I read with interest a recent article in The Guardian reporting on artificial turf.

Entitled Why fake grass is far from green in ways you might not guess?, the story outlined a number of issues that relate to the installation, maintenance and longevity of artificial grass and also touches on the wider impact of these new trends of replacing natural grass lawns with artificial grass and gravels. 

In recent years we have seen a surge in the sale of these artificial carpets. They now come in all manner of colours and configurations and are being installed in many private and public areas. The key problem is they are promoted on a ‘maintenance free’ selling point. In recent years I feel their popularity has been partially driven by people needing to find extra space for parking their cars and becoming less interested in maintaining their lawns and gardens. 

It seems the interest in maintaining a nice garden has waned dramatically and we are now seeing front gardens turned into flat additional parking spaces. For example down the street I live on, 50% of the houses now have no front gardens or lawns.

This clearly has a negative effect on the surrounding environment in terms of attracting and providing a habitat for local wildlife.

Key quotes from The Guardian article that I find especially worrying are:- 

• “Two decades ago, most London gardens would have shrubs and grass. Now the lethal shroud of plastic grass is everywhere, a coal- and oil-derived product, which can’t be easily recycled, replacing natural vegetation.”
• “Artificial lawns get hotter than bitumen and concrete. Without a blade of grass, and no shading vegetation, they are furnaces, emitting an unpleasant smell of melting plastic.”
• “Artificial lawns turn out to be high maintenance after all. They need to be watered to cool them down. They need special cleaning products to get rid of smells and stains. You even have to vacuum them to get rid of leaves.”
• “The rubber granules are toxic, it’s hard to recycle, it destroys biodiversity and you can’t even sit in the garden when it’s hot."

As a ex-parks officer, I am only too aware of the issues we are now seeing with these trends. Losing valuable green space is not a good omen for the future. With climate change taking centre stage and the threat of increased global warming, the public need to be more aware of the consequences of reducing this valuable green space - and that includes losing domestic trees, gardens and lawns.

Trees, vegetation, and lawns function as an excellent natural thermoregulator. With their shade and the water vapor released by their leaves, they lower the temperature between 2 and 8ºC on sunny days. 

Trees and lawns absorb carbon dioxide, which is the main cause of global warming, by storing carbon while releasing oxygen. They clean the air acting as purifiers, absorbing nitrogen oxide, ammonia, sulphur dioxide and ozone and returning oxygen to the atmosphere.

Trees and grass have cooling effects caused by shading and transpiration, when water within the tree is released as water vapour through their leaves. Hard surfaces, typical of urbanised areas, are much hotter than areas of natural vegetation. Destroying vegetation changes how the land absorbs and releases energy, contributing to temperature rises. Recent research found that tree-covered areas in cities have a much lower land surface temperature compared with surrounding areas.

While researching this article I came across one local authority, Newcastle City Council, who are being targeted by Rachel Locke of Save Newcastle Wildlife, who has called for a total ban on the use of artificial turf on any public land in the city after seeing it used in summer events organised by the NE1 business improvement district company. 

She is quoted in the piece saying, "We are appalled to see the widespread use of artificial grass in public spaces around Newcastle. Plastic grass is bad news for the environment and should be banned. It has a huge carbon footprint and breaks down into tiny pieces that find their way into our water, food and air.

"Some artificial grass also contains toxic chemicals, which are harmful to humans and domestic pets.”

From my own experiences, replacing natural grass and gardens with totally artificial products is not the way forward. Creating a non-descript, non-natural landscape is a recipe for disaster.

The ICL Independent Schools Seminar recently returned after a two-year absence due to the pandemic. 

Held at the all-new Sports Turf Academy within Leicester City FC’s training facility, approximately 50 turf professionals from the independent schools sector attended the event to network and enhance their education.

With the last seminar taking place in 2019, many attendees say they saw it as a valuable opportunity to catch-up on trends and topics within the ever-changing world of turf management. 

“You’ve got to stay up to date,” said Gary Austin, deputy head groundsman at Radley College. “In the short amount of time between the seminars, things have moved on so quickly and less products have become available. If you don’t attend events like this and keep yourself aware, then you will get left behind.”

