As an ex player and coach, I read with interest the latest information about when there will be a likely restart to our amateur game of rugby.

Professional rugby has returned, albeit behind closed doors. However, grass roots and amateur rugby is still awaiting clearance to start playing again. The RFU have launched a visual road map of the way forward and it seems we are at stage D now.

A roadmap infographic and guidance on restarting competitive grassroots rugby has been produced to clarify what clubs should have in place and what activity is permitted.

The RFU has announced a national roadmap to support a return to community rugby activity. This roadmap consists of six stages. Stage A relating to individual training with one other person, moving through to Stage F when there can be a return to competitive matches against other teams.

From 1 September, clubs have been permitted to move to this Stage D, which allows limited contact training. Mauls, scrums, opposed lineouts and upright tackles are still not permitted because of the risk of transmission, and contact training can only be done in groups of six or fewer, but allowing some contact activity is an important first step.

As well as introducing contact, clubs can now arrange non-contact fixtures (touch or Ready4Rugby) with other clubs. The Stage D guidance provides detailed information on what activity is and isn’t permitted.

Many clubs have got players back training, but we are still awaiting clearance to resume competitive games. I have again heard via the grapevine and speaking to some clubs a likely date for starting will now be the 1st November. However if the Covid-19 outbreak continues to fluctuate, I have no doubt we will see further delays to the return of competitive matches being played, which are the lifeblood of many clubs up and down the country.

As mentioned in a previous article, the financial impact of this Covid-19 is only just beginning to be felt. The real question is how long can many of these clubs last before we find a vaccine to halt this pandemic?

I have no doubt the same applies to many other sports clubs (cricket, bowls, tennis, football), who are experiencing the same difficulties.

Many sports facilities are still running on reduced staffing levels, with furloughed staff awaiting a date to return to work - if indeed they have a job to return to?

I am also hearing that there has been a number grounds professionals been made redundant in recent weeks - and also worrying, I see on LinkedIn two respected BIGGA employees have announced they are leaving the organisation.

Which once again brings me to consider, what does the future hold for our two main trade shows if this pandemic continues to drag on well into next year?

BIGGA announced recently that they have cancelled their popular trade exhibition due for January 2021, because of the ongoing uncertainty. In their official statement they said they had prioritised the health and wellbeing of its members, exhibitors, staff and other attendees.

It was stated that the decision was taken following consultation with members of the association and ongoing dialogue with representatives of the Harrogate Convention Centre plus other major stakeholders. It was agreed the hosting of a gathering of turf professionals from across the globe would create an unacceptable risk of infection, potentially putting lives at risk.

This leaves us with the rearranged GMA SALTEX show, now scheduled to go ahead in March 2021. However, as mentioned above, this pandemic does not appear to be going away any time soon. Therefore we still may be faced with the prospect of having no shows at all in the first part of next year, if the GMA are forced to postpone their show again?

Covid-19 has definitely changed peoples mindset on life and what matters, while at the same time driven businesses to look at new ways of working. Online shopping has dramatically increased four fold and more and more companies are moving to to online marketing strategies.

Our industry is renowned for being adaptive and able to react to major issues quickly and overcome problems, especially when we take time to work and support one another.

It one of our greatest assets, helping one another out. I am sure during this pandemic we all will learn many new ways of working until we finally get a vaccine to combat this terrible disease.

While still on the subject of Covid-19 and how it has affected different parts of our industry, my colleague Steve Gibbs, editor of our sister title Service Dealer, has recently published an interesting article whereby he asked several major manufacturers (including names like Iseki, Stihl, Stiga, Kramp, Kubota, Husqvarna, Ego, Price Turfcare, to name a few) how they have been coping this year and what they think the future holds for them in the next twelve months. Well worth a read.

As for other thoughts for this week, I read with interest that Textron Specialized Vehicles will be relocating all of its Jacobsen mower manufacturing processes to the UK’s Ipswich facility as from this autumn.

