I would firstly today like to take this opportunity to wish everybody a happy new year. We must all hope that 2023 will be a better year for all in terms of economic growth and prosperity. And let us hope there may be a ceasefire and an end to this dreadful war in the Ukraine. 

As for me I am looking forward to another year promoting our diverse horticulture and sports turf industry. 

I'm also pleased to report that there are some exciting new developments here at TurfPro. As part of our championing of the sector, we will be including some new features that you’ll be able to read and enjoy throughout the year.  

These will begin next week with a regular monthly feature article penned by the recent head of the Amenty Forum, Professor John Moverley, who will be taking a comprehensive look at the incredibly important issues of sustainability and how they are affecting and driving our ways of working.

Professor John Moverley

Called Sustainability Focus, we are delighted to have this regular feature sponsored by Envu - a new company founded in 2022, built on years of Bayer experience, for the sole purpose of advancing healthy environments.

Phil Logan, national account manager UK & Ireland at Envu said, "At ENVU we are committed to helping our customers achieve sustainable high quality turf surfaces . We are delighted to be supporting Professor Moverley's column in TurfPro. We look forward to reading what he has to say on this incredibly important topic each month."

We thank Envu for their support and, like them, I am also keen to discover what wisdom John will impart on this fascinating and vital subject throughout the course of 2023.

Also new for TurfPro in 2023 will be a Guest Editor slot we’re launching for magazine. This will feature a plethora of leading turf professional figures from across all areas of the industry, taking over the reins from myself once a month. These guest editors will be talking about their own experiences and sharing their thoughts on what issues are impacting on their working lives in the current climate. The first of these will commence the week of BTME this month and it's highly respected figure, known throughout the sector, who will be kicking this feature off for us.

Although we are only an online magazine, I do think this can be an advantage in that being published every week means we are able to bring you the most up to date news and issues affecting our industry.

And to start the turf care year in earnest, myself and a few of my TurfPro colleagues will be decamping to Harrogate to attend BIGGA’s BTME on the 24th -26th January, with the aim of catching up with as many people as we can. Hope to see you there.
 
Plastic not fantastic

As for recent news that has caught my eye since we’ve been on the Christmas break, I read with interest in the Telegraph that the Communities Secretary is moving to ban artificial lawns in housing developments as part of a war on plastic. The report states that Michael Gove’s proposals mean that local authorities will be able to block housebuilders from laying fake grass.

The plans, as also reported in The Sunday Times, are part of Mr Gove’s consultation on an updated version of the National Planning Policy Framework, which is used by councils when determining planning applications and producing local plans.

 
I myself am not a fan of plastic lawns in domestic gardens as they bring with them plenty of environmental issues. As mentioned in the article, their impact on our wildlife and habitats is extreme. With so many people ripping up their front gardens and replacing them with plastic grass or gravel we are definitely seeing a decline in local wildlife populations. For example hedgehog populations are in decline, along with the loss many butterfly and beneficial insects.

Also, creating more hardstanding and less receptive surface areas for rain water to drain away, increases the risk of flash flooding.

By removing hedges and front gardens we are losing our once vibrant urban habitat that brings together so many benefits for us all. The mere fact we are removing hedges and trees from our doorstep, only increases noise and pollution within our own living space.

We must not underestimate the true value of our urban landscape. It not only enriches our lives, but  provides an important environment for not only us and our children, but for many thousands of birds, mammals and insects. 

If we do not take full care and attention, these sights and sounds will be long gone. It time for us to take stock of our lifestyles and perhaps think more about of what is around us and its real values.

Today we reveal which stories were the 10 most read by our subscribers throughout 2022.

Once again the articles which gained the greatest number of click-throughs by you, our turf professional readers, were a mixture of insightful and expert opinion pieces by our editor Laurence Gale and specially selected guest authors - as well as surprising and unusual news stories.

So without further ado, in order of ascending popularity, here are the most read stories in TurfPro of 2022.

10.

THE DEATH OF GRASS ROOTS CRICKET - 21st March 2022

Tony Leach of the Kent Cricket Groundsman's Association wrote that exacerbated by a dire lack of governing body support and more recently the effects of the pandemic, all are asking whether we are reaching a tipping point where the game at the lower levels may be unsustainable?

