The recent spell of wet weather has certainly put a damper on our summer sporting events, with both the penultimate Ashes Test and the British Open being badly affected.

The Fourth Ashes Test of course, saw the rain quash most of the day’s play on the fourth day and entirely on the fifth. This allowed the Australians to draw the match and thus retain the urn.

To put it lightly, this was somewhat of a contentions issue with many cricketing fans. Cricket is probably the only sport where a team can lose a hotly contested series, simply because rain stops play. Having spoken to several diehard cricket fans, the decision to allow the weather to determine the overall result is appalling in this day and age. Why can they not have allowed the game to be played earlier in the mornings and into the evenings when they knew such heavy rain was forecast?

England Cricket Tweeted this picture

No other sport cancels a game without the opportunity to replay - it delays play until the weather is better. If Wimbledon suspended play in the past, they continued into the following week to complete matches. So why could they not have resumed play at the Old Trafford on the Monday or Tuesday to allow the match to be played out (to a set number of overs)? Especially one as important as a crucial Ashes Test. Something, one feels, needs to change.

This is no criticism of the incredible grounds team at Old Trafford of course - they did an amazing job, staying on top the conditions and should be applauded for all their efforts. This is a thought aimed at the higher-ups who control cricket. A fresh new attitude has swept through the England cricket playing side - why not on the organisational side too?

Green Flag awards

Moving on, as a Green Flag judge I am pleased to confirm a record number of parks and green spaces across the UK have reached the high standards required to receive a coveted Green Flag Award in 2023.

The scheme is celebrating as 2,216 parks – the largest number since the scheme began 27 years ago are proudly preparing to raise their flags.
In addition, 135 of the winners have also received a Green Heritage Site Accreditation for the management of historic features, supported in England by Historic England. 
 
To achieve Green Heritage Site Accreditation, winners must understand and take action to conserve the heritage value of their site. They also need to help people to understand and enjoy its unique history, from nationally important parks to local green spaces that help tell the story of places and communities.

Parks are a vitally important part of this country’s green infrastructure, providing opportunities to improve physical and mental health even in the most built-up urban environments. It is estimated that active visits to parks in England result in £2billion of avoided costs of ill-health every year.

Also, Green Flag are delighted that as the NHS celebrates its 75th anniversary two of this year’s flags are being presented to Doncaster and Bassetlaw Trust Hospitals who have recognised the health benefits of green spaces to staff, patients and their visitors.

 
That’s why I believe it’s important that parks are managed to the Green Flag Award standard which rewards those sites that meet the needs of the community, are well maintained, safe and provide people with the opportunity to lead healthy lifestyles.

Parks play a key role in the health and wellbeing of the nation not only in the physical and mental health of us all, but also in the environmental health of the planet.

I, along with many other Green Flag judges, have for many years been proud of what these parks and public open spaces bring to their communities.

Green Flag Award Scheme Manager Paul Todd MBE said, “I would like to congratulate everyone involved on achieving a Green Flag Award. All our winners provide vital green space for communities, bring people together and create opportunities to lead healthy lifestyles. The staff and volunteers do so much to ensure these precious parks and green spaces maintain the high standards of the Green Flag Award and everyone involved should feel extremely proud of their achievement.”

After 43 years of working for Mansfield Sand, the ever-popular Sharon Morris is retiring. 

Sharon originally trained to be an accountant before working for Mansfield Sand. She started as a credit controller for the company and worked her way through the accounts department in various roles before eventually becoming the office manager. Sharon didn’t stop there, however.

“I had so many different positions to start with because I wanted to learn absolutely everything about the business,” she said. “At some point I was offered the opportunity to get out on the road and the rest is history. I had so many years of doing figures and sitting in front of a computer so going out on the road and being involved in sales was something I was really interested in. It was a bit of a lightbulb moment.”

Sharon’s professionalism and personality quickly shone through in her new role. In fact, she grew her first account into a million-pound-plus customer. She admits that it wasn’t easy and at her first show, BTME Harrogate, she went with colleagues who told her to basically forge her own way and get to know people which she did by visiting every stand at the show and introducing herself. In reflecting on the advice Sharon believes that it was probably the best she ever received.

After that it was a case of visiting all the reps and customers, giving them the confidence that Mansfield Sand was the company they needed to deal with. It was all about getting to know people and going to shows was a golden opportunity. 

Throughout her career Sharon specialised in sports turf and most of her customers were based at football and golf clubs. As a huge sports fan there couldn’t have been a better job.