This should be a positive development for the jobs market in the local area and the company says the move will enable them to focus its investments in mower production on a single facility, using the existing resources and expertise at Ipswich where it has been being building mowers since 1832. Great news indeed.

Also, we are only two months away from the clocks turning back in October, bringing the start of our autumn and winter seasons. With the nights drawing in and temperatures dropping, it signals the end of the main growing season.

It is during the winter months that we need to address the needs of servicing our machinery and equipment. It is money well spent, keeping on top of servicing and warranties of machinery and equipment.

There is nothing worse than having a machine that does not start or is not fit for purpose. On occasion I’ve seen some equipment in a real state in grassroots sports clubs sheds or containers. Quite often this machinery is old, not maintained and not able to do a particularly good job. I just wish these clubs would look at investing in new equipment. There are many ways to secure funding for this equipment and machinery.

There has been some funding provided by Sport England during Covid that could be put to securing new equipment. The RFU have for several years, along with some manufacturers, been offering equipment deals to help clubs replace machinery that has seen better days.

There are ways for clubs to access or arrange a finance deal with a dealer or manufacturer for the supply of specific machinery needs. This can become a regular monthly payment plan that finances all the key equipment. Golf courses for example, have been doing this for years.

There are many machinery dealers who would be happy to advise clubs on the way forward in terms of buying right equipment for their clubs.

As mentioned in a recent article about budgets maintenance of playing surfaces comes at a cost. The choice and selection of the right machinery for your facility is essential for you to be able to maintain your playing surfaces efficiently.

Vanmac Ltd have announced they are now an authorised full line distributor for the Brouwer Kesmac portfolio of turf and groundcare machinery.

Known in the turf grower sector, the Brouwer Kesmac range of harvesters and pedestrian rollers, together with trailed verti-cutters, aerators and cylinder mowers are now available to local authorities, landscapers and grounds managers via Vanmac in the UK.

Founded by Gerry Brouwer and his son Eric in Ontario, Canada, Brouwer Kesmac is now established worldwide. Vanmac Ltd, known throughout the UK for the distribution of the Trilo range of blowers & vacs, will offer sales and service support across the full range of Brouwer Kesmac products, along with supplying a vast selection of spare parts - which will be available to order through Vanmac Ltd’s website.

The appointment of Vanmac Ltd in the UK extends the distribution agreement between Brouwer Kesmac and Vanmac bv across Europe.

Vanmac's area sales manager Jeremy Vincent, said, “We’ve been working hard to extend our portfolio here in the UK and are delighted to have added the Brouwer Kesmac collection to our offering. The range compliments everything that we currently offer to customers in the turf grower market and extends our offering to those managing professional turf surfaces.

"Over the next few weeks, we will begin supporting all of the existing Brouwer Kesmac customers and are excited to hit the road and begin introducing the quality range to new facilities around the country.”

DR Power Equipment, a division of Generac Holdings Inc., announced this week the closing of a purchase agreement to acquire the assets of Mean Green Products, the maker of commercial, battery-powered turfcare equipment, headquartered in Ross, Ohio.

In the UK, the Mean Green range is distributed by Overton (UK) Ltd, whilst DR Power Equipment is distributed by AL-KO Gardentech.

Joe Conrad, president and owner of Mean Green Products, pictured at 2019's GIE+EXPO

TurfPro heard from Guy Overton, director of Overton, last week who told us that he and his brother Richard had spoken to Joe Conrad, president and owner of Mean Green Products, who had confirmed and reassured them that nothing will change regarding their distribution agreement for the UK and Ireland.

"After speaking with Joe we are looking forward to new electric mowers to come, now they have the investment," Guy told TurfPro. "Hopefully we will be able to exhibit them at SALTEX next year,"

Matt Bieber, president of DR Power Equipment, said, “Entering the commercial turf care category has been a target of ours for years, but we wanted to do it in an innovative and differentiated way. The improvements in battery technology have now enabled the electrification of large commercial turf care products and Mean Green is leading the way.

