Paul Rabbitts is currently Chairperson of the Parks Management Association, Head of Parks and Open Spaces at Southend on Sea City Council, as well as a Trustee of the Gardens Trust. He writes about the perilous state of many of our public parks.

In early February 2023, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Keep Britain Tidy Awards in Liverpool where my local authority was shortlisted for a Love Parks Award 2022 (we won, by the way!).

Paul Rabbits, Chairperson of Parks Management Association, Head of Parks and Open Spaces at Southend on Sea City Council and a Trustee of the Gardens Trust

I decided to give the conference before the awards ceremony a miss, as there really was not much there for me. Instead, I ventured into some of Liverpool’s parks: Sefton and Newsham Park, and across the Mersey to Birkenhead Park, designed by Joseph Paxton and the godfather of all municipal parks. 

A panel of bent railings fence off a gap in the railings at Newsham Park © Paul Rabbitts

In 1850, in the wake of two severe cholera epidemics, the Liverpool Improvement Committee advertised for plans for the laying out of new public parks across the city. In 1865, the Liverpool Improvement Act finally enabled the corporation to raise the five hundred thousand pounds needed to realize its ambitious vision. Edward Kemp, a protégé of Paxton, was to be a key figure in the resultant ‘ribbon of parks.’ As the designer of both Newsham and Stanley Parks, his style and approach have defined large swathes of the Liverpool landscape for nearly 150 years (History of Public Park Funding and Management 1820-2010, report by Dr Katy Layton-Jones for Historic England). 

Yet today, Newsham Park is crumbling: grim, dirty, lacking any sign of investment and bereft of any perceived care. After nearly 35 years of working in the parks sector, I had to serious ask myself: what had been the point of it all? How did we get to this?

A vandalised litter bin in Newsham Park © Paul Rabbitts

Sefton Park and its magnificent Palm House provided a welcome respite, yet even here there are signs of decline, despite millions invested in its restoration just over twenty years ago. Over the Mersey, I was cheered up by Birkenhead Park, but again, there were signs of maintenance backlogs, works not being done, that downward spiral into decline, and I love this park – I love all parks, it’s what I do, but Birkenhead is a magical place.

Several months earlier, I had given a lecture on the history of public parks to the Arts Society in Halifax, regaling them with details of how we came to have them, their ultimate decline and their revival from 1996 onwards, thanks to the national lottery. Afterwards I had visited People’s Park in Halifax, also designed by Paxton.

The boarded-up bandstand in People’s Park, Halifax © Paul Rabbitts

My visit to People’s Park was the most upsetting. Graffiti and vandalism were prevalent, the bandstand boarded up, fountains and water-features empty, and I had that sense of unease, of not wanting to be there because I didn’t feel safe. I was embarrassed at having just lectured the local arts society, when here in Paxton’s People’s Park I was witnessing decline once again. I am sure Calderdale Council did not appreciate my call to the Heritage Fund stating my anger and upset at this. Yet I can’t blame Calderdale, or Liverpool, or indeed the many councils up and down the country once again facing cuts to their services that are simply not sustainable. 

We have gone beyond the tipping point, yet I fear my plea to the All-Party Parliamentary Group in London in January 2023 - for funding, for leadership, for direction and for a national campaign to revitalise our parks once and for all - will have fallen on deaf ears again. Politicians will openly acknowledge the need for decent, good quality parks and did so particularly during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, but that has not yet led to action.

There is no other service that has the potential to improve so many aspects of our daily lives than our public parks: health, well-being, heritage, community, education, contact with nature, biodiversity, events, activity, play and so much more. 

A neglected watercourse in People’s Park © Paul Rabbitts

So, what can we do?

We can campaign for our parks, we can write to our MP, we can join a volunteer group and encourage our local council to support such volunteer groups. We can also work in partnership with organisations such as the Gardens Trust, Historic England, the Trust for Conservation Volunteers, local residents’ associations, and local Wildlife Trusts. We can ensure our local council knows the value we place on our public parks and that boarded up bandstands, dereliction and lack of maintenance are simply not acceptable. Let us once again have public parks we can be proud of.

Paul Rabbitts is currently completing the definitive book on People’s Parks – The Design and Development of Public Parks in Britain, an update of Hazel Conway’s iconic book on public parks.

Syngenta and ICL have signed a new agreement to continue and enhance their relationship that they say has brought innovation, investment and service to the turf industry.

