Tag Archive for: UK’s

Toro UK’s succesful first-ever dealer hub at GroundsFest

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Toro UK’s succesful first-ever dealer hub at GroundsFest: The launch of Toro U.K.’s Dealer Hub at GroundsFest 2025 – the UK’s largest groundscare festival – proved a roaring success. Placing groundscare dealers at the centre of their offering for this year’s edition, Toro’s dealer hub offered the opportunity to liaise with the full Toro team, including Sales, Marketing, Product Development and Engineering.

Over dealers from across the country – as well as other end-users and gardening professionals – were given the chance to discuss new product lines, investment and partnership opportunities across the UK. Visitors to the hub also got a first-ever look at the new range of Toro clothing.

Toro UK's succesful first-ever dealer hub at GroundsFest

Toro UK’s succesful first-ever dealer hub at GroundsFest

Craig Hoare, Sales and Marketing Manager at Toro U.K. Limited, had this to say about the event:

“We are immensely proud of all the hard work completed by our Toro U.K. staff, as well as incredibly grateful for another successful event organised by GroundsFest. This was our largest GroundsFest showcase ever, with over 80 products on display and a whole range of new Toro clothing – which was flying off the shelves from the moment the showground opened.”

Hayter®, holder of the Royal Warrant for Horticultural Equipment and brother brand of Toro U.K., saw similar success at the show – where the British legacy brand shared a stage with Toro®.

The latest iteration of their longstanding Harrier® 56 lawnmower was nominated for the Innovation Award, hosted by Technical Editor at Horticulture Week, Sally Drury, where the machine was awarded runner-up.

They also demonstrated upgrades to their rear rollers, their new 56 and 48 Harrier battery lawnmowers and the long-awaited groomer brush and side skirt attachments for their mowers – an accessory which has been in high demand by gardening professionals.

Hoare commented: “The buzz and atmosphere felt by both end-consumers and dealers was palpable and we can’t wait to march full steam ahead with our dealer partners, who we had the pleasure of speaking to at our first-ever Dealer Hub.”

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Tubex Expands UK’s Largest Tree Shelter Collection

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Tubex Expands UK’s Largest Tree Shelter Collection: Tubex is kicking off 2025 with a major expansion of its tree shelter Collection and Recycling Programme, making it easier than ever for landowners and tree planters to recycle used shelters responsibly.

With 1.1 million tree shelters recycled to date, the UK’s first dedicated scheme of its kind is growing once again, with the addition of more locations and partners committed to sustainable forestry practices.

Tubex Expands UK’s Largest Tree Shelter Collection

Tubex Expands UK’s Largest Tree Shelter Collection

Tubex has built on the scheme’s success in 2024 by working closely with more partners and distributors to expand the network for 2025, with new collection points, including West Chevington, RSK Whittington and Alba Trees Ltd, joining the list.

These new locations accompany Tubex’s existing partners such as Yorkshire Dales Millenium Trust, Tilhill, Maydencroft, Green-tech and others, helping to grow the hub network to over 25 sites across the UK. This year’s expansion ensures even greater accessibility for landowners and tree planters looking to dispose of used shelters responsibly, either by dropping them off at a hub for free or by booking doorstep collection for a small fee.

The Tubex Tree Shelter Collection and Recycling Programme accepts used polypropylene or polyethylene tree shelters or mesh tubes from all manufacturers. All materials collected are recycled into new shelters, reinforcing Tubex’s ongoing commitment to a circular economy where materials are reused, and waste is minimised. As confirmed by independent research, collection and recycling represent the lowest impact option when tree shelters are used*, making this the most responsible avenue for landowners.

Pete Stevens, Business Development Manager at Tubex, said: “The growth of our Collection and Recycling Programme shows what can be achieved through strong collaboration and shared sustainability values. Our goal has always been to make it easier for landowners to ensure shelters aren’t left in the environment, and the expanded hub network means more people than ever can do the right thing.”

“We are proud of the community of stakeholders who have helped make this programme what it is today,” added Pete. “By working together, we are driving real progress in how the industry approaches tree shelter use and disposal, and we look forward to continuing that journey this year.”

To find the nearest collection hub, book a shelter pick-up, or learn more about the programme, visit: https://tubex.com/sustainability/tree-shelter-collection-recycling-programme/

* https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10130156/

For any media inquiries, please contact tubex@nmpr.co.uk

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Construction begins on Avant Tecno UK’s HQ

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Construction begins on Avant Tecno UK’s HQ: Construction has commenced on the new multimillion pound headquarters for Avant Tecno UK at Suffolk Business Park in Bury St Edmunds.

