Rugby School was founded in 1567 by Lawrence Sheriff, purveyor of spices to Queen Elizabeth I, as a Free Grammar School for the boys of Rugby and Brownsover. Today it is one of the most prestigious private schools in the country, steeped in history and famous for being the birthplace of the game of rugby .

William Webb Ellis (24 November 1806 – 24 January 1872) was an English Anglican clergyman who, by tradition, has been credited as the inventor of rugby football while a pupil at Rugby School. According to legend, Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it during a school football match in 1823, thus creating the "rugby" style of play. The story has become firmly entrenched in the sport's folklore.

 
2023 marks the 200th anniversary of the game of rugby football. Prior to this date the sport, known as football, was played much like Australian rules football is today. 

Throughout 2023, Rugby School, along with the rugby world, will be celebrating this anniversary and will be welcoming teams from a range of backgrounds and abilities to play on The Close. As well as this, they will be hosting dinners, evenings and their annual festival on this famous historic Close, which for 2023 will be named “With a Fine Disregard”, in honour of Webb Ellis.

Webb Ellis pitch 

Last week, I was invited to Rugby School to see some final preparations on the Close, which last year had a major overhaul to ensure all the sports pitches on it were able to cope with the heavy demand now expected of this iconic ground. Under the guidance of James Mead, head grounds manager now since retired, and Jimmy Cavanagh who took over from James, the school employed the services of Agripower a sports pitch contractor who took on the job of installing a complete new drainage scheme and fully automatic irrigation system to both rugby pitches. At the same time they also extended the irrigation to the first team cricket pitch outfield on the Close.

James Mead, retired HG, and Jimmy Cavanah, current HG catching up at Rugby School 

The rugby pitches then had brand new posts installed, the surface was renovated incorporating many tonnes of sand and it was seeded with a perennial ryegrass seed mixture. This work was completed last year and is now in use, providing an exceptional new playing surface for the school rugby and cricket teams.

In celebration of the 200th anniversary of rugby football, the school will be hosting a number of events.

On 5th March England Rugby U18 women’s team play their first international match of the season against the Wales U18 women’s side at the birthplace of the game.

This will soon be followed on the 25th March with an International U18s Sevens schools tournament featuring teams from countries around the world including Australia, Canada, Chile, England, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa & Wales. 

 
Then on 10th April the school will be hosting a vets sevens tournament inviting local midlands clubs to attend. Finally, on 23rd April the school will be attempting their own world record of the world’s largest uncontested rugby scrum on the hallowed pitch. The current world record is 2,586 people, so they are looking for 3,000 school children aged between 10 and 17 (18 if still at school) to help achieve this huge feat!

No doubt the next few months will be an extremely busy time for Jimmy and his staff with both rugby and cricket pitches to prepare. To help commemorate this 200th anniversary, Jimmy with the help of Fleet Line Markers, have come up with new logo that will be painted on the hallowed turf for the duration of these events.

 
I caught up with Iain and Jimmy during my visit. Iain told me, “Rugby School and Fleet Line Markers Ltd. have enjoyed an excellent working relationship over the last goodness knows how many years?! Quite a long time, in fact we don’t regard Rugby School as a customer, more as friends.”

Iain continued, “Ali from Fleet and Jim from Rugby were recently talking about the 200th Anniversary of the game of Rugby and as it happens, Fleet are also celebrating an anniversary in 2023, of 70 years. One thing led to another, and Jim ordered some bespoke stencils from Fleet to mark this momentous occasion.

“We are very proud in having this association with Rugby school and long may it continue.”

Layham based Marst Agri has been appointed Corvus Off-Road main dealer for Suffolk.

L-R: Marst Agri business partners Mark Butcher, Stewart Butcher and Boss ORV MD Phil Everett.

Boss ORV, the sole UK distributor of the utility vehicles, made the announcement at the end of January and within the first week the dealer says they had already performed many demos at their farm location. 

