I recently attended an ASPE seminar where guest speakers gave informative talks on managing our landscape, with particular focus given to finding better ways of encouraging plant diversity within our parks and public open spaces.

For several years now we have seen councils taking up the initiative to rewild and plant areas of land with wildflower mixes, with the aim of improving biodiversity - whilst at the same time attempt to save money on cutting grass.

Recent years has witnessed a changing of the mowing regimes we became accustomed to in the late 1970s and 80s, where in most instances we were cutting grass wall to wall at one height of cut.

Also, across many schools’ playing fields, this method of grass cutting was common. We generally cut grass on a weekly basis to keep it neat and tidy. One of the reasons this policy changed initially was due to cost saving approaches, where councils could no longer afford these costly grass cutting regimes - plus the fact we started to see conservationists employed by local authorities. 

So, from the turn of this century onwards, we have seen a dramatic turnaround in how we manage our public open spaces. Now with many of the new climate change initiatives being driven by government, the opportunity to rewild has become a new initiative for local authorities to hang their hat on. 

Road verges

At the seminar I attended was an employee of Plantlife, Mark Schofield, a road verges advisor who gave an interesting talk on public green spaces management from the perspective of economy, climate and nature’s recovery.

He began his talk on some startling facts:

• 58% of species are in decline
• 1 in 7 UK species are at risk of extinction
• 97% wildflower meadows have been lost since 1930

There are nearly 313,500 miles of rural road verge in the UK, he said – equivalent in area to our remaining lowland species-rich grassland, with 700 species of wildflower growing on road verges.

For 23 million commuters, road verges can be their only daily contact with nature. However, if we were to rethink how we manage our grass verges and hedges in a better coordinated way, Mark argued we would not only make savings in maintenance costs but would increase biodiversity and increase wildlife populations within our towns and cities. In essence, it is all about adopting new ways of managing our landscape assets.

Road verges are a vital refuge for wildlife, including 45 per cent of our total flora. The 500,000 kilometres of road verges that span the UK are equivalent to half of our remaining flower-rich grassland. This existing green infrastructure is a national opportunity to enhance biodiversity. 

Mark’s company Plantlife began its Road Verge Campaign in 2013. The vision was to manage verges with wildlife in mind, to protect and enhance flower-rich habitats, nurture their environmental benefits and enhance our connection to nature. At the heart of the campaign sits a petition to councils, combined with practical guidance to inform, inspire and enable change to happen.

Many local authorities and their contractors are now implementing their guidance and have seen a dramatic improvement to their green spaces in terms of savings, increased biodiversity and creating a new wildlife corridor for insects, mammals and birds. 

I found Mark’s a truly inspiring talk. This approach to road verges is equally applicable to larger areas of land space. Do we really need to cut wall to wall and neglect our hedgerows and trees that we plant?

Golf courses for many years have encouraged several different cutting regimes to maintain their vast areas of grassed land. Clubs will have dedicated areas of rough, semi rough, permanent rough and fringing rough to enhance the aesthetics of the golf course with the aim of promoting and increasing biodiversity, whilst also conserving wildlife on the courses.

We now have a plethora of grass cutting / collection machinery at our disposal, so it really should all be about understanding how we can best use this technology to enhance our local environments to deliver a welcoming environment that we can all enjoy.

Distributors Iseki UK & Ireland have announced that Muratori products are now available to buy through their current dealer network.  

Muratori designs and manufactures a wide range of tractor mounted implements that can be used in multiple applications, including hobby farming, landscaping, professional gardening and horticulture plus fruit growing and cultivation on agricultural land.

Founded in 1949 as a small shop for the repair of agricultural machinery founded by Alcide Muratori in Italy, manufacturing of rotary tillers began in the early 1960s becoming the company sole activity in 1965 when the export of agricultural machinery started.

In 1978 they moved to a premises where their new factory was built with a covered area of 6,000 square meters, offices, a workshop and a showroom. It was at this time the production of other machines started including power harrows - followed by the development of mulchers and finishing mowers, fertiliser spreaders and reverse rotation tiller-stone buriers.

The range of Muratori implements includes:

•    Rotary tillers 
•    Stoneburies
•    Power harrow 
•    Finishing mowers 
•    Flail mowers for grass
•    Fertiliser spreader for powder or granular fertilisers

 
In an official statement Iseki UK & Ireland said, "Muratori is renowned for excellent product reliability and customer service thanks to consistent manufacturing experience and development for over 60 years. With customers in over 40 countries, on 5 continents, there is an implement suitable for anyone."

Aberdeen Football Club have recently added their signature to the UN Sports for Climate Change framework - underlining its intent to become carbon neutral, and are implementing a plan across all areas of operation to meet this commitment.