9.

PREPARING FOR 2022's GROWING SEASON - 17th January 2022

TurfPro editor Laurence Gale penned an editorial where he posed the question whether your machinery had been serviced and was ready for the start of a new growing season?  

8.

DEALERS SUFFER MULTIPLE THEFTS AT SHOW - 11th July 2022

Four ATVs belonging to dealers worth around £50,000, were stolen during the early hours from the Royal Norfolk Show.

7.

LEGAL REQUIREMENT COMING INTO PLAY - 11th April 2022

The Amenity Forum issued a statement saying if businesses used plant protection products in Great Britain in a professional capacity, they were legally required to appear on a central register by June 22, 2022.

6.

STEVE BRADDOCK - 22nd August 2022

Arsenal FC sadly announced that their head groundsman, Steve Braddock (pictured above right with TurfPro's Laurence Gale), had died after a long illness..

5.

END OF AS-MOTOR PARTNERSHIP - 9th August 2022

PSD Groundscare announced that it was ending its partnership with AS-Motor GmbH after 12 years, following the acquisition of AS-Motor by Ariens Co who made the decision to streamline their route into key European markets.

4.

GOVERNMENT RESPONDS OVER SPORT'S USE OF RED DIESEL - 13th June 2022

HM Treasury responded to the Grounds Management Association’s recent letter calling for a change to the guidance on rebated fuels entitlement.

3.

LLOYDS MOWERS & HUNTER GRINDERS BOUGHT - 7th November 2022

Howardson Group, manufacturers of the Dennis and SISIS range of grounds maintenance equipment, announced at SALTEX the acquisition of Lloyds Mowers of Letchworth and Hunter Grinders.

2.

BOWLS IN DECLINE - 5th September 2022

In a heartfelt editorial Laurence Gale argued the demise of the condition of bowling greens has been dramatic in recent years, with clubs less willing or able to invest in their greens maintenance.

1.

THREE AREAS OF CONTENTION - 10th January 2022

Laurence began the year with a blog addressing what he saw as the three main areas of concern that the industry needed to come together to face over the coming years.

The STIHL Group has announced they are planning to acquire Cosmos Manufacturing Inc., a U.S.-based manufacturer of mufflers.

Cosmos, a current STIHL development partner and major supplier of mufflers, is headquartered in South Chicago Heights, Illinois, USA and employs some 200 people in the development, production, and sale of muffler systems and stamped components for small and medium-sized engines.

"This acquisition will deepen our expertise in the development and manufacture of mufflers and other exhaust components," said Martin Schwarz, STIHL executive board member for manufacturing and materials.

"This represents a major step forward in achieving increasingly strict emission standards and also reinforces our supply chain resilience." 

Like STIHL, Cosmos is also a family-owned business. The founder of the company, John Michelon, is withdrawing from the business due to his advancing years. "Cosmos and STIHL have maintained a successful partnership for decades," he said. "I am happy to have secured the future of the company through the takeover and am confident that Cosmos will be able to operate to its full development and manufacturing potential as a part of the STIHL family."

STIHL say the transaction is set to take place as an asset deal, with the founding of a new company in the United States called CS COSMOS STIHL Manufacturing. The new enterprise will take over the employees and existing customers and suppliers and continue Cosmos' business seamlessly and without interruption. 

Cosmos Manufacturing Inc. produces 9 million mufflers annually and supplies manufacturers of hand-operated power equipment, lawn mowers, and tractors. Products also include a range of stamped and deep-drawn parts, such as clutch drums and spiked bumpers. 

The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. The transaction remains subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities.

Organisers of the new trade show set to take place in September, GroundsFest, have launched a new zone at the event dedicated to those involved in the planning, design, and construction of outdoor environments in the landscaping sector. 

They say the Landscape Zone is set to spotlight landscaping technologies, solutions, and innovations, and will be aimed at landscape architects, local authority landscaping professionals, garden designers, landscape contractors, interior designers and facility managers.

The zone will be headed by Jess McCabe, an award-winning event specialist who previously worked on the landscaping event FutureScape. 