“We offer a big welcome to Marst Agri on joining the BOSS/Corvus network in East Anglia,” said Phil Everett, Boss ORV MD. “We are delighted to have Mark Butcher, Stewart and Heidi join us on the Corvus adventure.” 

Formed in 2017 by agricultural engineers Mark and Stewart, Marst Agri is a Merlo telehandler main dealer and they offer a combined experience of over forty years in the field. As such they are awarded accreditation for the conduct of Thorough Examinations, the lift truck, fore-end loader, telescopic handler and attachment equivalent of the car MOT.

“We’re proud to become a Corvus main dealer,” added Mark.

Doosan Bobcat have announced they will provide equipment worth around $1 million for relief and recovery activities in the earthquake-stricken areas of Turkey.

The company says construction equipment will be promptly delivered through their dealer network to be of practical help in lifesaving activities in affected areas and to help restore critical infrastructure such as collapsed buildings and roads. The equipment being supplied includes skid-steer loaders and excavators to remove and clean debris, and portable generators and lighting towers to be used at sites with power supply issues. 

By providing equipment that can be used immediately for relief and recovery efforts, Doosan Bobcat say they hope to help residents of the affected areas in Turkey to begin to recover their daily lives as soon as possible.

The donation will be financed in cooperation with Doosan Bobcat’s mother company, Doosan Group, which has supported previous major disasters with equipment and donations, such as hurricanes and earthquakes in the U.S., China, Haiti, Japan and Nepal over the past 20-plus years.

Chandlers Farm Equipment is to extend its newly-acquired JCB franchise into the Cotswolds from the beginning of December this year, investing in a JCB depot at Cirencester in Gloucestershire.

The move follows the merger of JCB dealer Ross Farm Machinery into the Chandlers group, effective February 2023, with the new Chandlers RFM JCB operation continuing to work out of existing branches at Raglan for Monmouthshire, Ross-on-Wye in Herefordshire and Martley in Worcestershire.

The Martley and new Cirencester depots will become specialist hubs for managing JCB sales, service and parts.

JCB Agriculture managing director John Smith said, “We look forward to working with the team at Chandlers RFM JCB and take this opportunity to thank Cotswold Farm Machinery for their many years of dedication to JCB customers.

“Until the end of November, Cotswold Farm Machinery will continue to provide sales, parts, service and repairs from Fosse Cross, and the change of distribution arrangements will have no impact on JCB dealers neighbouring the Cotswolds territory or elsewhere.”

Paddy Kennedy, JCB manager at Chandlers RFM JCB said, “Our team is ready to put their years of JCB experience to good use in the Cotswolds area from December. The region is a natural fit for the business, and the continuity and experience of the staff here at Chandlers RFM JCB will ensure professional and prompt support for all JCB customers.”

Rhys Butler, links manager at Royal St. Davids Golf Club in Wales has been announced as the winner of the DLF Sustainability Seed competition held at BTME 2023.

Stuart Yarwood and Rhys Butler

Regional technical manager Stuart Yarwood MG recently visited Rhys to present the prize of a Greenstester - a tool for monitoring speed, trueness and greens performance. Rhys was randomly selected from those that entered across the three-day event.

On receipt of his prize Rhys commented, “BTME this year was a really informative and enjoyable experience and to win this competition is just the icing on the cake. On top of the Greenstester which will be used by my team to track greens performance, it was great to catch up with Stuart and talk all things links turf on his visit.” 

OUR PARKS IN CRISIS

AN OUTSTANDING SUCCESS

OPTIMISM RETURNING
By Guest Editor, Roy Rigby

WATERLOGGING ISSUES

NEW YEAR, NEW FEATURES

View all of 2022's blogs here

View all of 2021's blogs here

View all of 2020's blogs here

View all of 2019's blogs here

View all of 2018's blogs here

TIME FOR ACTION
To reverse recruitment crisis

CONTROLLING COSTS
Planning is crucial

THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABILITY
What exactly does the term mean?