"We have watched the Mean Green team grow and develop new products and technologies, which led us to proactively pursue them to become part of our portfolio. Mean Green products will supplement our expanding battery-powered, chore products line up and support our goals to integrate and develop new battery-powered solutions.”

Joe Conrad, president and owner of Mean Green Products said, “We are extremely excited for the opportunity to further expand on our vision to provide consumers with meaningful battery powered equipment.

"The DR Power and Generac teams are an excellent fit for our company and our employees."

The acquisition closed on September 1. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Iseki UK & Ireland has appointed the well-known industry figure Phil Self, as technical sales demonstrator to increase the support for the dealer network nationwide.

Phil Self

Phil has over 20 years of experience within the municipal, golf and sports turf industry having previously worked at Ransomes Jacobsen in a variety of roles. He started his career working in the factory, followed by a variety of technical roles before spending the last 10 years as a demonstrator.

Commenting on the announcement David Withers, md of Iseki UK said, “Phil will be a great asset to the business. Having worked with most of the dealers previously and having demonstrated ISEKI equipment over prior years, he will be able to hit the ground running. We are very fortunate that Phil was available”.

David continued, "As part of this new investment we are also buying a suitable truck and trailer for Phil to use. Whilst this year has been difficult we are looking to continue our market share gains and so are happy to invest further in the company”.

Commenting on the new role Phil added, “I am looking forward to supporting the dealers with high quality demonstrations and technical support for our customers.”

Richard Harris, managing director of Reesink Turfcare IRE, has announced his retirement from the company.

Richard was instrumental in the development of the Lely, Reesink and Toro brands in Ireland and leaves a career which spans 31 years in the turfcare industry.

Richard Harris

Richard joined Toro distributor for Ireland, J C Distribution, in 1989. In 1994 he took on the management and development of Lely Ireland (as a sister company of Lely UK) into a combined agriculture and turfcare machinery business. He has played a leading role in helping develop the Toro brand and reputation for quality products.

A past president of the Farm Tractor Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) in 2014, when the agriculture and turfcare divisions separated within Lely, Richard moved with the turfcare side of the business which then joined the Royal Reesink Group in 2016.

The last few years have seen Richard spearhead considerable investment by the Royal Reesink group in both Toro and other brands (such as Trilo and TYM) in Ireland through their base in Nurney, Co Kildare. Focusing on establishing a stand-alone business, the Reesink Turfcare sales team has been together for many years moving along with the company changes. This allowed Richard to focus on building up the customer service, parts and technical support areas to enhance Reesink’s support for Toro and Trilo fine turf and grounds customers in Ireland. Reesink say Richard hands the business over in a strong state to maintain and build customer satisfaction levels on a par with all Toro European distributor operations.

Roon Hylkema, managing director of Reesink Turfcare BV and a colleague of Richard’s since 1991, said, “Richard and I have worked together for a great many years. We were originally from different companies, I was with Jean Heybroek BV and he was with Lely UK, but we had the Toro brand in common. Then in the last four years when Reesink acquired Lely, as Reesink had acquired Jean Heybroek in 2010, much more closely as we worked together to raise the Reesink profile in Ireland. He’s the type of colleague, employee and friend you’d want in your professional life, honest, straight-forward, loyal and reliable, and he’ll be greatly missed for the contribution he has made to the development of the business in that time and throughout his career.”

Richard says, “During my career I have had the privilege of working with so many great teams of people both within our own companies in Ireland, the UK, The Netherlands and Denmark, as well as within The Toro Company and more recently Vanmac/Trilo. I have shared some great experiences and relationships with many colleagues and contacts within these companies and the turfcare and agricultural machinery industry at large over the years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working within this industry.

