Last week I was invited to attend an APSE Parks and Greenspaces Advisory Group online meeting that brought together over 100 parks professionals to hear four interesting presentations.

First up were speakers Ben Russell, future parks manager and Andy Maddox, business development manager from Doncaster Council, who gave an insight into new ways of recording important demographic information – such as knowing the number of visitors who are using their parks and greenspaces. The project is part of the Get Doncaster Moving Strategy.

The age of austerity, as far as council budgets are concerned, is still with us, and therefore many services particularly non-statutory ones are having to prove their worth. The importance of being able to show how many people use our parks and greenspaces is critical if we are to retain and attract additional funding - especially with the huge increase in visitor numbers as a result of the pandemic placing additional pressures on parks budgets.

We heard how local authorities are identifying visitor numbers using the latest technology which utilises GPS positioning from mobile phones giving footfall, dwell time and also a heat map of the parks usage. 

The combination of having entrance counters, coupled with the investment in the latest software collection systems have transformed the way we can manage our landscape assets.

This accurate data gathering can assist with footfall trend information. Understanding when people are using our parks allows managers to time relevant maintenance activities and maximise event programmes within our parks.

In Doncaster this information enabled the council to further enhance and improve their parks entrances and floral displays. These new management software packages are now an essential tool for local authorities.

The next presentation from Steve White, CEng MIET, head of business development of YOTTA who further endorsed the value of these new improved management systems and how they play an important part the everyday decision making in the delivery of parks and local authority services. 

The fact they are able to interlink with GPS, social media platforms and mobile phone services ensure they have great flexibility and working abilities to deliver, monitor and record day to day activities undertaken by local authority staff.

These systems have certainly enabled different sectors and departments to work more closely, making significant savings in time and better use of resources to deliver a wide range of local authority services.

With the need to reduce carbon emissions entrenched in many local authorities climate and ecological emergency plans, services are having to look at ways in which they can change their traditional methods of operation to reduce their emissions. That is why many services which rely on petrol driven machinery are now looking at alternatives. These alternatives are still being trialled in many instances.

We then learnt from an interesting presentation how two local authorities had experienced the use of battery powered tools when comparing them with their current petrol-powered hand tools.

They certainly endorsed that they were much quieter had less hand vibration than their petrol-powered equivalents - however, they still had some concerns centred on their power, performance, running and recharging times. 

They had received mixed feedback from their operatives, with one of the biggest problems that they encountered was the re-charging of the batteries. It became apparent from health and safety people that you obviously need safe charging areas. At present not many authorities are fully prepared or geared up for a complete change over to battery powered tools. 

However, one local authority that has embraced battery technology, stated they had seen a more positive reaction of their staff who embraced and enjoyed the reduced levels of vibration, noise and pollution.  

It would seem from the presentations that battery powered equipment will no doubt become more widely used by local authorities in the coming years, especially when the costs and the logistics of changing over becomes more viable.

Green Flag

The final presentation was centred on the success of the Green Flag programme and the fact that they will be launching a new research hub for members to utilise in March. 

2,127 parks and green spaces have collected a coveted Green Flag Award for 2021 as the scheme celebrates 25 years as the international quality mark for parks.  

During the pandemic we have seen green spaces become lockdown lifelines, playing a vital role for people across the country as places to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely. The news that a record number have achieved the Green Flag Award standard is testament to the hard work and dedication of those tasked with looking after these national assets.

As a Green Flag judge and retired parks manager myself, I know only too well the value and importance of these green spaces and what they bring to our communities. It is important we continue to invest, develop and maintain these important lands assets. The role of the Green Flag programme is to help support local authorities in maintaining a national standard of horticultural excellence within these parks and public open spaces. 

Green Flag offer a range of help and resources. One is the resource hub - a library of free, high-quality sector knowledge, curated from all over the world. Resources are provided by a range of partners, who support their commitment to sharing best practice. And the other is the research portal, another free platform to explore the latest research findings, events and collaboration opportunities from academic and research organisations across the globe.

This new platform has been created by the partnership formed between Green Flag with Leeds and Sheffield Universities led by Dr Anna Baker. The aim of the portal is to become a collaborative platform that enables the sharing of university research projects that relate to land management and parks services.  

