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EDITOR'S BLOG

BUZZY BTME
Aisles felt busy in Harrogate
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

This year’s show seemed a lot busier than previous years, with aisles full of people making their way around the show to see the many exhibitors displaying their latest products and innovations in sports turf.

It was great to arrive in Harrogate last week with the sun shining and a nice, warm hotel room awaiting for my two day stay.

I, like many who attend this show, really enjoy the ambience and location of the event. It caters well for all who attend. The show has a strong format, combining an education programme, various halls of exhibitors and a wide range of social gatherings, both during and after the show.

Busy show

Taking centre stage at one of the main entrances was Kress who were showcasing their cutting-edge robotic mowers and battery-powered outdoor power equipment. Kress are keen to help drive the transition to a zero-emissions future in the greenkeeping industry.

Kress's stand

They are attracting a lot of interest in their robotic mowers and, with over 17 models to choose from, they are becoming popular with many domestic, semi pro and professional users. A local golf course near to me has been trialling them with the aim of improving their efficiencies.

I caught up with Roger Moore from Dennis / SISIS who had a range of their latest product on show - namely the ES-22 Ultra 22” battery-powered mower, available with an 11-bladed cutting cylinder. Its 2–3-hour battery recharge with a 1.5kWh capacity, allows for up to 10km of cutting on a single charge.

Dennis Mowers

Also on show was their range of Dennis Gang Mowers that are a solution for maintaining sports turf, fairways, outfields, and amenity spaces. With options for single, 3, or 5 cutting cylinder units.

Next to Dennis was Campey Turfcare who for many years have been responsible for bringing into the industry many game changing products. One of their new products this year was the Fairway Falcon; an articulating, pull-type fairway brush, that uses a unique brushing system that contours to undulations. It covers a 4.5m span providing efficient, consistent performance. The unit can be towed by a wide range of equipment compatible with an electric 12-volt system and is ideal for pre-cut preparation, dew removal, de-thatching, disease control, worm cast and aeration core removal and brushing in topdressings.

Again, there was plenty to see around the show. The plethora of products we now have to maintain a healthy turf is staggering. Combined with the machinery options, the choice of fertilisers, soil enhancers, fungicides and pesticides, let alone the sundries of soils composts and seed products, is quite staggering.

Agrovista's stand

The likes of Agrovista Amenity , ICL, Syngenta, Origin Amenity Solutions , DLF, Barenbrug. Germinal Amenity, Compo Expert, Aitkens, Aquatrols, Greenbest, Indigrow, Mansfield Sands, Sustane were all showing off their diverse range of products.

As always, the show with its education programme attracts a lot of practicing greenkeepers from all over the world to come and listen and learn about the latest trends, management practices and the science of managing turf surfaces.

Stephen Bernhard

As a member of the trade press we also get to attend a lot of events and award ceremonies. On such presentation to was presented to Stephen Bernhard, founder of Bernhard and Company, who was awarded the Outstanding Contribution Award with Kress at BTME 2025.

Me and Neil Stubley

However, the highlights of the show for me are meeting the people who have dedicated their lives to the industry as practitioners, innovators, manufacturers or exhibitors. During the show I caught up with some of these special people.

It was nice to speaka with Neil Stubley from Wimbledon All England Tennis Club who enlightened me on what he and his team had been up to in preparation of one of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world.

Catching up with friends and colleagues

I was interested to hear about the soil sterilising techniques that they now undertake to ensure the courts are free from pests, diseases and any pathogens.

Representing some sales reps and pitch consultants I had a nice chat with Dean Gilasbey, Mark Allen and Matt Gresty to catch up with the latest gossip and what was happening in their lives.

Phil Helm

It was also good to catch up with Phil Helm, a seasoned course manger / consultant, who now works with Sami Strutt at Bernhard & Company delivering bespoke education programmes at their new training academy. I first met Phil many years ago when he was course manager at the Heythrop Park Resort in 2012.

Gary and Louise at Mansfield Sands

Other people spoke to were Gary and Louise at Mansfield Sands as I was trying to find out about which football clubs first used the fibre sand product when it was first introduced to help stabilise rootzone profiles in the mid-1980s.

David Hart, Howard Storey, and David Withers

Other notable key drivers of the industry who I caught up included David Hart, David Withers and Howard Story who I have known for many years and have supported the shows in their prestigious roles working for the likes of John Deere, Kubota, Ransomes and Iseki.

The meeting up of people continues after the show, when the networking continues well into the night at restaurants and pubs around the town and finally back at the hotel for a final night cap.

Richard Comley, Peter Driver and Rupert Price

Speaking of people, I would like to wish Peter Driver fellow PR / press consultant who for many years worked for Ransomes, and latterly helping Rupert Price promote the successful Ventrac brand, a happy retirement. I first met Peter, when I worked with him to promote Ransomes when I was at Pitchcare and had the opportunity to go on a press trip to Atlanta in the states with him in 2006.

