaboration, networking, and business growth.

GroundsFest 2024 is poised to be an unmissable highlight on the calendar for all sectors of the grounds management industry.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFest for much more news, reviews and insightful views.  

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Service from George Browns seals the deal

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Service from George Browns seals the deal: The installation of a fleet package by George Browns Limited at Links Golf Club in Cambridgeshire is proof positive that it’s sometimes about who you know, not always what you know!

Taking delivery of a fairway mower and brace of Baroness greens mowers, together with a L-1452 and G-261 from Kubota marks a first for the Newmarket-based course, with Head Greenkeeper Simon Corrigan citing that it was the outstanding service and support received from the George Browns Area Sales Manager that helped to seal the deal.

Service from George Browns seals the deal

Service from George Browns seals the deal

Simon has overseen the maintenance of the 18-hole heathland course for the last five years and is currently supported by a team of five and a vast array of equipment and implements. “Historically we’ve been quite loyal to certain brands and, like most clubs, we’ll hold onto them for a good number of years” he explains. “We had a visit from Will Montgomerie of George Browns approximately 18 months ago and it was at a time where I was looking at new machines and open to trying different makes and models.”

“Right from the start of the process, George Browns were proactive in working with me to find solutions that would work on our site. They brought lots of equipment in for us to try meaning that, by the time we made our decision, we could be confident that we’d thoroughly explored all of the options.” Simon continues, “The package was competitively priced and delivery times were good which was another big plus.”

Delivered in August 2023 was an LM551 fairway mower and two LM315 triple greens mowers from Baroness, a Kubota L-1452 compact tractor and a G-261LD ride-on mower for quick and effective cut and collect on some of the courses more delicate areas. “I hadn’t used a Baroness mower for about 20 years but as soon as we demonstrated them, we agreed that we liked the cut quality and the user-friendly controls and set-up. In terms of tractors, we have other brands, but felt the Kubota gave us comparable quality at a better price and, at 45hp, will be an incredibly versatile addition to the fleet.”

Simon explains that the service received over the last two years from Will and colleagues at George Browns has been second to none. “From bringing in all the various demonstrator units, through to answering our many questions before and after delivery, nothing has been too much trouble. We received service and spare parts packages from Baroness to keep the mowers in top-flight condition, while George Browns will continue to support us and work with us on regular servicing on the Kubota products through the ‘Kubota Care’ five-year warranty scheme. It’s been slick and simple, and we couldn’t be happier.”

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SALTEX provides boost to the industry

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SALTEX provides boost to the industry: SALTEX 2023 welcomed over 7,900 visitors to the bustling two-day exhibition. But it’s not just the quantity of visitors that was so impressive in the face of Storm Ciaran but the quality, say show organisers, the GMA.

Geoff Webb, CEO, Grounds Management Association says: “The show data demonstrates that SALTEX continues to deliver on an extremely high level of quality attendees: 25 percent of visitors hold senior managerial positions at their place of work and nearly 80 percent play a role in the purchasing decision-making.”

SALTEX provides boost to the industry

SALTEX provides boost to the industry

It’s certainly a view held by exhibitors too as Rob Edwards, marketing manager of tractor business unit at Kubota, confirms: “Without doubt, SALTEX ‘23 was a great success for Kubota. As the leading event in the UK for grounds management, it was the ideal way for us to showcase our range, as well as launch our innovative new products to the market.

“The format, where products, services, forums, and training are brought together in one place attracts the right customers and we were very busy throughout the show. The GMA does an excellent job of delivering SALTEX, and we are very pleased with the sales, press and marketing opportunities that the show delivered.”

This year, visitors attended from every corner of the UK, as well as a growing international attendance from across the globe. It’s clear that the global appeal of the show continues to grow, with a 20 percent increase in international exhibitors attending SALTEX this year.

The addition of new feature areas including The Clubhouse brought together people from across different sporting communities including women in turf and the cricketing world. The exciting new Community Sports Zone, also saw buoyant business which proved of great benefit to the grassroots and volunteer audience.

Geoff Webb adds, “SALTEX has delivered for the industry once again – it’s the perfect platform to showcase the UK turf sector globally and is a success story for the UK as a whole. For the show to maintain its position as the leading free grounds management show in Europe is testament to how highly regarded and valuable the show is perceived to be in the industry.”

SALTEX will be back at Birmingham NEC on 30-31 October 2024.

