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Rolawn partners with Wildflower Turf

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Rolawn partners with Wildflower Turf: Leading turf grower, Rolawn, is delighted to announce a new partnership with wildflower turf pioneers, Wildflower Turf Ltd.

For almost 50 years, Rolawn has been at the forefront of market trends and developments in the horticulture and construction sectors, recently introducing biodiversity supportive products under the BioScapes brand. Wildflower turf is a logical range extension as the business continues to help customers to comply with environmental legislative change.

Rolawn partners with Wildflower Turf

Rolawn partners with Wildflower Turf

Rolawn’s Sales and Marketing Director, Jonathan Hill, explains why Rolawn has partnered with Wildflower Turf, “The parities between our organisations made the decision to work together very straightforward. Our customer base has high expectations from suppliers, demanding responsibly manufactured products supported by first-rate service. Wildflower Turf’s depth of understanding of market demands and forces is clear to see and aligns with these needs.

“Having developed a transformative product, Wildflower Turf Ltd has led the market with a very similar approach to our own – prioritising technical excellence and best advice. We are excited to see how our collaboration will help the industry make a greater contribution to biodiversity net gain.”

The arrangement is a reciprocal one which will see Rolawn’s market-leading Medallion Turf available via the Wildflower Turf team.

James Hewetson-Brown, MD at Wildflower Turf Ltd, says, “We’re delighted to welcome Rolawn as an Authorised Reseller. Rolawn’s reputation for excellence and commitment to sustainable landscapes aligns perfectly with our own mission.

Meadows are vital for both the environment and pollinators. This partnership expands our customer reach, allowing us to create more biodiverse spaces and help restore nature’s balance.

Additionally, by selling Rolawn products that complement our wildflower offerings, we provide a more comprehensive solution for our customers.”

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Transforming Repton School’s Grounds with MM Seed

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Transforming Repton School’s Grounds with MM Seed: Repton School in Derbyshire is a well-known institution which mixes tradition with new ideas.

Behind the scenes, Andrew Butler, the Head of Grounds and Gardens, is the man responsible for ensuring the grounds are not just aesthetically pleasing but also resilient to the rigours of year-round sporting activities. That’s where MM Seed comes in.

Transforming Repton School's Grounds with MM Seed

Transforming Repton School’s Grounds with MM Seed

After working at Repton for twelve years Andrew became the Head of Grounds and Gardens in 2022. Upon assuming his role, he faced a daunting challenge: the need for a grass seed capable of withstanding the constant onslaught of sporting activities across Repton’s extensive grounds.

Repton’s vast expanse, spanning over 100 acres, hosts a variety of sporting fields, including football pitches, rugby pitches, hockey pitches, athletic tracks, and cricket squares, each demanding its own maintenance. Additionally, the school boasts formal gardens and orchards, adding further complexity.

Reflecting on this challenge, Andrew says, “We are on such a heavy clay-based site, and with it being a multi-sport site, it is pretty much used 12 months a year…so therefore we needed a seed with a lot of durability.”

Enter MM Seed, a name synonymous with excellence in the UK sports turf and amenity industries.

“I didn’t feel that the seed which was being previously used was giving us the durability we needed,” says Andrew. “I started looking at different options, did a lot of research and we gave MM Seed a trial on our first-team football pitch. It just showed us what we were missing. Firstly, the take-up was fantastic, secondly, the durability of it was great, and the fact that it got growing well in the heavy clay-based soils we have here was very impressive.”

Andrew’s decision to switch to MM Seed, particularly utilising MM Tetra Sport and MM50, proved to be a pivotal moment.

MM Tetra Sport, a versatile blend of Diploid and Tetraploid Ryegrass, emerged as the solution for Repton’s winter pitches and cricket outfield. Its ability to improve sward composition and recover from scarring perfectly complemented the school’s diverse sporting calendar.

The inclusion of Tetraploids also improved drought resistance during the summer months which is important on the cricket outfields. Meanwhile, MM50, with its fast germination, establishment and ability to withstand heavy wear plus its ability to recover quickly after use found its role on Repton’s cricket squares, ensuring optimal playing conditions season after season.

Transforming Repton School's Grounds with MM Seed

Transforming Repton School’s Grounds with MM Seed

Andrew elaborates further on the durability of MM Seed, “With us going from different sports throughout the year, it means we have to give the grass different heights of cut – so when you go from the height of cut on a rugby pitch down to a football pitch, down to a cricket pitch and then back up again, you are putting a lot of stress on it, but the seed copes incredibly well.”

