Whilst a lot of workers will be looking to wind down somewhat in this final run-up to the Christmas period, for many turf professionals it's one of the busier times of the year.

With the weather conditions that the UK has experienced over the past couple of weeks, many will have had their backs against the wall, attempting get to surfaces cleared and made safe. The pressure that groundsmen and greenkeepers find themselves under to get fixtures fulfilled and courses open to paying members, should not be underestimated.

But of course we're talking about professionals here. This degree of expectation to get playing surfaces useable in even the most trying of conditions has always been part of the job.

However in order to stay on top of such changing and testing conditions, it is of course vital that professionals are continually learning and staying abreast of the latest techniques. Every opportunity to increase professional knowledge should be enthusiastically taken.

The two main trade association's events are superb opportunities for doing just this. We recently had the IOG's SALTEX which had more educational seminars than ever before - and coming up in January of course is BIGGA's BTME with its truly impressive Continue To Learn component.

Apparently this is selling fast now though. A statement from the Association posted to their website recently says that over 70% of places are already sold. I assume this percentage is even higher now. So professionals interested in taking advantage of the learning opportunities in Harrogate will probably need to move quickly!

Les Howkins MG, BIGGA chairman is quoted on their site saying, “The number of bookings for Continue to Learn at BTME 2018 is fantastic. There’s such a wide variety of education available that there truly is something for everyone, regardless of their position or years in the industry.”

And that is the key statement - "regardless of their position or years in the industry". Continuing Professional Development, as this on-the-job learning is known, is not a concept which a dedicated professional can ever say they are done with. It really is a career-long obligation for practicing professionals.

A definition of CPD given by an online provider of courses says that "at it’s core it is a personal responsibility of professionals to keep their knowledge and skills current so that they can deliver the high quality of service that safeguards the public and meets the expectations of customers and the requirements of their profession."

That statement could not be truer for turf professionals. Getting it right in this industry is vital not only because of the financial implications involved, but more importantly there is a great responsibility involved in making sure that playing surfaces are safe for both the public and professional sports people.

So whilst there is of course a degree of obligation involved in CPD, professionals should see the opportunities available as engaging, fun and incredibly worthwhile.

An employment tribunal has ruled that two sacked former Hull FC KCOM Stadium groundsmen should not receive any compensation for losing their jobs.

Sacked KCOM groundsmen Darrell Cook (left) and Mark Harrison

The Hull Daily Mail reported that long-serving pair Mark Harrison and Darrell Cook were sacked by the SuperStadium Management Company (SMC) in June.

They took their case for unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal hearing in October.

Three days before the hearing, the SMC conceded it had acted unfairly in dismissing the two men.

The concession was made on the basis that the company had not properly followed employment law during its internal disciplinary process.

However, during the four-day tribunal, the SMC argued it should not have to pay any compensation because the mens' actions still justified immediate dismissal.

The company claimed Mr Cook carried out part-time work as a kitman for Hull FC during his normal SMC working hours.

It also alleged Mr Harrison, as his supervisor, allowed it to happen.

At the hearing, Mr Cook said he always carried on his Hull FC duties outside of SMC time.

The two men were able to mount an appeal case thanks to a crowd-funding campaign on social media.

Tribunal judge Rita Rogerson's decision was to both parties and it is expected to be official published this week sometime.

Ruling out compensation, the Hull Daily Mail says her report is thought to conclude that Mr Cook was working for Hull FC during his SMC hours.

Neither the SMC or Mr Harrison or Mr Cook was available for comment.

However, a source close to the men told the local paper, "They are a bit shell-shocked.

"They technically won their appeal after the concession of unfair dismissal but are naturally disappointed at not being award compensation for losing their jobs."

An independent audit has confirmed that the combined attendance over the two day exhibition totaled 8,909 - the highest ever since SALTEX moved to the NEC, Birmingham.

After two successful days, the 72nd SALTEX exhibition came to a close on 2 November. Over the past two years the exhibition has recorded an encouraging and consistent flux of visitors on each occasion, but this year, say the organisers, a boom of visits seemed to be apparent.

The show’s debut year at the NEC in 2015 saw 8,714 attendees, 2016 recorded 8,754 and this year saw a record 8,909 - which the show's organisers say didn’t go unnoticed by exhibitors.

“An excellent show in 2017,” said Jeremy Hoyle, director at Earlsmere. “Enquiries on the stand were up 15% on last year, and we gained a number of significant leads with sports turf professionals, schools and colleges featuring heavily within our stand attendee list.”

“We were really impressed with the amount of customers visiting our stand this year! SALTEX TV was excellent too, perfect for promoting a new product,” said Holly Jones, marketing manager for Reesink Turfcare.

Price Turfcare, a newly established business founded by Ransomes Jacobsen's former sales director, Rupert Price, was another exhibitor that achieved all of its objectives. “As a start-up business which has only been in existence since the beginning of the year, our first visit to SALTEX has been a very positive experience. One of our aims at SALTEX was to look for new dealer partners and this worked well for us. I can safely say that SALTEX ticked all the boxes,” said Rupert.