CARING FOR THE GRASSROOTS
From volunteers to contractors

DEFRA IS LETTING DOWN THE COUNTRY
Complete failure to address the plastic grass debate

WE CAN ALL DO MORE
To aid biodiversity

MY LIFE IN GREENKEEPING
With Bruce Cruickshank

LEVELLING UP, GETTING SMARTER & GETTING AHEAD
Parks require so much more funding

SWITCHED ON FOR HARD WORK
Putting trimmers through their paces

MACHINERY HIGHLIGHTS
At this year's show

MY SALTEX
Daniel Lewis​, Manchester City Football Club

AWASH WITH LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Two months till showtime

LOOKING BACK, LOOKING FORWARD
Priorities for the amenity sector

THE DECLINE OF ‘PARKITECTURE’
A symptom of the state of parks in 2022

DEVELOPERS SHIRKING GREEN SPACE RESPONSIBILITIES
Lack of financial commitment

TIME TO COME TOGETHER
For the good of the industry

THE DEATH OF GRASS ROOTS CRICKET
Gathering apace?

ROUTES INTO THE INDUSTRY MUST BE ENSURED
Q&A with David Fisher, Lantra’s head of industry partnerships

STRONG VIEWS ON CRICKET PITCH PERFORMANCE MARKING
A bone of contention

A PREMIUM PRODUCT
Delivered at Naas Golf Club

THE GREEN REVOLUTION
And Esker Hills

MAKING A CHANGE
Laytown and Bettystown Golf Links

A DAY AT THE RACES
Naas Race Course

WORKING TOGETHER AS ONE VOICE
How the industry needs to proceed

OVER 175 YEARS OF EDUCATION
Wesley College

ELECTRIC EXCITEMENT
Dennis's Ian Howard talks electrification

THE HOME OF CORK GAA
Páirc Uí Chaoimh

LONG POLE BATTERY HEDGE TRIMMERS TESTED
STIHL HLA 66 and HLA 86

OVER 800 YEARS OF HISTORY
Johnstown Castle and Gardens

A CLUB GONE WILD
Kilkenny Golf Club

A GOLF COURSE IN THE GARDEN OF IRELAND
Woodenbridge GC

80 YEARS YOUNG
Charleville Golf Club

AN UPLIFTING EXPERIENCE
Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club

GETTING BACK TOGETHER
Albeit gradually . .

GO WEST
Inishturk GAA pitch – one of the most westerly sportspitches in Europe

WORKING ON A TIGHT BUDGET
Nenagh Golf Club

ON A MISSION
Wrekin Golf Club aiming to enrich wildlife and fauna

WILD AND WONDERFUL
Design By Nature

LEARNING HOW TO SURVIVE
Abbey Par 3

TACKLING OBESITY
Vital that schools can provide sport

A LIFETIME OF LEARNING
Vital for turf professionals

CELEBRATING 125 YEARS
Tullamore Golf Club

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGES
At Trinity College Dublin

BLENDING THE OLD WITH THE NEW
Bray Golf Club

A WELL POLISHED COURSE!
Ierne Social And Sports Club

IDENTIFYING THE TRUE VALUES
Of grounds maintenance

THE INDUSTRY WILL CHANGE & ADAPT
But it will survive

WIRRAL GOLF COURSES SAVED
Renewed hope and optimism for the future

GREEN SPACE CONTRIBUTION TO WELLBEING IS UNDERVALUED
Parks invisible on national agenda

A SHINING LIGHT IN IRELAND'S SUNNY SOUTHEAST
Wexford Golf Club

GREEN SPACES DO NOT LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES!
Keith Kent says we must invest in people

WE SHOULD TELL THE WORLD ABOUT THE UK INDUSTRY
Right time for all sides to come together

SOIL LIFE IS PRECIOUS
Good-quality soil can help save the planet

MORE THAN JUST CUTTING GRASS
Encouraging the next generation

A BUZZ FROM DOING THE JOB
Wide experience of the turf grass industry

PAYING THEIR WAY
Low wages is the bane of the industry

AMENITY MANAGEMENT IMPACTS US ALL
Professor John Moverley

CARING FOR PARKS OF ALL TYPES
Mary Worrall

TOP FIVE FRUSTRATIONS FOR CRICKET GROUNDSMEN
What causes you the most frustration in your role?

