KEEPING OUR RESOLVE During the lockdown by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR
The effect of the current restrictions are having a varied effect on our sporting facilities, with differing levels of maintenance being performed.
I start this week’s blog by admiring the tenacity and endeavour of Captain Tom Moore. At the grand old age of 99, with his 100th birthday due on the 30th April, Captain Tom has without doubt captured the love of our nation, raising by the last count this morning, a staggering £26 million for the NHS with his sponsored walk.
I salute him and his heroic deed which has helped galvanise our country in a way we have never seen before. In recognition of this amazing achievement the government have invited Tom to officially open the new Nightingale Hospital in Harrogate on Tuesday 21st of April.
With the government’s announcement last week of a further three weeks of lockdown, that takes us to the 7th May, we will certainly start testing our patience and resolve.
I enjoyed reading Steve Gibbs’ blog in the Service Dealer Update last Friday, keeping us abreast of what’s going on for many of our industry machinery dealers and at what capacity they are managing to operate during this current crisis. Having talked to a couple of machinery dealers myself, they said they were very busy, mainly due to a large take up of online sales and the fact they service specialist front line contract services, such as cemeteries, farming and commercial van supplies.
No doubt many dealers who can offer online sales facilities will be kept busy to some extent, especially with the more domestic focused products.
Again this week, I would like to reflect on how this lockdown is having an effect on many of our sports facilities, parks and public open spaces. After several phone calls, I have established that the level of work being carried out currently appears to be varied. Some sports venues have managed to get on with some renovations, depending on the availability of materials and resources, whereas others have not. Many sites are now working with a skeleton staff or rota system and just doing the bare essentials.
Parks and green spaces have featured prominently in recent media coverage of the consequneces of the outbreak. These much-loved places that you manage are justifiably valued as free open areas for people to walk, exercise and reflect responsibly - and will undoubtedly play a vital role as we emerge from the pandemic.
As a Green Flag judge, I am only too aware of the value these public parks and open spaces bring to the table. Whilst out walking my two dogs, Marloe and Annie, I, like many thousands of us, am currently enjoying the peace and tranquillity that has come about from this current lockdown. I am lucky, I live near the countryside and can access open space easily. However, those who live in cities and towns must rely heavily on these valuable public open spaces to get their daily dose of exercise during this pandemic.
The availability of these open spaces is helping us cope with the stresses of living with Covid-19. The opportunity for us to get out of our houses and exercise is crucial to our wellbeing. However, across the country we are seeing some local authorities being told by the police to close their parks, due to overcrowding. This happened to Walsall Council last week when the council was asked to close its popular Arboretum / Park, but after a considerable number of complaints from the public the facility was reopened along with their cemeteries.
However, on Saturday the government announced that parks and cemeteries must remain open and family can attend loved ones' funerals.
Speaking at Number 10, local government secretary Robert Jenrick, said "people need parks" but they must observe social distancing and not congregate in groups. He also announced an extra £1.6bn for local councils in England.
Maybe after this pandemic is over, our government will finally come to its senses and start investing long term in these core services (NHS, welfare & care and public services) which all play an essential part in maintaining the fabric of our lives and economy.
I also read with interest that the restrictions on movement caused by the coronavirus lockdown are transforming the UK's exercise habits. Home fitness workouts, cycling and walking are now the most popular methods of exercise, according to a Savanta ComRes study commissioned by Sport England.
More than half of adults in England (59 per cent) are using their daily activity time to go for a walk.
The research also shows how the lockdown - and the threat of coronavirus in general - have led to people recognising the importance of physical activity to staying healthy. Nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of adults say it is more important to be active now, compared with before the outbreak.
Their industry statement outlines those treatments considered essential for the safe maintenance of a golf course during the current government restrictions. It is accepted that golf courses exist in many different forms, on many different soil types and in differing landscapes, and that this guidance may require adaptation.
If you follow the link to BIGGA’s guidelines you can read their recommendations on:
Working Practices
Mowing
Irrigation and Nutrition
Construction and Renovation
Machinery and Equipment Maintenance
Other Maintenance
It will be interesting to see how these guidelines work in practice and how many golf courses manage to come out of this situation unscathed.
The real issue will no doubt be the loss of income and how each golfing facility can manage investing in the maintenance of their course until the lockdown is over.
This week's WEB ONLY story is the results of a new research project will be reported as the trial progresses to enable greenkeepers to make decisions over the coming weeks.
Freshly-baked bread and butterfly corridors typify golf club’s unique approach to being environmentally-friendly.