ICL’s Dr Richard Collins was the first to take to the stage and proceeded to provide an overview and update on the many research projects being conducted by ICL. Richard explained the importance of research and trials; detailed the types of research being carried out by ICL including internal studies and those in partnership with leading universities; and he also offered an insight into specific projects such as SMX - a soluble seaweed concentrate, and a variety of wetting agents. 

Turf in the metaverse was up next as Syngenta’s Daniel Lightfoot addressed the exciting potential of digital agronomy. In his presentation, Daniel explained how digital activity will underpin the future of turf management, encouraging less chemical applications and more accurate biological ones.

ICL’s Henry Bechelet then outlined strategies for effective renovations. Step-by-step Henry went through the stages of a successful renovation process by covering everything from seed choice to early establishment and proven fertilisers to the use of supported technologies. 

A panel debate led by Adam King, head of grounds at Radley College presented an opportunity to discuss the biggest issues that the independent schools sector cares most about. Conversations focussed on staffing levels, recruitment, pay grades, how to get more people into the industry and whether industry organisations should be doing more for the sector. 

Host for the day and head of sports turf and grounds, John Ledwidge, then provided a fascinating insight into the recently launched Sports Turf Academy. John explained how the Academy aims to inspire the next generation of sports turf students by offering an elite training environment, with access to the latest technology and expertise.

The day concluded with a behind the scenes tour of the club’s state-of-the-art training facility and the consensus was that the attendees were pleased to see the return of the seminar. 

One hundred and sixty-two years after the first Open at Prestwick, St Andrews hosted the historic 150th edition of golf's most famous championship.

 
In early July 2022, the anticipated record-breaking crowds lined the Old Course to witness golf's best players compete for the Claret Jug. Director of Greenkeeping Sandy Reid, has described how every blade of grass from the pristine greens, immaculate fairways and challenging roughs were cut with blades sharpened by a Foley grinder. 
 
Sandy is no stranger to hosting an Open, with three under his belt during his time at Carnoustie. But, this historic milestone in the championship's history may have been the best yet for the Open veteran.
 
"It's the highlight of your career because it doesn't get any bigger than hosting The Open, and you try to absorb all of that and cherish it," Sandy explains. "It's the 150th Open, so it's a big celebration. There are big crowds, and that means the infrastructure requirements are bigger, and there is a more significant impact on the rest of the estate.
 
"We never stop planning for it, but from 18 months out, that's when you're doing more winter preparations. The infrastructure build starts at the beginning of April, so away from the playing surface, there is a lot of attention required.
 
"As for the turf, you work back from the day The Open starts and build up to it, so at this point in June, we're fine-tuning things."
 
Preparation is everything at the home of golf, and for three years, the 653 Accu-Master Reel Grinder and 673 Automatic Bedknife Grinder have aided preparation - and these were recently joined by the 622 Accu-Spin Reel grinder.
 
Presentation and playing consistency take centre stage during The Open, and with the three Foley's in place, the Old Course team have achieved that in the build-up to the main event.

Lani Togi St Andrews workshop manager (left) and team with Ian Robson from Prosport UK (right)

“We really couldn’t ask for a better combination of grinders to keep our cutting units sharp for this year’s Open and beyond,” Sandy begins.

"It's critical that all of our mowers are as sharp as they can be. What we're able to get from the Foley's is extreme accuracy and the ease of use for the technicians. The speed at which they can grind means we're saving on person-hours and are never without machines for long, so it makes life a lot easier."
 
At St Andrews, four greenkeeping teams maintain seven courses. Each team has its own machinery fleet but relies on a central workshop. In the build-up to The Open, it was business as usual on the other courses, making the efficiency and reliability of the Foley grinders paramount.

Reesink UK have announced they have awarded their dealers whose performance in the three areas of service, parts and skills have reflected outstanding customer service standards, goals and considerations.