PROFESSIONALS AT THE CUTTING EDGE
Vic Demain and Phil Sharples

BOWLS CLUBS IN PERIL
A sad decline

A VERY SPECIAL INDUSTRY
Loz looks back

SNEAK PEAK AT A ROBOTIC "GAME CHANGER"
Commercial model capable of covering 50,000 m2 teased

HALESOWEN PICK A BIG ROBOT UP FRONT
Invest in mowers

COMPRESSED AERATION
The new way

PARKS MATTER MORE THAN EVER
Recent sector developments

ON TEST
STIHL blowers

THREE CORE VALUES TO SHAPE OUR INDUSTRY
Real concerns for the future

ENGLAND'S GREEN SPACE GAP
A split along racial lines

ON TEST
EGO STX3800 strimmer with RTX2300 Rotocut head

A SECTOR FACING IMPORTANT TIMES
Review of the National Action Plan

PARKS MATTER
The role of public parks in the recovery: a discussion paper

A UNIQUE SPORTING VENUE
Wormsley private estate

A BTME OUTDOORS?
A good bet for the industry

PARKS NEED APPROPRIATE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION
Q&A with Philippa Reece, Parks and Foreshore Manager at Adur and Worthing Council

CRICKET LOAM
What does it mean?

A HERCULEAN EFFORT TO GET PARKS BACK TO NORMAL
Q&A with Chris Worman, Rugby Borough Council’s parks and ground manager

ON TEST
STIHL battery products

TURFGRASS STRESS MANAGEMENT
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and antioxidants during biotic and abiotic stress in turfgrass plants

AUTUMN DISEASE MANAGEMENT
The coming months are going to prove very difficult

THE ABUSE OF PARKS . .
Is the abuse of society

WHY PARKS MATTER?
A statement from the Parks Management Forum to the Prime Minister

THE 21st CENTURY PARKS MANAGER
Innovative, creative and entrepreneurial

EAT, SLEEP, CUT, REPEAT!
Cricket under covid

TIME FOR A SINGLE SHOW?
Debate brought back into focus

A CHALLENGING TWO MONTHS
Running golf design projects from home

PRESSURE SITUATION
Cementing the reputation

A CLUB TO BE PROUD OF
10 years at the helm of Olton GC

GAME CHANGERS IN TURFCARE
The day the Lord's outfield reconstruction proved its worth

THE ESSENCE OF ESSENTIAL
Finding a sensible way forward on defining "essential maintenance"

THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS
2001

HOW TO LOOK AFTER A GOLF COURSE WITH NO GOLFERS
Fundamental to the survival of almost all courses, if not of the game itself

RAIN STOPPED PLAY WOULD BE WELCOME
. . along with ‘lunch is being taken early’

PHYSICAL CONTROL OF TURFGRASS PESTS
An urgent problem

A DIVERSE & ENTERTAINING WEEK
Successful BTME 2020

INTEGRATED PEST CONTROL
Opportunity to embrace new methods

ENVILLE ON THE UP
Major investments taking place

GREEN FLAG AWARDS 2019
A great success

U.S PROFESSIONAL EQUIPMENT SHOW EXCELS
Buoyant GIE+EXPO

LEGACY OF THE SOLHEIM CUP
At Gleneagles

A DAY OUT WITH THE LADIES
Behind the scenes at the Solheim Cup

COVENTRY UNIVERSITY'S EDIBLE GARDEN SUCCESS
2006 - present

HAIL THE GRASS MASTERS!
Boorish media comments about pitch quality are wide of the mark

CONTRACTOR SEES MULTI-DISCIPLINE SUCCESS
360 Ground Care serving professional facilities

BUSY TIMES
Judging the Green Flag Awards

TAKING AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
What does it all mean in managing turf surfaces?

