British Sugar factory visit Feb 2022 1

Groundsmen enjoy sugar factory tour

A GROUP of Suffolk groundsmen enjoyed a tour of the Bury St Edmunds Sugar Factory.

A GROUP of Suffolk groundsmen enjoyed a tour of the Bury St Edmunds Sugar Factory.

The tour of the site on Hollow Road was the first undertaken at any of the four factories owned by British Sugar since Covid-19 forced the first lockdown in March 2020.

It was conducted by British Sugar National TOPSOIL Manager Andy Spetch, who explained that it takes two years between when the sugar beet arrives at the factory and it being sold as topsoil.

The group were told about TOPSOIL production including Sports & Turf topdressing and Landscape 20 topsoil.

British Sugar factory visit Feb 2022 2

British Sugar National TOPSOIL Manager Andy Spetch (fourth right) talks to the group during the tour above and also in the main photograph.

Alan Loveday, who was representing Thurlow Sports Club, said: “It was a very informative tour which gave us a greater understanding of the process involved in producing various grades of topsoil and topdressings.

“It is certainly something we will be using on our own pitches in conjunction with Parkers Pitches.”

Mike Powles, one of the three members of the grounds team at Walsham-le-Willows FC who were on the tour, said: “It was really, really interesting and, like so many processes, there is far more to it than you realise.

“There is nothing wasted – everything that comes into the factory is used up.”

British Sugar TOPSOIL Sales Manager Natalie Gudgin said: “Everyone I have spoken to on the tour said how lovely it was to be able to see people face-to-face once again.

“People don’t realise just how big the factory is until they actually visit here.”

British Sugar factory visit Feb 2022 3

A group shot of those who went on the tour of the Bury St Edmunds Sugar Factory.

Related News

View All