Grounds Management - August 2020

Aug 2020 | £4.00

GROUNDS MANAGEMENT Making sport possible

EASTBOURNE PROMISE The Devonshire Park team’s keys to success

A YEAR OF PROGRESS

for the GaNTIP programme

UNIVERSITY MEETS THE CHALLENGE

Warwick’s award winners

STAYING POWER Cheryl Hill celebrates 30 years at Leicester Tigers

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AUGUST 2020

WELCOME Government go ahead We are buoyed by the fact that Government has given the green light for events (exhibitions) to be staged from October 1. The GMA relies hugely on the success of SALTEX, so this announcement enables us to progress our plans for the 75th anniversary SALTEX show at the Birmingham NEC on March 3 & 4, 2021. Working to an ‘industry-wide secure standard’, we are confident of staging an event which will highlight the industry’s innovation and talent, as well as provide a platform for businesses to showcase products and stimulate our sector.

While the only current certainty is the uncertainty facing us all as a result of Covid-19, we have got to prepare for a new future as we all adapt to a world where freedom of movement has been restricted and we become accustomed to a new way of life.

We can’t give cast iron guarantees, of course, but we will continue to monitor Government advice and take every precaution to ensure SALTEX covers all eventualities and is staged safely – and successfully.

We recognise that we all are facing an incredible challenge, but with hope, luck and some brilliant science we will come through it and be ready to build again. And we intend that SALTEX will be that springboard of new opportunity for our industry.

So, put March 3 & 4 in your diaries for an event where you will be able to network, re-engage, rebuild and renew acquaintances, to do business and to continue to make sport possible.

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REGULARS

FEATURES

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Industry news News from around the industry

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Women in industry Cheryl Hill celebrates 30 years at Leicester Tigers

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SALTEX news Luke Perry, SALTEX and events director, on planning for next year’s show

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Grow with the GMA Bradley Tennant on the joy of learning and promoting our industry

Best practice: Devonshire Park Head groundsman Danny Negus on teamwork, success and dealing with lockdown at Devonshire Park

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Best practice: University of Warwick How this award-winning team manages its wide range of well-used surfaces

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Technical update Being prepared for a visit from a health and safety inspector

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GaNTIP update Looking back on a great year of progress for the programme

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In action Products from Jacobsen, Infinicut, DLF and Campey Turf Care

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Product showcase Synthetic surface maintenance, plus blowers, sweepers, collectors and vacs

This magazine is printed using paper from responsible sources

GROUNDS MANAGEMENT Geoff Webb Chief Executive Grounds Management Association

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Editorial address: 28 Stratford Office Village, Walker Avenue, Wolverton Mill East, Milton Keynes MK12 5TW | t:01908 312511 GMA membership and general enquiries: t:01908 312511 | e:membership@thegma.org.uk Magazine subscriptions: Jo Cornford | t:01908 312511 | e:accounts@thegma.org.uk Subscriptions: £72 UK | £82 Europe | £112 rest of world Published by: James Pembroke Media ■ Editor: Colin Hoskins | e:editor@thegma.org.uk | t:07785 293077 Publisher: James Houston ■ Product editor: Lizzie Hufton | e:lizzie.hufton@jamespembrokemedia.co.uk | t:01225 337777 Head of design: Simon Goddard ■ To advertise in this magazine: t:020 3859 7097 | e:sales@jamespembrokemedia.co.uk

GROUNDS MANAGEMENT is published monthly by the Grounds Management Association. All material is copyright of the Grounds Management Association and may not be reproduced without permission. The publishers do not accept responsibility for any advertisement appearing in the journal and cannot be held liable for editorial omissions or errors. The views expressed in the journal are not necessarily those of the Grounds Management Association.

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 3

UPDATE

UPDATE | NEWS

THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM GMA AND THE INDUSTRY

From July, competitive 11-a-side matches have been allowed

CRICKET

Isle of Wight cricketers find new ways to play CRICKETERS ON the Isle of Wight have come up with a solution to enable the game to restart safely under the latest Covid-19 guidance.

July saw the start of the competitive cricket season on the Isle of Wight as 13 teams from eight clubs play in two mini leagues for the rest of the summer.

The teams will be split into two leagues, the A and B, with each team playing each other once in a 40 overa-side format that follows the Covid-19 playing guidance. The league will see teams from the Southern League and Hampshire taking on Island league sides for the first time in many years.

The Isle of Wight Cricket Board is also looking to host an Island All Stars Game on August 29 which will see the best players come together to play in a one-off game.

The action won’t be over at the end of August as the league programme will be followed by a new cup competition, The September Cup, which will give those clubs and players wishing to extend the season past the traditional closing date extra time playing.

The junior cricketers aren’t being left behind as all the age groups (U11s, 13s & 15s) in the area have got underway with their fixtures for the season. The leagues have been scrapped for the summer but the clubs have a fixture list until early September, giving the juniors plenty of opportunity to test their skills.

Cricket development manager, Stuart Chatfield, said: “The league and cup will give the players what they have told us they wanted, which is a competition at the weekends, with

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the AGM of the Grounds Management Association will be a ‘virtual’ online meeting held on

4 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT | AUGUST 2020

over 75% of those who completed our questionnaire wanting to see some sort of competition this season. It will see many sides take on teams from different leagues, which will make it really exciting. But most pleasing is that the clubs were keen to enter teams and make the league a success, with them working together sharing grounds and players to get the games on.”

Throughout England, cricket has moved from step 3 to step 4 of the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) roadmap to return for recreational cricket, as reported on in the last issue of Grounds Management. A full programme of grounds maintenance can now resume on cricket grounds. There is separate guidance for Wales; more information can be found at www.ecb.co.uk.

Wednesday November 25, 2020 from 12pm to 1.30pm.

Further information will be provided via our magazine, website and social media pages during September.

NEWS | UPDATE

GMA Live: Grow your grounds career GMA LIVE CONTINUES on Thursday, August 13, 12pm-1pm, with an overview of the skills needed to maintain pitches across all levels – including an outline of the GMA’s national framework for pitch quality standards, the Pitch Grading Framework – from expert speakers who include: Jason Booth, GMA director of technical and learning; Dan Prest, GMA head of technical and learning; and Alex Latto, assistant head groundsman, Scottish Rugby, BT Murrayfield Stadium.

They will deliver live experiences on college-based and GMA education, along with information on career routes, specialist training and the broader qualifications available.

The webinar will highlight: • What grounds management involves (maintenance tasks,

SUPPORT

Perennial helps hard-hit families THE CHARITY PERENNIAL, which helps grounds workers and their families in times of difficulty, is offering support in the form of help with school uniform costs as the children of grounds staff return to school this September.