The company say they award those dealers achieving the best scores in keeping with its Service Level Agreement, which benchmarks great customer service, and the highest combined score across all three categories wins an overall Dealer of the Year for Excellence in Customer Support. In 2021 that  award went to Lloyd Limited in Carlisle. 

Lloyd Limited also won Gold for Excellence in Skills; while Cheshire Turf Machinery topped the bill for Excellence in Service; and Excellence in Parts went to Reesink Turfcare South East.

Reesink Turfcare South East also got a silver hat-trick for Excellence in Service, Excellence in Skills and Aftermarket Dealer of Excellence; and Reesink Turfcare Scotland took home silver for Excellence in Parts.

Lee Rowbotham, service and training manager at Reesink UK, said, “The Aftermarket Dealer Awards are how we thank our service locations for showcasing the high standards for customer service Reesink has. And illustrating to customers that our core customer service standards, goals and considerations reach them.”

Reflecting on the win, Simon Burton, group aftersales manager at Lloyd Ltd, said, “We’re delighted to have won two awards. It’s fantastic to know that our policy for maximising service personnel skills through manufacturer training is being recognised. With the support of our Reesink product specialist and service manager we have achieved the Aftermarket Dealer Award and this demonstrates the importance of working closely with Reesink and shows what can be achieved from a strong partnership.”

Peter Biddlecombe, aftersales manager at Reesink Turfcare South East said, “The annual awards are really important as they give an immediate indicator of current aftersales service levels and other areas to focus on accordingly. Receiving awards is an achievement to be proud of and brilliant for staff members to recognise they’re doing a good job. It shows customers you’re a trusted company as an award winner and positions you as one of the best in the field.”

Mark Woodward, service director at Cheshire Turf Machinery, said, “The Toro Excellence in Service award is extremely important to Cheshire Turf Machinery and is our third accolade in succession. This is a testament to all our staff who work incredibly hard throughout the year maintaining consistently high standards and giving peace of mind to all our customers”.

Lee concluded, “Over the years, we have continually invested in our customer service and especially so in our after sales offering and to see that represented by the dealers so brilliantly means we are achieving in our goal to keep on improving the overall experience for all our customers.”  

John Deere is calling on former and soon-to-be ex-servicemen and women to consider joining its dealership network as qualified technicians.

William Foster pursued a career within the agricultural engineering sector after 23 years’ service in the army

With many transferrable skills, the manufacturer believes those with experience of military machines will be perfectly placed for a new career working with advanced agricultural and turfcare equipment. 

The company has announced that it will hold a free online careers event on 1 September 2022, where attendees will hear from individuals who have transitioned from military service into the John Deere dealership network. 

One speaker will be ex-serviceman William Foster who left the Army after 23 years' service and completed multiple operational tours including Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. 

Upon leaving, he was faced with the prospect of securing new employment - a task further complicated by the first Covid lockdown beginning just four days after he left the services.

Although he didn’t get the first job he originally applied for at John Deere, it did, however, make him more determined to pursue a career within the agricultural engineering sector and focus his attention on how to best achieve his goals.

“Not getting that job made me realise just how much I wanted to work with John Deere,” William says.

“I decided to own that dream, put a professional spin on it and see if I could turn it into my next full career.”

William landed his dream job as an agricultural engineer at Ben Burgess in Oakham, Rutland

To gain experience, William volunteered his time at one of John Deere’s dealerships and secured a job at another, before finally landing his ultimate job as an agricultural engineer at Ben Burgess in Oakham, Rutland.

“The similarities between this role and my career in the Army are uncanny,” William says.

“I look at the depot as my Forward Operating Base, the surrounding areas as my Area of Responsibility and the enemy as being breakdowns to deal with.

“If you can fix a tank, you can fix a tractor.”

John Deere is holding the online careers event for anyone who wants to find out more about the role of a qualified technician, working in either the turf or agricultural sector, on 1 September at 7pm.

The event is open to all who register for free on this link.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time to work in the agricultural industry,” says John Deere branch training manager, Allan Cochran. 

“It’s a great, rewarding career that can take you anywhere in the world, working with an internationally recognised and respected brand.”

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

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?