“It gave me a special tingle whenever I went into those wonderful stadiums and golf clubs that I would see on television all the time. I felt so privileged and never once took it for granted. One of my proudest moments was when we started dealing with Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC via a contractor. They were two clubs that had been a goal of mine to work with for many years, so it felt like a huge personal achievement when the clubs and the contractors’ showed faith in myself and Mansfield Sand.”

Sharon admits that the prospect of retirement is daunting, but she is looking forward to the next chapter. As a Nottingham Forest FC season ticket holder since the age of 9, she is planning on watching more games and she revealed that her and her partner will become members of Nottinghamshire Cricket Club. She will also be taking more holidays abroad and she is looking forward to being able to attend concerts and theatre shows during the week without the worry of having to set the morning alarm clock. Her 91-year-old mum will also be getting a lot more of Sharon’s attention.  

Although Sharon will have plenty of activities throughout retirement to keep her busy, she will always hold a special place in her heart for her former customers and colleagues.

“It has certainly been a very unique job and I’m proud of the career I’ve had,” she said.  “No one knew me at first, but now wherever I go everyone makes me feel so incredibly welcome.

“Special thanks must go to Mansfield Sand Company and everyone I have worked with over the years, all who have contributed to making my 43 years so enjoyable.” 

The Gammies Live demonstration event is set to return this August.

The dealership say they are inviting their manufacturers along to showcase their products, provide demonstrations, and this year, host talks.

Sophie Elder of Gammies said, "We have over 25 different brands who will be in attendance and a variety of machinery from different industry’s such as groundcare, farming, forestry, construction, and more.
 
"The talks we are hosting are educational talks focusing on innovation and are provided by our manufacturers, they will cover topics such as GPS, professional battery products, asset management, and robotics.
 
"Our event is designed for professionals and specialists in the industry and we invite a range of individuals from councils and businesses to come along and experience the equipment firsthand, and speak to the specialists."
 
Gammies Live is being held on the 23rd of August between 9.30 am - 7 pm at Edzell Base, Brechin, Scotland, DD97XH

James Wright has joined Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS) as their technical sales representative for the South Yorkshire region, following the retirement of widely respected and long-standing predecessor, Mike Brear.

Phil Dewhurst and James Wright

James returns to the company having previously worked for the Rigby Taylor brand (now part of OAS) some 8 years ago. He re-joins following his most recent role at Agrovista Amenity as a BASIS qualified amenity specialist
 
With a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion to bring to the OAS team, James is currently finishing his BSc (Hons) in Sportsturf Science & Management at the University of Central Lancashire.

Phil Dewhurst, northern area sales director said, “I am delighted to welcome James to OAS. His practical experience coupled with his wealth of technical knowledge will make him a valuable resource for our customers and the rest of our team.”

HUSQVARNA, the pioneer in smart commercial grounds care and robotic mowing, presents an upgrade of Husqvarna Automower® 550 EPOS – the company’s first ever robotic mower with virtual boundary EPOS technology.

 
The upgrade available now will enable a leap in productivity, including double work area capacity, up to 10,000 sqm due to systematic cutting, which also allows for customised mowing patterns.
 
In 2020, Husqvarna launched its first virtual boundary robotic mower. Husqvarna Automower® 550 EPOS may look the same, but the new version has three major upgrades to increase productivity. Firstly, the system is now able to cut systematically rather than randomly unlike the previous model, resulting in twice the capacity of the original, making it the perfect solution for sports turf that requires a lot of playing time.
 
Secondly, the mower is equipped with a five-blade cutting disc with enhanced high-speed steel as standard, leading to a cleaner cut and longer blade change intervals. The third improvement is an improved EPOS reference station coverage, simplifying installations in large areas such as golf courses.

 
“The upgraded version of Husqvarna Automower® 550 EPOS is designed for facility and sports turf management crews with high demands on esthetics, productivity and with minimum noise and direct CO2 exhaust emissions during use”, says Jake Gray, Professional Product Manager at Husqvarna UK.
 
The systematic cutting is made possible by the EPOS technology providing a centimetre level position of the mower. Knowing the exact mower position at all times enables running in different patterns such as straight systematic lines. Through the app, it will also be possible to customise mowing patterns creating parallel, checkerboard or triangle shapes.    