The ICL Syngenta business team

The move reinforces the close working relationship of ICL’s nutrition expertise, industry support and technical field force to deliver Syngenta’s technical R&D products and services over the past 15 years.

It will also ensure the continued investment and development of research and technical innovation that has led to many of the integrated turf management techniques now implemented by turf professionals.

Announcing the new agreement, Syngenta commercial head, Daniel Lightfoot said, “We are delighted to forge stronger links between the two companies that together can better help our customers to meet the current challenges, as well as develop further in the future.”  The agreement includes the launch of new products, along with digital technologies and technical communication strategies. 

Stephen Squires, ICL regional business lead, added, “We have built an incredibly strong strategic alliance with Syngenta, this agreement underlines the strength of the relationship."

Campey Turf Care Systems has announced The Double A Trading Company Ltd as their Dealer of the Year for 2022.

L-R: Richard Heywood, Campey Product Specialist; Sandy Armit, Double A Trading Company; and Richard Campey
 
Double A was formed in 1996 and is a equipment supplier to the Scottish groundcare industry, employing 45 staff over 3 outlets from locations in Fife, Aberdeenshire and Glasgow, offering customers a local service across Scotland.
 
Managing director Sandy Armit received the award at this year's BTME exhibition in Harrogate. He said, “Winning the Campey award of Dealer of the Year is a very welcome recognition of the hard work of the whole team that occurs on a daily basis, and this only happens if we are all performing, whether that is sales, administration, parts or service. Everyone plays their part in creating a business customers want to buy from, and we can be very proud of that achievement.”
 
Responsibility for supplying Double A is now in the hands of Campey product specialist Richard Heywood. He said, “It is a pleasure to work with Sandy and the brilliant team at Double A. We strive to assimilate the customers’ needs with our product range and good communication is essential.”
 
Sandy added, “This direct support from Campey is key to our success and provides an invaluable benefit for the customer. We have grown the business steadily since 1996 but have had growth in the last 5 years, opening a new outlet in Aberdeenshire and taking over responsibility for John Deere turf equipment in the west of Scotland. Doing all of this through Covid and Brexit has had its challenges, so now we are in a period of consolidation making investment in people and training to ensure each part of our business is working at optimum performance before we move on to the next stage of our journey."

PSD Groundscare have announced Lister Wilder as a new dealer for the full range of Stella products.

L-R: Oliver Gerrish and Phil Turner, area sales managers, Lister Wilder

From their branches across the south of England the dealership will be supplying and promoting the range including the Racoon ride-on flail mowers and the URS remote-control tracked mowers.

Phill Hughes, sales director at Lister Wilder said, “We believe that both our professional and private customers will recognise the engineering quality that’s built into the machines, and the products have a position within our portfolio that we were previously missing. We’re really looking forward to showing customers new and old the benefits and quality that the Stella range offers, and have invested in a fleet of demonstration machinery to do so."

PSD sales director Stuart Mercer added, “We have worked with Lister Wilder for many years and it’s great they have joined the growing dealer network offering the Stella range of mowers. When we showed the Lister Wilder team the machines in action they were blown away and were excited to be able to offer it to their customers.”

Overton (UK) Ltd have announced Shinners Bridge Garden Machinery as their latest dealer for the electric Mean Green and Altoz tracked mowers.

L-R: Stuart Bruckner, commercial sales, Shinners Bridge GM; Richard Overton, md, Overton; Andy White, md, Shinners Bridge GM

Andy White the MD of Shinners Bridge said, "With our rapidly growing commercial range, these products fitted in particularly well with our business dynamic. With a customer base covering some challenging terrain, having now the option, of both battery and petrol commercial machines, we can provide satisfaction and quality of cut to all our end users.

"The added bonus, is the brilliant working relationship we have developed with Overton (UK), providing our staff with training and excellent product support. We look forward to working together on a long-term basis.”

Equip Exposition, the international trade show that is taking place from October 17-20 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky, USA, has announced their entertainment lineup for this year.

Third Eye Blind will headline a “thank you” concert at the KFC YUM! Center on Thursday, October 19, for the event’s first-ever arena concert.

Equip say this special arena concert acknowledges their many significant friends and partners that have welcomed the trade show to Louisville for 40 years, and promises to be a "rocking great time" for Equip Exposition attendees. 

