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Introducing the GroundsFest Academy

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Introducing the GroundsFest Academy: GroundsFest is proud to announce an exciting new initiative: the GroundsFest Academy, which has been designed to provide free education for anyone working in groundscare and landscaping. By reinvesting profits from GroundsFest back into the industry, the Academy aims to boost education, nurture talent, and help bridge critical skills gaps.

A Mix of Theory and Practical Learning

The GroundsFest Academy offers a unique blend of theoretical and hands-on practical education, covering a wide range of essential topics. In its first year, the Academy will focus on key subjects such as drainage and irrigation, machinery maintenance, synthetic surfaces, line marking, and end-of-season renovations. These topics are just a taster of what the Academy has planned, with even more areas of expertise to be covered.

Introducing the GroundsFest Academy

Introducing the GroundsFest Academy

Participants will not only gain insights from some of the most knowledgeable professionals in the field but will also earn Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points and certification, further enhancing their credentials and career prospects.

Accessible and Inclusive Learning

The GroundsFest Academy will see free educational days taking place at various accessible locations across the UK. Whether you’re an experienced professional looking to stay ahead of the curve or a student eager to enhance your studies, the GroundsFest Academy has something for everyone.

This initiative is also valuable for organisations, companies and local authorities. By providing free, high-quality training, the Academy supports employers in developing their teams and filling critical skills gaps. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for students to gain industry-specific knowledge, helping them transition into the workforce with confidence.

Supporting the Next Generation

GroundsFest has teamed up with Sports Turf Lecturer Bradley Tennant to lead the delivery of the Academy. Bradley brings years of industry experience and a passion for education.

“Education is key to the continued success and development of our industry,” says Bradley. “The GroundsFest Academy is an incredible opportunity for anyone in the industry to gain free access to valuable training. It’s about equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive, and I’m proud to be leading this initiative.”

Bridging the Skills Gap

“In many organisations, time and resources for training can be limited,” continues Bradley. “Through no fault of their own, senior management often lack the time or capacity to provide one-on-one training in essential skills and certain topics simply aren’t covered in traditional education pathways. The GroundsFest Academy addresses this gap by offering targeted training on subjects that matter most to professionals and employers alike.

“Whether you’re looking to advance your career, improve your team’s skills, or explore new areas of expertise, the GroundsFest Academy is here to help.”

This initiative highlights GroundsFest’s commitment to giving back to the industry that supports it. By reinvesting profits into education, GroundsFest continues to make an impact that goes far beyond the event itself.

More information on the GroundsFest Academy, including session dates and locations, will be announced soon along with a dedicated education and training portal.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

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

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The STIHL GTA 40 battery-powered pruner

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The STIHL GTA 40 battery-powered pruner: Designed for tree care, the GTA 40 is the first professional pruner available in the STIHL AS System of battery-powered tools. Combining low weight and compact design with high cutting performance, the GTA 40 excels at pruning on the ground as well as maintenance and corrective pruning in trees by trained climbing arborists.

Thanks to the low weight, excellent balance and impressive cutting speed, the GTA 40 is a viable alternative to using top handled chainsaws for tree canopy maintenance. In areas of overgrown and dense foliage, the compact and slim design of the GTA 40 is a particular advantage.

The STIHL GTA 40 battery-powered pruner

The STIHL GTA 40 battery-powered pruner

Two AS System batteries provide enough charge for up to 190 cuts when cutting spruce with a diameter of 5×5 cm. Like all STIHL professional battery-powered tools, the batteries and the pruner are IPX4 certified, resulting in reliable use in rain and wet conditions.

Equipped with a 6” STIHL Light 01 guide bar with low-friction sprocket nose and a narrow STIHL 1/4″ Picco saw chain, the GTA 40 ensures fast cutting performance and a smooth cutting result. The partially transparent chain oil tank ensures the operator is always aware of when the tank needs to be refilled.

Like many battery-powered tools, the GTA 40 is so quiet that no hearing protection is required, and to ensure the tool fits comfortably in your hand, the grip points are coated with a durable non-slip soft material. Features such as the lateral chain tensioner and charge level indicator also help to ensure effortless operation.

Suspension eyelets on both sides allow a lanyard to be attached. Alternatively, a holster is available as part of STIHL’s X-Flex Harness System, for even greater ease of use. A heavy-duty storage and transport case is included with all GTA 40 sets, with ample room for the AL 5-2 multi-charger and up to 6 AS 2 batteries.

The GTA 40 pruner can be integrated into the cloud-based STIHL Connected system solution via a Smart Connector attached to the motor housing. This digital fleet management system offers professional users a detailed overview of the operating time of the tool, as well as upcoming maintenance tasks and maintenance history records.

For more information on the GTA 40 and STIHL’s wide range of professional battery tools, please visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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Reesink brings the next big things to BTME

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Reesink brings the next big things to BTME: Three Toro product launches tee off 2025. Debuting at BTME, these machines are tomorrow’s technology for the golf course industry and headline on Reesink Turfcare’s stand which has a focus on sustainability.

Full details of the machines are under wraps until the show, but what Reesink can reveal is that these launches are the culmination of years of research from Toro to make the next technological leap for the industry a reality.