Berkhamsted Golf Club has been recognised as one of the UK’s most sustainable and environmentally-responsible golf clubs by achieving GEO Certified status.
The famously bunker-free club - which lives by its mantra ‘golf as nature intended’ - is one of only 39 in England to be successfully evaluated for the way it fosters nature, conserves resources and supports the community.
The programme is assured by the GEO Foundation, the international not-for-profit entirely dedicated to advancing sustainability in golf.
In addition, the club’s pioneering manager, Howard Craft, has become one of the first club and course managers in England to be named a Sustainability Champion by GEO. This is an accolade given to leaders in the sport who maintain a strong public commitment to sustainable golf.
Craft also now sits on golf’s GB & Ireland Sustainability Working Group, which brings together many of golf’s key organisations plus others such as the RSPB to advise all golf clubs on how to become more environmentally-friendly.
Berkhamsted Golf Club, which is laid out on common land in Hertfordshire’s largest expanse of natural gorse and heather, is rated as one of England’s top 100 golf courses.
GEO-accredited independent verifier, Tony Hanson, who assessed Berkhamsted, said, “The club has undertaken some fantastic work to reduce their environmental impact and enhance the natural landscape. I look forward to seeing their progress over the next three years.”
GEO Certified status applies as much to the clubhouse and the way the golf club runs itself, as it does to the golf course.
Examples of actions which Berkhamsted Golf Club has taken to conserve resources include encouraging staff to cycle to work, creating ‘wildlife corridors’ for butterflies and insects on the golf course, and undertaking a major heather restoration project. Also baking their own bread is all part of the environmental plan.
Howard Craft said, “Right down to baking our own pies, pastries and bread - which cuts down on the ‘food miles’ which we create - we have tried to reduce the golf club’s environmental footprint in every area, including the kitchen!
“Improving sustainability is a mindset really: it challenges the brain. Seeing people throughout the club get into it has been very rewarding. Berkhamsted Common is criss-crossed with public rights of way across the golf course, and as we manage the land we feel responsible for setting a great example.]
“So both on a personal level, with the Champion award, and at club level with the GEO Certification, I am thrilled that Berkhamsted Golf Club has been recognised like this. Our mindset will not change, and we will always look for ways to be better.”
Berkhamsted Golf Club’s long-standing Course Manager Gerald Bruce, who has managed the club’s golf course and 350-acre estate for over 30 years, said: “At Berkhamsted the slogan ‘golf as nature intended’ genuinely applies to everything that we do here. With no man-made hazards such as bunkers or artificial lakes, Berkhamsted has always been one of England’s most natural golf courses. Despite that we’re constantly working to reduce our environmental impact still further, and to enhance the beautiful natural landscape up here on the common.”
John Kemp, GEO Club Engagement Manager for the UK, said: “We are delighted to support and recognise the work carried out by the team at Berkhamsted. Their approach demonstrates that sustainability is now integral to good, efficient operations; creativity in creating a high quality product and experience; and staff, golfer and local community pride in the club.”
And there’s much more still to be done, says Craft. “It doesn’t end here, not by a long way” he said. “We’re looking into food waste composting, which our flower beds will love. We’re investigating biomass boilers as, with approximately 40,000 trees here on the estate, we have a lot of wood waste. And we hope to encourage animal grazing up here on the common, which is how the land was used in days gone by.
“As stewards of this fabulous natural piece of land, we’re putting together a habitat management plan for Berkhamsted Common to cover the next ten years.”
The Amenity Forum say the newly launched Amenity Standard is receiving widespread and enthusiastic support from all sides of the amenity sector.
The Amenity Forum say the newly launched Amenity Standard is receiving widespread and enthusiastic support from all sides of the amenity sector and is already being incorporated into tender documents and specifications going forward.
The Amenity Standard, when held and displayed, demonstrates that all operational activities undertaken are at the highest professional standards and fully comply with all regulations, code of practice and good practice guidance.
The Forum say the key reason for introducing this UK wide standard is to provide assurance to the public and all users of an amenity space. Displaying and holding the Standard means that the organisation and individuals undertaking the operations are members of an approved assurance scheme.
The assurance scheme is audited fully before being recognised by the Amenity Standard. Holding the Standard demonstrates that all the work undertaken is of the highest professional level and meets all legislative requirements and fully follows the code of practice and good practice guidance.
According to the Amenity Forum currently not all aspects of amenity management have assurance schemes recognised but work is on going to ensure this will be the case very soon.