Chris Wood, pitches consultant at England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), suggested that SALTEX is a place where some of the greatest industry ideas are born. “The value of a show like this is being able to talk to colleagues from other codes of sport and share ideas. Not only that, it is a place to challenge exhibitors about new technology and that is how new innovation comes about.”

He continued; “I’ve been in this business for 50 years and the opportunities for young groundsmen now, compared to when I first started, are profound.”

SALTEX 2018 will take place at the NEC, Birmingham on 31 October and 1 November.

The overall winner of the Amenity Forum Sprayer Operator of the Year Awards, sponsored by ICL and Syngenta, and supported by BASIS, is set to be announced at BTME 2018, Harrogate.

The awards, in their third year, seek to recognise and reward the industry’s best sprayer operators. Its aim is to improve overall standards by identifying the best practice of individuals to enhance results - and sharing their experiences across the industry.

Over the past year, sprayer operators from all over the UK have been entering one of three categories and the winners were announced at the recent Amenity Forum conference, held at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton on Trent.

The category winners were:

Sports turf: Using a knapsack/boom sprayer: Chris Phillips - Complete Weed Control
Chris joined Complete Weed Control, South Wales in 2001 as an operator and soon became proficient in the skill of street pavements herbicide application before excelling in the fine turf side of the business. Since acquiring the CWC franchise in south and central Wales, his business has gone from strength to strength and in particular his work on golf courses has been widely praised.

Chris feels extremely proud to have won this category and believes it is a major achievement in his highly successful career so far.

Landscape & Industrial: Using a knapsack sprayer: Nathan Hume - SH Goss Ltd

Nathan, Contracts Manager and Ecologist for SH Gross Ltd, primarily specialises in the prevention of invasive non-native plants and also operates in a wide variety of sites including airports, railways, cemeteries, rivers, forests, nature reserves, construction sites and golf courses.

“It was an honour to receive the award. Myself and the company have always followed best practice so awards like this are a nice justification that we are doing things right,” he said.

Landscape & Industrial: Using a vehicle sprayer: Lee Harrison – Complete Weed Control
Lee joined Complete Weed Control South Wales five years ago and is regarded as a very intelligent operator, who is highly motivated and anxious to do a good job every day. He is extremely knowledgeable with all aspects of pesticide applications and especially when it comes to calibration. His precision is said to be ‘legendary’ within the company.

The three category winners have now been invited by ICL and Syngenta to attend the BTME Welcome Reception where the overall winner will be announced. Not only will the winner receive the Amenity Forum Shield but they will also have a number of fantastic prizes to choose from which include:

1. Flights, accommodation and entry to GCSAA 2018 San Antonio, Texas – or
2. Flights, accommodation and entry to GIE Expo 2018 Louisville, Kentucky – or
3. ICL / Syngenta products to the value of £2,000

The programme of events for BTME 2018 is quickly taking shape, with the latest announcement seeing the return of a popular comedian.

Ian Moore will be returning to the BIGGA Welcome Celebration sponsored by Textron Golf, where he will join television presenter and event host Naga Munchetty.

Ian is a regular on TV and radio, is a best-selling author and a headliner at London’s Comedy Store. He also appears on BBC 5Live’s Fighting Talk and BT Sport’s The Football’s On, and a sometime co-host and regular guest on TalkSport’s The Warm Up.

The BTME Welcome Celebration is a popular fixture of the BTME calendar. Taking place on Tuesday 23 January 2018, the free-to-attend event begins at 5pm with attendees receiving a free drink upon arrival courtesy of BIGGA.

The event kicks off at 5.30pm and is a celebration of the achievements of BIGGA members throughout the previous year.

Those recognised will include:

• BIGGA Life Members
• BIGGA President and Vice President
• Continuing Professional Development Milestones
• Master Greenkeeper Certificates
• BIGGA Photographic Competition
• Toro Student Greenkeepers of the Year

Also revealed will be the winners of the BIGGA Awards 2018, with details of the finalists due to be revealed in the coming weeks.

The three awards categories are:

• Championship Greenkeeping Performance of the Year sponsored by Rigby Taylor
• Young Greenkeeper of the Year sponsored by Textron Golf
• Greenkeeping Achievement of the Year sponsored by Baroness

Following the event there will be an informal drinks reception.

Ian Moore said: “I’m really chuffed to be asked back to the BIGGA Welcome Celebration, and especially back to Harrogate as I left a pair of cuff-links in the hotel last year and they promised to hold on to them.”

Tickets for BTME, Continue to Learn and GolfBIC can be booked online with links available on every BTME event page on the BTME and BIGGA websites.

You can also download a copy of the Continue to Learn at BTME 2018 brochure.

Briggs & Stratton Corporation announced this week that it has acquired the assets of Ground Logic, Inc. of Lincoln, Nebraska, a designer and manufacturer of premium stand-on commercial spreaders and spreader/sprayers for fertiliser and pesticide-herbicide lawn applications on mid- to large-sized residential and commercial properties.

