IGFH’s Brad was pleased to be involved in the recent GroundsFest Academy Integrated Weed Management Inspire event, held on 11th February 2026 at Wiltshire FA in Devizes. The CPD-accredited day brought together Kersten UK, Terrazza MC, Parks for London, Lantra, and BIGGA for a focused programme on forward-thinking approaches to weed control.
The event was well attended and carefully structured, with plenty to keep attendees engaged. It opened with an introduction to integrated weed management, led by Sean Faulkner of Kersten UK and David Fisher of Lantra, who explained the core principles behind integrated methods and the wider industry initiatives aimed at reducing reliance on pesticides.
A big focus of the morning discussions was how the sector can move toward more sustainable weed control without compromising surface standards. Sean and David explored practical alternatives already being adopted across the industry and encouraged discussion around the challenges that grounds teams face in the transition away from traditional chemical approaches.
After a lunch break, Ed Stannard, Executive Director of Parks for London, delivered an engaging presentation on the work currently being carried out across London’s green spaces. He spoke about the development of the Integrated Weed Management guide and the funding and initiatives supporting its implementation.
This was followed by a talk by Lanta’s David Fisher, who addressed the importance of recognised qualifications within integrated weed management and outlined the accredited training pathways offered by Lantra.
We then moved outdoors for equipment demonstrations supplied by Terrazza and Kersten. Everyone had the opportunity to use a number of mechanical and non-chemical solutions, including sweeping equipment, hot water systems, and flamers. We got stuck into practical exercises that took place around the artificial pitch and surrounding areas, including removing moss and clearing leaves and detritus along roadside edges.
The afternoon continued with a detailed facilities tour, including a discussion of integrated weed management practices already in place at Wiltshire FA. The tour also included a closer look at the machinery and equipment used on-site.
We finished with a recap session, and all participants were presented with certificates for their involvement throughout the day.
We’re proud to be actively involved with The GroundsFest Academy, particularly through Brad’s role as Director of Education, which allows us to support the delivery of practical, industry-led training that directly benefits grounds professionals.
You can learn more about the Academy and register for future events here.