“We’re celebrating our 40th anniversary of Expo, and we couldn’t have grown to this point without the support of thousands of people - from our attendees and exhibitors at the show to the bartenders and hotel staff throughout the city,” says Kris Kiser, President of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute, which owns and manages the trade show.

“They all make the ‘Expo experience’ possible, and we want to say thank you with this concert.”

He adds, “The entire industry comes to Expo, and now everyone who participates can come to the party. It’s on us.” 

.
Registered attendees and exhibitors for Equip Exposition may attend all three nights of entertainment for free with their registration badges serving as tickets.

In addition to the concert at the KFC YUM! Center, entertainment during the 2023 three-day event include:

• House band, The Crashers with a jamming Welcome Party at the downtown Kentucky International Convention Center on Tuesday night, October 17. Food and hors d’oeuvres will be provided and there will be a cash bar for drinks.
• A free Fourth Street Live! Concert by the Juicebox Heroes starting at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 18 in Louisville’s historic downtown.
• World-champion, Kentucky-based chainsaw carver, Abby Peterson, at the Kentucky Exposition Center, October 18 - 20, to carve a statue of TurfMutt Foundation spokesdog, Mulligan the TurfMutt.

“Equip Expo offers a week-long experience for a range of interconnected industries - including outdoor power equipment, landscaping, hardscaping, tree care, design, lighting, irrigation and more,” said Kris. “While business is going on, fun is definitely part of the equation.”

Equip Exposition hotel reservations are open and making plans early on where to stay is strongly encouraged. Registration to the show will open in April.

Equip Expo 2022 was the largest show in its 40-year history. "We sold every inch of both indoor and outdoor exhibit space last year, and, in fact, had a waiting list," said Kris. "I encourage anyone seeking to participate in this year's show to act quickly - starting with reserving your hotel room. If you're going to fly in, book it today."

STIHL has launched upgraded versions of its popular AP System MSA 160 C-B, MSA 200 C-B, and MSA 220 C-B cordless chainsaws, offering professional users a new streamlined design, improved battery performance, faster cutting and enhanced operational features. 

The new MSA 160 C-B is more powerful than the previous version, boasting a larger motor and compatibility with the recommended AP 300 S AP System battery, which ensures an increased electrical output of 1.5 kW for faster cutting performance. 

Moreover, the enhanced MSA 220 now comes as standard with a 3/8P pitch, 1.1mm gauge PS3 PRO chain, which improves cutting performance by up to 20% due to its narrower kerf. The new chain has been specifically designed for use with STIHL’s new Light 04 1.1mm guide bar, allowing more cuts to be made per battery charge. The MSA 160 C-B and MSA 200 C-B feature a 1/4P chain for smooth and precise cuts.

All three new models have seen numerous upgraded operational features introduced to improve the user experience. These include improved visibility of the chain oil level for faster checks, a thumb lever and OPC starting switch for increased comfort and safety, as well as a soft rubberised grip and optimally balanced handle position for maximum control and comfort.

In addition, all new models feature quick chain tensioning for fast and tool-less replacement or tensioning of the chain, as well as bayonet style oil tank caps which can be opened quickly and easily while wearing gloves. 

All the new saws are compatible with the STIHL Smart Connectors, part of the STIHL Connected fleet management system. Smart Connectors record and transmit the working time of the tool to the user’s smartphone, giving prompts to complete important maintenance tasks exactly when they’re required. 

More for information on STIHL’s enhanced MSA cordless chainsaw range, visit www.stihl.co.uk. 

Job Title: Commercial OPE Business Manager  

Location: South of England

Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 + Company Vehicle (fully expensed) + Bonus + Great Benefits

The company

The Positec Group is an international company headquartered in Suzhou/China with over 4,000 employees worldwide. As one of the leading suppliers of robotic lawnmowers, power tools and outdoor power equipment, it is our goal to offer our customers the right tools and smart ideas for the implementation of their projects.

At our head office in Newbury, Berks, we are an open and diverse team of over 35 people made up of doers, forward thinkers and analysts. In addition to the contribution that everyone makes to our success story, cooperation also plays a major role for us. We don't just talk about social responsibility, we live it.