The development of the 32,200sq ft facility is being led by Churchmanor Estates and built by SEH French.

Construction begins on Avant Tecno UK’s HQ

Construction begins on Avant Tecno UK’s HQ

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 19 to mark the start of works with representatives from Avant Tecno UK, SEH French, Churchmanor Estates, Robinson Arnold, Holmes Plant & Construction, LSI Architects, Conisbee, Richard Utting Associates and members of West Suffolk District Council.

Due for completion in August 2024, the site will be home to the company’s UK operations. The company says it will boast dedicated dealer training facilities, flexible collaborative workspaces, efficient and automated warehouse technology, and a technical workshop.

The new development will see the company move from its rural base near Thetford, where it has been located since it began operating the in the UK in 1994.

Raimo Ala-Korpi, Managing Director of Avant Tecno UK, commented: “This ceremony marks the start of an exciting era for Avant Tecno UK.

“Avant has enjoyed a sustained period of growth in recent years and, as a consequence, we have outgrown our existing warehouse and office facilities. Our new purpose-built UK headquarters represents a significant investment and is a commitment to the future for our dealers and end user customers.

“We’re looking forward to seeing work get underway on the construction of our new premises.”

Avant Tecno UK provides multi-functional loaders for use in various areas including farming, landscaping and construction.

Neil Pryke, Contracts Manager for SEH French, said: “The team is thrilled to be involved in this project to deliver Avant Tecno UK’s new headquarters.

“Suffolk Business Park is a great example of the opportunities available in the county for large companies like Avant, and we are honoured to be supporting them in their growth.

“Our appointment is testament to the quality of work we deliver, and we look forward to working with partners on this exciting development.”

Matt Cloke, Development Director at Churchmanor Estates, commented: “Avant Tecno are the acknowledged market leader in their sector, and so we were delighted to be asked to work with them to bring to life their vision for a new bespoke UK HQ, warehouse, and showroom.

“This is an important investment not just for Suffolk Business Park, but for West Suffolk as well, and we’re looking forward to seeing the project progress over the next 10 months.”

For more information, please visit www.avant.co.uk

For more information on the developer please visit www.churchmanor.com

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UK’s best student greenkeepers celebrated

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UK’s best student greenkeepers celebrated: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and sponsors Reesink Turfcare and Toro have revealed the winners of their annual awards competition, with the finals taking place this year in the surroundings of the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex.

During a sombre evening following news of the death of Her Majesty the Queen, the winners of this year’s awards were revealed. Throughout the day, the 12 candidates – selected from a record 54 nominees – had contested the grand finals of the Toro Student Greenkeeper Awards.

UK's best student greenkeepers celebrated

UK’s best student greenkeepers celebrated

Ripon City Golf Club Deputy Course Manager James Gaskell (30) was revealed as the 33rd winner of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award. James has been greenkeeping for five years, taking up the profession on a full-time basis after graduating from the University of Sunderland. A talented golfer playing to a 1.6 handicap, James said his experience of playing competitive golf compliments his greenkeeping knowledge and the awards judges were impressed by his considerable dedication to the sport and his chosen career.

The runner-up of the award is Andrew Ritchie of St Andrews Links Trust.

The 6th winner of the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award was revealed to be Carden Park Golf Club greenkeeper Peter Pattenden (19). A talented rugby player, Peter has represented North Wales and Scottish Exiles, but it is in golf that he has chosen to pursue a career. Having been a greenkeeper for almost three years, Peter works at Carden Park in Cheshire where his father – also called Peter – is courses and estates manager.

The runner-up of the Young award is Luke Charnley of Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

With the awards split into two separate categories, candidates for the ‘main’ Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award completed a rigorous day of testing that included an exam, an essay question, grass and seed identification and a presentation on their career so far. Candidates for the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award, who must be aged 21 and under when nominated, undertook an exam and then a hole walk with the awards judges that is intended to test the finalists’ knowledge in a real world setting.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award was introduced in 1989, with an additional ‘Young’ category introduced in 2016. Previous winners and finalists have gone on to become some of the most influential characters in the greenkeeping industry, helping shape the sport of golf in the UK and further afield.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner receives: enrolment in the 10-week University of Massachusetts Winter Turf School; a two-week expenses-paid placement at Adare Manor, venue of The 2027 Ryder Cup; an all-expenses paid trip to the GCSAA Conference and Show in Florida; and a visit to Toro Corporate HQ, R&D Centre and Equipment Operations in Wisconsin.