I personally think this great initiative has been long overdue. I remember back in 2003 when I completed my Masters degree at Cranfield University I was disappointed that there was no opportunity to share valid research papers to the wider public. I will certainly be looking forward to this new portal with interest.

Bayer & CALM

Finally, to round of this week’s newsletter I just want to draw your attention to an important announcement that the suicide prevention charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) will be joining Bayer Environmental Science at exhibitions throughout 2022, starting with BTME in March, as the partnership between the two continues for a second year. 

Read all about it here.

The Grounds Management Association (GMA) have revealed that almost 90% of SALTEX 2022 stand space has been sold. 

The Assoication says they believe early indications for SALTEX 2022, which takes place on 2 and 3 November at the NEC, Birmingham, are positive after what they described as a "hugely successful loyalty period."

Over 100 exhibitors have re-booked for November and according to the GMA many more continue to confirm their presence during the current discounted early-bird period which ends on 18 February. 

In 2021, the GMA say 93% of exhibitors generated new sales leads with many taking direct orders on the show floor. The 2022 floorplan already boasts a strong showing of renowned exhibitors.

Furthermore, 15% of 2021 exhibitors have also purchased extra stand space for SALTEX 2022.

Geoff Webb, GMA CEO, commented on the positive start, saying, “SALTEX continues to grow, and the sales team are receiving new enquiries every week alongside existing exhibitors investing in bigger and additional stands.

“We are also delighted to be welcoming back previous exhibitors who were unable to join us in 2021. There is extremely high demand at this period in the sales cycle taking us back to pre-pandemic levels.”

MM Sports Seed recently brought together their distributors for their conference held at Hotel du Vin Wimbledon, followed by a tour of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

The conference provided the opportunity for distributors to interact with each other for the first time in two years following the pandemic and give an insight in the recent acquisition of the MM and Designer brands by DLF Seeds.

The conference gave distributors an insight into the Inberrow factory upgrade and demo site at DLF’s UK headquarters, a breeding and portfolio update detailing the new cultivars that are planned for the MM mixtures, the current market supply conditions, and future marketing of the brands as well as enhancing the communications channels within the MM Sports Seed network.

Neil Stubley, head of courts and horticulture at Wimbledon - The All England Lawn Tennis Club concluded day one of the conference with an update of the venue.

On day two, delegates were invited for an exclusive tour around the world’s oldest tennis venue to witness first hand the latest stadium developments and turf management practices. 

The conference was hosted by Matt Gresty, sales and marketing manager for MM Sports Seed, who said: "Throughout the two days together we were able to discuss, the opportunities and issues that affect our businesses. It provided the perfect platform for an informed debate. 

"The past two years have presented unique challenges to our industry. London was the ideal location for the event. A lot of preparation went into the conference to ensure we got the full benefit from our two days together and the feedback from the delegates was excellent; it’s been a very successful event."

Sean Loakes has been appointed as Syngenta professional solutions technical manager for the UK and Ireland.

Sean Loakes

The company says Sean expands the existing  team to offer further specialist trials expertise and developing new integrated solutions for turf, landscape, ornamentals production and pest control. 

Sean’s role is dedicated to customers in UK and Ireland, and will also support the continued work of Glenn Kirby, who now has the extended responsibility as technical manager for Turf & Landscape across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.  

A qualified biologist, Sean has had a career in environmental science and research through practical field trials and laboratory studies, primarily focused on pesticide efficacy and best practice. 

“With the increasing importance of biopesticides within integrated management programmes, there’s an exciting opportunity to develop new strategies to meet the evolving challenges for customers,” he said. “Syngenta has an exciting pipeline of R&D products and services. I look forward to working with customers, researchers and the industry to develop new solutions.”   

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

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 Viewpoint is inspired by a recent debate seen on a Facebook forum for turf professionals, relating to umpires’ markings for cricket pitch performance. For many years this has been a bone of contention and an emotive issue for the professionals who are responsible for preparing these pitches. 

In essence it should really be a simple task for the umpire to effectively judge how a pitch consistently performs in response to the bounce and carry of the ball during a cricket match.

