Colin Barkby

We’ve got more training lined up for this year, all designed to tackle the real‑world challenges of sustainability and raising quality standards across sports turf and greenkeeping. What are our attendees saying: “The presentations were very well presented. The practical side of the course was very insightful and the knowledge from Neil, Chris and Colin was incredibly valuable!!”  --G. Jones, Moor Park GC (Advanced Cylinder Mower Set-up course) 5 out of 5 “An excellent course, with a systematic approach to working through the extensive syllabus.” --Dr. R. Earl, Labosport (BASIS FACTS) 5 out of 5. If you’d like to book a place or find out more for yourself or your team, we’re always happy to help. Visit: leic.it/4twMtRw Email: [email protected] 💦 15 & 16 April: Irrigation Technician Part 1 (Lantra) 💧 18 May: Advanced Irrigation Part 2 🌱 3 June: BASIS Fertilisers For Turf: FACTS Turf (Golf & Sports Turf) 💦 7 September: Advanced Irrigation Technician Part 2 🛠️ 15 & 16 September: Advanced Cylinder Mower Set Up and Sharpening Course (Lantra) 📜 29 September: BASIS Foundation Award (Amenity Horticulture) 🌾 14 October: Basis Certificate in Crop Protection Amenity Horticulture (Amenity Grass & Sports Turf Area) 🌱 25 November: BASIS Fertilisers For Turf: FACTS Turf (Golf & Sports Turf)

Join us for our Advanced Mower Set up and Sharpening course🌱 📆 September 15th& 16th 2026 📍LCFC Training Ground Follow the link to book ➡️ forms.office.com/e/GCL1ahJLD… Contact us on [email protected] 📥

NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK 2026! Great to welcome @BIGGA yesterday for #NAW2026. Training Providers from across the UK joined us with their apprentices to hear first‑hand insights from former apprentices, assessors and industry experts. A brilliant chance to explore the diverse apprenticeship pathways in sports turf, greenkeeping and turf equipment technician roles.

BASIS FERTILISERS FOR TURF: FACTS TURF (GOLF AND SPORTS TURF)⚡ Taking place again later in 2026 at Seagrave ⚽ This course covers: The soil or playing surface in relation to turfgrass nutrition. Nature and properties of fertilisers and liming materials. Plant nutrients and the basis of choice of fertilisers for the main turfgrass utilisations. The transport, storage, handling and application of fertilisers. Codes of good practice and legal and other Environmental Protection Measures. Cost: £2,200.00 +VAT For more information contact us here on [email protected] Link to book: bit.ly/4rA0soY

New dates now available for our Groundcare Machinery Maintenance - Engines course (10th February 2026) 🚜🛠️ Learning Outcomes 1. Have safety knowledge when working with engines 2. Be able to identify related risks 3. Understand and identify the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required 4. Be able to identify components within an engine 5. Understand engine terminology and how an engine function 6. Understand the 4-stroke cycle used in petrol and diesel engines 7. Be able to identify the functions of: Petrol Engines, Diesel Engines, Engine Turbos, Lubrication Systems, Cooling Systems, Electrical Charging System 8. Understand diagnostics signs and how to test engines 9. Correctly carry out engine maintenance and testing in accordance with the manufacturer's operator's manual (MOM) 10. Correctly carry out engine maintenance and testing in accordance with the manufacturer's operator's manual (MOM) 11. Identify potential defects on an engine which require attention 12. State the possible hazards/risks when carrying out maintenance or repair tasks To book follow the link ➡️ forms.office.com/e/4CZ8yEcNz… For more information please contact us at [email protected]

We are pleased to offer another date in this course which first ran in December and was very warmly received👏🏻 Groundcare Machinery Maintenance - Hydraulics (11th February 2026) 🛠️ Learning Outcomes 1. Identify the health and safety requirements for hydraulic maintenance 2. Carry out a risk assessment and implement control measures, including emergency procedures 3. Understand hydraulic system functionality and how a hydraulic system works 4. Identify key hydraulic components and understand their function in the system 5. Understand the role of oil function in a hydraulic system 6. Understand the correct adjustment of fittings and hydraulic pipes 7. Understand the importance of keeping a hydraulic system clean 8. Understand how to prepare a machine for carrying out a hydraulic test 9. Understand how to test a hydraulic system for correct pressure 10. Restore a hydraulic system, clear the workshop and check the system 11. Understand the responsibilities when hydraulic testing 12. Operate the equipment in a safe and appropriate manner Click to sign up ➡️ forms.office.com/e/kgNAX7QRn…

Spaces available on March’s Advanced Cylinder Mower Set Up and Sharpening Course with the knowledgeable, Neil Hullah, from Cut Sharp⚡ Come along to rural Leicestershire and sharpen up your skills and knowledge in beautiful surroundings ⚽⛳ To book follow the link ➡️ forms.office.com/e/akzBMY4Xh… For further information, please contact [email protected]

🚜 ✨December's Groundscare training! 🔧Trainees tackled engine faults, electrics & hydraulics to build hands‑on skills every technician needs. 🌱 If you would like to hear more about our training courses please visit & contact us at: lcfc.com/pages/en/sta-course… [email protected]

After a successful first run of the course below this year, we are pleased to be able to offer the opportunity again in January 2026📜🌱 Click the link to apply - forms.office.com/e/2GcqTECQ3… If you require further information on this valuable course please contact us. [email protected]