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner receives: a two-week work placement at Vidauban Golf Club in France; a five-night trip to Continue to Learn at BTME; and a gift voucher for Toro Training.

The student award endorser receives a trip to the GCSAA in the USA and the young student endorser will receive a trip to Vidauban Golf Club. All finalists receive a year’s free membership with BIGGA.

BIGGA Learning and Development Executive Deb Burnett said: “Among the many activities BIGGA undertakes each year to assist the professional development of our members, the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards are almost certainly the most inspirational. For those feeling disillusioned about the challenges our industry faces in coming years, our 12 finalists provide all the reassurance you need to be convinced that greenkeeping and the sport of golf has a very bright future.

“My congratulations go to all our finalists, particularly our well-deserving winners and runners-up. Thanks must also go to Reesink Turfcare and Toro for their incredible support and to the Goodwood Estate for being such wonderful hosts.”

David Timms, national accounts manager for Reesink Turfcare, said: “After a record number of entries and a thorough two-week online interview process, it was a pleasure to welcome and meet the best talent in greenkeeping at Goodwood for the finals of the 2022 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards. It was clear why these 12 finalists made it this far – a great achievement. Everyone shone and it was a close competition. The winners – James and Peter – are incredibly worthy and I look forward to seeing what they go on to achieve.”

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The search for UK’s favourite parks

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The search for UK’s favourite parks: Fields in Trust – the independent charity that has been protecting parks and green spaces for almost 100 years – has announced that its search for the UK’s Favourite Parks is back this summer and is calling upon the nation to get nominating now!

The hugely popular campaign has returned for the first time since 2019 and will shine a light on the green spaces that hold a special place in our hearts.

The search for UK's favourite parks

The search for UK’s favourite parks

Having acted as sanctuary to so many over the past few years, Fields in Trust is bringing back the campaign to find the UK’s Favourite Parks to ensure that they continue to be celebrated in a post-pandemic world.

The charity recently commissioned a study which found that almost half of us have visited local parks more often than we used to as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Coupled with research that has shown that access to nature was one of the main ways people have supported their mental health during lockdowns, Fields in Trust is determined that this year’s campaign celebrates the spaces that we relied on.

This year’s UK’s Favourite Parks campaign is made all-the-more important in light of the Fields in Trust’s recently released annual Green Space Index report. The study – which analyses the provision and distribution of parks and green spaces in the UK – found that 2.8 million people live more than ten minutes’ walk away from a green space. With only 6% of green space legally protected in Great Britain, the charity is concerned  that this will only worsen in coming years if we do not appreciate and advocate for our local parks.

Chief Executive of Fields in Trust, Helen Griffiths, commented on the campaign’s return, saying:

“There is no doubt that the importance of green spaces has been acutely felt recently, with people increasingly turning to their local parks to find a sense of tranquillity, space, and belonging since the pandemic began. When restrictions were at their highest, many sought sanctuary in their daily walk around the park; and when restrictions lifted to allow outdoor gatherings, the same parks became the backdrop for reunions with loved ones and new memories made.

“At a time when things were so hard for so many, these places provided respite; now, through our UK’s Favourite Parks campaign, we want to give people the chance to show their appreciation for the green spaces that were there for them.”

The search for the UK’s Favourite Parks starts today, meaning you can nominate your local green space now. Nominations are open until Tuesday 5 July, before the chosen parks go head-to-head in a public vote.

The UK’s Favourite Parks was first awarded in 2015 and has already handed out the title to three parks from across the UK: inaugural winner, Telford Town Park; Rouken Glen Park in 2016; and Blackpool’s Stanley Park in both 2017 and 2019.

Helen Griffiths continues:

“We are thrilled to be on the search once again for the UK’s Favourite Parks and we have no doubt that we’ll find some absolute gems along the way. We can’t wait to see the places that get put forward. Whether it’s the park you head for when the sun is shining; your favourite place to walk the dog; the place you go to stretch your legs; or your family’s favourite spot to spend quality time together: we want you to nominate your favourite today!”

To nominate your local park, visit www.fieldsintrust.org/favourite-parks.

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