“While looking forward to now having time to focus on other interests, I will certainly miss it all and will keep an eye with interest on the future development of the business and the turfcare industry. While COVID-19 has affected the whole industry and will bring many challenges and changes to the way we do business in the future, I have no doubt that Reesink, Toro and the turfcare industry will bounce back over the next couple of years and grasp the opportunities that will present themselves.”

Dartfordians RFC has upgraded their maintenance operation with a Trimax Striker and New Holland Boomer 40 from Campey Turf Care Systems.

The London based club needed to replace their old Massey Ferguson tractor and gang mowers so they could continue to maintain the ground to a high standard.

Replacing the machinery was a joint venture between the rugby and cricket club. Both operate the site under the DCSC which manages the building, bar and groundsman, Graham Smith, who was a member of the rugby club before becoming the groundsman four years ago.

As the sole groundsman, along with some volunteers, Graham is responsible for maintaining the three rugby pitches and football pitch in the winter as well as the cricket square and outfield in the summer. Additionally, there is a park adjacent to the ground that is maintained by Graham in an ongoing arrangement between the rugby club and Bexley Council.

With the five-hectare site in constant use throughout the year, having reliable machinery is a must, and after speaking with Campey product specialist, Ben Taylor, Graham was confident Campey could provide what they needed.

“I’m really impressed with Ben. He’s very amenable, he talks straight, and he knew what we wanted and put together a deal that was very acceptable with us and we are looking forward to a good long relationship with equipment in the future,” Graham began.

“I think the customer service side of it is very important and it’s a big consideration when we’re buying machines. You could go somewhere else and buy a tractor, and with money constraints we could have ended up buying a second hand one without any warranty. As we bought new we have that and we know if we want to add to it in the future with a bucket or similar things like that we’ll get all the help we need.

“It’s going to make my life a lot easier with the new kit. On our particular tractor we’ve got the oversized grass tyres so there is no damage on the pitches. That’ll be especially important in the winter because we’ll still have the ability to drive across a pitch without doing any damage, whereas our old tractor had agricultural tyres and there were times of the year where you wouldn’t drive it onto a pitch."

The rugby club brings a lot of value to their local area with men’s, women’s, junior and academy rugby catering for people from U11’s and upwards. Their Dartfordians 1st XV were promoted to London1 South at the end of the 2018-19 season, an impressive feat for a community club, and have consolidated their position in the league.

Etesia UK has announced a 0% interest finance option for customers purchasing a new Hydro 80 MKHP5 ride-on mower.

Customers looking to purchase can benefit from three years’ interest-free finance, two-year commercial warranty, with payments from £35.25+VAT per week before the 30th November 2020.

Etesia UK’s managing director Les Malin said, “We have looked at the best way to help our customers. In these uncertain times, finances are under pressure more now than ever, but that doesn’t change how vital it is to have the correct grass cutting machinery which is built to do the job and last. We are confident that this new finance option will allow customers greater flexibility with their finances, while still able to purchase new equipment.”

Finance is for business users only, subject to acceptance by Etesia UK’s finance partner Golf Finance Limited and only available in the UK.

Knapsack, hand-held and compression sprayer manufacturer Berthoud’s Vermorel range offers professional operators the perfect tools to deliver safe, controlled, efficient spraying.

The three premium knapsack models share common features, including ergonomic back frame, to heighten comfort, ease maintenance and upkeep and ensure reliable, directional spray accuracy.

First in the range, the Vermorel 1800 comes with 16l translucent tank and liquid level guide for easy filling.

Vermorel 1800

The ergonomic padded shoulder harness features contoured backframe, thought to be the only such sprayer back support available, and 0.6m composite lance, with 15/10 swirl nozzle.

The Vermorel 2000 Pro Comfort comes with fully specified padded harness, 0.6m to 1m telescopic mechanically/chemically resistant composite lance and 15/10 plate swirl, blue flat fan and blue anvil multi-purpose adjustable nozzles.