Interested in extending your knowledge in Groundcare Machinery Maintenance ! Come along to rural Leicestershire and learn about: 🌳⚽ Groundcare Machinery Maintenance - Electrics (2 December 2025) ⚡ forms.office.com/e/2EcnbYpaw… 1. Produce a site-specific risk assessment (SSRA) for machinery maintenance operations (specific to electric fault finding) 2. Identify the required personal protective equipment (PPE) 3. Identify the health and safety features required to diagnose and fix groundcare machinery electrical systems 4. Identify components within an electrical system 5. Know how an electrical system functions 6. Identify potential faults on the electrical system 7. Correctly carry out electrical maintenance and testing in accordance with the machine manufacturer’s operating manual 8. State the possible hazards/risks when carrying out maintenance or repair task Organise the workshop and use a systematic method of working where possible. Courses cost £278.00 +Vat , for more information please contact us here on [email protected]

Sports Turf Drainage Training 🌧️🧪 The aim of the course is to provide an overview of basic soil and water principles and their influence on land drainage design for sports fields and pitches. The course will be led by Dr Richard Earl HND MSc PhD CEng FIAgrE RIPTA – Managing Director of PSD & TGMS. Book here: bit.ly/47ySPrF For further information please contact [email protected]

Places available for our next Advanced Cylinder Mower Set Up and Sharpening Course! 🌱 This Lantra approved qualification is aimed at sports turf, ground staff, greenkeeping and lawn care professionals seeking to develop their skills and knowledge in professional mowing machinery set-up and basic skills in fault finding problems. The course will be delivered in conjunction with Cut Sharp, follow the link to book: bit.ly/43om4Lm For further information, please contact [email protected]

Another great course here at LCFC’s training ground which will help develop your knowledge in Groundcare Machinery Maintenance. 🚜🛠️ Groundcare Machinery Maintenance - Engines (4th December 2025) Learning Outcomes 1. Have safety knowledge when working with engines 2. Be able to identify related risks 3. Understand and identify the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required 4. Be able to identify components within an engine 5. Understand engine terminology and how an engine function 6. Understand the 4-stroke cycle used in petrol and diesel engines 7. Be able to identify the functions of: Petrol Engines, Diesel Engines, Engine Turbos, Lubrication Systems, Cooling Systems, Electrical Charging System 8. Understand diagnostics signs and how to test engines 9. Correctly carry out engine maintenance and testing in accordance with the manufacturer's operator's manual (MOM) 10. Correctly carry out engine maintenance and testing in accordance with the manufacturer's operator's manual (MOM) 11. Identify potential defects on an engine which require attention 12. State the possible hazards/risks when carrying out maintenance or repair tasks To book follow the link ➡️ forms.office.com/e/iA8NVhjfp… For more information please conat us here on [email protected]

🌱 Elevate Sports Turf Performance with Precision Mowing Techniques Since 2021, we've proudly delivered the UK's first Advanced Mowing Set-Up Course, focused on the cutting-edge science of mower quality of cut. Hosted at LCFC’s world-class Seagrave training ground, this exclusive two-day programme goes far beyond standard practices. Led by independent industry experts, including LCFC’s own technical team, our Advanced Cylinder Mower Set-Up & Sharpening Course offers a deep dive into everything from diagnosing mowing faults and mastering sharpening techniques to enhancing playing surfaces through precision cutting. ✅ Practical, hands-on training ✅ Lantra-approved technician certification ✅ Bring your own cutting units for real-world setup and sharpening Whether you're a grounds professional or turf technician, this course is your gateway to elite-level surface quality. 📅 For spring 2026 course details and early booking info, contact us at [email protected] or visit our Sports Turf Courses page.

Come along and join us here at glorious Seagrave, Leicestershire at LCFC Training Ground 🌳🦊 The industry-respected BASIS Facts Fertiliser Course is taking place here in the New Year – New Year, new you, start 2026 with a challenge 💪 Tap to apply: bit.ly/4qDHm1F contact us on [email protected] for further information.

🚨Basis Certificate in Crop Protection Amenity Horticulture (Amenity Grass & Sports Turf Area)🚨 After a successful first run of this course we are now running it again starting in Oct 2025. Duration will be 10 days between October to December at 6 hours per day for the complete Award. Tues 28 Oct Legislation, transport, storage 🚛 Weds 29 Oct Pesticide formulations, modes of action Weds 5 Nov Turf grass and biodiversity Thurs 6 Nov Principles and practices of weed control Weds 19 Nov Principles and practices of disease control Thurs 20 Nov Revision 📚 Weds 26 Nov Revision and mock exams Thurs 27 Nov Identification exam and mock viva Tues 2 Dec Multiple choice and site Specific scenarios (Online) Weds 3rd Dec Exam (in field viva and viva panel) Follow the link to apply⬇️ forms.office.com/e/3FcHXQDTh… or contact us on [email protected] for more information.

🌱 Want to boost your knowledge on sports turf fertilisers? Join our 1-day course (£99+VAT) on September 4th at the Sports Turf Academy, LCFC Seagrave. ✅Nutrient fundamentals ✅Soil analysis ✅Deficiency ID ✅Fertiliser types & application ✅Sustainable practices Instructor: Dr. Jonathan Knowles 📅 Places available! For information & to apply ⬇️: forms.office.com/e/mM0L8BBy0…