REASONS TO BE GLEEFUL
Trade show illustrates diversity of our industry
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR
 
Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

Last week I took the opportunity to visit Glee, the wholesale garden suppliers show at the NEC Birmingham, with the aim to catch up with some of the latest developments and products coming into our industry. Although targeted at the domestic market and home owners, this show makes you realise the diversity of our industry and the many walks of life within it.

 



The show offers over 500 leading UK and international wholesale garden suppliers to see. With a wide range of goods and service on offer, the vast range of commodities is mind blowing - from plant pots to pets. The show is targeted towards the buyers offering eight unique show sectors, where they can source the very best products for every shop; big, small, online or the high-street, with garden centres being one of the main customer bases of the show.


As for machinery sales, it was good to speak to Simon Belcher from Handy’s who provide a vast range of machinery and products for the domestic sellers. Along with traditional petrol mowers battery powered machinery is making its way into the domestic markets, with more and more products coming on line. I was particularly attracted to a GreenWorks range of products that encompassed several new lines in cordless machinery, specifically their mowers, scarifiers and power washers.

 



STIHL were another manufacturer who are now heavily involved in selling into the domestic market with their new range of battery powered tools. STIHL have long been the champion of the professional markets and now see a great opportunity to promote their experience and innovation into the domestic sector knowing full well the potential for their versatile new range of battery powered saws, strimmers and hedging tools for this sector.


Talking to exhibitors, Glee is an important show, and well worth their attendance to attract potential new clients and customers. It was a very interesting day seeing another side of our industry. I am now looking forward to our very own turf professional shows (Saltex and BTME) in the coming months.


September has brought a sudden change in the weather, with some much-needed rain and cooler air temperatures, thus giving rise to some outbreaks of turf diseases. Be mindful of these and carry out effective practices to reduce the risk.


It is surprising how quick the grass has recovered since the onset of some decent wet weather. However, there is still time to carry out some much-needed renovation work to your surfaces while temperatures remain in double figures.

 



September also sees the start of the rugby playing season with many clubs gearing themselves up for a long hard season. I just want to mention the opportunity for these rugby clubs to be aware of the RFU’s current Rugby Groundsmen Connected programme that offers advice and support to every rugby club grounds person.


Rugby Groundsmen Connected is the RFU’s easy access, two-way communication network between the RFU and rugby union groundsmen. It is the main communication channel for the RFU to provide information and advice to groundsmen and also has special offers and exclusive benefits for members. Everything the RFU does related to pitch maintenance will now come under the banner of Rugby Groundsmen Connected. The scheme is for anybody that has any involvement in the upkeep of rugby pitches - from complete novice to Premiership groundsmen.


Anyone can register to join RGC at no cost. Registration is by email to groundsmenconnected@rfu.com. Once signed up they will receive regular communications with advice, information and the opportunity to ask questions.

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EDITOR'S BLOG
REASONS TO BE GLEEFUL
NEWS
KARL MCDERMOTT APPOINTED LORD'S HEAD GROUNDSMAN
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