The charity says that the coronavirus pandemic has worsened an already difficult situation for some families. According to a report by The Children’s Society, the

understanding of plant and soil science), and the varying levels of the GMA’s Pitch Grading Framework • An overview of routes into the industry, the courses available and career paths • An update on skills and training required at certain levels, and what can give you the edge over other candidates • Best ways to network • Generic CV hints and tips • A chance to ask questions.

To register visit: www.thegma.org. uk/news

average cost of secondary school uniform per year per child is £337 and £315 for primary school age children.

Perennial’s support scheme was launched in 2019 and was very well received with one parent saying: “I am relieved and humbled that you have helped us with the children’s uniform and shoes. Thank you so much for your support and advice, too. It feels financially overwhelming at the moment and we are grateful for this help.”

To find out more about the Back to School support and apply for help, visit perennial.org.uk/backtoschool

NEWS IN BRIEF

LEARNING

Obituary: Tom Flintoft Tom Flintoft, former head groundsman at Durham Cricket, has died. Tom spent seven years at the Emirates Riverside stadium, becoming the club’s first head groundsman in 1991 having returned to his native North East after spending a period as head groundsman at Hampshire County Cricket Club.

Winning many awards throughout his career, Tom was in charge of laying the square at Emirates Riverside following Durham becoming a first-class county.

Bionema secures innovation grant Biotechnology firm Bionema has received a grant from Innovate UK to support its development of bioinsecticide microencapsulation formulation, which offers an alternative to chemical pesticides. The £98,000 Continuity Grant complements an initial £1 million in funding from Innovate UK and from the Welsh Government’s SMART Cymru.

John Deere sells SABO John Deere has announced it is selling SABO to Mutares. Germany-based SABO makes mowers and other outdoor power products. Tim Merrett, John Deere’s vice president, turf and compact utility platform, said: “Further investment in walk-behind lawnmowers was no longer a strategic fit for our global business. John Deere will continue to produce a range of lawn and grounds care equipment.”

Tivoli trials electric Grounds and landscape contractor Tivoli has introduced a modernisation programme for equipment and vehicles with a view to replacing them with electric or hybrid versions where possible. Likely to cost around £15 million, the project will include the renewal of 650 or so vehicles.

Vale’s new website Vale Engineering (York), a manufacturer of weed control, turf care and winter maintenance equipment, has launched a new website (www.valeuk.com) that combines all the company’s brands for the first time and features, for example, downloadable specifications and images for each product.

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 5

UPDATE | MOVERS & SHAKERS

T H E FA

Andy Gray heads up St George’s Park ANDY GRAY has been appointed head of grounds and estates for St George’s Park, the home of 27 England teams and FA Education.

Andy agreed to join The FA in May from Southampton FC, where he had responsibility for St Mary’s Stadium and the Staplewood training campus. Having seen out the delayed 2019-20 season with the Premier League club, he will now start at St George’s Park in September. Built in 2012, the site features 13 outdoor pitches, and an indoor 3G and Futsal arena, providing world-class facilities for England teams ahead of international fixtures.

Andy had spent 22 years at Southampton but said he could not turn down the opportunity to work at St George’s Park.

He said: “I am very excited and looking forward to it. If you work in football, whatever your role, working for the national team is

the pinnacle. I have loved every day of working for Southampton and always knew it would take something big to make me leave.

Wembley is the elite when it comes to stadia and St George’s Park is the same when it comes to training grounds.

“I know there is a good, strong team already in place and I am looking forward to working closely with them. It will be great to build new working relationships, not just in the grounds department but also with everyone involved in making the site the impressive place that it has become.”

SY M B I O

Neil Carter returns in new role TURF MANAGERS in the South West of England will see a familiar face again as Neil Carter returns to Symbio in a sales and advisory role.

Neil has more than 30 years of horticultural experience behind him.

RHS qualified, he then completed an HND in Golf Course Management at Cannington College in 1996.

A diverse greenkeeping career followed at venues including the Manor House at Castle Combe, Paris International, Dartmouth Golf & Country Club and the London Golf Club. He initially joined Symbio at the turn of the millennium and spent a decade with the Surrey-

based soil biology specialist before starting a successful gardening business in his local area.

He rejoined the company in March and is looking forward to working with customers in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, Dorset, Hampshire and Gloucestershire again. “It’s great to be back, and at an exciting time for Symbio. The team has grown significantly; the breadth of expertise our customers have access to today is incredible.

New product research and development has continued and it’s fantastic to see additions such as Symbio Biotabs and Incision join mainstay products like Thatch Eater and compost teas in a portfolio that’s helping turf managers across the country.”

Neil can be contacted at neil@symbio.co.uk

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Nick Brown, Campey Campey Turf Care Systems has appointed Nick Brown as its new export sales manager. Nick has over 20 years of experience in golf and sports turf and, through his previous role at Ransomes Jacobsen, has extensive knowledge of the international markets. Nick said: “In my new role, I want to build on the message that Campey is always willing to go the extra mile to help.

I have always worked on the basis of ‘making a customer, not a sale,’ and that matches perfectly with the common goals and message the Campey team has.” campeyturfcare.com

Stephen Pearce, Bionema Bionema, the UKbased biopesticide technology developer, has announced the appointment of Stephen Pearce as non-executive chair. Steve has more than 25 years of global experience in the pharma, biotech and life science industries, and has served in senior positions in both public and private equityowned companies – where the development and implementation of successful transformational strategies are fundamental to companies’ sustainable growth. www.bionema.com

Ben O’Connor, S&C Slatter Sports construction company S&C Slatter has appointed Ben O’Connor as managing director, with David Slatter moving into the role of CEO at The Slatter Group.

Ben joined S&C Slatter as preconstruction manager in 2015, bringing considerable industry experience, including work on the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. Ben said: “I’m excited to work with a fantastic team who are determined to keep us at the forefront of the industry.” www.theslattergroup.com

Perfect play requires Perfect maintenance

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SALTEX UPDATE

TECHNICAL UPDATE | COVID-19 ADVICE

SALTEX 2021 “will be integral to the industry’s recovery”

KEEP IN TOUCH SALTEX 2021 will take place on March 3 & 4, 2021 at the NEC, Birmingham. For more information, visit www.gmasaltex.co.uk. Follow SALTEX on Twitter and Facebook

Chris Bennett SALTEX press officer

GMA’s SALTEX and events director, Luke Perry, believes that SALTEX 2021 will provide a huge opportunity for the grounds management industry to regroup, re-unite and celebrate LU KE PE RRY was appointed by the Grounds Management Association as SALTEX and events director just six weeks before the 2019 event.

