12 Nov 2024

WGS work with Care Homes in the Dorset Area

0 Comments By becky Gardening, General, Landscaping, Weeding care homes, care homes South West England, Dorset, fencing, grounds maintenance, Grounds Services, landscaper, Landscaping, raised planter beds, sensory gardens, skilled landscaper, tree care, Wessex Grounds Services, WGS

Care Homes in Dorset

Care homes are wonderful places that offer various services and support tailored to the needs of their residents. It’s interesting to see how these services can differ from one care home to another!

At the core, care homes provide essential services such as personal care, nutritious meals, hydration, medication management, engaging social activities, and maintaining cleanliness. They ensure that residents and staff have everything they need to feel comfortable and cared for.

Here at Wessex Grounds Services, we understand the heart of care homes. With over 10 years of experience working alongside care home providers in the Dorset area, we know what it takes to make these spaces thrive.

Our skilled local teams are ready to help with a range of gardening and landscaping services, including both hard and soft landscaping, fencing, tree care and patio cleaning. We’re also happy to assist with building sheds, shelters, gazebos, and pergolas. If you’re interested in designing or constructing sensory gardens, please don’t hesitate to reach out! One of our specialities in recent years has been creating beautiful raised sleeper beds.

With depots located throughout Dorset, WGS is here to ensure that all boundaries are secure. We are always prepared to respond quickly to any bad weather or situations that might affect those boundaries.

You can rest easy knowing that our staff hold valid DBS certifications and that we are Safe Contractor accredited. Let’s work together to create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone!

You can contact us on 0300 303 8616 or email – enquiries@wessexgroundsservices.co.uk

20 Sep 2024

WGS rejuvenating landscaping project of Bath Quay and Windsor Bridge

0 Comments By becky Landscaping Bath, Bath Quay, Dorset, grounds maintenance, landscaping management, planting, rejuvenation project, Wessex Grounds Services, Windsor bridge

Landscaping Rejuvenation Project – Bath Quays & Windsor Bridge

Bath Quay & Windsor Bridge Landscaping Project

Earlier last year Wessex Grounds Services won a landscaping project to carry out extensive soft landscape planting and maintenance at a site on Bath Quay and Windsor Bridge. The project was part of a Bath and North East Somerset scheme to rejuvenate the area to be part of a larger flood defence scheme. The flood defence scheme runs along parts of the river Avon in Bath. The work was completed in conjunction with a large contractor Suttle Projects Limited. They were awarded the contract by BANES (Bath and North East Somerset).

Completing the Contract

The contract commenced in Autumn 2023. The Wessex Grounds Services team encountered many setbacks with weather making the project extremely challenging. The area was hit by many storms. Plants were washed away and the river Avon flooded its banks on numerous occasions. We had a mission to save some of the hard work that we had completed. The good news is that WGS managed to complete the work in the spring of 2024 when the water had receded and the ground was sufficiently dry. All the trees and shrubs are now able to be enjoyed by all and there have been many comments from the public regarding how lovely the area looks now.

The project included various types of planting ranging from amenity turfing and very small 40cc plant modules up to 11m high White Willows weighing approximately two tonnes each.

Many thanks to Suttle Projects Limited for awarding us this project – it has been a pleasure. We continue to maintain the area for the whole of 2024. WGS are pleased to report that there have not been any significant losses of trees and shrubs since completion of the landscaping project.

If you are looking for a commercial landscaping contractor with expertise in the transplanting of large stock or just general planting, then we would be happy to hear from you. Email – enquiries@wessexgroundsservices.co.uk

WGS Working hard against the elements on the rejuvenation of Bath Quay & Windsor Bridge area

02 Aug 2024

WGS Staff taking/renewing their CSCS cards

0 Comments By becky Gardening, General, Landscaping CSCS, Dorset, grounds maintenance, grounds maintenance operatives, Kingston Maurward College, Koplant Construction Training, landscaper, Landscaping, Wessex Grounds Services, WGS, WGS Supervisors

Getting Qualified – CSCS

Wessex Grounds Services were delighted to put 9 of our employees including our Managing Director Stephen Harris and our Supervisors on the Health, Safety and Awareness Training programme on Tuesday the 30^th July 2024 to gain certification/update their Construction Skills Certification Scheme cards (CSCS).

The CSCS scheme aims to ensure that candidates know a wide range of topics regarding safety and productivity on sites. Having a valid CSCS card shows employers and clients alike that they can carry out jobs safely.

We were pleased to work with Koplant Construction Training and would also like to give a big thank you to Pete Tewson from Kingston Maurward College, a Construction Teacher for putting us in touch with Koplant. This has meant that WGS were able to get 9 staff members through their CSCS Cards. We are thankful to have been able to use the construction department facilities at Kingston Maurward College to run the training session.

Health and Safety are paramount here at Wessex Grounds Services for all job roles, and ensuring we have up-to-date CSCS cards is essential for those working in the landscaping/construction environment.

