I hope everybody had an enjoyable Easter break, including all those turf professionals and volunteers who no doubt were kept busy prepping their grounds for fixtures.
As for me, April is always a hectic time, catching up with relevant industry personnel and companies - alongside my role as a Green Flag judge,
Currently, my fellow judges and I are out and about assessing parks and public open spaces - including heritage sites and waterways.
Last week I met up with fellow judge Rebbeca to meet up with Mark Arnold, the Countryside Ranger for Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve nr Congleton, Cheshire.
Brereton Heath Local Nature Reserve occupies 35.5 ha of a former silica sand quarry. Brereton Heath Country Park, as it was previously known, was opened in 1982 by the former Congleton Borough Council. Local Nature Reserve status was granted in 2005.
The nature reserve includes 19.3 ha of silver birch dominated woodland, categorised as a W16 woodland under the National Vegetation Classification. The woodland is succeeding to an oak / rowan mix. Also included are wetland and pond areas, a wet (alder) woodland, and a remnant pine plantation. The latter is all that remains of a former pine plantation, which was clear felled in 1916.
In addition to the woodland areas, the site also has 1.5 ha of remnant lowland heath. Although typical of many parts of Cheshire until the post war period, this is now a rare habitat locally and is a county Biodiversity Action Plan target. Although mainly comprising dry heath of caluna vulgaris, there are wetter areas which support erica tetyralix, and mosses. The heathland is attractive to invertebrates, including solitary bees, green tiger beetles, and several butterfly species. Small copper butterflies are found, and for the first time in 2019, dingy skippers. Green woodpeckers occasionally visit the heathland.
A 15 acre lake, remnant of former quarrying operations now forms a focal point for visitors. Although supporting a moderate population of waterfowl and transitory winter visitors such as goosander and tufted duck, the steep edge gradients limit marginal vegetation and nesting habitat.
Brereton Heath LNR attracts an estimated 200,000 visits per year. It has an important role to play in providing health and wellbeing opportunities. The facility caters for visitors with mobility problems and a safe, managed environment for families. It provides an opportunity to access the countryside, both as a destination in its own right, as well as a starting point to the wider countryside.
Mark has been in overall charge of the site for well over 25 years and soon will be retiring from his post. It was certainly an eyeopener for me to visit this valuable community asset. Being Easter and half-term there were plenty of locals enjoying a walk around this impressive Local Nature Reserve.
Further visits
While in the area I took the opportunity to call in on Campey Turf Care who were only ten minutes away - and who like most machinery dealers / suppliers were busy carrying out PDI inspections and getting machinery ready for their customers. On hand to meet me were Julie Campey and Lee Morgado.
I enjoyed a brief tour of the site, which since my last visit has seen some major changes to its layout that enables a more efficient use of the buildings and creates a better flow for machinery that’s been imported and in need of servicing and repairs. Also, Julia very kindly reminded me of the company’s 40th anniversary event that is being held on the 9th July - and if past Campey days are anything to go by it going to be a great day of celebration. If you are interested in attending this event log onto their website and register your interest.
As for other visits I have undertaken, I recently took the opportunity call in at two of my local rugby clubs, Telford and Stafford RFCs, who both have recently received robotic mowers to help the clubs improve their pitches. These have been provided via a new RFU initiative with partnership sponsor, STIGA.
STIGA robots at Telford RFC
I was keen to find out how both clubs where coping with their new autonomous mowers.
Calling in first at Telford, I met up with the club’s Chairman, Neil Thomas, who I have known for many years. He was keen to explain that they had acquired three of these STIGA robots - two A5000 models and a A750. He told me they had managed to get two out of the three working. It would seem from talking to Neil that it was a software issue, and they had been in communication with both the RFU and STIGA representatives and were awaiting further support.
Whilst at Telford I managed to see both mowers working - one on the first team pitch and the other on the training area. I am sure once they are up and running fully, these robotic mowers will be a great help for any rugby club. The deal is for three years with the clubs having the opportunity to buy the robotic mowers at the end of the trial.
Similarly, at Stafford RFC Trevor Roberts the club’s groundsman had also received three STIGA robot mowers - one for each of their three natural grass rugby pitches. Again, he like Neil was having some teething problems with the software and trying to get the robots set up.
Trevor and Neil are both volunteer servants to their clubs and play an integral part in looking after the pitches. Both clubs are aware of the necessity to maintain and invest in their surfaces.
Both have enlisted onto the Pitchpower app and are working closely with the GMA’s pitch advisors to secure help and advice and further funding for ongoing pitch improvements.
They are both excited about the STIGA support and having the opportunity of investing in new technologies and can see that these robots will become a time saving grace to allow them to spend more time doing other work to help improve their grounds.