Reesink brings the next big things to BTME

Reesink brings the next big things to BTME

Jon Cole, Divisional Business Manager, Reesink Turfcare, says: “These machines are what the industry has been waiting for. To be able to bring this leading technology and the benefits it brings to the UK and Ireland is an honour for Reesink and we look forward to unveiling them at BTME on stand 622.”

Joining them are Toro’s two electric pedestrian mowers – the Toro Greensmaster eFlex 1021 and Greensmaster e1026 and the electric ride-on greensmower, the Greensmaster eTriFlex 3370. Battery-powered course transport in the form of the STAR Sirius 2 Pro golf buggy and innovative KAASPEED course scooter for members complete the electric line-up.

Adding to the line-up debuts and new technology is the Toro GeoLink rover kit on the updated now battery-powered Toro Workman MDX Lithium utility vehicle. The satellite mapping technology allows for easy and accurate pinpoint course surveying to understand the layout and characteristics of the course, its signal strengths and suitability to make use of this innovative and multiple saving technology.

With a focus on water sustainability and providing products that allow for course managers to act as a guardian of the resource, Reesink Hydro-Scapes will be bringing the most advanced central control irrigation system, controllers and sprinklers from Toro. There will be a stand dedicated to demonstrating the legacy of Toro and how Toro sprinklers are built future proofed with forwards and backwards compatibility.

Also, on display will be two of the best-selling and most popular water aerators for creating the cleanest, healthiest water quality and preventative evaporation management, for your lakes, ponds, and reservoirs from Otterbine.

Visitors to BMTE can see all this as well as meet with Reesink representatives to discuss their course and club turfcare machinery requirements on stand 622.

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Foley showcases the benefits of precision grinding

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Foley showcases the benefits of precision grinding: Foley Company’s UK and Ireland distributor, ProSport UK Ltd, will be on stand 550 Hall 5 at BTME 2025, demonstrating the unrivalled benefits of relief grinding and the new floor level Foley 642 Quick Spin Reel Grinder.

A selection of Foley automated Accu-Pro cylinder grinders and Accu-Pro bedknife grinders will be on the stand for visitors to see and ask any questions they may have on this important aspect of workshop maintenance techniques.

Foley showcases the benefits of precision grinding

Foley showcases the benefits of precision grinding

The unrivalled automated features on the Accu-Pro 633 provide a step-by-step tutorial for new technicians and a quicker setup and spin grind feature for the more experienced operators. You tell the machine what you’re working on, and it automatically spin or relief grinds to completion. Pre-programmed spin speeds, relief torque, and in-feeds are only a few features in the ACCU-Touch 3 system that ensure efficiency and guarantee a quality grind with every use.

Joining the other machines will be Foley’s new floor level 642 Quick Spin Reel Grinder. The new grinder is designed to accommodate the widest of mower cylinders and is a simple roll-on roll-off solution to grinding, with the machine sitting at floor level. The roll-on roll-off solution removes the need for heavy lifting facilities, revolutionizing how equipment managers view touch-up spin grinding.

It offers a fast, easy-operated option for providing a quick touch-up spin between regular relief grinding schedules, and is a solution for sharpening the extra wide, heavy mowers used on sports fields/pitches. The Foley 642 Quick-Spin features simple to use controls, counter balanced spin drive, patented front and rear clamping system for pedestrian mowers, and power rear positioning levers for cylinders. It will accept up to 42-inch reel width and operates on 240v/15a power.

ProSport UK Ltd Managing Director Ian Robson will run demonstrations throughout both days of GroundsFest and be available to discuss any questions or requirements.

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Experience the future with Baroness at BTME

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Experience the future with Baroness at BTME: Golf course management has entered a new era of efficiency and innovation, the very best of both will be showcased by Baroness on stand 624 at BTME 2025.

Two never-before-seen machines will be making their global debut in Harrogate – combining the craftmanship and industry-leading cut quality renowned with the Baroness brand, with the technology of tomorrow.

Experience the future with Baroness at BTME

Experience the future with Baroness at BTME

Due for release later in 2025, but being showcased at BTME in January, will be the LMB12 battery mower. The LMB12 is a lightweight, battery-operated pedestrian mower, compact at just 42cm in width and ideal for the delicate cutting on slopes such as steep bunker edges or the delivery of precise presentation on ornamental lawns and gardens. Providing the epitome of operator safety, the LMB12 promises the renowned Baroness samurai-sharp cylinder cut in a package which all-but eliminates noise and harmful emissions.

There will also be a first glance at an incredibly exciting expansion to the Baroness portfolio, in the form of the fully-autonomous ULM272 fairway mower. While it remains in early prototype phase, attendees at BTME will be able to see this first machine from their Unmanned Machine Series which is set to become the new industry standard.

Scheduled for launch in 2026, the ULM272 pairs 110-years of manufacturing experience with cutting-edge GPS technology to create a machine that will bring labour savings, boost efficiency and maintain the availability of your expertly skilled workforce.

The solutions for tomorrow will sit proudly alongside the best of what Baroness has to offer today, with machines including the LM551B fairway mower, GM2810A five-deck rotary mower and LM311 all-hydraulic triplex also on display. Another highlight is set to be the AgriMetal GR-660 greens roller. The high-spec yet affordable GR-660 model features a 66” roll width and is equipped with the solid, low-maintenance synchro belt drive system which allows smoother direction transitions.

More information on the entire Baroness range is available by speaking to the technical team, on hand to assist visitors to stand 624 across the three days.

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