On the 24th of November I had the privilege to attend this year’s Service Dealer Conference held at the Double Tree Oxford Belfy Hotel in Oxfordshire.
The conference was split between a day of guest speakers and some practical workshops followed by an evening dinner at which this year’s Services Dealer Awards were presented. You can read about all the winners here.
 

Conference delegates 

The Conference itself began with a welcome from Service Dealer owner, Duncan Murray-Clarke, who set the agenda for the day. He spoke of how the aim of the conference is to be ever more relevant and above all support what our dealer network is trying to achieve. He also introduced a new innovation this year, of delegates joining in with polls and questions via the online Sildo system - something everyone could easily access via scanning a QR code on their phones.

Duncan went on to say, "It is clear that the battles and problems facing the industry have evolved from last year and you could argue that things are now actually that bit worse. Supply is still in disarray and manufacturers have pretty much all been struggling to keep some sort of consistent flow of products. This season, dealerships just didn’t have the inventory of stock to sell or even make some repairs - despite ordering last year."

Robin Horsfall 

So, in essence, it’s been a challenging year for many of our dealerships. However from my own experiences talking to many dealers throughout the year, they have coped exceptionally well and have adapted to these trying times, continuing to look after their customers.

The day’s programme of speakers included Robin Horsfall, former SAS soldier; Jeremy Gibbs, founder of Forces Farming; Heather Wildman from Saviour Associates and Stuart Goodison and Grace Nugent from DeLacy, a recruitment company.

Jeremy Gibbs, Forces Farming 

All were excellent speakers and motivators who enthralled the packed audience of dealership owners and employees. For a fuller account of the day, you can read my colleague, editor of Service Dealer, Steve Gibbs’ editorial.

The evening session was hosted by comedian Charlie Baker who announced the annual awards in between meal courses. We also managed to raise over £3000 with a raffle, with the money being donated to the Safe Fields Ukraine appeal that helps remove landmines from agriculture land in the Ukraine.
 

Keith Christian and Charlie Baker picking the winning raffle ticket for Ukraine landmine appeal 

As for the awards it was very pleasing to see my long-time friend and fellow rugby player, Keith Christian, winning the Outstanding Contribution award for his service to our industry . 
  

Duncan Murray Clark and Keith Christian 

It was a busy evening and many memories to cherish. Again, it was all about people. As I’ve always said, people drive our industry forward.

Thanks again to all the sponsors and the TAP team for putting on a wonderful conference. I’m already looking forwards to next year’s bash

The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has announced they have been accredited to the matrix Standard once again.

GMA's SALTEX

The matrix Standard is the international quality standard for organisations that deliver independent information, advice and/or guidance (IAG), and is supported by The Department for Education.

The GMA say the re-accreditation confirms formal recognition of the outcomes achieved by them in delivering industry-wide information, advice, and guidance, and further enhances their reputation as an authoritative organisation within the grounds care industry.

This year-round continual process involves maintaining good relationships with stakeholders, engaging and developing learners, creating new supporting material and technical content for learners, providing regular feedback to stakeholders, routinely communicating to the industry the benefits of services provided by the GMA, and developing staff through training courses.

The independent assessment commented that the GMA has ‘demonstrated an ongoing focus on strategic development, which has continued as a theme since their previous assessment up until the present,’ and that it is an organisation that ‘clearly demonstrates its desire and passion to support the improvement of sports venues, public areas, and the personnel (volunteers and professionals) involved with maintaining them.’

Dan Prest, head of technical and learning at the GMA said, “I am delighted that the GMA has been re-accredited to the matrix Standard. A lot of work has gone into achieving this accreditation. I must say a special thank you to the Technical and Learning team who have spent countless hours working on this project.

"The accreditation is extremely important to the GMA, as it allows us to benchmark ourselves against best practice, plus it provides confidence, especially for new and potential learners, that high-quality, impartial information, advice, and guidance is provided when dealing with the GMA.”

One of the finest golf courses in the UK has made a significant investment in its future with the purchase of a fleet of machines to support the greenkeeping team. 

John Deere dealer Masons Kings representatives David Barnes (left) and Elliot Prior (right) with Trevorse Golf Club Course Manager Neil Ivamy

Trevose Golf and Country Club, near Padstow in Cornwall, is currently 66th in the coveted top 100 rankings and prides itself on the presentation and playability of the par-72 Championship links, nine-hole Peter Aliss designed Headland course, and neighbouring nine-hole Short Course. 

Course Manager, Neil Ivamy, and his staff are responsible for maintaining the high standards set at the club, which has a rich history since being founded in 1925. 

A recent deal struck with John Deere dealer Masons Kings has seen a new fleet of 10 machines including mowers, utility vehicles and a compact tractor which have been added to the club’s machinery shed.  

The new kit represents a change of manufacturer for Neil’s team, but he says they are very happy with their decision. 

“It has always been important to us to use the best machinery and equipment for our course,” Neil said. 