As part of this, the club say they have recently made a step forward in their aim of reducing emissions by 50% by 2030 with the purchase of a brace of battery-powered mowers from Infinicut. The combination of an SM34 rotary and 34” floating head mower form part of a wider sustainability strategy for The Dons - reducing not just their carbon footprint but noise pollution too. 

In charge of this for the fibre-sand stadium pitch is head groundsperson David Nicholson. He said, “From our very first conversation with Bobby McDougall at Infinicut, we could see how the purchase of these mowers would be a fantastic step forward in reducing our fuel usage and improving our green credentials.

“We thought the cut quality of our previous petrol-driven machine would be hard to beat but the cut we get from the SM34, together with the powerful suction, is superb.”

Used for the post-match clean-up cut, another thing that David says has impressed him and the team is the lack of noise lack emitted from the mower, equipped with a UXR lithium battery. “Sometimes it would be half an hour or more before we could resume work after a fixture because of media interviews happening around the ground but with the SM34 we can be out and cutting straight away," he explains.

Also delivered in July 2022 was an Infinicut FL34. “This has been another fantastic purchase and the floating head has without doubt improved the quality of cut and, in turn, had a really positive impact on plant health even in this relatively short period of time,” David said.

"These machines tick a lot of boxes but ultimately do the job of cutting and presenting a first-class surface better than any other machine we’ve used.” 

Tallis Amos Group (TAG) has confirmed three sales appointments for its new depot in Shropshire at Allscott between Shrewsbury and Telford.

Gareth Williams, James Potter and Dan Mallard

The announcement follows TAG's confirmation in July that it had been appointed as the John Deere dealer to cover Shrewsbury and Newport in Shropshire. The new depot is due to open this month (October 2022). 

James Potter has joined TAG from Rea Valley Tractors (RVT) as depot sales manager. From a farming family in Shropshire, James attended Harper Adams and worked at McConnel before joining RVT in 2007. With 15 years of experience with the John Deere portfolio and a passion for forage harvesters and precision ag, TAG says James is perfectly qualified to help them earn farmers' and contractors' business and trust.

 
James said, “After 15 happy years at RVT, I’m looking forward to working with owners Ben Tallis and Simon Amos and the rest of the team. With over 40 years of experience running a John Deere dealership, like my family they have very deep roots in selling and supporting John Deere products.

“All the team at Tallis Amos have been very welcoming and I look forward to dealing with customers new and old from our new Allscott depot.” 

Joining James will be Gareth Williams and Dan Mallard. Gareth has 25 years of experience in agricultural machinery, with the last 15 at RVT. As well as sales in south Shropshire he will have a wider group role as a TAG combine specialist helping to develop combine sales in Shropshire and Herefordshire.

Dan Mallard will join the team and be responsible for sales around the Newport area. For the last six years, Dan has been working for Krone UK as a territory manager for central England and Wales, this experience will also help Dan in his additional role of forager and grassland sales specialist in Shropshire and Herefordshire.

Currently operating four depots in the West Midlands and Wales at Evesham, Kemble, Leominster and Narberth, TAG also has plans to open an additional site near Lampeter in November this year. 

Continuing to expand their dealer network, Boss ORV has appointed two new Corvus dealers.

David Taylor Garages based in Crickhowell, Powys, Wales is the first new appointee. 

Phil Everett with Gene Taylor

Boss ORV managing director Phil Everett said, "We are delighted to welcome our second dealer in Wales and extremely excited to have someone join the Corvus network with such a reputation for customer service in this region. Really looking forward to working with Gene, Chris, Katherine and all the team at David Taylor’s.” 

Next up, Corvus has arrived in Cheshire to coincide with the opening of the Campey Turf Care retail premises in Bosley, Cheshire. 

John Campey and Phil Everett

Phil Everett said, “It’s great to have Richard, John and all the team join us at this exciting time in our development. Their expertise in the groundcare market combined with our developing product line-up makes a dynamic combination.” 

Both dealers will be stocking the Corvus Terrain range of side-by-side 4x4 utility vehicles, including the new 100% electric Terrain EX4 UTV.

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

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?

Organisers are offering a chance to win a robotic mower worth over £1000, by registering and attending this year’s SALTEX taking place at the Birmingham NEC on 2-3 November.

The Grounds Management Association (GMA) have announced that they have partnered with Danarm to offer one lucky person who registers and attends the show the chance to win the Wiper Blitz XH2.

Sarah Cunningham, director of commercial and events at the GMA, said, “Attending SALTEX is all about discovering the emerging and progressive technologies in the industry and this mower from Danarm fits those criteria. To be able to give one away is a real draw for those who register. It’s free to register, only take a few minutes and if you don’t win, you’re guaranteed an informative and valuable day out. It’s a win/win situation.” 

To be in with the chance of winning register for SALTEX by Friday 21st October 2022 and attend the event.