"Profit alone cannot inspire a company to become a great company [...] Whether it's creating products that are safe, valuing every single employee, being a good citizen in our community, or our carbon - to minimize footprint; it's all part of our shared dream of building a genuine sustainable business.” – Don Gao (CEO Positec Technology)

The role

Reporting directly to the National sales manager, In this senior role you will be responsible for developing and driving the commercial sales and contract business with market leading new products for commercial end users through our Independent dealer network. You will need to continuously identify and explore new opportunities, as well as giving practical product demonstrations where needed. 

Create new business relationships and ensure our ranges are recommended for all new tenders.

You will be working with all decision makers at every level within the buying process focussing on and negotiating all trading terms where needed, you will have complete insight into your commercial end users operations in order to create a profitable win-win proposal. 

Essential communication with the territory BDM colleague to maximise all opportunities and select the right dealers for large contracts. 

You

• Must have a minimum of 3 years’ experience in commercial contract discussions.
• Have worked in the industry for a minimum of 2 years.
• Have genuine interest in winning new commercial business for a market leading company.  
• Self-motivated with the ability to go above and beyond to offer outstanding customer service at every level.
• Demonstrable evidence of good gravitas, creativity and commercial organisation skills.
• Strong negotiation, relationship development and influencing skills to drive commercial success.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Be a good team player.
• Hit tight deadlines when needed. 

If you wish to apply for this role please contact Harry at Veritas Partners at harryj@veritaspartners.co.uk or 01189241333.

Applicants to the positions advertised by Veritas Partnership Ltd consent to Veritas holding their data in pursuance of recruitment services for this and future roles.

For details of our privacy policy please visit our website at the bottom of our home page
http://veritaspartners.co.uk/privacy-policy

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

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?

In recent years, turf professionals have become resigned to drought conditions during the summer months.

Most grassroots clubs rely on natural rainfall to water their pitches, mainly due to the fact they have no irrigation system or indeed not enough water pressure to operate self-traveling sprinklers. 

During hot periods, turf surfaces can be driven into droughty conditions and overtime will suffer from stress and can become unplayable.

During my time in this industry, I have definitely witnessed a change in our weather patterns. When I was a practicing greenkeeper back in the 1970s we experienced distinct weather patterns during the seasons.

We would know that during the late autumn and winter months we would get plenty of rain and snow. I remember times where we had days and days of drizzly rain. Not the flash flooding rain we tend to get now.

So, back then we would have plenty of rainfall to keep the rivers and reservoirs topped up.

The shortage of rain water that is forecast in our summer months now will no doubt have an adverse impact on the way we manage and maintain our natural turf playing surfaces.

Today we are seeing more and more grass roots sports clubs suffering from these long periods of drought. 

To effectively manage and maintain a natural turf playing facility to a reasonable standard there is clearly a need to have the ability to water the turf.
Unfortunately, many clubs do not have the use of automatic watering systems or often do not have enough water or the funds to pay for this precious resource.

Even if you do have a irrigation systems or the means to water your facilities, it is now coming at too high a cost for many clubs to afford.

In recent years however, we have seen a rise in the number of sports clubs that are prepared to invest in the installation of a water borehole. 

One of the attractions of investing in these is that you can use up to 20,000 litres of water from a borehole in the UK without the need for a licence. If you plan to use more than this, then an ‘abstraction licence’ is required from the Environment Agency.

It pays to understand all the costs involved, beyond simply drilling a hole. You’ll need a geological survey, first of all, to determine the depth at which your water source is likely to lie. With this information, your recommended tradesperson can give you an indication of the cost for the creation of a safe-to-use borehole. 

This will typically include: travel, equipment and set up for drilling the borehole.

The deeper your water supply, the greater the cost of accessing it and then creating a safe borehole for long-term use. Water bore drilling cost per metre will vary, but assuming your water lies at the average UK borehole depth of 60m, you can expect to pay between £10,220 – £16,000 for a professional to install your borehole. 

This includes a hydrogeologist’s survey, the cost of drilling, a pump, chamber and pressure vessel. 

The cost of drilling a water borehole on your property will rise depending on how far the water needs to travel from the source to where you need it. The further it needs to go, the more pipework and groundwork you’ll require, plus you’ll probably need a more powerful pump. Ultimately, the greatest cost is the drilling and creation of your borehole. For more information click here.

More and more clubs are now looking at investing in the provision of a borehole to extract the water they need for their facility - knowing only too well that the climate changes we are witnessing are only going to get worse.