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Agrostis
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About Agrostis Sports Surface Consulting

Agrostis is an independent sports and amenity surface consultancy founded by Dr Tim Lodge in 2005 and incorporated (as Agrostis Turf Consultancy Ltd) in 2008.  We base our work firmly on the scientific principles relevant to the field; soil, surface and material science, botany, hydrology, geology etc.  We also adopt an holistic approach to the interpretation of sites that takes into account the social, aesthetic and environmental aspects of sports facility design, construction and maintenance.
 
The service
Since we operate within an already highly specialised field, we aim to provide all our clients with a comprehensive (and comprehensible) service applicable to sites and projects at all levels and stages.  This ranges from the provision of simple agronomy advice or sample data interpretation to the complete consultancy service for new facility development.  We also provide expert witness and specialist surface and soil testing services.
 
Agronomy advice might take the form of an inspection and report on a sports facility such as a golf course, cricket pitch, domestic lawn or polo ground.  We will advise for example on the choice and use of fertiliser, aeration work, top dressing and seed selection.  We also carry out some in-house sample testing.
 
With new developments, or where substantial improvement operations are intended for existing facilities, we try to follow a consistent process:  
  • Site investigation
  • Design and Specification
  • Procurement
  • Project Management
  • Completion  
 
If a planning application is required, we’ll deal with that also, before or simultaneously with the development of the detailed design and specification.
 
It is this approach that is normally expected where projects are being part funded by external bodies such as the Football Foundation or Sport England.  Consequently, the style of our documentation is such that it conforms to the expectations of these organisations and may be used therefore in the process of grant applications etc.
 
If you're in any doubt about whether or how we may best be able to help you, simply give us a call.  We love talking about the sports surface business anyway!
 
Independence
Having been in that business since 1989 Agrostis, and especially its founder Tim Lodge, is well known within the industry.  We enjoy friendly and business-like relations for example with most of the contractors who commonly operate in the field.  We retain complete independence, however, our obligations being solely to each and every one of our clients, no-one else.  Rigorous adherence to this policy sometimes causes frustration in some quarters but it has meant that our technical opinion is highly regarded and sought after, entirely uninfluenced as it is by commercial considerations.

Dr. Tim Lodge

Dr. Tim LodgeTim Lodge examining the splendid turf of the Waikato Chiefs rugby team's Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, New Zealand.
​Tim has over 25 years experience in sports surface research, agronomy and construction and has worked throughout the UK, in the USA, in Europe, Africa and China.  He has a PhD in sports turf, acquired in 1994 from the University of Leeds with a thesis entitled ‘The Construction, Irrigation and Fertiliser Nutrition of UK Golf Greens’ while working for STRI.  A list of his commercial and academic publications may be seen here.
 
After undertaking additional research work on golf courses, in 1995 Tim began advising sports facilities in the north-east of England, from the Scottish Borders to The Wash.  In 1997 he moved to Suffolk to operate initially in East Anglia and subsequently as a senior agronomist with responsibilities to clients throughout the south of England.
 
In August 2005, Tim founded Agrostis, working first as a sole trader until the company was incorporated in 2008.
 
Tim is a founder member of RIPTA, the Register of Independent Professional Turfgrass Agronomists and also on the UK Register of Expert Witnesses, and on the NEWA (National Expert Witness Agency) as an expert in all aspects of turf management, construction and establishment.
 
He’s also visited golf courses across the USA from Pennsylvania down to Florida and across to Louisiana and turf research establishments including Rutgers, Penn State, Washington DC, Griffin Station - Atlanta, and Palm Springs, Florida.  Here he developed a particular interest in warm season turf grasses.  For an interesting article Tim has written on grasses in the USA click here (610Kb)and another one on warm and cool season photosynthesis click here (311Kb). 
 
In 2005 Tim applied for a patent for a device to measure the smoothness of golf greens, a patent awarded in June 2010.  See here for more information about this.
​ 
Away from Agrostis, Tim has a keen interest in theatre, mountaineering and rock climbing.  He also plays the cello.
 
Email tim@agrostis.co.uk or call 01359 259361     LinkedIn ​


​Mrs Sarah Cousins

Sarah takes care of all Agrostis office administration and also a good deal of the work for RIPTA.  Highly experienced in book-keeping and general secretarial work, Sarah started with Agrostis in 2006.  She certainly knows her way around the business and much of the sports turf industry in general.
 
Email sarah@agrostis.co.uk or call 01359 259361

More Professional Associations

SAPCA (Sport and Play Construction Association)
​Agrostis are ‘Professional Services’ members of SAPCA.  SAPCA's role is to foster excellence, professionalism and continuous improvement, in order to provide the high quality facilities needed at all levels of sport, physical activity, recreation and play.
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​RIPTA
​Dr. Tim Lodge is a founding member and Treasurer of RIPTA (Register of Independent Professional Turfgrass Agronomists).  RIPTA is the register of qualified and experienced consultants providing professional services in natural turf.
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Institute of Groundsmanship
Agrostis are Corporate Members of the IOG (Institute of Groundsmanship).
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Clients

Norwich School
Design, procure and supervise installation of needlepunch carpet, new fencing and improved drainage on primary school MUGA.
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Brunel University
Design, procure and supervise installation of new natural turf international standard rugby pitch and training ground.  Included floodlighting.
Walsham le Willows Sports Club

Walsham le Willows 
Sports Club

Design, procurement and supervision of 3G football pitch and tennis court, with floodlighting,  3 natural turf football pitches and landscaping.
Walsham le Willows Sports Club

Colchester United FC
Design, procurement and supervision of 5 new training grounds including a community pitch, with irrigation and various modes of construction.
Colchester United FC training grounds

South Bucks Polo
Design, procurement and supervision of a single full size polo ground, stick and ball ground, irrigation reservoir and system, equestrian training track and arena.
South Bucks polo ground

Ipswich School
Design and planning submission, procurement and supervision for 2 hockey pitches and 6 netball/tennis courts all with floodlighting and associated facilities
Ipswich School grounds plan

Worthing Borough Council
Design, procurement and supervision of football pitch levelling, drainage, sand banding and re-establishment.
Worthing Borough Council sand banding

St Edmundsbury Borough Council 
Design, procurement and supervision of 2 natural turf stadia football pitches in Haverhill.
St Edmundsbury Borough Council football pitches in Haverhill
© Agrostis Turf Consultancy Ltd.  Registered office: Eldo House, Kempson Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP32 7AR. 
 Company No: 6675140.  VAT Reg No: 889 4960 43.  Site by Drydesign.
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