“I run a 250 acre organic beef suckler herd in Sussex, on High Weald Tunbridge Wells Sands. The land is naturally very acid and thin on content, being a heathland habitat.

I’ve had the farm 6 years and have endeavoured to improve the soil, and the crops.

Being organic I chose to use leys to improve soil and increase feedstock. My interest in grass relies on the writings of the ’old masters’; men such as Robert Elliot, Sir George Stapleton, Friend Sykes and many others (I collect their books!).

Working with Nick Gladstone I have developed my own mixes for Pioneer and medium leys. These incorporate different clover and grass species with some herbs for mineral provision, and an eye to deep rooting creation of organic matter within a hungry soil, naturally pH 5 or below.

I use a higher than usual seed rate (up to 18 kgs per acre) which I broadcast either as a straight ley or as an undersowing to arable silage. I find the latter very beneficial as it helps to clean arable fields and the earlier removal of growth as silage allows the ley to get away for late summer and autumn quality grazing.

Last year’s leys were particularly successful, bringing the cattle to fine condition, whilst making milk for suckled calves. I am please to say we came first in the beef herd competition at Hurstpierpoint Plough Match.

Nick and Arthur, partners at Hurrells, have helped me develop my knowledge and have advised on suitable varieties available to the organic farmer. They provide the advice, service, and quality seeds, at an economic price. I have recommended them to friends and am happy to recognise their input to my grass improvement programme.”

Testimonial from Mike Corley

"My association with Hurrells goes back to the mid 1980’s when Nick Gladstone a partner in Hurrell & McLean came to see me at the Scarborough Cricket Club. I was the Head Groundsman and Nick Gladstone of Hurrell & McLean: had the foresight to see the new opportunities in developing a professional amenity sales and was the driving force behind the growth of amenity sales . This was the beginning of the successful relationship that still continues and has given me a great deal of satisfaction and pride.

A professional range of mixtures has been developed for a wide range of sporting requirements through the regular meetings and discussions that Nick and I had at various sporting venues over the years.

These exclusive mixtures have been used at the highest level in cricket maintenance. The choice of these mixtures was significant in helping me achieve the accolades and awards bestowed on me by the TCCB.

I developed my career as a freelance consultant involving me in many turf projects for many prestigious sports venues. I supervised trials at the Sports Turf Research Institute at Bingley. These trials were developed at the behest of the English Cricket Board to form an analytical database. These were of paramount importance for the progress of the game of cricket.

Nick and I meet formally on a regular basis throughout the year to discuss new cultivars that can be incorporated into the mixtures to continue the improvement of the professional range.

Hurrells do not sit back and rest on their laurels, the company are continuously improving the level of service and development of new opportunities with their customers. In my opinion Hurrells must be proud of what they have achieved since moving to their present location in Cranswick. The new warehouse built in 2002 with racking for pallets and a new mixing plant has continued to improve service levels. The company regularly provide the purity and germination on seed lots ensuring that the highest quality is maintained.

I am very proud of my association with Hurrells and I hope it continues for sometime to come.

Mr Andy Fogarty Head Grounds-man Yorkshire County Cricket Club says..
"Hurrell's take the headache out of grass seed. Its so nice to deal with good people easy to deal with?and that get the seed here well and on time!"

Comments from an Internet customer

"Thank you very much for your prompt response and excellent advice.
We will now set about the final preparation of the lawn areas and contact you nearer the sowing time. Have you any advice as to what the best time may be given our soil type. We obviously realise that the weather is a key factor but the ground is often warming by early April. We cannot wait to be the envy of our friends!!!

All the best

Many thanks

Allan & Maureen Churchman "

Client list: Kent CC, Yorkshire CC, Cambridge University , Ampleforth College, Durham CC, Hull University , Holland (KNCB), Hull KR, Scarborough RUFC, St.Peters School York, York Cricket and Rugby union club and many more.