I particularly like this time of the year, witnessing the vast array of glorious autumn colours on show during October and November. This vast display of colour usually lasts about eight weeks and is stimulated by a change in day length. 

Deciduous trees offer a final touch of drama to the landscape with their leaves turning shades of golden yellow, orange and red, before falling. So-called ‘autumn colours’ (yellow carotenes and red and pink anthocyanins) are present in their leaves all year round - we just don’t see them because they’re hidden by green chlorophyll.

Autumn colours 

However, when day length starts to decrease in late summer, production of chlorophyll slows down and eventually stops. The green colour fades from the leaves, revealing glorious yellows, oranges, reds and pinks.

Liquidambar styraciflua

Last week, I visited several public parks and open spaces including Shugborough Hall, a National Trust property in Staffordshire, where a walk around the grounds enabled me to view the wonderful array of mature deciduous trees going through this annual autumn show, before they lose their leaves.

Mature trees changing colour at Shugborough Hall 

This time of the year also sees gardeners and turf professionals starting their daily or weekly task of clearing up leaves from their playing surfaces.

Elmore Park 

From my own working experiences, I spent many hours raking leaves into piles and chucking them into a trailer with leaf boards - for the youngsters among you, they were little more than two bits of rubber, occasionally plastic or wood, and often an old cardboard box, that extended the size of your hands to allow you to pick up as much as possible in one go!

Combined with the raking, it was back-breaking, time-consuming work, requiring many man hours over a period of about six weeks every autumn. No such things as blowers, sweepers or vacs back then, perhaps with the exception of the Billy Goat, which first came to market in 1969 and was essentially the first commercial lawn vacuum. 50 years on the Billy Goat is still being produced and has remained a popular leaf clearing machine for the turf grass industry. 

Leaf collection is one of those tasks that must be done - whether on grass or artificial, the club car park or the steps leading to the toilet, - they simply need to be cleared away. And all the while the grass refuses to stop growing, winter renovations are still to be done and there's a million and one other things on your 'to do' list.

Therefore, it is not surprising that manufacturers set about the task of mechanising this work. Today there's a myriad of machines available for turf professionals to blow, suck, sweep, vacuum and clean up unwanted surface debris.

The trick is finding one to suit your working requirements in terms of performance, size, labour resources and cost that fits the working conditions you need it to cope with.

However, the topography, size and site-specific facility’s needs will also have an influence on the type and size of machine to use. There is a plethora of handheld, bespoke stand alone or tractor mounted or trailed debris sweeper or vacuum collectors to help us clear up leaves at this time of the year. 

As for portable handheld machines, nearly every conceivable amenity and turf industry manufacturer now produce some type of hand held device, both petrol and battery powered. With the likes of STIHL, Husqvarna, Echo, EGO, Etesia, Makita leading the way on choice and performance.

As for larger capacity products the likes of Trilo, Wessex, Redexim, Overton, Votex, Estesia, Iseki, Kersten, Amazone, Pinnacle Power, and many other leading manufacturers now provide a wide range and choice of sweepers, blowers and vacuum collectors for large areas.  

As a landscape gardener, one of my most used tools is my STIHL handheld BG56C blower - a godsend for cleaning up after undertaking maintenance tasks.

Golf clubs in particular have for many years invested thousands of pounds on larger capacity sweepers and blowers to keep their playing surfaces free of debris. With the ability to blow or vacuum surface debris from fairways, tees and greens.
 
However, we must also be mindful that these leaves (leaf litter) provide many benefits when left in situ. This is borne out when leaves are seen carpeting the floors of our forests and becoming an integral part of a natural cosystem, returning nutrients to the soil through the action of a multitude of microbes and invertebrates, retaining rainwater, slowing runoff, protecting soil and roots from erosion and temperature extremes.

Leaf litter is one of the essential building blocks for developing healthy soils and maintaining the nutrient cycle in a forested ecosystem. 
 
Not only does it provide nutrients, soil temperature moderation and many other benefits, but it also provides habitat for numerous organisms and microorganisms which help sustain animal and bird populations.

So, there are many opportunities for us to leave or collect this leaf litter to enhance our soils. We have for many years composted leaf litter in compost bays and bins and after turning and adding other waste materials we can produce a useful soil enhancer. 

Whether we collect or leave these leaves, we must value the opportunity of using this annual free commodity (leaf litter) for ever improving our soils and enhancing our landscape.