On 30th June, I stepped down as independent chairman of the UK Amenity Forum after thirteen and a half years ago. Therefore it seems appropriate to just look back briefly on that time and then identify my personal thoughts on some of the priorities for the future. 

Professor John Moverley

It was in 2009 when a group of representatives from amenity sector organisations invited me to take up the role. It was a time when the amenity sector could look divided and its importance and work often not clearly known. When it came to policy decisions on weed, pest and disease management in the sector, the organisations involved were often not directly engaged or consulted. I refer to it as not being at the top table, or indeed, often at that time not at any table. In summary, there was a lack of understanding at all levels and there was a lack of a joined up approach. All this was at a time when work had started on the first UK National Action Plan relating to weed, pest and disease management and real concerns were being expressed about some amenity practices.

The first task was to set out clearly the headline purpose of the Forum, in management speak, establishing vision, mission and objectives. Our over-riding purpose was, and is, to promote best practice in all its forms. Alongside this, the sector needed to promote itself, communicate what it did and get real and positive engagement with policy makers at UK and national government level. Seeking to communicate what amenity management was all about and the many facets of its work was a pressing challenge. Even the Government Minister at the time was not clear on its many facets. So was born the Swiss army penknife slide which continues to be used today.

As I am often heard to say - what happens in amenity management impacts upon every UK citizen every day seeking to create safe, healthy and sustainable amenity and sports spaces fit for purpose. During the pandemic and lockdown, never was that statement so true, keeping parks open and maintained, transport networks running and so much more.

As I write this, so much has been achieved. The Amenity Forum is now very much at the top table in decision making; its success is highlighted. It stands together, with Forum membership now encompassing every sub sector of activity. It is the go to source for guidance materials and its events for updating and the like are well supported and vital. I am immensely proud of the sector and all those professionals working within it. The sector has achieved much, the ground work has been laid and now the Forum needs to continue to build upon it. I am very confident it will, as there is an excellent team in place and I wish them every success.

Perhaps though I might identify briefly my personal thoughts on the challenges ahead and I have grouped under six headings.

Firstly the need to continue to communicate to the public, fellow professionals and policy makers is so very important. There are active lobby groups who seek to play down amenity and indeed damage what we do. We cannot ignore these.

Secondly the sector needs to stay united with everyone engaged in the Forum and committed to its objectives. It really matters.

Thirdly the sector must provide assurance to the public of its professional standards. I hope the Forum continues to lobby hard for the UK Amenity Standard to become a requirement for all undertaking weed, pest and disease management. It holds no fear to the majority already operating to the highest standards but it does help drive out bad practice and those who let the sector down. Showing the Amenity Standard badge is also excellent communication to the public of commitment to every element of best practice.

Linked to that, is the need for the amenity sector to continue to lead the way in integrated management approaches and planning (IPM).

Of course this is linked to always communicating what IPM is. It is not about alternatives, but creating plans which minimise weed, pest and disease levels and, where they occur, adopting the right combination of methods to address the issues whether this be with plant protection products or other means or indeed in combination. The sector has led the way in IPM, certainly in sportsturf. In fact it is engrained in approaches but we need to continue to emphasise that. The issues concerning carbon balance also need emphasis. Some approaches to amenity management can ignore these and should not do so.

And in my selection, perhaps the other thought from me is about continuing professional development (CPD). Whilst I am sure much CPD activity takes place in amenity, engagement in the recognised scheme administered by BASIS remains low. I have always been a strong advocate of CPD and, as said, I am sure that view is shared by many organisations in amenity, but it is not easy to demonstrate. It may not yet be a requirement under law but I believe it is so if organisations are to continue to fully demonstrate their commitment to professional standards.

Over the next few months, we expect the issue of the new revised UK National Action Plan. It has had a long gestation period and whist the Forum has had strong involvement, like everyone, we still are not sure what might be revealed. In this period I will continue to support the Forum where I can certainly in interpretation of its content and implications.

So looking back, looking forward – as I always have urged the sector, stand loud and proud of what you are and what you do but stay alert to the challenges ahead. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have had some part in developments over the last 13 or so years.