“GroundsFest is an exciting concept and I’m delighted to be involved,” said Jess. “After working in the industry for many years, I know that this concept ticks so many boxes for the landscaping sector."

Commenting on the new zone, event director Christopher Bassett said, “Our intention has always been to bring together all corners of the groundscare industry and launching The Landscape Zone is another step towards this goal."

Christopher added, “We would like to extend a warm welcome to Jess. She has an abundance of experience, knows the landscaping sector inside out and she shares our passion for delivering an extraordinary event for both visitors and exhibitors.”

The Toro Company in the U.S has reported record results for their fourth-quarter and full-year fiscal for 2022.

Full-year net sales were $4.51 billion, which is up 14% year on year - whilst fourth-quarter net sales were $1.17 billion, which is up 22% year on year.

Richard M. Olson, chairman and chief executive officer said, "We delivered record top and bottom line results in the quarter and for fiscal 2022, with full-year net sales exceeding four billion dollars for the first time in company history.

"Demand for our innovative products remained strong throughout the year, especially in key professional markets. Our employees and channel partners collaborated to achieve outstanding results in what remained a very dynamic operating environment. Most importantly, we continued to advance our strategic priorities with a focus on driving value now and into the future for all stakeholders."

Richard continued, “In the fourth quarter, professional segment demand was broad-based. Our biggest constraint remained our ability to fulfil the heightened backlog of orders given the current supply chain environment. For the residential segment, retail demand continued to normalise, reflecting more typical seasonal trends and weather patterns. Notably, this demand normalisation is building off the higher base we have established over the past few years with our refreshed product line-up, expanded channel, and enhanced brand marketing.”

Looking ahead to this year, Richard said, "We have started fiscal 2023 with great momentum, supported by substantial order backlogs for products in key professional end markets and expected benefits from our pricing and productivity initiatives." 

He also said the company would be prioritising investment in "the key technology areas of alternative power, smart-connected, and autonomous solutions."

For further details on the company's results visit here.

THE BIG FREEZE

HONOURING OUR PRO DEALERS

PREVENTING POSTPONEMENTS

BENCHMARKING FACILITIES

TIME FOR A REVOLUTION

DONT LEAF IT TOO LATE!

REWILD THING

ESSENTIAL MAINTENANCE IS KEY

ROLE OF THE CONSULTANT

RENOVATION TIME

RECRUITMENT WOES

A COG IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

BOWLS IN DECLINE

BONE-HARD PITCHES!

TIME TO RECRUIT

HOT & BOTHERED

FAKE NEWS

PARKS MUST BE A STATUTORY SERVICE

WORKING PRESSURES INCREASING

CURRENT STATE OF PARKS SERVICES

HOT STUFF

GET CONNECTED

A GROWING NATIONAL REPUTATION

NEW BEGINNINGS

SUMMER SPORTING SEASON STARTS

CALCULATING THE VALUE

IRRIGATION IS VITAL

WEEDS FLOURISHING

TREE PLANTING INNOVATIONS

END OF SEASON RENOVATIONS TIME

PARK AND RIDE

IT'S NOT THE LENGTH THAT MATTERS . . .

NO EXCUSES FOR POOR FACILITY MANAGEMENT

SPRING INTO ACTION

SUN SHINES ON BTME

BRIGHT START

INDUSTRY INITIATIVE LAUNCHED

TESTING TIME

TIME TO PAY UP

DON'T PANIC!

ALL APSE-PECTS DISCUSSED

WINTER WARMING

THE BANE OF BUNKERS

POOR PERFORMANCE? BLAME THE PITCH!

PREPARING FOR 2022's GROWING SEASON

THREE AREAS OF CONTENTION

AREAS OF CONCERN

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

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?

I always find it satisfying to meet up with dedicated, driven people who are prepared to go the extra mile to help other people. 

As we all know most grassroots sports clubs only survive on the merits of key club members who are prepared to give something back. Generally, these tend to be past-players who want to stay involved with the club and take up a role in its running - or more importantly, taking on the role of volunteer turf professional. 