“I was blown away by the exhibition,” he says. “I’ve been involved with many trade events and I have never seen such an opening to a show. The queue was stretching down to the NEC atrium and it really hit home just how passionate people are about SALTEX. It was inspiring.”

Luke’s words are high praise indeed from someone who has worked on some of the UK’s most prestigious exhibitions. He has been immersed in the events industry for over 20 years and has worked across a diverse portfolio of shows including BBC Countryfile Live, The British International Motor Show and Autosport International.

Enthused by his first taste of SALTEX, Luke was straight to work on preparations for the show’s 75th anniversary but will now have to wait a little longer than planned following the announcement that the show has been moved to spring 2021. “It was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but the correct one. I think the feedback and support from the industry is testament to this. We’ve had a fantastic response from exhibitors, with many claiming that it will provide them with enough time to recover and plan effectively. In fact, many have suggested that spring is actually a better time of year and that echoes the same feedback we have had from visitors. With such

an unprecedented few months ahead, we’re planning more than ever behind the scenes to make sure SALTEX hits the right mark.”

He adds: “We are planning for every eventuality, which includes ensuring we can deliver a show where people can assemble and interact with a real awareness of the need to maintain safe practices.

Should guidelines or restrictions still be necessary in March, we are working hard to ensure the show remains a brilliant and valuable experience for exhibitors and visitors. After an extended period of isolation, there will be a real appetite for SALTEX, and all the signs are pointing towards an incredibly busy and vibrant show – and we’re planning to deliver exactly that.”

SALTEX 2019 saw a recordbreaking attendance of 9,104.

The show also received a huge number of first-time attendees, an increase in younger visitors and the international audience grew significantly. Once again, it proved to be the industry’s showcase event in the UK. But Luke has his sights set even higher: “We’ve got a great standing, a great pedigree and a history of success. Britain is a global leader in grounds management.

SALTEX reflects that and has the opportunity to be the biggest and best in the world. After this difficult period, I believe SALTEX will play an integral role to help people in the industry network, collaborate and continue to support one another more than ever before.” ■

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SALTEX and events director Luke Perry says that next year’s show will bring the industry together

For SALTEX sales and sponsorship: Matthew Knight: matthewknight@rabdf.co.uk Charles Neale: charlesneale@rabdf.co.uk Luke Perry: lperry@thegma.org.uk For SALTEX invoicing enquires: Alan Clarke: accounts@thegma.org.uk

FEATURE | CHERYL HILL

Cheryl is passionate about her role at Leicester Tigers

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CHERYL HILL | WOMEN IN INDUSTRY

Colin Hoskins Editor

CHERYL CELEBRATES

Cheryl Hill has recently celebrated an incredible 30 years as a member of the Leicester Tigers’ grounds staff team – making her the club’s longest-serving employee “THERE ARE FEW PEOPLE who typify the ‘club first’ mentality at Leicester Tigers better than Cheryl Hill,” said the club’s director of rugby, Geordan Murphy, when he recently commemorated Cheryl’s 30 years as a member of the club’s grounds team and her position as the longestserving member of staff. And her devotion to the club is matched only by her passion for the pitches: “Those pitches are like my babies,” she says.

Cheryl’s path into grounds management was created after her meeting with her school’s careers master, to whom she made it clear that she “liked being outdoors”. A subsequent two-week job placement with the local council’s parks department, “which included pitch maintenance and marking out”, then led to a short-lived apprenticeship with the council before she joined the Tigers in January 1990, aged 17, as assistant grounds person.

“Back then there was just the head groundsman, Derek Limmage, and myself as his assistant. And the Tigers trained only on Tuesday and Thursday nights. But when we went from being an amateur club to professional, the players were suddenly around all day and we had to change our regimes in terms of pitch maintenance.”

Nowadays, as well as helping to look after the stadium turf at Wheldon Road, Cheryl – as temporary deputy head groundsperson – and the grounds team (led by Ed Mowe) maintain three pitches at the club’s Oval Park training base – two soil-based surfaces and a Desso pitch plus a 3G surface under a dome. These are traditionally used six or seven days

a week “though the Covid-19 situation changed that”, says Cheryl.

She continues: “The different surfaces don’t demand any real differences in maintenance, though the usual annual renovation of the soil pitches sees us just ‘tickle the top’ of these while the Desso surface is taken right off.” In terms of her role in maintaining the stadium pitch, this usually involves helping to prep the surface and cutting on a Friday, when there is a captain’s run, before another single or double cut on a Saturday ready for the game.

Walking the walk Despite having no formal grounds care qualifications, “learning everything on the job” as she’s gone along has obviously not affected the quality of Cheryl’s work, as she ably performs any and all of the maintenance tasks required – mowing, aerating, seeding and marking out included. And that has entailed a lot of walking. “I remember one matchday last season when I completed something like 36,000 steps. I did work out how many steps I’ve done in my time here and it was in the hundreds of thousands of miles!

“Over the years, I’ve watched dads play and I’ve watched sons play. Now all I need is for the grandkids to come along!

“This club means so much to me,” she adds. “The people who work here, the people who play here – past and present – all mean a tremendous amount. It’s a very enjoyable job… and I wouldn’t change it for the world.” ■ With thanks to Jonathan Whitney, Leicester Tigers’ content and communications officer

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 11

BEST PRACTICE | COVID-19

EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING! Devonshire Park’s triple GMA awardwinning head groundsman Danny Negus says that while the coronavirus lockdown created frustrations in terms of surface maintenance and preparation, it did allow him to make gains in other ways

Colin Hoskins Editor

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A S D E VO N S H I R E PA R K in Eastbourne ‘opened for business’ (in a sense) on July 20 – providing its Championship-standard tennis courts for community use – head groundsman Danny Negus reflects on how the enforced hours away from the courts in the early days of lockdown not only allowed him to “exponentially advance his experiments on nutritional inputs on the courts” but also brought new levels of understanding about people’s wellbeing, particularly in

COVID-19 | BEST PRACTICE

The Devonshire Park team was prepared to host the Nature Valley International, but it was cancelled

terms of his compassion towards others. “I have learned so much – in terms of both the playing surfaces here and about my empathy with people,” he says. “And while it would be churlish to talk about both aspects in the same breath during the pandemic, I do believe I now have new levels of understanding, in both areas, that would have taken years to achieve under normal circumstances.”

He continues: “We’re employed by the local council and, thankfully, none of the team (of four, including myself) were furloughed. That, I feel, is a measure of the council’s understanding and appreciation of what we do on the tennis courts (at Devonshire Park and two other remote sites) and at the council-owned golf course which is also within our remit.