On a final note, this week I shall be attending SALTEX on Wednesday and Thursday at the NEC and I am looking forward to meeting many fellow professionals and colleagues who work in our diverse sports turf and amenity industry.  

PSD Groundscare have announced a new partnership with Canycom, the Japanese manufacturer of brushcutting solutions.

L-R: Yoshimitsu Kaneyuki, Canycom president and Chris Gibson, PSD managing director

Founded in 1955, Chikusui Canycom Inc has progressed from a specialist in farm tools into a wide range of product categories̶, from agriculture and forestry to brush mowing and construction̶, supplying machinery to many different countries across the world. 

PSD say Canycom Brushcutters are designed to work in tough conditions, clearing long grass, bushes, weeds, bracken, and brambles in a variety of sites. The machines benefit from AWD to enable ease in operation and manoeuvrability.

The new range of machinery is set to be unveiled to the industry at SALTEX this week on the 2nd & 3rd November on PSD Groundscare’s stand (E081) which they say is bigger than ever. 

PSD managing director Chris Gibson said, “We’re extremely excited to add Canycom to our portfolio and to be at the forefront in the UK distribution of this fantastic product line and we look forward to showcasing them at this year’s Saltex. The capabilities of the Canycom range of ride-on brushcutters is outstanding and we can’t wait to get out and about offering demonstrations to customers.”

Canycom President Yoshimitsu Kaneyuki said, “We are truly delighted to start this new partnership with PSD Groundscare. We hope to expand our presence in the UK and explore new markets. Together with PSD, we will work hard to give our best to satisfy our customers. We are committed to building trustful, strong, and long-lasting business relationships.”

JCB dealer Oliver Landpower Ltd has completed its acquisition of neighbouring machinery dealership LQG Agri Ltd.

MD Charlie Glenister and sales director, Adrian Hewis
 
First reported in TurfPro's sister title Service Dealer last month, the deal expands the company’s territory westwards into Warwickshire and marks a significant investment in the JCB Agriculture franchise. It also adds a fourth branch to Oliver Landpower’s sales, parts and service network, with the dedicated JCB location at Upper Quinton - now operating as Oliver Landpower Stratford - joining branches at Tingewick, Buckinghamshire; Luton, Bedfordshire; and Kings Langley, Hertfordshire.
 
Charlie Glenister, managing director, Oliver Landpower, said, “We’re delighted to have successfully completed the acquisition of this long-established and successful dealership, which expands our business and ensures continued support for JCB customers in the area from an experienced team.”
 
All LQG Agri employees have transferred to Oliver Landpower, so customers will find the same familiar faces at the branch, including Sue Cook in the office, Stuart Wyles and Clive Ellard in sales; service and commercial manager Mark Baylis and his team of experienced technicians; and Martin Young, who has a wealth of knowledge having managed the parts operation there for many years.
 
John Smith, managing director, JCB Agriculture, said, “We’re delighted that the proposed agreement between LQG Agri owners the Lockwood family and Oliver Landpower has been completed quickly, ensuring a smooth and seamless transition with continued customer service and support.
 
“We thank Geoff Lockwood and his team for many years of support to JCB customers and wish him a very happy retirement. Oliver Landpower’s considerable scale and JCB experience, product knowledge and renowned customer service will further strengthen the existing team at Upper Quinton.”
 
Having extended westwards with the Stratford branch, Oliver Landpower operations will expand eastwards when it takes over JCB’s Essex territory at the beginning of 2023 from a site in Colchester.

SAGE has announced Weibang as the main sponsor of their trade show for the sports and grounds maintenance industry, which returns to the Three Counties venue in Malvern, Worcestershire, on 19th - 20th July 2023.

As well as sponsoring the event, Weibang say they will be exhibiting at the show, where they will be taking advantage of the live demonstrations and experiences opportunities on offer.  

Of the sponsorship, Lewis Anderson from Weibang commented, “For us, SAGE is an event where we can show and, most importantly, let our customers get hands-on with the product.

“We believe that allowing customers to try and feel products in the real environment they are designed to work in is invaluable. We see the sponsorship of the show as a commitment that we have at Weibang to getting the industry together to allow end users to share knowledge, information and the opportunity to try products to ensure that they are purchasing the best machine for their application.” 

Now in its 76th year, Europe’s largest sports amenities and landscaping trade exhibition, SALTEX, will be held at Birmingham’s NEC over two days on 2-3 November. 

With over 400 brands showcasing products in three halls, across two days, at one location, SALTEX is a must-attend event for everybody operating in, or supplying to, the groundscare sector.