I meet many of these volunteers on my travels and always find them obliging and dedicated to their clubs. In Shropshire where I live, there are several who have given years of loyalty to their clubs. One particular person is Adrian Shelley, groundsman at Shifnal Cricket Club, who has given the club thirty eight years’ service. Adrian is also the county’s cricket pitch advisor and gets involved in helping advise many other club volunteers. 

It was in that role he mentored two key members of St George’s Bowls Club. Mike Humphries and Paul Beer, both again players, to take up the role of grounds volunteers for their club.

L-R: Mike Humphries and Paul Beer, Shropshire Vertidrain & Turf Services Ltd directors 

However, as the years progressed Mike was keen to set up a contracting business to offer local clubs another local supplier for end of season and specialist maintenance services. As a ex-engineer, he was acutely aware of the machinery requirements of the job. And with the support of Paul Beer an ex-Aerospace and Defence engineer they began their dream of setting up a grounds contracting business.

Started as a hobby by Mike Humphries, a keen crown green bowler and ex-cricketer he, in 2016, initially invested in a VertiDrain, tractor and a scarifier and began offering his services to local bowling clubs. Over time, his reputation grew and guided by Adrian Shelley they now have a thriving business. Paul and Mike have now a full book of orders and this year alone have renovated 26 cricket squares, numerous bowling clubs greens and have also retained a number of regular maintenance contracts with local parks, football and rugby clubs. 

On a recent visit to their depot, I caught up with both Mike and Paul to see their set-up and the plethora of machinery they have heavily invested in to become more efficient and effective. 
 

Vertidrain 2220

They now own a whole range of turf renovation equipment that enables them to offer a range of services to local clubs. One such club is Prees Sports club, near Whitchurch, where they have helped the club’s groundsman, Duncan Austin, to improve the quality and performance of their sports facilities, including three football pitches, a cricket square and two bowling greens.
  

Prees Cricket and Recreation Ground 

We called in to see Duncan and I was impressed with his dedication and commitment to the club. Having worked as a peat farmer at Wixall Mosses for thirty odd years, he is no stranger to the art and hard work associated with being a turf professional.

The club have enlisted Mike and Paul to carry out the end of season works for both the bowling greens and football pitches and this year competed the first renovation of their cricket square with the aim to get cricket back up and running at the club.
  

L-R: Paul Beer, Duncan Austin and Mike Humphries 

With over 700 members, the club seems to be thriving and a well-supported by the Prees community. This regular investment in end of season works and the fact they have a full-time paid groundsman bold well for the future of this club. 

From humble beginnings, Shropshire Vertidrain & Turf Services Ltd has now grown into a thriving local business under the leadership of Mike and Paul and are now looking to take on additional staff to cope with the ever-increasing work load. 

Mike said, “Shropshire Vertidrain was founded on the idea that greens could be greener, grass could be thicker and that we as people should use and treat these green spaces with love and respect.
 

Routine pitch maintenance 

“Countless times have we seen fields and courses neglected or mismanaged discouraging people from enjoying the space. We do what we do, not only because we love the outdoors, but we want others to enjoy them as much as we do”.

Having spent the day with Paul and Mike it was refreshing to hear at first hand their amazing journey setting up and establishing their company and their exciting plans for the future. 

It soon became apparent however, that both Mike and Paul are concerned that many grassroots sports clubs are finding it difficult to recruit volunteers to undertake regular maintenance or indeed, have the relevant machinery in the shed to undertake the work required to ensure playing surfaces are fit for purpose.
 

Bowling greens 

So, by setting up Shropshire Vertidrain and Turf Services Ltd, they see it has a vital service for community sports clubs. They also say they are worried for the future of many bowls clubs, knowing only too well that in recent years memberships have dwindled so much, that many clubs have fewer than 50 members. Often paying a very low club membership, this in turn reduces the income these clubs can generate. Also many of the clubs’ active grounds volunteers are now getting older and retiring from the role of volunteer groundsman.

These situations are becoming a real problem for a lot of clubs. Quite often to save money, clubs can reduce the level of maintenance they carry out on their greens. This will initiate a decline in the performance of the green, often due to increased thatch levels.

This is one of the reasons why Mike set up Shropshire Vertidrain & Turf Services Ltd to ensure clubs have a reliable end of season maintenance renovation service to help control and manage thatch levels.