Tag Archive for: Together

New GMA Conference Set To Bring The Sector Together

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New GMA Conference Set To Bring The Sector Together: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) is thrilled to announce a major new addition to the industry calendar: the GMA Conference 2026 – a full day of practical learning and big industry conversations.

Hosted at the iconic Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham on Thursday 12 March, the landmark event will bring together leading experts and experienced practitioners from across the UK and beyond for an immersive programme designed to inform, inspire, and connect.

New GMA Conference Set To Bring The Sector Together

New GMA Conference Set To Bring The Sector Together

What to expect

Backed by Platinum Sponsor ISEKI, and industry organisations such ICL, Origin Amenity Solutions, Reesink UK, Agronomic Services Ltd, SGL, MJ Abbott and Premier Pitches, the 2026 programme offers real-world sessions with immediate takeaways:

  • Expert Speakers: Hear from industry leaders including: Ruth Mann (Head of Integrated Crop Technologies, Agrii), Tony Hanson (Environmental Solutions International), Daniel Ratling (Grounds and Estate Manager at Whitgift School), broadcaster Mark Clemit, Chris Hunter (GMA), Will Brierley & Mark Ferguson (All England Lawn Tennis Club), and John Lawrence (Edgbaston Priory Tennis Club), with more names to be announced soon.
  • Practical Sessions: Gain actionable insights with real-world case studies, including:
    • A behind-the-scenes look at Lord’s full-scale pitch renovation
    • Strategies for future-proofing facilities under new water regulations
    • Workshops on soil health, workforce development, and leadership skills
  • Interactive Panels: CPD-rich discussions tackling the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector right now.
  • Soft Skills Matter: Build leadership, communication and team management skills to complement your technical expertise. These sessions will ensure you leave not only with technical know-how, but also the interpersonal skills essential for long-term success.

Attendees can build their own agenda to focus on the skills and knowledge most relevant to their career whilst accessing the latest research and emerging best practice – a snapshot of where grounds management is heading.

Networking runs throughout the programme with plenty of time to connect and meet new peers. A guided tour of Edgbaston’s world-class facilities will offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at excellence in action.

After the conference, delegates are invited to stay for the GMA Industry Awards, the annual celebration of the people and achievements driving standards across the sector.

The conference will complement other GMA educational events throughout 2026, offering a wider programme of learning opportunities for grounds professionals at every stage of their career.

Sarah Hunter, Head of Events at the GMA, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be launching a dedicated conference for the sector in 2026. Grounds professionals operate in a fast-changing environment, and there’s a real appetite for events that combine practical learning with the chance to connect with others facing similar challenges.

“One of the real strengths of this programme is that delegates can tailor their day by choosing the sessions and speakers that are most relevant to their role. This conference delivers exactly that – flexibility and depth. We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Edgbaston for what promises to be a standout day.”

Full programme details will be announced soon, but you don’t need to wait to secure your place. Register your interest now to be among the first to get early access for this must-attend conference.

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Hayter and Toro: Working together in harmony

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Hayter and Toro: Working together in harmony: Hayter, the makers of the finest mowers, and The Toro Company, a global leader in turf and landscape equipment, have come together to create two versatile and battery powered product suite for gardeners of all levels.

Hayter has developed the 60V battery cordless range of mowers to offer the same convenience as a petrol lawnmower without engine exhaust emissions. While Toro has released the Flex-Force battery range, which includes outdoor products for all needs in the garden.

Hayter and Toro: Working together in harmony

Hayter and Toro: Working together in harmony

These two ranges share the same heavy duty, 60V lithium-ion battery, which is interchangeable between all of the products, to offer maximum flexibility. Simply remove the 60V battery and transfer to one of the other compatible machines from either range – so there’s no need to purchase any additional batteries if you already own a product from either range.

Using products from both ranges means the user can have ultimate flexibility, as well as control over all parts of the garden. If your desire is to mow your lawn and leave it with a perfectly striped finish, then the battery powered Harrier 60V cordless mowers are the perfect machines to achieve this with the two piece, ribbed rear roller. If you then need to trim hedges, then the Flex-Force range offers a hedge trimmer, that is focused on tackling those big jobs in less time.

With both Hayter and Toro ranges being used in unison, users will have a product for every season and every application.

Other products in the Flex-Force range include, the Recycler mowers, a leaf blower, chainsaw and string trimmer. And the Hayter 60V battery range includes the Osprey 46 lawnmower.

For more information please visit www.toro.com/en and www.hayter.co.uk

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Pulling together when the going’s tough

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Pulling together when the going’s tough: In The Cricketer’s latest column, David Bates, former first-class groundsman and MD at cricket pitch expert total-play Ltd, shares his advice for those volunteering to support their clubs during the pandemic – and beyond…

Read the full article from The Cricketer here

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Together, we’ll beat coronavirus

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Together, we’ll beat coronavirus: We at Turf Matters are well aware of the impact Coronavirus is having on every aspect of our lives.

It is something that has not been faced by any of us in our lifetimes.

Together, we’ll beat coronavirus

Together, we’ll beat coronavirus

We are all trying to get through the next few weeks and months as best as we can. Keeping working, if we are at all able to, helps retain some sort of normality in what are anything but normal times.

We are a small, close-knit industry which is good in so many ways. We always have someone to call on while help is always there when needed. In other ways it is not so good however. Being small makes us more vulnerable and we can lack the resources which help bigger industries cushion themselves through hard times. It can be a hand to mouth existence, something we’ve seen when weather extremes have impacted on various elements of our industry.

It all means we must stick together wherever possible. For that reason we at Turf Matters are giving a shout out to all our partnering companies.

We wish you all well over the difficult times ahead. You can be assured that Turf Matters will be with you, side by side, through it all.

We not only have our health to protect but our futures and we will provide all the help we can to showcase the work you continue to do and perhaps shine a light on the wonderful, often behind the scenes acts of kindness for which our great industry is known.

Let’s take care, let’s stay well, let’s stick together, let’s get through this.

Scott MacCallum, editor

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