At SALTEX you can: 

• Listen and learn from industry thought leaders
• See over 400 brands all in one place
• Stay up to date with the latest product innovations
• Further your career with free advice and guidance
• Connect with industry suppliers and partners
• Get expert advice on your specific turf challenges
• Network with national and international peers
• Celebrate achievements at the GMA Industry Awards

What’s On?

In addition to learning about new products, services, and suppliers to the industry from home and abroad, SALTEX also has an extensive programme of events and learning opportunities.

Learning LIVE

The Learning LIVE schedule this year has been extended to over 30 sessions, with additional papers attacking the key issues for the grounds care industry of pay, career development, recruitment and retention, how to negotiate in the workplace and how to find out about the millions of pounds of grant funding available from sports clubs. But what’s at the heart of Learning LIVE and this year’s show is sustainability and the environment. 

Those managing and maintaining sports turf and green spaces are already having to deal with the impact of climate change and industry suppliers are doing their best to innovate and help grounds people minimise the impact of droughts and floods. The session on reducing the impact of future water restrictions on golf and sports turf, for example, with Owen Turpin from the Environment Agency, Tony Hanson from Environmental Solutions International and Robin Price from Anglian Water discussing the water charter and how to deal with it will provide valuable practical advice. 

There’s something for most sports surfaces from some of the best in the business. For rugby, Catherine Hall (Premiership Rugby), Dr David James (Labosport) and Dan Prest (GMA) talk about raising Premiership Rugby pitch standards. For cricket, Gary Barwell (Edgbaston Stadium), Karl McDermott (Lord's) and Steve Birks (Nottinghamshire CCC) discuss how new cricket formats impact on the modern-day grounds manager. Tennis is covered off by Neil Stubley (Wimbledon) who presents the All England Tennis and Croquet Club’s court expansion project.

But all top-level surfaces start somewhere – at grassroots level – and Rob Sullivan presents the Football Foundation's strategic ambitions to improve grass pitch quality and Chris Smith tackles the funding process to improve pitches. Perhaps there’s a role for hybrid pitches in the community – Dr Richard Earl (TGMS) reveals data findings from the Sport England hybrid pitch pilot for community use in London’s Regents Park.

The full seminar line up is available online at saltex.org.uk, but whether it’s elite sports grounds attendees are interested in or a strategy for grassroots football, Learning LIVE has it covered and provides the opportunity to build knowledge and stay ahead of the game.

Eco Village 

The whole concept of the Eco Village is to showcase sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices in grounds care and consider what is a sustainable piece of machinery – what’s the impact on the environment and how does it help achieve neutrality? The Eco Village features a programme of daily demonstrations of cutting-edge sustainable technology, offering visitors an opportunity of seeing several products in action. Plus, industry experts will offer advice on green technology and how it could benefit current working practices.

GMA Industry Awards

The GMA Industry Awards hosted by the BBC’s Mark Clemmit, are back for the 12th year. It’s so important to celebrate the achievements of individuals and teams operating in grounds management and is key to positive workforce development. With 18 awards and an evening to celebrate everyone nominated, it’s a ringing endorsement to the good work and talented people in the industry. Tickets to the event can be purchased at saltex.org.uk

So, whether working in educational establishments, community facilities, on private estates, or in sports clubs at grassroot, amateur, or professional level, if you’re passionate about keeping green spaces and playing surfaces safe, accessible, and sustainable, and you’re keen to stay ahead of the game in the grounds care industry, then SALTEX is the show for you. Register for your free ticket here: 

“In 2021, there was a buzz and real enthusiasm for business: deals were being struck, demos were being organised, there were lots of new launches across the halls and I expect more of the same in 2022.” Geoff Webb, CEO for GMA, SALTEX organisers.

So don’t miss out, REGISTER NOW for #SALTEX2022 #AheadofTheGame

www.saltex.org.uk

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

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 know many of us who are Green Flag Judges have been out doing LUF Assessments for those lucky enough to receive the £85,000. I too, have been out and carried out four assessments in the NE, Sunderland, Blyth, Gateshead and Jarrow. 

All four sites I visited were worthy recipients and I enjoyed meeting colleagues who have the challenge of spending this money. I say a challenge because many of the sites require so much more funding to make a real distance and also the timeline set by DLUHC is very narrow. 