When the virus reared its ugly head, I split the team into two groups across the four sites, employing an on/off rotation. The aim was to treat the courts as the priority (we also have 1.4 hectares of amenity areas to care for at Devonshire Park) while at the golf club, we focused on the greens.

“However, after only a few weeks of the regime, it became clear that this way of working was having a negative impact on us as individuals and as a team which, under normal circumstances, would constantly have human interaction and would work collectively to achieve tennis courts and a golf course that are maintained and presented to the highest standards.

“Listening to the guys’ concerns – especially about how they missed the teamwork ethic – I instigated weekly Zoom meetings where we could see each other and chat about things, including venting our frustrations.

These online conversations helped a lot and for me, even by talking to and seeing the guys online, I started to pick up various nuances and could see how they were reacting to and coping with the situation. I feel that I really began to understand how the lockdown was starting to impact each individual in different ways.”

Noting that “everyone can be affected by mental health issues, and none more so than during this pandemic”, Danny highlights how “it

is critical to spot concerns and to nip them in the bud”. He adds: “So much so that as soon as I asked whether everyone would come back full-time if ultra-safe ways of working could be introduced, each team member was unanimously in favour. These guys are more than a team; they are a family!”

Catching up Explaining that lockdown at Devonshire Park was introduced about a month before the season was due to open – the Eastbourne site usually has one of the longest running grass court seasons in the country, with tennis traditionally starting on April 21 and ending on September 25 – the decision to get back as a team, “with a mind’s eye on preparing for the Nature Valley International, scheduled for June”, meant at that time that the preparation schedule “was around 130 hours/week behind where we would normally be”, says Danny.

In the event, however, the International was cancelled (along with the annual schedule of all other major tournaments) and while “the

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 13

BEST PRACTICE | COVID-19

Danny Negus – the GMA 2019 Groundsperson of the Year DANNY ADMITS that he is “still gobsmacked” at winning last year’s GMA Ransomes/ DLF Johnsons Alex R Millar Groundsperson Award, the award chosen from the outstanding winner across all 2019 Industry Award categories.

“I’ve always said I’d love to win this award,” he says, “but I still can’t understand why I won it – there are so many good people in the industry! Winning the professional tennis team award for the second consecutive year was brilliant, but to be recognised individually is something I will treasure forever.”

He adds: “I really wanted to do so much by having won the award; I wanted to help others, especially by showing how those with limited resources can make the most of what they’ve got and gain more operational opportunities by, for example, talking about how data input can affect playing surface performance. Although I did make a presentation along these lines at SALTEX 2019, my intention was, for instance, to also stage open table discussions with interested parties. But those plans were thwarted by the pandemic.”

Aged 44 and part of the Devonshire Park team for 15 years – this year being his fourth as head groundsman – Danny’s quest to help others complements his efforts ‘to spread the word’ about grounds management when, some months ago, he hosted an educational seminar for students specialising in landbased studies at a local higher education college. Level 2 and 3 students, along with their employers, were invited to a presentation involving a diverse range of speakers.

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Head groundsman Danny Negus has been able to expand his trials for managing the surface on a budget

wellbeing benefits of bringing the team back together were clear to see”, Danny also describes how he used his time away from the courts to very good effect, especially in terms of: • Monitoring the maintenance and presentation of the courts after having vastly reduced their nutritional inputs; and • Spending many hours developing phone apps where every team member can upload and see everything that has happened/is happening on the playing surfaces in terms of, for example, levels of input (nutrition and irrigation), machinery usage and task times.

“This means we can all take a step back and in real time take a look at what we’re doing, perhaps in a new light,” he says.

“I’m always working to protect the council’s budget for (and the taxpayers’ investment in) the sites we maintain and, with no revenues coming into the courts and course during lockdown, I instigated a reduced maintenance programme that included a 50% cut in nutritional input. Trying to do the best possible with fewer resources than ever was always going to be a concern, of course, but this reduction in nutrition was effectively an extension of the ongoing work I’ve been doing in recent years. Indeed, I would go so far as to say that the lockdown has enabled me to progress my trial work by at least four years!”

Trial and error These experiments have so far (since 2014) involved adjustments to the feed to regulate the peaks and troughs in sward (cool season

plant) growth by accurately monitoring growth in tandem with air temperature (using 6°C as the base), rainfall/irrigation and soil temperature. He also outlines how in recent years he has been investigating more cultural methods to control pests, weeds and diseases, along with removing greater amounts of vegetation with less environmental impact. And he talks about his constant search for ‘new’ products that will help in all these respects.

“We’ve already been ‘running lean’ on feeding the ryegrass (courts) and I was really pushing my luck by halving the fertiliser. But after replicating wear and tear the best I could by changing the renovation and grooming techniques, I monitored how the plant reacted. I’ve found that reduced nutrition can prevent certain diseases – and we reduced/ monitored irrigation and the lack of fungicides. Indeed, the last time we applied a fungicide was September 2019 and nor do I use growth regulators; I want the plant to react naturally, so I don’t want to turn off the plant’s signals. Also, I believe there can be a ‘rebound’ to regulators in the sense that, for example, I have witnessed poa annua transform from being an inconspicuous plant into one that rapidly goes to seed. There is a place for regulators, perhaps at venues where there are shady areas, but we are very open here and don’t have any issues with shade.

“Reducing the inputs has not always been about saving money; it is more to do with finding processes and a system that suits this site.

While I’m trying to grow grass in conditions that the plant doesn’t

COVID-19 | BEST PRACTICE

like, the aim has always been to encourage ‘happy’ growth’ and, I’m glad to say, the playing surfaces have responded well. It’s about matching growth rates and yield potential to actions. And the results have meant that we have skipped years of trials, which in a normal

season I would usually try and fit in around a heavy playing schedule.”

The new regimes will now be carried forward as standard practices starting in September when the Devonshire Park courts will undergo renovations – a full but improved (and scaled-back)

programme based around hollow tining and scarification. This is normally completed by the middle of October. Danny says: “Because of what I’ve learned during the past few months, I’m already excited about the likely performance of the courts for the 2021 season.” ■

Award-winning teamwork – again!

NOBODY WAS MORE SURPRISED than the Devonshire Park grounds team when the winner of the GMA CubCadet Infinicut Professional Tennis Courts Grounds Team of the Year Award was announced at the 2019 Industry Awards. “We were up against very strong competition,” says head groundsman Danny Negus, “and, having won the award in 2018, we really didn’t expect our name to be called out again!” But for the players and organisations that utilised the Eastbourne facility in 2019 – as well as those in the industry who know what is consistently being achieved by Danny and his small team – winning the award for the second consecutive year was just reward for another tremendous 12 months of achievement during a season when the ‘difficult’ weather played havoc.