Vermorel 2000 Pro Comfort

“This really is a great sprayer,” notes Hozelock-Exel's UK and Ireland National Account Manager Allan Wainwright, “and is fully-equipped to provide rock-steady reliability. I use it on my own lawn.”

Meeting rising demand for greener spray strategies, the Vermorel 3000 Electric includes a host of features to ensure grounds professionals work in optimal comfort, safety and convenience.

Vermorel 3000 Electric

Fitted with 12V lithium ion battery and working to a 2.5hr charging cycle, the `3000` comes with fully specified harness, complete with waist, chest and shoulder padding, plus optional two-wheel trolley.

The traffic light battery charge level indicator gives ample notice for operators to schedule work, while the three pressure settings (1, 1.5 and 3 Bar) allow three to six-hour spray sessions.

With telescopic (0.6 to 1m) composite lance as standard, the `3000` is available with cone 15/10, blue flat fan and brown anvil nozzles to cover a spread of spray applications.

All Vermorel knapsacks are easy to use and to dismantle for servicing and repair. They are also suitable for applying sanitisers and disinfectants and are available with a host of accessories such as spray shields, seal and nozzle kits and multi-nozzle spray booms to give operators even greater flexibility.

Service excellence is a keystone of the Hozelock-Exel sprayer ranges. “Both Berthoud and sister brand Cooper Pegler sprayers are built to giving lasting satisfaction,” Allan says, “and are backed by our replacement parts and accessories delivery service, usually within 48 hours.

“We strongly recommend though that operators thoroughly test their new sprayers with water before filling them with treatment liquids, just to ensure everything is fully operational,” he adds.

www.berthoud.fr/en/

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GEARING UP FOR WINTER WORKS
Planning should be in hand

TIME TO PLAN RENOVATIONS
Sward will be in need of some TLC

WHAT CAN WE SAY ABOUT THE WEATHER?!
Grassed areas looking stressed

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE
Opportunities and challenges aplenty

BUSY TIMES FOR TURF PROFESSIONALS
Short turnaround between seasons

BUDGET STATEMENT
The bane of the turf professional's life

NICE TO BE BUSY AGAIN
Getting out and about

CRICKET IS BACK!
Refreshing to see

LITTER LOUTS
What can be done?

INVESTING IN OUR FACILITIES
Vitally important right now

WEATHER STIMULATING PATHOGENS
Prevalence of turf diseases

TIMES ARE CHANGING
True value of parks highlighted

GREEN IS THE COLOUR
Much needed rain

SUMMER HAS ARRIVED
We're entering a new phase

A GRADUAL RECOVERY
Impressive response from our sports turf industry

FIRST STEPS TO NORMALITY
Golf courses reopen

MOVING ON TO THE NEXT PHASE
Of the pandemic

HOW ARE WE COPING?
After six weeks of lockdown

PARKS AND OPEN SPACES TO THE RESCUE
During the Covid-19 crisis

KEEPING OUR RESOLVE
During the lockdown

GETTING ON WITH THE JOB
As best and as safely as we can

TIME TO REFLECT
Our pace of life has changed dramatically

TESTING TIMES AHEAD
Grasping the effects on our industry

UNPRECEDENTED TIMES
Covid-19's impact on our sector

SWITCHED ON TRADE DAY
Makita launch 30 new products

WHO SAID WE ONLY CUT GRASS?!
It takes years to acquire all the turf professional skills

TIME MARCHES ON
New month to hopefully bring much needed sunshine and drying winds

RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY
Come again another day!

THE PLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE
What can we do to help?

SPRING HAS SPRUNG
Essential renovations

CELEBRATING 2020
Amenity Forum making plans

A DIVERSE & ENTERTAINING WEEK
Successful BTME 2020

TIME TO GET FIT
Our industry can help tackle the growing obesity crisis

WINTER WORKS AND SHOWS
Plenty to occupy in January

LOOKING AHEAD
What might 2020 hold in store?

View all of 2019's blogs here

View all of 2018's blogs here

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?