TIME FOR CHANGE

EDUCATION IN SPORTS TURF

by guest editor, David Roberts

SPORTING (SURFACES) PROWESS

WATER SHORTAGES

CRICKET ON THE UP

MY TOP FIVE CONCERNS

by guest editor, Andrew Turnbull 

BIODIVERSITY IN PARKS

DROUGHT CONDITIONS PREVAIL

MAY BE BUSY

A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
by guest editor Angus Macleod

TURF HARVEST FESTIVAL

FEEDING TIME

TIME TO GET TOUGH

STAY CURIOUS!
by guest editor, Alex Vickers

A TRANSISTIONAL MONTH

SPRING IS UPON US

HEDGE YOUR BETS

PEOPLE'S PARKS, PUBLIC PARKS - IN PERIL?

by guest editor, Paul Rabbits

TESTING TIMES AHEAD

ROBOTIC POTENTIAL

CHANGEOVER TIME

WE MUST DEVELOP OUR OWN STAFF

by guest editor, Karl McDermott

DOUBLE CENTURY CELEBRATED

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

ELIET TESTING
Scarifier on trial

THE LAWN AND ITS VALUE
Changing attitudes

GIANT HOGWEED
Invasive and potentially harmful

LIFE-CYCLE ANALYSIS & SUSTAINABILITY
Considering every stage of the journey

NITROGEN USE EFFICIENCY
The most important nutrient

BERBERIS THUNBERGII
A shrub that has stood the test of time

ENSURING FUTURE PROSPERITY
Advice imparted at road shows

INNOVATION & SUSTAINABILITY
A key focus

PHOTINA RED ROBIN
A sensational flowering shrub

VALUING THE GRASSROOTS
We must not overlook those who maintain these grounds

MANAGING WEEDS SUSTAINABLY
In amenity spaces

DETECTING NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
In turf plants

SPRING RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY
A crucial period

SUSTAINABILITY IN SUPPLY
A focus on those who supply essential inputs to our sector

CHANGING CLIMATE
Is a borehole the key for clubs?

SUSTAINABILITY AT THE SHARP END
How to put into practice when budgets are tight?

ANOTHER NAIL IN THE COFFIN OF GRASSROOTS RUGBY
Clubs are struggling

SUSTAINABILITY IN PRACTICE
Seeking transparent and robust supply chains is essential

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?

This issue's Plant Focus is one of my favourite plants, Genista lydia, commonly known as the Lydia broom. It is a species of flowering shrub in the Fabaceae family, native to the Mediterranean region, specifically parts of Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. 

A compact, floriferous yellow flowering shrub, low growing and robust, this beautiful cultivar is grown for its bright clusters of vivid yellow blossoms that flower for the whole summer.
 
This plant has masses of golden yellow, lipped flowers that appear on prickly, arching grey-green leaves in May and June and forms a compact natural dome is drought resistant, and makes an ideal companion to Mediterranean-style plants, particularly those with silvery foliage. It will also thrive in a windswept environment. It performs best on a sunny site with poor to moderately fertile soil.

No regular pruning is required. To care for the shrub take out dead and diseased branches after flowering. Replace straggly specimens with new plants.
To ensure that Lydian broom is at its best, choose a spot in full sun, with poor, well-drained soil. This sturdy flowering shrub is quite versatile and adapts easily, and it’s one of the rare cultivars that prefer conditions that are usually considered less than ideal for the majority of other plants.

Lydian broom can be planted in beds and borders, on slopes  or even used as a colourful, vivid ground cover plant. This tough, versatile shrub will adapt to any location, and offer spectacular summer interest. 

Here are some key characteristics of the Genista lydia plant:

Appearance: The Lydia broom is a deciduous shrub that typically grows to a height of 1 to 2 meters (3 to 6 feet) with a spread of about 1.5 to 2.5 meters (5 to 8 feet). It has upright branches covered in small, narrow, green leaves. The shrub produces an abundance of bright yellow flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer.
 
Yellow Flowers: The flowers of Genista lydia are its most notable feature. They are pea-like in shape and grow in dense clusters along the branches. The vibrant yellow colour of the flowers adds a splash of colour to the landscape.

Drought Tolerant: This plant is known for its ability to tolerate dry conditions and poor soil. It is well-suited for Mediterranean climates and can thrive in areas with low rainfall. Once established, it requires minimal watering.

Sunlight and Soil: Genista lydia prefers full sun exposure, meaning it requires at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. It can adapt to various soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils, as long as they are well-draining.

Low Maintenance: The Lydia broom is generally low-maintenance and easy to grow. It doesn't require much pruning but can benefit from occasional shaping to maintain its compact form. Removing spent flowers can encourage more prolific blooming.

Wildlife Attraction: The bright yellow flowers of Genista lydia attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, which makes it a valuable plant for supporting local ecosystems.

When considering planting Genista lydia or any other plant, it's important to note that local growing conditions, climate, and regulations may vary. It's always a good idea to consult with local gardening experts or nursery professionals for specific guidance based on your location.

Most garden centres stock and sell this plant with costs ranging from £10- 30 depending on pot size or size of plant.