A large group of Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) staff, Board members, Life Members and winners of the Lifetime Achievement Awards have celebrated the IOG’s 80 Anniversary.  

Eton College generously hosted the event and provided a fitting backdrop as it was the workplace of head groundsman WH Bowles – one of the founding members of the National Association of Groundsmen in 1934, which became the Institute of Groundsmanship in 1969.

The cake cutting ceremony with former IOG patron Eddie Seaward and chair David Teasdale.

The day’s event began with IOG CEO Geoff Webb’s review of the institute’s progression over the past 80 years up to its present activity as THE professional body that represents the UK’s grounds management industry.

Geoff referred to the IOG’s continued commitment to raising standards in grounds management while also raising the profile of groundsmen and women – particularly through its Industry Awards scheme which has seen 90 awards given to deserving grounds persons so far.

He said that SALTEX has and is still regarded as the industry’s ‘must attend’ event throughout its successful 70-year history, which last year attracted 260 exhibitors and 8,500 unique visitors over the three-day event.

This year, the institute has launched its new £1.3m national governing body and Sport England-funded Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme, which sees a new network of 10 regional pitch advisors offer pitch care advice to grassroots sport clubs across England and Wales.

Looking to the future, the IOG’s young Board of Directors is actively attracting young people into the industry, Geoff added.

The group was treated to a highly informative tour of the exceptional facilities at Eton College by head groundsman John Taylor.

This was followed by an 80^th Anniversary cake cutting ceremony that was presided over by former IOG patron Eddie Seaward – recently retired head groundsman at the All England Lawn Tennis Club – and IOG chair David Teasdale.