What sets MM Seed apart is not just its performance on the field but also its commitment to innovation. Treated with HEADSTART® GOLD, a unique seaweed-based seed treatment, MM Seed ensures rapid and even germination, laying the foundation for a resilient and vibrant turf. Andrew confirms this, stating, “I think it is down to HeadStart in the mixture which gives it that extra boost.”

Transitioning to a new seed variety is not without its challenges, yet Andrew found support in Agrovista Amenity, a trusted distributor of MM Seed. “Agrovista Amenity are great – I know I can ring up and have a pallet of seed here in 48 hours,” he remarks, underlining the importance of reliable partnerships. He also praised the advice he received from Matt Gresty, MM Sales and Marketing Manager, “Matt came in and explained everything about the seed. I have been carrying out exactly what he said to do, and the results have been superb ever since.”

The results do indeed speak for themselves. Repton’s grounds now boast not only durability but also supreme aesthetics. “The definition of stripe the seed gives us is first-class,” Andrew proudly states.

Andrew’s success story highlights the importance of strategic decision-making in the turf management industry. With MM Seed, he has improved the quality of the grounds, and will continue to do so for years to come.

For further information, please contact MM Sports Seed on 01386 791102 or visit the company’s website www.mm-seeds.co.uk.

You can also follow the company on Twitter: @MM_Seed.

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GGM Group spring forward with growth

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GGM Group spring forward with growth: Leading Groundscare specialist GGM Group has reported growth and expansion as the business enters its busiest season, with the introduction of a series of new initiatives to benefit customers.

The organisation, with sites in Colne and Haydock, has expanded its team with the appointment of new members of staff throughout the business including in parts, workshop and accounts departments in a bid to support business growth and offer job opportunities in the local area.

GGM Group spring forward with growth

GGM Group spring forward with growth

The new roles come after a busy first quarter for the business which has seen the unveiling of a refurbished showroom in Haydock, created to enhance the overall customer experience.

Recent months have seen the launch of three exciting new franchises for the group. Last year, they announced their appointment as a Honda authorised dealer for the lawn and garden range, which includes walk-behind lawn mowers, ride-on lawn mowers, robotic mowers, tillers and a range of handheld equipment including brushcutters, hedge trimmers and blowers.  The new expanded range of TP Chippers offers customers a range of high-performing on the road chippers including a 100% battery model and the recent inclusion of the FSI range of stump cutters cements GGM’s commitment to providing the ARB sector with a range of quality market leading machinery for all tasks.

The business also reports a huge uptake in the recently launched LANTRA accredited training academy, which provides delegates with the skills and knowledge required to safely operate and maintain relevant machinery through courses that deliver both practical skills and health & safety guidance. All training can be carried out on customers premises, using the equipment that team members will be using on a day-to-day basis or at the dedicated GGM training centre.

The LANTRA accredited training courses ensure that operators are trained to a national standard whilst fulfilling the organisations legal obligations with regards to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulation 1998 (PUWER).

In order to continue to offer customers a first-class service online, the business has launched a brand-new website, designed to further enhance the customer experience. The navigation makes it even easier for customers to find their favourite products and access GGM’s many services.

Managing Director Chris Gibson says:

“While many businesses have struggled over the past 12 months, we are delighted that GGM has continued to thrive. We have done this thanks to our fantastic team and our focus on innovation, always keeping us one step ahead of the game. In addition, we decided to recruit for these roles to help the local job market, as well as to facilitate business growth and our future plans”.

GGM is a specialist supplier of tractors and high-quality professional land-based equipment for commercial and domestic use across the North-West, Cheshire and Merseyside, with depots in Haydock and Colne. With a proven record of delivering a trusted service and exceptional after sales support, driven by a set of deep-rooted values, GGM takes pride in building long lasting customer relationships, based on anticipating needs, solving problems and delivering on time, every time.

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Alderney Golf Club’s Triumph with Origin Amenity Solutions

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Alderney Golf Club’s Triumph with Origin Amenity Solutions: A stunning coastal golf course located on Alderney Island, the third largest of the Channel Islands, Alderney Golf Club is a haven for golf enthusiasts seeking both challenge and natural beauty.

In recent years, the club faced a persistent threat to its greens in the form of Dollar Spot, a fungal disease notorious for its detrimental impact on turf health and playing performance.