Seeking out the Standard provides reassurance on quality standards and confidence that the essential work being done is at a professional level with safety as a key objective.
Professor John Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Amenity Forum said, "Our aim is to ensure that all involved in amenity management operations meet the requirements of the Standard and we wish for all involved to look for the Standard and its logo to provide full assurance of the quality of operations and commitment to best practice.
"As I often say, what happens in amenity management impacts upon every UK citizen every day and the introduction of the Standard provides assurance to the public of adherence to requirements to provide safe, healthy amenity areas fit for purpose.
"We are delighted with the way those involved have welcomed the Standard and it has strong support from all national governments in the UK. Integrated approaches are core to this, making use of all methods available to achieve optimum results."
David Withers, managing director of Iseki UK has produced the first in a series of virtual demonstrations of the company's machinery.
The day after the UK government announced a further lockdown of “at least three weeks”, David Withers, managing director of Iseki UK has produced the first in a series of virtual demonstrations showcasing the company's machinery.
Davis says he was looking for a way in which he could keep in contact with his customer base, ensuring that when the UK finally comes out of lockdown, grounds care professionals up-and-down the country are fully prepared.
“Demos are an important aspects of our sales process,” explained David, “so given the current restrictions concerning COVID-19, I thought that if customers can’t come to us, we’ll try to come to them, albeit even if it’s only in a virtual sense.”
The video, which was filmed by a member of David's immediate family, was shot using an iPhone in a nearby paddock close to their family home in Suffolk, and as he explains, helps demonstrate an Iseki SXG323+ mower.
“Over the past few weeks, I’ve received a number of calls from prospective customers as well as our dealer network, saying that they’ve had several demos that have needed to be postponed due to the lockdown, so I thought that it made sense to try and answer as many questions about the SXG323+ as possible.
“I’m not sure we will win any awards for the narrative or the production quality of the video, but I felt that it was important to try to connect with as many of our community as possible in a light-hearted and informative manner.
“We wanted to try and pretend that you were here with us in person rather than watching virtually and hopefully we’ve been able to achieve that aim. These are challenging times for everyone working within the turf care sector, and I genuinely look forward to the time - hopefully, next month - when I’ll be able to demonstrate our range personally, rather than virtually."
President of the OPEI, Kris Kiser, has released a statement saying that while they continue to take prudent safety measures, plans for this year's event are moving forward.
President of the OPEI, Kris Kiser, has released a statement to assure and update visitors and exhibitors on what’s happening with the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute and their international tradeshow, GIE+EXPO.
Kris said, "While we continue to take prudent measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our OPEI family by working remotely and rotating through the office, and practicing social distancing, our plans for the association and GIE+EXPO are moving forward. GIE+EXPO is still currently scheduled to take place this October 21-23 in Louisville, Kentucky, our home for the last 38 years.
"GIE+EXPO sales remain strong. We fully expect our nation will soon turn a critical corner in dealing with this pandemic and be back in business. In the meantime, we remain active and working with our partners to help the industry address the challenges facing it now and in the future – including moving forward with plans for our tradeshow."
Kris continued, "The tradeshow is a massive undertaking, and overall, the 2020 show looks strong. Forty new exhibitors have signed on, and we have several new opportunities for attendees this year, including expanded in-tree arborist training in Freedom Hall, hands-on drone sessions, and a UTV test track.
"We are also planning a robust schedule of education programming with our partners, featuring an expanded slate of technology sessions and business-focused programming, as well as education for hardscaping, snow and ice management, irrigation, landscape lighting, and more."
Registration for the show is now open at www.gie-expo.com, where the full schedule of education programming can also be viewed.
Also, there is still time to enter TurfPro and the OPEI's competition for one lucky turf professional and their guest to visit the show in October.
Miki Stengaard Petersen has been named the Campey Turf Care Systems and Havdrup Student of the Year 2019.
Miki Stengaard Petersen has been named the Campey Turf Care Systems and Havdrup Student of the Year 2019.
The award is presented by the Groundsman Association Denmark (GAD) and is given to the student that finishes the Danish groundsmen's school with the highest grade in the final exam. In the event of two students getting the same grade, the decision is made based on the overall highest grade.
Miki Stengaard Petersen at Real Madrid as part of his prize
Miki works for Skive IK, who are into their second season in the Danish First Division after topping the Second Division and winning promotion in 2018/19. The 26-year-old has worked for the Jutland based club since April 2016 and works alongside three others at the 10,000 capacity Skive Stadium.
