I dread the opening words of any news story that starts “Research has proved . . . .”.
There follows the Gospel According St Scientist that ‘proves’ that coffee is good/bad for you; red wine is good/bad for you; too much sleep is good/bad for you and so on, and so on.
This week, another piece of research, this time from California paints the lawn as a source of untold environmental dangers. In other words if the emissions don’t get you, the mutant verdant sward will.
Oh, and don’t lick the bottom of the rotary blade whilst it’s going round. It won’t end well.
It seems that every aspect of modern life is subject to scrutiny by one research group or another , eager to gain a headline – or more likely a research bursary. Now don’t get me wrong, without research many of those aspects of everyday life we take for granted might never come under the microscope, or be challenged.
My guess, however, is that it won’t be long before another group of scientists, this time with a horticultural ‘hat on’, will disprove the findings and claim untold benefits of a regularly maintained lawn.
Otherwise, I can see real dangers if the Green Party momentum, which seems to be growing before the election, takes root. Might there be health warnings posted around the Centre Court at Wimbledon by ‘Elf and Safety’ on the harmful effects of the maintenance regime?
Sheep have already replaced lawnmowers in some parts of Brighton where the Green Party have a majority on the local council. “Get the tender out, Ted. Is the munching speed of the Norfolk Horn better than the Bluefaced Leicester?”
However, there is a serious point being made in the report, and that is that we undersell recycling and recycling mowers in the UK. They’ve been around a long time, but you rarely hear the benefits promoted forcibly.
As an industry, we must be aware and responsive to environmental issues. In doing so, we will show ourselves to be understanding of concerns – and be able to provide answers and solutions.
Our much missed colleague, Mike Beardall was a keen wordsmith. When asked what his favourite word was in the English Language always replied 'mulch!'