Ground Logic sprayer

“This acquisition supports Briggs & Stratton’s strategy to ‘fill out the trailer’ of the commercial lawn and turf professional, with highly-regarded products that are built to stand up to the toughest working demands,” says Harold L. Redman, Senior Vice President and Group President - Turf & Consumer Products, Briggs & Stratton.

“We will be able to use our industry-leading global distribution network to accelerate growth and are eager to add these products to our portfolio of outdoor power equipment to help commercial business owners get the job done.”

Briggs & Stratton say they financed the transaction from cash in hand. It expects that the acquisition will not have a material effect on fiscal 2018 earnings or cash flows.

Lister Wilder have now finished their Movember campaign and are delighted to announce that they raised £17,868.

This magnificent total makes them the 5th largest fundraiser in the UK. Divisional Sales Director, Phill Hughes said that every member of the team was really pleased with the amazing outcome.

"A big thank you to everyone that took part or donated to our team, " Phill said. "We're very proud to know the money raised will make a real difference to people's lives."

Phill explained why Lister Wilder believe that Movember is an appropriate charity to support. "As an industry whose employees and customers are largely male the charity is relevant, with a large number having been touched in some way by the illnesses it fights against. It therefore holds a place in many hearts.

"Participating raises awareness among employees and therefore promotes a healthier working environment. It helps to remove the stigma that can sometimes surround men’s mental health issues, as well as reminding of the need for regular self checks for early diagnosis."

Phill continued by saying that joining in with Movember, growing some facial hair was both free and easy, plus very enjoyable. "As well as providing a bit of fun and laughter, a bit of friendly competition is healthy. By offering prizes for various categories it generates a friendly competition amongst different departments, depots and offices.

"With many participating and others providing encouragement it offers a great opportunity for the whole company to come together for a common cause. And doing something good for others adds the feel good factor and creates a bonding experience along the way.

"Once again a big thank you to everyone for their support."

Etesia UK dealers recently visited the company’s HQ and factory in Wissembourg, France to see their state-of-art factory and production line.

More than 15 dealers, made up of new and existing companies, took part in three days of visits. They got the chance to see the newly-refurbished visitor centre as well as the automated fabrication and production line.

Etesia say they boast one of the best networks of green space maintenance equipment specialists in Europe; it has become a key supplier of local authorities and landscape contractors throughout Europe, while acquiring an International dimension with operations in over 40 countries spread over five continents.

Les Malin, operations director of Etesia UK, kick-started the trip by relaying the benefits of Etesia machines, while Patrick Vives, President of Etesia SAS told the story as to how it all began with the Hydro 100 machine over thirty years ago. Attendees were then delivered a presentation on the advances in technology, a sneak preview of the new products which will be launched ahead of 2018, followed by a tour of the factory.

After lunch the opportunity arose to get hands on with some of Etesia’s machinery outside.

The day was rounded off with an evening visit to the luxurious Royal Palace, Kirrwiller, which saw everyone enjoy live music, acrobats, and other enchanting entertainment.

The last day began with a tour around the picturesque town of Wissembourg with a private guide before meeting the town’s Mayor for a greater insight into what Etesia offers the local area in terms of employment and export.

The trip was concluded with a visit to Maginot Line - a line of concrete fortifications, obstacles, and weapon installations built by France in the 1930s to deter invasion by Germany and force them to move around the fortifications, which was constructed on the French side of its borders with Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Luxembourg.

At the end of the visit Les Malin, operations director of Etesia UK, thanked everyone for attending: "We are very proud of the work we do in the UK with our dealers and of our facilities in France. To be able to show the people, who are effectively our sales force, just how much effort goes into achieving the best, and to get their feedback, is invaluable."

Kubota UK has launched #KubotaChristmas, a social media campaign to thank and reward the company’s dealer and end-user customers with the chance of winning a host of Kubota branded presents this Christmas.

The festive campaign launched on Kubota UK’s Facebook and Twitter pages on Friday (15 December), kick starting a ten-day countdown to Christmas with prizes to be won every day.

The company is encouraging all of its social media fans and followers to get involved by entering and sharing the campaign. Every morning a new #KubotaChristmas video animation will appear. The video sees Santa Claus heading off in his sleigh from Kubota Corporation’s head office in Japan to the shores of the UK and Ireland with a sack full of presents.

Last year’s grand prize winner, Andy Roberts, said: “I think the Kubota Christmas campaign is brilliant. My young lad was absolutely delighted with his very own Kubota pedal tractor, it made his Christmas, I don’t know whose smile was biggest, mine or his!”

On Facebook, fans need to answer questions related to the festive period to be in with a chance of winning a host of Kubota merchandise, from beanie hats and body warmers, to pedal tractors. Entries via Twitter will encourage individuals to retweet and like the post to win a present.

Karen Tipping, Marketing Manager at Kubota UK, commented, “Our Christmas campaigns are all about giving back and thanking our customers for their loyal support. This is our third year now and the feedback we receive is excellent. I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from everyone at Kubota UK and good luck entering our #KubotaChristmas campaign.”

For more information about how to enter, visit the Kubota UK Facebook page or follow @KubotaUK on Twitter.