Indeed, included in the many plaudits were:

“Excellent courts with an outstanding surface…

Very professionally dressed” – Nature Valley International supervisors’ report

“The courts… allow the LTA to showcase grass court tennis at the highest level” – Gavin Fletcher, tournament director, Nature Valley International

“I would like to thank you and all the team; the courts here are always immaculate” – Caroline Wozniacki (former world number one)

“Centre Court is magnificent; the grounds staff have done an excellent job” – commentator John Inverdale Weather aside, 2019 was an eventful year for Danny and his team, not only in terms of tennis but also with the 18hole golf course that has been added to their remit, as he explains: “We went from strength to strength last year, once again experiencing a nine-day tennis event (the Nature Valley International) selling over 55,000 tickets and including an increased draw for the Women’s Tennis Association, meaning we had 144 players on the first day of WTA practice.

“In addition, I project managed and, as a team, we assisted

in the removal of two buildings and the addition of two new AELTC specification courts – which were seeded in April 2019 – to take the total up to 26 world-class Championship courts at Devonshire Park. This complements our work at our external sites at Meads Tennis Club and Moira House School, where there are seven courts in total.”

The new courts are to All England Lawn Tennis Club specification, sitting on 75mm lateral and 100mm main drainage above 150mm of stone (20mm-40mm washed angular aggregate), a 50mm layer of 7mm-10mm washed pea gravel topped by 275mm rootzone (23% clay) then the grass seed which is Limagrain MM50, a perennial ryegrass comprising 40% Malibu and 30% each of Venice and Alison grasses. The rootzone mix also comprises fine, very fine, medium, coarse and very coarse sand (20%, 9%, 15%, 5% and 2%, respectively), as well as silt, coarse silt and fine gravel.

There is no stone or coarse gravel. All courts are maintained to international specifications.

Danny adds that Devonshire Park was also fortunate to secure funding (from the Lawn Tennis Association) for drainage works and changes to site accessibility… Another inhouse project completed with success, he says.

All these – plus the golf course and amenity areas – are managed by the team of four fully-qualified members of staff, including Danny, plus one summer helper. “The fact that we provide a world-class venue for a major international sporting event, coupled with our achievements at the golf course, makes me so very proud of this team’s truly outstanding achievement.”

Danny has also rescheduled the management and maintenance processes of the 6,598-yard golf course, the largest in the area. With only two members of staff, their results have seen a doubling in membership, an increase in green fees and, most importantly, they have saved the course from expected closure.

Danny adds: “For the 2019 International we introduced a new image for our show courts, cutting in a different way (creating a pattern). This encouraged much discussion among players, officials and commentators, and even resulted in a BBC interview on how we plan and carry out this operation.

This succeeded in getting people talking about the courts in a more ‘surface to ball relationship’ way, and it received outstanding encouragement from our peers as well as positive feedback from players and tournament directors.

“Of course, this season has been spoiled by the coronavirus and while we have opened for community use, we are already anxiously awaiting next year when we can once again see players of all abilities enjoy our playing surfaces.”

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 15

BEST PRACTICE | THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK

UNIVERSITY MEETS THE CHALLENGE The University of Warwick’s grounds team does a superb job maintaining a vast array of facilities for an enormous number of users – there are 25,000 students alone – evidenced by its 2019 GMA Industry Award and by its patronage by players of every ability Andy Carmichael Freelance writer

16 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT | AUGUST 2020

THE LOCKDOWN has affected the grounds industry in many different ways and, after an initial period of furlough for some of the University of Warwick’s grounds team, all eight of them are now back preparing surfaces, ready for when team sport is given the green light. While some of the team remained on site to keep the pitches mowed, head groundsperson Charlie Yeomans was home-based and dealt with the administration and management tasks demanded of his position.

Now, he says, he is pleased to be “back on the tools again” since there is clearly a lot of work to be done given the number of pitches the team looks after and this year’s highly variable weather.

The university has a vast array of facilities reflecting the broad range of sports offered in higher education and the competitive level at which they are played. The five grass football pitches, three rugby pitches, two cricket squares, two American football pitches and four lacrosse areas can, during term time especially, create a considerable workload – particularly on Thursday mornings, the day after universities have traditionally played

a lot of their competitive fixtures.

Charlie and his team have access to a comprehensive machinery portfolio to help them cope with the demands (see Machinery matters, opposite page) and to keep the football and lacrosse pitches at 25mm, rugby at 50mm and cricket at 15mm.

The role of synthetics There are also numerous non-turf surfaces, the management of which represented the team’s awardwinning entry for the 2019 GMA SCH Supplies Best Managed Artificial Sports Surface. While artificial pitches have their critics, and Charlie recognises his own “love for grass”, he is keen to support the position that different synthetic environments now occupy: “They have their place,” he says. Without the university’s combination of 3G courts for tennis, basketball and netball, and a water-based hockey pitch, it would be impossible to host not only the numbers taking part in student and staff sport, but also the wider community and corporate use. Such use beyond the three academic terms is vital as many of the students (of whom there are

THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK | BEST PRACTICE

Opposite, left: Charlie and his team with their GMA industry award.

Opposite, right: the team manages a mix of natural grass and synthetic surfaces. This page: two of the fleet of machines that help keep the grounds in good shape

around 25,000) only occupy the site for 30 weeks of the year.

“Brush it and clean it – it is non-stop for the artificial surfaces,” says Charlie. “Maintenance is key.”

The water-based hockey pitch is particularly intriguing. The dense synthetic carpet does not have a traditional infill material; instead, it is filled with water before play via jets linked to storage tanks. A ‘top up’ at half time helps maintain the level and provides an elite surface that sees the ball move around at a rapid pace, thanks to the reduced friction. I wonder if they ever have a problem with inappropriate use or muddy boots migrating dirt between fibres? Charlie says not, and that the users know how they should act and that it is in their own interests not to damage the longevity of the surface.

Opening the gates Charlie suggests that opening up the facilities to the public is about maintaining a balance of community and commercial use, to help subsidise student costs while protecting the needs of student sport. Pitches are regularly rotated to avoid excessive wear and to

allow them to be experienced at their best at every level of capability.

Warwick’s 750-acre campus would have been hosting the Premier League Kicks initiative again this year and large-scale tournaments, while Wasps rugby union club would have been just one of many regular visitors training on site. Charlie describes how he works closely with the university sports centre to co-ordinate operations, emphasising “if you don’t communicate, it doesn’t work”. Indeed, he will be present at meetings with prospective users, something he believes “gives them confidence” by seeing everyone who makes their hosting of sport successful. And in his 32 years with the organisation, starting as a YTS school-leaver, usage of the sports grounds has quadrupled.