We are proud to say that they all passed despite it being on one of the hottest days of the year. If you are looking for a commerical landscaping project to be completed by a professional company or require any grounds maintenance then please be sure to contact us by email – enquiries@wessexgroundsservices.co.uk or call us on 0300 303 8616. We look forward to hearing from you.

From left to right

Ollie Moore (Landscaper), Tristan Park (Grounds Maintenance Supervisor West), Mark Parfett (Landscaper), Jason Hardyman-Richards (Landscaper), Graeme Mitchely (Grounds Maintenance Supervisor East), Ian Simpson (Grounds Maintenance Operative), Paul Smith (Workshop Technician/Grounds Maintenance Operative), Pete Tewson (KMC Construction Teacher), Ben Elsbury (Team Leader Grounds Maintenance East), Cliff Caswell (KMC H&S Tutor), Stephen Harris (Managing Director)

28 Jul 2024

Mark Parfett working on a project in Bath

0 Comments By becky General, Uncategorised grounds maintenance, landscaper, vacancy, Wessex Grounds Services, WGS, WGS Supervisors

Meet the Supervisors

Here at Wessex Grounds Services, we are always on the lookout for new talent to help expand our already exceptional teams.

Having been in business now for over 11 years we have learnt along our journey that having the correct personnel is essential for our business to succeed. We have now built very strong teams, but are always seeking new enthusiastic/skilful people to join us. If you believe that you would like to be part of our team, please send your CV to enquiries@wessexgroundsservices.co.uk

In the meantime, we would like to introduce you to 3 of our supervisors.

Mark Parfett – LANDSCAPE SUPERVISOR

Mark has been with WGS since the company started in 2013 having worked with Stephen Harris the owner at Dorset County Council. Mark has had various roles within the company that included overseeing the Poundbury Duchy of Cornwall development and has now earned the job role and title of landscape supervisor. Mark has seen the company build from strength to strength.

Graeme Mitchley – GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR – EAST

Graeme has worked for many years in the industry specialising in sports turf. He is dedicated to the company, his team and the clients to try to ensure that results for all are over achieved. Graeme joined WGS in 2021 as the East area supervisor. Graeme had faith in putting his trust in WGS, especially on the back end of Covid and enjoys the results he and his team are achieving.

Graeme Mitchley cutting over grown grass — Mark Parfett driving a ride on mower for WGS

Tristan Park – GROUNDS MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR – WEST

Another long-term employee who has been with Wessex Grounds Services since its start. Tristan has worked hard and learned a lot of knowledge along the way and has been rewarded by being promoted throughout his journey with Wessex Grounds Services. Tristan started as a Grounds Operative, followed by Team Leader, then Grounds Foreman, leading to his current role as Grounds Supervisor West. Tristan enjoys the fact that he can still be very hands-on in his current role.

Tristan Park planting on behalf of Wessex Grounds Services

As you can see two of our current supervisors have been with Wessex Grounds Services since it became incorporated. These are not our only members which WGS feels is a reflection of how the company respects and treats its employees.

When looking at a company to both carry out works on your behalf or to be employed by staff turnover can be a very distinctive reflection on that company. If there is a high turnover and no longer-term employees then questions have to be asked about the company. Is the company ethical and how does it value and maintain training its staff?

Here at Wessex Grounds Services, we are very proud of our current employees and believe that we have one of the best workforces in this industry. We respect our employees and in turn, they are delivering exceptional results time and time again.

If you would like our professional services to complete your projects then please email us at enquiries@wessexgroundsservices.co.uk or call us on 0300 303 8616. Please take a look at the services that we offer as you might be surprised by the diversity.

28 May 2024

Wessex Grounds Services complete a new playground project for a school in Dorset complete with climbing frame, shade and the correct surface.

0 Comments By becky General Dorset, grounds maintenance operatives, parish councils, playground specialists, schools, surface installers, Wessex Grounds Services

Is Your Playground Safe?

We understand that budgets for schools, parish councils and other similar bodies are constantly being cut however, you can’t afford to neglect your playgrounds and equipment. The last thing that you want is to be slapped with a negligence claim or worse

If you own or are responsible for a playground then you need to ensure that you are adhering to the Playground Safety Standards EN1176. It is your responsibility to keep up to date with all of their revisions.

The Playground Safety Standards EN1176 includes everything from types of chains, space, length of slides and inclines through to floor surfaces and minimum falling space.

Please be sure that your facilities are fit for purpose and age-appropriate. Remember your facilities should be an area where children can exercise, be stimulated and play safely. Children need places to play and children also need to challenged in order to help increase their learning and stretching their capabilities. There will always a degree of potential danger but ensuring that you are ensuring regular checks, doing maintenance and have purchased the correct equipment, placed it properly and have the correct flooring then you should have covered yourselves.