Alderney Golf Club's Triumph with Origin Amenity Solutions

Alderney Golf Club’s Triumph with Origin Amenity Solutions

Dollar spot causes small tanned spots about the size of a Dollar coin (Dollar Spot!) around 2-5cm in diameter.  It is spread through small bits of mycelium moving to a new plant host. They move in water and can also be spread on shoes, golf equipment, and turf management equipment. Spots can typically coalesce which can wipe out large areas of turf.

At Alderney Golf Club, both Poa and Bent grasses contribute to the botanical sward composition. Unfortunately, Dollar Spot threatens both grass species and their susceptibility to the disease necessitated a targeted management approach.

Dollar Spot has plagued Alderney Golf Club for half a decade. Despite efforts to control it, the disease was historically initiated in June. In response to this challenge, Alderney Golf Club sought the expertise of Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS), a leading provider of turf management solutions. Working closely with OAS technical advisor Marcus Hewitt, the club devised a proactive strategy to combat Dollar Spot and rejuvenate its greens.

OAS recommended the implementation of Exteris Stressgard, a potent fungicide, applied in mid-May with a follow-up application two weeks later. This pre-emptive approach aims to suppress the Dollar Spot before it gains momentum.

Maintaining a healthy plant is extremely important when managing Dollar Spot so the Course Manager Paul Flairclough focused on enhancing turf health. A tailored regimen comprising Liquid N, Seaweed, and Elevate Fe, supported by a wetting agent programme featuring Tricure AD and Seaquest, strengthened the turf against disease while promoting vigour and resilience.

The results were remarkable. Paul comments ‘Since working with Marcus from OAS the course has been in immaculate condition. Marcus’ support with Dollar Spot management has improved summer playing conditions on the greens and our membership and visitors have provided excellent feedback.’

As autumn approached, Dollar Spot pressure continued due to the high humidity. Dedicate fungicide was applied with Trimate in September keeping the greens Dollar Spot free and prepared for any Microdochium Patch outbreaks that would often start in late September.

The success story of Alderney Golf Club stands as a testament to the power of strategic collaboration and innovation in turf management. By partnering with Origin Amenity Solutions and embracing cutting-edge solutions, the club not only conquered Dollar Spot but also elevated the overall quality of its greens. Today, Alderney Golf Club continues to shine as a beacon of resilience and excellence, offering an unrivaled experience amidst the unspoilt terrain of the Channel Islands.

Paul concludes, “Exteris worked extremely well on our golf course and we had good control over Dollar Spot for the first time in five years on this site. Due to the Stressgard technology, the grass was healthy and looking amazing.”

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ABA Groundcare Celebrates 10 Years with Yamaha

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ABA Groundcare Celebrates 10 Years with Yamaha: First established in 2014, ABA Groundcare based in Tiverton, Devon celebrates 10 years of selling Yamaha’s ATV range this April. Jamie Hutchings initially set up the business following dealer changes in the area and was awarded the franchise in 2014. With a strong background selling the brand for a previous dealer, it was a no-brainer for Jamie to continue with a brand he knew and was respected in the area.

“Yamaha UK were forthcoming in working with me, it felt like they saw the opportunity to keep growing the brand in the area. We have gone from being one of the youngest dealers to now one of the older ones.” When the partnership first began, ABA Groundcare sold up to 20 ATVs per year, now the company sells over 85 units into the surrounding area. ABA Groundcare took on a bigger area in recent years following the purchase of Hayes Garden Machinery at the end of 2023. The business now operates from two locations: Tiverton, Devon and Dorchester, Dorset. “Yamaha holds a strong reputation in the area, and we will support any potential customers but most of our ATVs go to the farming community. We are confident in the brand from the product point of view but also from the back-up and after sales support we receive from Yamaha UK themselves.”

ABA Groundcare Celebrates 10 Years with Yamaha

ABA Groundcare Celebrates 10 Years with Yamaha

“We at Yamaha ATV UK are delighted to have been in partnership with ABA Groundcare for the past 10 years. Jamie and his team have consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the needs of their customers and a true passion for the Yamaha brand. Their dedication to providing exceptional service and expertise has been instrumental in the continued growth and success of Yamaha ATVs in the southwest region. We look forward to many more years of this successful partnership.” Gareth Sloane, Manager, Power Products, Yamaha UK.

Celebrations will continue at the company’s open day on Saturday 20th April. Congratulations ABA Groundcare, here’s to another 10 years.

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