While it is now planned for the campus to open in September, the pitches are still being maintained to the expected standard – ready for when sport can resume and the university can once again host players of every calibre, from junior community level up to professional and international standard. ■

Machinery matters Included in the array of machinery and equipment available to the University of Warwick grounds team are: • Ransomes MP495C cylinder mower • John Deere 7400 POD mower • Battery-powered Infinicut FX22 cylinder mower (for the cricket squares) • SISIS Quadraplay multi-functional turf maintenance system • Dakota 412 top dresser • Imants Shockwave 210 linear decompactor • Charterhouse Verti-Drain 7416 aerator

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 17

GROW WITH THE GMA

“I’ll never know it all but I can have a go” Currently seeking accreditation to the Level 5 GMA Professional Diploma in Turf Surface Management – to complement a host of other qualifications – 24-year-old Bradley Tennant provides an insight into how an international communications hub is designed to help and encourage not only experienced turf managers but also those new to the industry How long have you been involved in grounds care?

Since I left school seven years ago – a relatively short time but every moment has been put to good use. I’ve gained some great knowledge and had some fantastic experiences along the way.

How were you introduced to the industry and what is your career path to date?

I was introduced to the trade via an apprenticeship – I’ve been in horticulture since school and, having grown up outdoors, l have very much had green fingers from a young age. The outdoor lifestyle has always been for me. I started my career at a local gardening company as an apprentice gardener, which has led to a few positions; senior gardener at Nature’s Way, assistant greenkeeper at The Belfry, assistant groundsman at the University of Nottingham, groundsman at Nottingham Forest FC and groundsman at Sydney University Sports and Fitness in Australia.

Where are you currently working and what is your job title? What tasks do you undertake there?

I am head of grounds at Crosfields School in Reading. Situated on a 42-acre site, we have a lot going on – daily tasks range from preparing the sports surfaces to chainsaw work, planting and hard landscaping. We really do like to take on challenges, which is great – it gives me and the

18 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT | AUGUST 2020

Colin Hoskins Editor

team a great variety of jobs. There is never a dull day. While we do look after the entire grounds, a major part of our routine is the preparation of cricket wickets, football, rugby, athletics, tennis – you name it. We carry out all the usual tasks such as topdressing, verti-draining, seeding, mowing and marking.

What other qualifications do you have, to complement your current quest for Level 5?

Alongside work I have been beavering away at qualifications; gaining Amenity Horticulture Levels 2 and 3, Sports Turf Maintenance Levels 3 and 4, as well as Pa1, 2, 6. Also, while in Australia, I completed a few courses run by the STA – wicket 101 and 201, and First Aid. If I haven’t done it yet, it’s on my list to do at some point! Education is everything. I’ll never know it all but I can have a good go, then pass on that knowledge to the next generation. I really enjoy it; learning something new and bettering myself really does put a smile on my face.

Tell me about the International Greenkeepers For Hire hub I was offered a position at Sydney University, starting in October 2019, and I was introduced to one of the most important people I’ve met during my career – head groundsman Daryl Davidson who, along with passing on his experience and knowledge about preparing wickets and looking after warm-season grasses, exhibits all the passion for the job in the world.

We’ve all seen a number of great turf managers and trainees leave the industry for various reasons and that’s such a shame. I believe one of our biggest goals is to promote the next generation of greenkeepers and grounds staff and, wanting to get involved to help this industry survive, Daryl, myself and eight others created the online group that you see today as the organisation International Greenkeepers For Hire (IGFH). We consider this an international hub for greenkeepers, grounds staff and volunteers, and to date we’ve gathered over 3,000 members over all our platforms. These groups are free to join and you can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube (for our educational videos). Our aim is to unite turf managers, promote the industry and help share the art with others.

It’s been a long road getting to where we are today and we’ve all spent tireless hours on calls, finding content and job listings while creating the website. But it’s been fantastic to see the results.

EDUCATION IS EVERYTHING. I REALLY ENJOY IT; LEARNING SOMETHING NEW AND BETTERING MYSELF REALLY DOES PUT A SMILE ON MY FACE

Bradley helped to set up the online hub International Greenkeepers For Hire (IGFH)

GROW WITH THE GMA

Search for International Greenkeepers for Hire www.internationalgreenkeepers.com www.instagram.com/internationalgreenkeepers/ twitter.com/IntGFH or join the private Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/170802567173372/?ref=share

We’ve helped people find work, education and provided an international hub where you can speak with turf managers from all over the world!

In the future we’d like to create our own scholarships, sending trainees and qualified turf managers overseas (or locally) to see other sites’ practices or methods. One example would be working with warm-season grasses; being from the UK, that’s something you just can’t experience here. This would be invaluable and would hopefully provide a platform to help us keep good hardworking turf managers in the sector while promoting the industry to the next generation. ■

Visit www.thegma.org.uk/learning for details of GMA training and education courses, along with news of GMA’s new part-time online tutor who is also looking at ways to encourage people to join GMA Learning.

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 19

GaNTIP UPDATE DURING COVID-19

A year of great progress The Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme (GaNTIP) has seen significant success, progression and innovation during the past year GANTIP REGIONAL PITCH ADVISORS have, over the past year, assessed 4,508 football pitches and, of those that received revisits, 90% of clubs had followed GaNTIP recommendations and 84% of pitches had improved – leading to a 42% reduction in match cancellations and an 18% rise in match capacity. Also, 91% of the volunteers involved had engaged with learning (and GMA membership increased by 40% in this category).

The programme also delivered 26 awareness evenings, produced 135 case studies and completed more than 500 grass pitch assessment report maintenance plans.

Key areas and developments within cricket have been: • Quick response from the GaNTIP team in providing emergency support to flooded clubs.

• Gathered and delivered key input for the new Junior Format (cricket pitch size/length).

• Documentation delivered and

GaNTIP has continued to improve grassroots pitches in the last year

used in the cricket pitch advisor pilot to create sustained support to grassroots clubs.

• Carried out analyses of cricket grounds associations to enable improvements in local cricket board support strands.

• GaNTIP has been a key resource for regional facilities planning managers on grounds maintenance and projects.

Both cricket and football now have a support network of a combined 108 support pitch advisors.

When Covid-19 hit, GaNTIP established in March a rapid response and approach which included the implementation of a ‘back to play’ strategy to assist volunteers. This included: • Local Authorities Risk Register – GaNTIP gathered information on the status of local authorities and how the maintenance of their sports pitches has suffered due to staff redeployment. This information helped the national governing bodies of sport (NGBs) and Sport England to strategise their approach to support.

• Webinars – focusing on updating,

Jason Booth GMA director of technical and learning

upskilling and directing volunteers to information and guidance.