I’m sure he, like many, will miss the great comradeship that comes from working in this industry. All in all BTME 2025 seemed to be very well attended. I have not seen the attendance figures. I know my colleague Steve Gibbs interviewed Jim Croxton for our sister title Service Dealer to gain his thoughts on this year’s show, which you can read here.

NEWS

GREENKEEPING PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR AWARDED
As well the Greenkeeping Project

In our first WEB ONLY story, awards were handed out last week on the opening night of BTME in Harrogate.

ASOOTY WINNER NAMED
Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year

In our next WEB ONLY story, the awards highlight best practice and experience in the challenging role of ensuring accurate application on all amenity surfaces.

HENTON & CHATTELL BUY SITE FROM FELLOW DEALER
All current staff to be retained

Henton and Chattell has announced that it has signed the Heads of Terms to acquire the depot, expanding its presence in the groundcare and ag sectors.

Henton and Chattell has announced that it has signed Heads of Terms to acquire the Newark depot from Farmstar Ltd.

Farmstar's Newark premises

Hentons say this acquisition is a key strategic move for themselves, allowing them to enhance their operations and strengthen its position as a dealer in agricultural, groundcare, and garden machinery.

While the Heads of Terms have been agreed, Henton have confirmed that the finalisation of the deal is underway. Plans are in place to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for customers and staff, with uninterrupted service guaranteed throughout the process.

The Newark depot will remain fully operational throughout the transition, with all current staff being retained by Henton and Chattell. The compaby descrbe the acquisition as not only preserving the excellent service already provided by Farmstar Newark but also introduces new product ranges to the region.

Managing director of Henton and Chattell, Peter Chaloner, said, "This acquisition represents an exciting opportunity for Henton and Chattell to grow while continuing the exceptional service that Farmstar has provided to customers in the East Midlands. The site offers significant synergies for our business and ample space to expand, supporting our growth plans.

"We look forward to welcoming the Newark team into the Henton and Chattell family and bringing new product ranges to the area.”

In a statement on social media, Sam Davies of Farmstar Ltd, added "This deal represents the best outcome for all parties involved. The key aspect for us is that our loyal staff will transfer over and we are confident that Henton and Chattell will continue to provide excellent service within the area.”

The Newark site will focus on agricultural, groundcare, and garden machinery and further updates have been promised upon completion of the acquisition.

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR APPOINTED
As of Feb 1st 2025

Company says new recruit will play an important role in their further growth and development.

Aqua Aid Europe, the provider of soil water management solutions, has announced that Christiaan Arends will join their team as commercial director as of February 1, 2025. They say he will play an important role in the further growth and development of the company.

Christiaan Arends brings extensive industry experience and a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his new role. He has previously held various positions at Barenbrug Holland and the Vanmac Group, both nationally and internationally.

"We are very pleased to welcome Christiaan to our team," says Hans de Kort of Aqua Aid Europe. "His experience and skills fit perfectly with our ambitions for the future. We look forward to his contribution and are confident that he will play an important role in the further growth of our company."

RHS LAUCHES LARGEST SCALE COMMUNITY GARDENING SURVEY
To map unwritten ‘public service’

The RHS has launched its biggest ever community gardening survey as it seeks to map what the charity believes to be a crucial but unwritten public service.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has launched its biggest ever community gardening survey as it seeks to map what the charity believes to be a crucial but unwritten public service.

The national research project will create an in depth report on community gardening, providing a clear picture of who participates and why, its reach, impact and barriers to growth.

The survey seeks input from groups or individuals involved in gardening outside of private and commercial gardens and the results will contribute to a bigger report on gardening in the UK that will publish in October. The findings will ultimately help the RHS and other organisations to better support community gardeners in the future.

Clare Matterson, RHS director general, said, “We know that gardening in the community can contribute to a reduction in crime, help drive better health outcomes for residents, and boost the local economy. Understanding where community gardening is happening and the form it takes - organised or other - will help in mapping this vital, public service and open up new potential avenues of support for building greener and more sustainable communities.”

UK data on community gardening is currently limited; each year the RHS works with approximately 5,000 groups but there are estimated to be thousands more groups doing invaluable work across the nation.

Indications suggest that recent years have seen an increase in the number of community gardening groups, particularly in urban areas. This growth reflects the increasing recognition of gardening as a tool for addressing socio-economic and environmental challenges.

Community gardening has evolved over the decades, beginning with small grassroots initiatives and now also encompassing larger, organised networks that collaborate with local councils, charities, and environmental organisations. While many groups still focus on growing fruits and vegetables for the community, their scope has broadened to include everything from promoting mental health, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering community cohesion, for example by engaging with schools or vulnerable groups. As well as thousands of groups, there is also an increasing number of individuals who have taken on sole responsibility for a plot of land that serves the needs of local people.

Survey participants can opt into a prize draw for a chance to win one of eight £125 gardening gift vouchers. Winners will be notified on Monday, 7 April 2025.

To find out more about the survey or to take part, visit: https://www.rhs.org.uk/communitygardeningsurvey

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