High times for Rochdale AFC recently with their use of cannabis lamps seized by the police, to cultivate the grass on their pitch. The BBC reported how the lights have been used to make special rigs at their Spotland ground. Donated to the club by Sgt Andy Fern of Greater Manchester Police, head groundsman Oli Makin told the BBC the lights would've cost the club between £20,000 and £30,000. He said, "I can't thank the police enough. It has saved the club a fortune and the players will be happy, especially the goalkeeper." The below picture by Oli appeared on the BBC website:

Golfweek magazine in the US is reporting that there are further problems with the construction of the golf course in Rio which is intended to be used for the sport's Olympic return after 112 years in 2016. A dispute over the violation of environmental laws during the construction, between the public prosecutor's office and course developers, could see the grass ripped up. This follows several other problems which have beset the course during its development. Read their report here.

Groundsman Danny Walker and kit-man Paul Etchells at Macclesfield Town FC, had to rescue a crash-landed swan at a training session last week reports the Macclesfield Express. Apparently the exhausted cygnet came down during an evening training session, just missing defender Andy Halls. Looked after by Danny and Paul, the bird then spent the next couple of days wondering around the ground until being collected by the RSPCA. See some pics of the tired little fella here.

Fleet Line Markers recently painted a giant 'King of the Mountains' cycling winners jersey in Malvern where they're based to celebrate the Tour Of Britain passing through. Displayed on Lower Howsell Playing Fields the jersey was 21 metres wide at the bottom and 37 metres top to bottom and about 30 metres from sleeve to sleeve. The shape of the shirt was 'mapped' with the BeamRider (4 corners of the rectangle), using the 90 degree laser. The wavy lines were deliberate to give it a more realistic look. Green Reddispray was used for the polka dots with Q2 being used for the white and Colour XS for the red flashing. The Fleet logo was 6m x 4m and the web address under the Fleet logo was done free hand.

Pictures below show progress of the painting with aerial photos courtesy of Dave and Phil from Parallel Lines.