“We chose the John Deere range as it was a proven and high-quality product and we have received excellent support - not just through the purchase process, but also through their proactiveness and machinery training.

“Having a local dealer and support staff who are always available to help us with any questions or queries has been invaluable and the service team has been excellent in providing any product support requirements.

“The feedback we have been getting from players and staff has been excellent and having a local dealer that supports us like Masons Kings have has been fantastic in our transition to John Deere.”

Trevose’s team now runs a 9009A wide area mower, a 4066R compact tractor, a TS Gator and three HPX-815E Gators. The club’s greens and tees are now cut with four 2750E E-cut triplex mowers. 

Chandlers Groundscare have announced the appointment of long-standing St Neots-based agricultural and groundscare dealership Arthur Ibbett Ltd as a dealer for the range of Grasshopper ZeroTurn ride-on mowers, covering Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire.

Ibbetts horticultural sales team consists of Steve Rossin and Louise Danbury-Peters. Both said how pleased they are to be able to offer Grasshopper alongside their existing range of products.

Les Butters, Chandlers Groundscare dealer principal said, "We are pleased to welcome Ibbetts to our portfolio of Grasshopper Dealers in the UK and NI. I have known Steve for over 30 years, and I look forward to working in partnership with both Steve and Louise with the Grasshopper brand.”

The British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB) has launched a new digital version of its Turfgrass Seed guide.

The Society says the annually produced guide will continue to be printed, however, to reduce the reliance on paper and make the information in-guide more widely available, a new section has been added to the BSPB website.
 
Commenting on the move, BSPB technical manager Jeremy Widdowson said, “This is the first time the Turfgrass Seed guide has been published fully on an interactive platform to offer greater accessibility for all UK users.”
 
The first guide was published in November 1976 and the following year it gained the title ‘Buying Turfgrass Seed’ which has since been simplified. Turfgrass Seed 2023 includes data and information to help guide seed choice for the amenity and sports grass sector. The information in the guide is largely provided from trials carried out by the Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI) to an agreed protocol.
 
“Trials conducted at Bingley, West Yorkshire, by STRI help to identify the characteristics of different cultivars. The guide reflects this by using parameters such as shoot density, recovery, colour and visual merit to help decision-making for pitch care, ground care and amenity professionals,” added Mr Widdowson.
 
It is hoped, by publishing the data and advice on the BSPB website, that more people in the industry will benefit from its content.

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

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?

TurfPro editor Laurence Gales writes: Here is a reminder for us all that many mammals and insects will be starting their hibernation period and looking for safe places to live during the cold winter months. Spare a thought when clearing up your green spaces to leave some leaf matter and debris and some overgrown areas for them to find a safe haven .
 
I have received some wise words from my friend and colleague, Bernard Sheriden on this subject. Bernard is an RHS Master of Horticulture, a Chartered Horticulturist and Member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture. He was awarded the NDT (Institute of Groundsmanship) and is a long-standing Green Flag Award Judge.

Bernard says:

 “Our biodiversity is threatened with an unprecedented decline, especially for pollinating insects. We can all do more, even in our own gardens, to make a difference.

Over the winter you might consider converting some or all of your lawn into a more wildlife-friendly zone. Allowing the grass to grow without mowing will increase invertebrates and pollinators. To make a real difference though, converting your lawn or borders into meadow by stripping off the turf and sowing with a suitable meadow flower seed mix will provide food and habitat for a much wider range of fascinating wildlife and will provide an attractive display.
 
Allowing parts of your garden to remain untidied and undisturbed over the winter provides hibernating opportunities for wildlife, and leaf, twig and log piles provide habitat for invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles and mammals, including the threatened hedgehog.

Bug Hotels are also becoming popular as they can accommodate a wide range of insects and small mammals.

Don’t forget to design in food and habitat for birds, with feeding stations giving real delight - the range and number of birds increasing in line with the investment you make in it. Trees and shrubs, including ivy and thorny bushes provide good nesting and roosting sites, whilst fruit and berries provide a winter food supply.

This time of the year is a safe time to clean ponds and water features too, doing the minimum harm to wildlife, including water pumps and filters. Newts will be hibernating, but frogs and fish will need careful treatment and handling, setting them aside in large containers or buckets until you are ready to put them back in the pond.

Take out as much decaying vegetable matter as possible, leaving arisings lying by the pondside for a day or two to allow any critters to find their way back into the pond. The arisings will then make a good addition to the compost heap, providing moisture, as well as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium nutrients.

Looking forward to next year:- Now is a great time to take stock of what works and what doesn’t in your garden. You are likely to have some time to think about improvements to the design of features such as lawns, beds and borders. Improving the design to help wildlife by incorporating habitat features such as ponds, wildflowers, dry-stone walls, trees and shrubs with berries will all help to mitigate the ecological emergency about which we should all be concerned and taking action.”

Read more from Bernard Sheridan at theparkkeeper.