• Guidance documents – Created free advice, instruction and knowledge working with NGBs to ensure that volunteers receive the latest information dependent on Government guidance.

• Online training courses – Introduced affordable online, sport-relevant Level 1 training, with Levels 2 and 3 being made available from Q4 2020.

Sustainability has always been the key word for the programme and has been central to all strategies, advice, support and guidance. In addition, the Football Foundation’s Hive community – developed with the GMA – now has over 2,000 members (within just a year) and it has proved a great resource.

Also, the recently-established Sport England microsite will become (from September/ October) an integral part of the GMA offering and will include detailed information and videos to provide knowledge and guidance for volunteers in rugby league and union, cricket and football.

The GMA’s Pitch Grading Framework – available later this year – will provide the necessary support required via a skills and knowledge matrix to provide each sport with a framework to upskill volunteers, improve playing surface quality and ultimately increase participation. ■

Visit www.thegma.org.uk for details of the Grounds & Natural Turf Improvement Programme

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 21

Greenkeeper Marcus Fuller provides real-world feedback for the product development team

IN ACTION

Practical product development The team at Jacobsen is taking steps to enhance its understanding of customer needs at every level Manufacturing mowers that deliver a high-quality cut has always been the cornerstone of Jacobsen product development along with key features such as battery powered machines, swing-out centre reels and programmable height of cut. Listening to the needs of users is a crucial factor in producing those features, and Jacobsen wants to further its product development by increasing the knowledge of customer needs throughout the company.

As part of this strategy,

The 34in Infinicut mowers’ simplicity and user-friendliness has impressed the team

Raising standards Two Infinicut mowers are keeping the hybrid pitches at Loughborough University’s football hub in top condition 22 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT | AUGUST 2020

Textron Specialised Vehicles (TSV) president and CEO, Gunnar Kleveland, spent time at the Ransomes Jacobsen factory in Ipswich with the product development team. Guided by vice president of turf, Simon Rainger, Gunnar also trialled a selection of mowers to gain first-hand experience of how current features benefit turf professionals and what can be done in the future to meet their developing needs.

A significant focus of this process is on the practical application of features using Ransomes Jacobsen’s experienced greenkeeper, Marcus Fuller. Since joining the company in early 2020, Marcus has been working closely with the product team to pinpoint features that can enhance the user experience.

Marcus explains: “When the product development team has an idea, they’ll talk me through it and ask my thoughts on it so they can get a hands-on practical

The Loughborough University Stadium is the jewel in the crown of the dedicated ‘football hub’ at the site’s Holywell Sports Complex.

In June 2019, team leader at the complex, Kris Nurse, purchased two Infinicut 34in FX mowers, together with a set of TurfClean cassettes, to keep the stadium’s new SIS hybrid pitch in first-rate condition.

“The cricket division has used a fleet of 22in and 26in Infinicut mowers for many years and has always sung their praises,” explains Kris. “We used them and were impressed with how lightweight the mower is and how simple it is to setup and use.

“Together with the quality of cut and finish they deliver, the University was also keen on the fact that they’re battery powered. Because of the amount of large machinery we operate on a daily basis, we have a real issue with hand-arm

perspective. I’m the type of person they are making these machines for, and they are genuinely interested to know the everyday struggles we have so they can develop features that address them.”

By consulting Marcus and the industry at large, Jacobsen is striving to manufacture mowers that exceed expectations in cut quality, machine maintenance and on-board features.

For more information visit www.ransomesjacobsen.com

vibration so our pair of 34in Infinicut mowers have been a fantastic step forward in improving that.” Since the new hybrid pitch was installed in September 2019, it has hosted over 60 games for student teams, together with a number of external matches. To keep the pitch playing at the standard required, the mowers are in use four or five times a week.

Kris also purchased a set of TurfClean cassettes from the TMSystem. “These have been great.

We use these after play to rid the surface of any debris and stand the grass back up. It then takes less than 10 minutes to swap those out and put the cutting reels in, and we’re straight back out to cut. This gives us a quality of finish that is fitting to the arena and the standard of play we host.”

For more information visit www.infinicut.com

IN ACTION

Cover story Switching to J Nitro Premier Wicket has improved coverage and wear at Exeter County Ground Cricket has been played at the County Ground for over 130 years, with the club investing in a brand new pavilion, opened in 2016.

“The developments in other areas of the ground made me review elements of our maintenance programme,” says Andy, “and it was our local distributor who recommended the J Premier Wicket seed mix.

The improvements in sward quality were immediately evident and when Ian Barnett from DLF Seeds came in to look at the results, he suggested we try the ProNitro coated option.”

The ProNitro coating on J Premier Wicket ensures the germinating and developing seedling receives the full benefit of the additional nutrients.

Combining both fast-acting and slow-

Andy Ellett (right) with volunteer groundsman Steve Hinde (left)

Delivering the strongest coverage, density and recovery head groundsman Andy Ellett has seen in his 13 seasons at the club, J Nitro Premier Wicket is taking the quality of Exeter’s County Ground to new levels. Having made the switch two seasons ago, Andy says the improvements in surface quality have delivered a wicket that now resembles a bowling green.

New tricks A renovation from Campey Turf Care Systems has brought a touch of magic to Sutton Upon Derwent Tennis Club’s grass courts The grass courts at Sutton Upon Derwent Tennis Club are the only two grass surfaces in the York Tennis League, one of the biggest in the UK. While the condition of the courts has always been at a usable standard, club member and volunteer groundsman, George Hobson, saw the potential in them and took it upon himself to raise the quality.

George – who works as a magician – had no experience of turf maintenance when he started two seasons ago, but he has made significant progress with the courts.

release sources of nitrogen, ProNitro encourages faster, more uniform establishment and rapid, strong growth. “We applied the J Nitro Premier Wicket at the end of the 2019 season, then used it for repairs on the bowling and batting ends. In the past it would have taken us two months to get these high-wear areas back but with the coated seed, we achieved full coverage in under a month.

“Sward density and appearance have all improved, as has root growth, meaning the wicket is now looking, playing and wearing much better.” After closing the gates during the pandemic, the club is gradually re-opening and Andy looks forward to hosting play once again over the coming weeks.

For more information visit www.dlf.co.uk

He says: “I first met Ben Volunteer groundsman George Hobson enlisted Campey’s help Taylor from Campey at Wimbledon’s Grass Court Seminar in August last year, and he had the machinery on the courts there. I asked him if he knew of anyone who had a Koro in our area. Campey said it would do a renovation demo day on my tennis courts, so that’s how it started.

“The courts have never really had a renovation so the for longer. The use of the Vredo seeder thatch was like a sponge. The quality and Uni-Scratch prepared the seed of the courts wasn’t there because of bed perfectly to allow for very high that, but the Koro did the job. germination rates.