As well as winning the title of Student of the Year, Miki was also given the opportunity to travel to Spain and spend a week working with Paul Burgess and his staff at Real Madrid CF. Miki has since spent a week in Madrid, and the experience has been one that will stay with him for the rest of his career.
“I almost didn’t believe it at first,” Miki said. “I was so happy and super excited. I’ve never won anything before, so to win the award and be given the opportunity to work with Real Madrid was huge for me.
“It was simply amazing; it was the experience of a lifetime. Paul Burgess and his staff are all very talented, and I feel that I learnt a lot from them. I’m very thankful for the experience because I’ve seen how beautiful our line of work can be.”
GAD was founded in December 2011 and aims to bring those interested in maintaining football fields and similar areas together. In doing this, they hope to use education, professional networking and educational tours abroad to strengthen the professional environment for groundsmen.
This has already included a visit to England in 2019 organised by GAD and Campey Turf Care where thirty-eight groundsman from Denmark and Spain visited leading venues such as Arsenal's London Colney training centre, Liverpool Football Club, Stoke City Football Club, Tottenham Hotspur’s Enfield Training Ground and the brand-new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Phil Isherwood Turfcare have used their Rigby Taylor TinyLineMarker robotic line marking machine to mark a ‘Thank you, NHS’ message.
Phil Isherwood Turfcare of Clitheroe, Lancashire, has used his Rigby Taylor TinyLineMarker (TLM) robotic line marking machine and Impact paint to mark a ‘Thank you, NHS’ message on Clitheroe Rugby Club’s pitch.
Phil provides a range of services to the turf industry - including work at the rugby club - and he has created the message to thank the NHS.
"They do amazing work,” he said in an interview with the Lancashire Telegraph, “and deserve the recognition and applause they are getting. I just want to say thank you for working on the front line and helping save lives.”
This week, Chris Biddle looks backs at 2008 and the building of the first racecourse in the UK for 80 years, to the departure of one of our leading turf professionals to Spain, two mowers makers ending up in court and when merger talks between IOG and BIGGA collapsed.
During 2008, construction of the first National Hunt racecourse to be built in the UK was well under way. Built on the site of a 608 acre opencast coal mine which had been active from 1983 to 1994, permission to build the course was first granted by Carmarthenshire Council in 2003 with final approval given in 2007. Developers, the Walter Group, assembled a team of designers, consultants and contractors including M J Abbott who installed the track drainage and irrigation systems. More than 40,000 tonnes of good quality soil and 15,000 tonnes of sand had to be imported for the two-mile racetrack and surrounding areas. The course was completed and the first meeting staged in June 2009.
Merger talks between the IOG and BIGGA, which had been announced in a joint statement at BTME in January 2007, were brought to halt. Speaking at BTME 2008, BIGGA chief executive John Pemberton spoke of his ‘deep disappointment’, adding “It took a lot of hard work to get to where we were, so the abrupt ending came as a blow. We have natural joint interests, so getting together could have provided a powerful voice for the turfcare industry”. IOG chief executive, Geoff Webb said that problems of selling the proposals to members became unsurmountable. “The main sticking points were reaching an increased membership for IOG members and issues of governance,” Geoff said.
At the 2008 Turf Professional Awards held during SALTEX 2008 at the Savill Court Hotel in Windsor Great Park, Paul Burgess of Arsenal FC won the Turf Professional of the Year Award. The Award was presented to Paul on 18 October 2008 at the Emirates Stadium at half-time at the Arsenal game against Everton. Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, said “Thanks to Paul, the playing surface at the stadium has set a new benchmark for clubs all over the world.” Just weeks later it was announced that Paul was leaving Arsenal to take over at Real Madrid. Other winners in the 2008 Turf Pro Awards were St Andrews Links Trust (Sportsturf Project), James Pope (Young Turf Professiona), Tim Packwood (Worcestershire CCC) and a Lifetime Achievement Award to Eddie Seaward (All England Lawn Tennis Club).
Two mower manufacturers ended up in court after turf grower Rolawn accused Turfmech Machinery of infringing its design rights in respect of super wide mowers. Rolawn considered that its home designed and built 21 gang unit had been copied by Turfmech with its Maximow units. However Mr Justice Mann said that he was satisfied that Rolawns wide area mower and Turfmech’s MaxiMow 13 and Maximow 17 were sufficiently different for the breaches not to be upheld. He ordered Rolawn to pay around £600,000 costs to Turfmech for defending the claim.