Here at Wessex Grounds Services, we can plan & design, provide, build, inspect and repair playgrounds and equipment for EYFS, Primary, Secondary and Send schools with our qualified team.

Whether you need an inspection/repair or a whole new playground then please contact us via email – enquiries@wessexgroundsservices.co.uk

“Play is great for children’s well-being and development. When planning and providing play opportunities, the goal is not to eliminate risk, but to weigh up the risks and benefits. No child will learn about risk if they are wrapped in cotton wool.” HSE 2012 Children’s Play and Leisure

Please see just a few images of some of our playground installations. Please remember that we do also install shades.

Shading installed by Wessex Grounds Services

01 May 2024

0 Comments By becky General, Renovation athletics tracks, Devon, Dorset, Grounds Services, line marking, pitch maintenance, pitch preparation, playing fields, robotic liner, school pitches, Somerset, sports pitches, Wessex Grounds Services

Is your pitch ready for Summer?

After an extremely wet winter is your pitch in shape to take the summer use? Before you start to mark out cricket squares and athletics tracks you need to first check that your ground is prepared and can take the spring/summer usage.

Spring pitch makeovers can be an essential part of pitch maintenance. It matters as pitches during the winter season get compacted and become airless. They also lose fertility and grass cover is diminished often getting replaced by weeds and moss.

The solution involves deep-tine to restructure and aerate the soil, fertilising the soil to encourage root and shoot growth, overseeding to improve grass cover and finally slit, scarify, brush and light rolling to correct the minor deviations.

When should a Spring pitch makeover happen? As soon as the play finishes in April/early May because unless you are fortunate enough to have an irrigated pitch the soil can dry out and therefore germination of grass seed will be less effective.

Wessex Grounds Services is here to help and is also the RFU’s ground maintenance contractor for Dorset. If you would like further information regarding any of the above then please don’t hesitate to contact us – enquiries@wessexgroundsservices.co.uk

Once your ground is prepared then why not get Wessex Grounds service to come and mark out the summer sports? We now have a robotic liner that uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to paint accurate precise lines. It works across various surfaces. Your initial line marking is the most important as from there forward to can always go over them with your machines afterwards if your budget is tight.

If you have 3/4G pitches then how do you maintain them? These types of pitches need regular brushing and decompacting. If regular maintenance is not carried out then the damage to the artificial fibres is likely. The infill will also be inconsistent across the pitch. This will result in poor performance, inconsistent bounce and unsafe levels of grip which may in turn result in a greater number of injuries.

For more information please phone Amanda on 07795 515 864 or email enquiries@wessexgroundsservices.co.uk

25 Apr 2024

0 Comments By becky Renovation, Uncategorised deep-tine, fertilsation, pitch preparation, pitch repair, pitch rolling, scarify, sports pitch, spring pitch renovation, Wessex Grounds Services

Sports Pitch Alert

After a typical winter your pitches probably need a Spring Makeover

What is the significance of this and why does it matter?

Pitches get compacted and airless when play continues
Pitches lose fertility
Grass cover is lost and will be replaced by weeds and moss
Play next season will definitely suffer

Deep-tine to restructure and aerate the soil
Fertilise to increase fertility and encourage root and shoot growth
Overseed to improve grass cover
Slit, scarify, brush and light roll to correct minor pitch deviations

These operations need to be carried out as soon as play finishes in April/early May because unless you are fortunate enough to be able to irrigate the pitch, the soil can dry out by mid-May and this will inhibit germination of grass seed and make the operation less effective.

WESSEX GROUNDS SERVICES can undertake all or some of these operations for you to improve your pitches within your available budget. We are the RFU’s grounds maintenance contractor for Dorset and you benefit from RFU subsidis

Fertilise pitch	£300 plus VAT
Overseed pitch completely	£950 plus VAT
Overseed worn areas (1/2 pitch)	£550 plus VAT
Deep-tine pitch	£300 plus VAT
Slit, scarify, brush & roll	£100 plus VAT
Top dress localised damage	Prices available on request

For further details phone Amanda on 07795515864

or email enquiries@wessexgroundsservices.co.uk

22 Mar 2024

Precision Pitch Lining - Spring pitch recovery

0 Comments By becky General football pitches, grounds maintenance, line marking, pitch lining, pitch maintenance, rugby pitches, Wessex Grounds Services

Robotic Pitch Marker

Wessex Grounds Services New Robotic Pitch Marker

Wessex Grounds Services is very excited about our new purchase. The robotic pitch marker is great for single and multiple sites. GPS technology provides precision line markings making our new piece of machinery a real game changer.

It increases accuracy and reduces the amount of paint required whilst producing fantastic clear, straight lines. Contact us if you would like to have your pitches maintained and lined to a professional standard by emailing enquiries@wessexgroundsservies.co.uk.

48 Weyview Crescent

0300 303 8616

Mon-Fri: 07:30 - 16:00

Year: 2024