Elenore Park, an example of valuable public open space 

It was also apparent that finding the time and resource to do this was also a challenge. I have seen on social media other colleagues who have visited sites. What it reminds us of is the need for SIGNIFICANT funding, not the pittance that is being dished out here. And it is a pittance. I took a look at the recent pocket park designed here in Leighton Buzzard, the size of my living room and is now abandoned and full of weeds and of no use to anyone. FRUSTRATING!! It makes me so angry.

BUT, the last couple of weeks, we have seen the FPA online conference arranged by the NLHF and NT and with over 1500 who registered for it. The feedback I have heard was good, mostly positive and well done to all those who were involved and contributed.

Some fed back that it was at times ‘same old same old’ which can be said of many of the reports we hear on the benefit of parks, the latest Guardian article or journal we read. We know this, we have heard it so many times and we have lobbied, we have argued, we have presented our case for more funding, yet see no real changes. 

With the current chaos in Government, and austerity biting again, savage cuts due, Local Government unable to even afford statutory requirements in many locations, the future is looking bleak.

So what do we do? [as I pause as to how to answer this] . .  I think we are wasting our time lobbying Government at this moment in time. Even Climate Change has dropped down their agenda, for the moment. So we need to reconsider:- my thoughts are:

• Innovation - the concept of Smart Parks using digital technology. I had a fascinating conversation with Professor Edward Truch of Lancaster University about this concept last week and have been invited onto a working group to look into this further. I attach a report which outlines the thinking behind this and is very much linked to the concept of Smart Cities. You could argue that we already have some of these in place with Big Belly bins that tell us when they are full or sensors that count people visiting our parks. I’m a total technophobe but this needs looking at more. 
• The Health Agenda – I am seeing more Public Open Space Health Strategies appearing and this can only be good for the sector and is a way to increase our profile but also to lever in extra funding. Hells bells, after just finishing a new book on the history of parks, it is startling that we are having to revisit this, but let’s make sure our new best friends work in public health.
• Networking more – getting more joined up. We HAVE to talk to each other more. I saw some great stuff while I was doing LUF assessments in the NE – a bird feeding and viewing station in Ridley Park in Blyth and the conversion of a bowls pavilion into a cafe were superb.
• Upskilling on the less obvious. We should be learning how to lobby at a local level, or how to write a business plan for our service, how to market our service – when did we see a course on how to write a successful grant application? or how to set up a volunteer group? or write a franchise for an ice cream tender or cafe? Many I am sure are doing this and we learn on the job, but perhaps we need to look at wider skills to support our service?

With all this in mind, it is now time to take the PMA to the next level. We have many members signed up and have paid their £50 as well as Corporate Members signing up, but we now need the resource to take us to the next level and over the next few weeks will be looking to develop a grant application to the NLHF and others to give us this resource. 

We need to broaden the membership base, we need to develop further guidance, we need a number of initiatives developed and i know for a fact from speaking to colleagues, many of us simply cannot appoint to positions where they exist. This is a worry and this is something we must work on. As the bids develop, I will be coming to many of you for support and may also carry out another Survey Monkey of the sector to add value to a bid. We all have a role to play.

So with that in mind, please do consider how you can help and move this forward and help avoid the below, which really upsets me!

A line-up of demonstrations featuring sustainable technology and environmentally friendly solutions has been finalised for this year’s SALTEX Eco Village display.

 
Sponsored by SGL, manufacturer of LED lighting and monitoring systems, the demonstrations will feature green technology for grounds care.
 
Six manufacturers will be putting products through their paces in daily demonstrations. 

Starting each morning off from 10.00 to 10.15 will be Avant Techno with its Leguan Lifts. 

At 11.00 to 11.15, sponsors, SGL will be demonstrating their new product - the LED50 that is equipped with SmartBox and the latest LED technology. 
 
Next on display from 11.30 to 11.45 will be the Campey AllTrec 100% Electric Mower. 
 
This will be followed at 12.00 to 12.15 by another mower - this time the Overton Rival Zero Turn - the latest mower in Mean Green Mowers’ new ‘evolution’ series.

 A robot mower will be the next to show its paces at 12.30 to 12.45 – this time the Kress RTK Robot Mower. .
 
An electric solution for loading is the last demonstration of the day at 13.00 to 13.15 when Avant Techno will put their Electric E6 Loader under the scrutiny of visitors.

 
In addition to the daily demonstrations industry experts will be on hand to offer advice on green technology and how it could benefit current working practices. 

SALTEX takes place at the Birmingham NEC on Wednesday and Thursday this week, November 2-3.