UNDER PRESSURE
Dry weather conditions continue to keep turf managers focused on moisture management

EDDIE SEAWARD
Death of Wimbledon’s influential grounds manager

MAJOR NEW IRRIGATION PROJECT
At Top 100 classic Berkhamsted Golf Club

NEW HORIZONS FOR THE HATTERS
Investment paying off at Kenilworth Road

ELIZABETHAN RESTORATION
At Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens

WHAT IS BIOPHILIA?
The vital impact of parks and green spaces on health and well-being

WORM CONTROL
Without carbendazim

THE TRUE COST OF PETROL
Battery-powered outdoor power tools are now turning the heads of professionals

SANDS OF TIME
Sand-based pitches are now the norm in professional sports

WHY DO WE DO THE RIGHT THING?
We must maintain industry standards

CHASING GRASS PERFECTION?
11 things you need to know . . .

MAINTAINING STANDARDS
Q&A with BASIS ceo, Stephen Jacobs

STRI RESEARCH DAY 2018
Hosted at research trial grounds in Bingley

THE MECHANIC
Leicester City FC invest in new role

LORD'S 'GRASS-GUVNOR' TO RETIRE
Mick Hunt bows out after 49 years

HOLLOW CORING & DEEP SCARIFICATION
Is it really necessary?

In the first of this series of articles, we sought to get a clearer definition of what sustainability is and what it means to an organisation, especially in the amenity horticulture sector. Sustainability comprises three pillars or components namely economic viability, environmental protection and social equity. The definition of these is important when any organisation seeks to become more sustainable, or indeed seeks to deliver more sustainable products and services to its customers. The remaining articles on this subject will now look more closely at various sub sectors of, and activities in amenity, and those providing services to them which hopefully will help all readers in their own search for sustainability. This month we start with a particular focus on the supply and use of machinery in the sector.

Currently, manufacturers and indeed distributors face a long list of difficult supply chain challenges, exacerbated by the impact of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

Such challenges include environmental regulations, intense competition, market demand and lack of labour, both in terms of availability and skills. Added to that is the effect of climate change and increased energy costs which pose real problems. In such circumstances, seeking transparent and robust supply chains are an absolute must have, to ensure competitiveness, and sustainability is critical in a world where customers and public increasingly put more emphasis on such solutions.

 
So firstly, it is worth a brief look at this from the customer angle, for example a golf course buying equipment or indeed any organisation in similar circumstances. Looking at the first pillar of sustainability, clearly when sourcing equipment, best value is top of the list. This is a combination of price and quality but must be backed up with after sales service and training and hopefully commitment to sustainability.

Another key question is whether the equipment is up to the job, something we will return to later in this article. Discussions with a local authority customer, recently purchasing, emphasised that in addition to the above, they were seeking the supplier to demonstrate that environmental management was at the core of their business as well as re-cycling both in in manufacture and distribution, with disposal of equipment in a socially responsible manner. They sought full consideration to the carbon foot printing of both manufacture and supply as like most such bodies, they had carbon reduction targets set across all their activities. Clearly at the end of the day, price is important but very much high on the scales today is sustainability. This is both in response to public demand as well as making good business sense.

 
So how should those supplying equipment respond? The manufacturing sector is one of those that is subject to a lot of scrutiny, thanks to the input and output of materials and potential waste that is created in the process. However, the response to the changed agenda has been marked in recent times. Whilst some, especially the larger organisations, have embarked upon major change, others have taken smaller steps. So what can be the advantages of taking a sustainable approach to those who supply equipment? Some are listed below.

Lower costs: 

One of the most appealing benefits to embracing sustainable manufacturing is the way that it can lower costs. It may begin with using cheaper renewable energy, to offset the use of more expensive traditional sources, or relying on smarter technology to better regulate energy consumption. Whilst there may be some upfront investment needed to make the change, pay back can be short. A smaller specialist manufacturer told me of small changes made by him, such as changing to more efficient lighting in the workshop and re-cycling second hand parts and materials such as wood crates and cardboard packaging. Sustainable practices can provide more efficient use of materials and, with less waste to deal with, disposal costs also decrease. There may also be grants or other incentives in going green.