However it is often far from that, as there are too many variables and outside influences that can dictate the performance of a given pitch.

Every club ground has its own unique set of issues that may affect the overall performance of a surface during a match. This can also be influenced by the umpire’s own experiences and knowledge of the game, plus their understanding of pitch preparations.

But the biggest problem in my eyes is the fact that there are too many inconsistences in many of the scores these umpires are able to give. This is borne out by some of the postings on the forum.

Quote 1:-  I think that so long as a pitch is consistent throughout a match (taking into account weather conditions on the day) then it’s doing its job. I never understood how pitches should be marked on the same parameters as all other pitches when there are so many variables. I have worked with umpires whose knowledge of pitch preparation is limited at best and that does not help.

Quote 2:- I think you have to factor in the standard of cricket being played and if the grounds staff are fully trained, full time, part time or voluntary.

Quote 3:- Assessing a pitch is purely subjective and depends on many factors which are not always connected to the playing surface. How good is the bowling attack? How good are the batters? A medium pace dobber with a bit of swing can look unplayable when the batter isn't very skilled. A genuine quick can get one bouncing past the ears, but is that excessive bounce?

Quote 4:- Don’t get me started on this subject. .OK you have . .I have no idea who draws up the criteria that these umpires work to but they simply need removing for many reasons. They are biased and are hugely prejudiced in the favour of clubs who are very financially secure. Clubs who can’t afford pitch covering, good sightsceeens, sufficient roped boundaries and separate changing facilities are marked down even before the game starts.

Quote 5:- A pitch should be a good balance between bat and ball, but if clubs have better machinery, more time and more man hours they will prepare better pitches in the main, than clubs who don’t. However as long as a pitch is not dangerous and as long as you can see that adequate effort and work has been applied during preparation then how about giving some credit to those clubs?

These are just a few of the passionate postings I have read on this forum that sum up the current problems umpires’ pitch markings are causing in the game today.

Guidelines from the sport’s governing body (ECB) in respect of the criteria that umpires are required to judge the pitch and outfield against are:

•    The Pitch (evenness of bounce, seam movement, carry and or bounce and turn). 
•    The Outfield (Unevenness, Appearance/Grass Length, Boundary Markings and Sightscreens

A copy of a umpires reporting for the Birmingham & District Cricket League document can be seen here.  

Every one of these criteria can be seriously influenced by many factors. Pitch preparation, weather conditions, pitch construction, available resources in terms of labour, topography of the site, machinery, irrigation, covers, sightscreens, knowledge and experience of the groundsmen and the players’ ability.
For me it will never be a level playing field. Every pitch will always perform differently on the day of the game. There’s not one groundsman in the UK who knows how the pitch will perform until the first few balls are bowled.

I personally think that the ECB need to have a rethink on the protocols and the marking criteria depending on the level of cricket being played. County / Premier cricket clubs are managed at a completely different level compared to lower level / grassroots cricket clubs.

If a home club wish to leave grass in because they have a good seam attack, does this make it a poor pitch? Good batsmen enjoy the extra zip that a good grass covered pitch provides but a spinner does not. Equally, if a home club want a slow pitch that rags from the start but is consistent with pace and bounce all day, does this make it a poor pitch?

Unfortunately, until the ECB make a change to the setup of pitch markings then we will continue to see umpires poorly adjudicate on the performance of cricket pitches.

We must also remember however, without umpires we have no game. So it is important that umpires, groundstaff and club officials should be working more closely together to improve the consistency and standard of pitches in the UK.

It would also be good for the clubs to invest in an annual independent pitch inspection carried out by a qualified pitch advisor during the playing season to help establish the quality, performance and current condition of their playing surfaces, equipment and facilities of the club.

This annual audit could be a useful means of assessing the club’s needs to ensure they are fit for purpose and able to fulfil its ambitions of serving the community.

The Grounds Management Association (GMA) provide a Pitch Advisory Service (PAS) as part of their ongoing commitment to help improve natural turf provision across football, cricket, rugby union and rugby league at grassroots level in joint collaboration with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Rugby Football League (RFL).