Just a year before hosting its first ever Ashes Test at the SWALEC stadium, Glamorgan’s long serving head groundsman Len Smith left the club as part of a major shake-up which also saw the departure of chief executive Mike Fatkin. Len, who was voted 2007 Turf Professional of the Year for his role in the development of the ground, took early retirement , so missing out on what is a cricket groundsman’s biggest challenge. In order to continue the Ashes preparation, Glamorgan appointed Andy Atkinson to step in on a short-term contract.
2008 IN BRIEF Following complaints about the state of the pitch at the Millenium Stadium from the Welsh FA, a new pitch was laid in preparation for the Autumn Rugby tests. There had been three full pitch replacements each year at the stadium.
HRH the Earl of Wessex formally opened the new flagship premises in Rugby of Bernhard and Company.
Well before Sweet Caroline became an anthem for England cricket fans, Neil Diamond played to a packed audience at Hampshire CCC’s Rose Bowl in June 2008.
An industry survey conducted by the IOG concluded that grounds professionals were ‘underpaid, under-trained and underrated’.
Eddie Seaward was awarded the MBE for services to sport in the 2008 New Year Honours list.
. . AND FINALLY
A special Twenty20 cricket match was staged at Coventry and North Warwickshire Cricket Club (Ian Bell’s home club) when New Holland took on a team representing the turfcare press. The New Holland team was captained by James Doyle whilst the press team included John Richards (Pitchcare), Alastair Symondson (Cricket World), Scott MacCullum (then Greenkeeper International), Chris Biddle (Turf Professional) and Dick Spencer (moonlighting from New Holland).
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WIN A TRIP TO LOUISVILLE! Your chance for you and a guest to attend GIE+EXPO in the USA this October
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) and TurfPro is giving one lucky turf professional plus their guest, the chance to visit GIE+EXPO, the international landscape, outdoor living, and equipment show in Lousiville, USA, in October 2020.
The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) is giving one lucky reader plus their guest, the chance to visit GIE+EXPO, the international landscape, outdoor living, and equipment show in Louisville, USA, in October 2020.
The winner of this amazing free to enter competition, who must currently work as a turf professional, will win two tickets to the show as well as travel to the US, transfers and accommodation.
SUPPORTED BY
Between the 21st-23rd October, GIE+EXPO will showcase the hottest products and technological innovations in the global outdoor power equipment industry - and you could be immersed in the latest developments plus be able to network with peers from across the world.
Throughout the three days you will be able to visit over 1000 exhibitors across the showfloor. There is even 20 acres of outdoor space for demonstrations and test-driving, so you can put the equipment through its paces.
This really is an incredible opportunity to get away from the business for a few days and to come back with a wealth of new ideas from across the globe.
To enter the competition and for full terms and conditions click here.
During 2008, construction of the first National Hunt racecourse to be built in the UK was well under way. Built on the site of a 608 acre opencast coal mine which had been active from 1983 to 1994, permission to build the course was first granted by Carmarthenshire Council in 2003 with final approval given in 2007. Developers, the Walter Group, assembled a team of designers, consultants and contractors including M J Abbott who installed the track drainage and irrigation systems. More than 40,000 tonnes of good quality soil and 15,000 tonnes of sand had to be imported for the two-mile racetrack and surrounding areas. The course was completed and the first meeting staged in June 2009.
At the 2008 Turf Professional Awards held during SALTEX 2008 at the Savill Court Hotel in Windsor Great Park, Paul Burgess of Arsenal FC won the Turf Professional of the Year Award. The Award was presented to Paul on 18 October 2008 at the Emirates Stadium at half-time at the Arsenal game against Everton. Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger, said “Thanks to Paul, the playing surface at the stadium has set a new benchmark for clubs all over the world.” Just weeks later it was announced that Paul was leaving Arsenal to take over at Real Madrid. Other winners in the 2008 Turf Pro Awards were St Andrews Links Trust (Sportsturf Project), James Pope (Young Turf Professiona), Tim Packwood (Worcestershire CCC) and a Lifetime Achievement Award to Eddie Seaward (All England Lawn Tennis Club).
Just a year before hosting its first ever Ashes Test at the SWALEC stadium, Glamorgan’s long serving head groundsman Len Smith left the club as part of a major shake-up which also saw the departure of chief executive Mike Fatkin. Len, who was voted 2007 Turf Professional of the Year for his role in the development of the ground, took early retirement , so missing out on what is a cricket groundsman’s biggest challenge. In order to continue the Ashes preparation, Glamorgan appointed Andy Atkinson to step in on a short-term contract.