Market Edge:

Demonstrating your sustainability credentials improves company image and can certainly help sales. More people are placing value in green practices due to their concerns about the environment. 

New market opportunities:

Sustainable practices can also help gain access to new markets. For example, the government has set greening government commitments , one of which is to “continue buying greener products and services”. This means that they have set out to do business with the most sustainable and efficient companies. 

Happier and more productive staff:

Commitment to sustainability demonstrates being socially responsible, doing what it can to protect the environment and its employees, who are likely to benefit from higher morale working for a business that has demonstrated that it is socially responsible — doing its bit to protect the environment and its employees. A recent survey indicated that employees in companies that voluntarily adopt green practices and standards have been found to be more productive.

There are many ways that an organisation, can change its processes to make it more sustainable, some very simple and others more complex. A possibly good starting point is to undertake an energy survey. Again this need not be complex. Once you have identified opportunities for a more sustainable approach, you can start with the quick wins. Making small changes to begin with can often have an immediately positive effect. This might be swapping outdated incandescent lightbulbs with new CFL or LED models which are more efficient and have a longer life span. Other changes might be upgrading insulation to improve heating efficiency. This can be linked to programmable thermostats giving more control and seeking to minimise energy use when not needed. For the distributor, specialist computer software can aid route planning and reduce mileage.

Moving to the next level, are decisions about the source of power and the potential for renewables. Power sources like wind and solar are cleaner and can reduce bills when compared to those sourced exclusively from traditional fossil fuels.  Of course this may not be a viable option for many but always worth investigation. Also, as mentioned earlier, an effective way of improving sustainability is minimising waste. The first step is to review processes and pick out any factors that are causing unnecessary surplus or by-products, also to investigate potential for re-cycling waste. Is there any way to avoid sending it to landfill, such as recycling or using it in a new type of product? Can your waste be utilised by another business? One business talked to has a tree surgeon based on site who is now utilising wooden crates and turning them into firewood.

 
Then, of course, there is a need to review power sources for own machinery and products supplied to customers. In recent years the growth of electric vehicles and equipment has been striking and generally welcomed. Of course it may not be the right move in all circumstances and some argue that hydrogen power is likely to be the solution eventually.  A recent report designed by TAP and TurfPro identified the tools and equipment used by ground care professionals, probed their attitudes, and explored how they believe the industry is addressing opportunities / challenge of climate change. The report is available free and two key highlights were:

• From total respondents, one in five pieces of equipment used is powered by battery, but 82% believe the proportion is increasing
• 84% are interested in environmentally-friendly more sustainable  products

In his commentary and analysis of the report, Laurence Gale, Editor of TurfPro said, "Having an awareness of what’s going on around you and knowing what resources you have at hand will enable you to make the right call and deliver the expectations of your clients and customers." Whilst the move to electric power increases and the technology continues to improve, there remains many in the sector who still have questions. Will the equipment required still be up to the job, will the national grid be able to sustain the increased demand for re-charging equipment and the future in terms of battery production.

Sustainable practice is something nobody can ignore and all organisations, whatever their size, can play a part. It is a dynamic area– just look at the offer on display at the recent SALTEX and BTME events. It was difficult to chat at any stand without the subject coming to the fore. The challenge is not to over complicate. To use a quote from Marian Wright Edelman, “If you don’t like the way the world is, you change it…one step at a time.” 

The next article in this series will look more closely at sustainable turf management and what this means in practical terms to those at the sharp end seeking to provide quality fit for purpose surfaces, the green keeper and the park manager.  Further on in the series we will look at those who supply products such as seed, fertiliser and plant protection products and how they too are developing more sustainable solutions and putting sustainability into practice.