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OAS supports the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal

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OAS supports the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal: Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) has joined forces with photographer Richard Pinches and Grounds Maintenance contractor Groundtel Ltd to create a giant poppy in support of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

The giant poppy has been painted on Mills Meadow in Henley-on-Thames to launch the 2023 Poppy Appeal. It has been drawn by OAS’s robotic line-marking machine and then filled in by hand using a backpack sprayer using IMPACT paint.

OAS supports the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal

OAS supports the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal

The idea came from drone operator, Richard Pinches, who was commissioned by Henley Town Council to photograph a King’s Cypher that was painted in the same location for the King’s Coronation in May.  Richard has been a keen supporter of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal and poppy collector ever since the death of his father in 2016.

Simon Hughes, Line Marking Sales Manager for Origin Amenity Solutions explains, “Richard approached me for help, and we were only too delighted to donate the necessary machinery, paint, and time needed. I programmed the GPS-guided robotic line marker to paint the poppy outline and then Danny Perkins from Groundtel Ltd. infilled using our IMPACT paint in white, red, and black.

The ability to mark out custom logos and designs is the latest feature on the TinyLineMarker Pro X robotic line marker distributed exclusively in the UK by Origin Amenity Solutions.

The robots are designed to spray ready-to-use paint technology such as the IMPACT range. To give an idea of the efficiencies, the machines use as little as 1.1 litres of paint per standard-sized football pitch and eliminate the messy, time-consuming inconsistencies associated with dilutable concentrate paints. With significant time and money-saving benefits robotic line markers are increasingly valued as a smart investment.

Simon Hughes adds, “This revolutionary feature has been heavily requested, and we are delighted with how well received it has been. It is fantastic to see how our customers are using it and I’m delighted with how well the poppy has turned out. It looks stunning.”

Armistice Day, or Remembrance Day as it’s best known, marks the day that World War One ended in 1918. A two-minute silence is held across the country at 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month to remember those who have died in any conflict.

Book a free demonstration of the TinyMobileRobot Pro X by visiting www.tinymobilerobots.com/field-marking-robot/tinymobilerobots-uk/

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Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

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Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries: The search is on to recognise the UK’s most professional sprayer operators in the sports turf, amenity and landscape management industries. The Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year (ASOOTY) awards highlight best practice and experience in the challenging role of ensuring accurate application on all amenity surfaces.

Sponsored by ICL and Syngenta and managed by the Amenity Forum, the awards seek to share top tips and advice that will raise the standards of spray application across the amenity industry.

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year open for entries

The finalists and winner will be announced and presented at the prestigious BIGGA Awards ceremony at BTME in January 2024, with prizes worth over £500. All ASOOTY applicants will also be entered into a competition to win one of five Syngenta Sprayer Calibration & Application Kits.  BASIS CPD points for participating in the awards have been applied for.

The skills of sprayer operators to make efficient, effective and above all safe applications is essential for the future sustainability of the amenity and turf care industry. ASOOTY awards are a welcome way to recognise and reward the leading individuals and to learn from their experience.

Along with assessing operators’ skills of spray application and use of products, the ASOOTY awards also now reflect the importance of an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to any issues involving turf and landscape maintenance.

Announcing the opening of the ASOOTY 2023 awards at SALTEX (1-2 November), Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes, said: “Sprayer operation is a key factor in the success of every application, including elements of nozzle choice, water volume and fine tuning the sprayer to more effectively hit the intended target.

“However, for the best possible results, today’s professional sprayer operators must also fully understand the wider aspects of why an application is being made, and what other integrated options they can also employ for better long-term management of potential problems.

“Knowing when not to spray is in many ways as important as the techniques to actually make an application,” he advised.

ICL Landscape & Industrial Business Manager, Lewis Blois, added: “We are delighted to support such an important cross-sector industry initiative with a continued commitment to raise standards and improve results.

“Importantly it has identified and recognised the range of spray application techniques and the differing skills involved across the amenity sector. It will provide a unique and vitally important resource for all involved in spray application.”

This year the entry process aims to test sprayer operators’ broader knowledge of issues and solutions faced across the amenity sector through an initial on-line question form. Lewis explained entrants are not expected to know the answers to all the questions, however the entry form will help the judging panel to assess an individual’s experience and approach to dealing with challenges.

“The entry process itself will stimulate thought and understanding of the challenging issues around application across the sports turf, amenity and industrial land management industries, including the need to create integrated solutions using a full range of tools and tactics. We’re looking to find operators that can make those important proactive decisions with every application,” he added.

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