“The courts are fantastic now. As “The grass courts are in a this was our first complete renovation really prominent position in the of the courts, it was a steep learning village so there’s a lot of traffic curve for me. I selected a new grass going past them and seeing them in seed that was a 100% ryegrass as our such good condition has attracted tennis season runs from the end of new members.”

April to early September. There’s a lot of wear on the courts, so I hoped this For more information email would allow them to stay at their prime info@campeyturfcare.com

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 23

TO ADVERTISE in Grounds Management Please contact: James 07813 308416 jamesp@jppublishing.co.uk

PRODUCT SHOWCASE ARTIFICIAL SURFACE MAINTENANCE

CHARTERHOUSE

Clean and clear When it comes to looking after a synthetic surface, maintenance does not need to be complex or costly, but it does need to be consistent and effective.

Infill is imperative in supporting the fibres of the surface, ensuring they stand vertically to achieve the desired playing characteristics. However, footfall during play will naturally compact the infill and flatten the fibres – reducing drainage ability and leaving the most vulnerable part of the fibre exposed to loading and UV. Ineffective maintenance will lead to premature wear and reduce the expected life of the carpet.

Regular brushing will help to move infill around the surface and stand fibres upright. It should be conducted in conjunction with surface cleaning – a little-and-often approach is considered the most effective. The Redexim Verti-Top from Charterhouse Turf Machinery uses a powered rotary brush to sweep the carpet, lift the pile and extract the top 1-15mm of infill, along with any foreign material. The infill is then passed over a sieve to separate any detritus before the cleaned infill is dropped and brushed back into the surface, leaving a clean, level and aesthetically pleasing finish.

“A regular maintenance plan incorporating decompaction brushing

and cleaning will give grounds managers a surface that they can be proud of – one that looks great and, more importantly, is safe and playable throughout the year,” says Jonathan Woolfall, operations manager at Premier Pitches, which purchased a Verti-Top 1200 in the summer of 2018.

“We’ve used the Verti-Top in a range of environments, with particularly high demand from local schools and sports grounds. It’s very simple to set up and easy to use, and it is really good at extracting dust and contaminants from the infill which helps to prevent those

problems with dirt and compaction deeper down in the pile. Its ability to carry out multiple processes in a single pass makes it a convenient and effective part of ensuring the long-term life of an artificial pitch.”

The Verti-Top is available in either a 120cm or 180cm working width, with both models featuring powerful vacuum extraction, adjustable decompaction tines as standard and interchangeable sieves for use on surfaces with different infill types. www.charterhouse-tm.co.uk

SCH

Top tips and tools for synthetic surfaces A synthetic sports surface needs to remain level and with a consistent texture so that it gives a true and predictable game. Water has to be able to drain freely, which requires infill materials to be routinely decompacted and to be evenly distributed over the surface.

A decompaction rake is designed to carry out routine maintenance on surfaces with a sand or crumb-filled base.

Spring rake tines tease through the surface to remove heavy surface compaction and aid drainage. This is usually followed by a nylon brush, which helps to level and groom the area.

Leaves, pine needles and other debris rapidly rot down,

forming a drainage-inhibiting ‘skin’ in the surface, an ideal medium for growing algae and moss. Keeping debris off the surface is crucial in autumn and winter, as damp conditions exacerbate the problem. A wide brush or a powered sweeper with a collector is essential for keeping this debris at bay.

Powered brushes significantly reduce the time it takes to maintain a surface and can provide results unachievable with manual methods. If a powered brush with a debris collector is used on synthetic surfaces with an infill, a fine mesh grate in the collector is essential. The mesh allows sand or rubber crumb fill to return to the surface, whilst debris is caught.

A chemical spray should be applied periodically to the surface to help prevent moss, lichen and algae from growing. www.schsupplies.co.uk

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 25

PRODUCT SHOWCASE | ARTIFICIAL TURF MAINTENANCE

WIEDENMANN

R I G BY TAY L O R

Silver service

Room to manoeuvre

With the relaxing of lockdown and the return of recreational activity and sport participation, Rigby Taylor has introduced EndoSan, which uses advanced ionic silverbased chemistry in a solution of Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) for sanitising a wide range of surfaces.

EndoSan provides control of Coronavirus as well as bacteria, fungi and algae when applied to a wide range of surfaces as a nonhazardous spray.

Areas of use include, turf and artificial playing surfaces, ‘touch-points’ in changing rooms, gyms, playgrounds and on equipment, golf course ‘furniture’, trolleys and buggies, seating, railings, gates, flags, nets and much more.

EndoSan is 100% chlorine and alcohol free, has no odour or colour, is non-corrosive and is applied through a pressure sprayer, or for small areas from a ready to use Trigger pack.

After application, the product simply degrades into harmless, naturally occurring water and oxygen substances.

EndoSan’s positive environmental credentials provide a first-choice surface sanitiser for grounds managers, greenkeepers and contractors. It is supplied as a ready-touse formulation in 500ml Trigger packs and 5 litre drums as well as in 10 litres of concentrate. Larger sizes are available on request.

Dave Gibson, contracts director at Fairways Sportsgrounds, was one of the first users of the Wiedenmann UK’s synthetic pitch Terra Clean 100 sweeper cleaner.

“Ours is as versatile as it is manoeuvrable.

It’s billed as Wiedenmann’s entry-level machine but we’ve taken it over just about every type of synthetic carpet, in all stages of wear, and there’s nothing basic about it; it always makes a difference.”

The Terra Clean 100 can be towed behind utility vehicles from 12hp without the need for a PTO. As no hydraulics or electrics are required it is favoured by those clubs or organisations with a single or small number of pitches to maintain.

“Often narrow gates can catch you out but there’s rarely a problem as it’s 120cm wide,” says Dave.

“The four-brush rotor keeps it well powered. It collects litter, debris and crumb on a mechanical vibrating screen. Debris and rubber crumb are separated with infill returned to the floor while waste goes to the 50-litre hopper.

“One of our sites had two hockey pitches; one a water based Federation of International Hockey (FIH) global standard surface, the other a sand dressed national standard. The 100 did an equally great job on both, and being able to turn sharply meant it didn’t miss any of the areas.”

www.rigbytaylor.com

www.wiedenmann.co.uk

SISIS

Powerful performance Synthetic sports surfaces need a good maintenance programme in place from the very beginning.

One machine that is being used by many grounds staff is the SISIS Osca tractor-mounted powered oscillating brush, ideally suited to either a sand or rubber crumb surface.

A pair of oscillating brushes allows periodic aggressive brushing to be undertaken to agitate the upper infill level, helping reduce compaction, encourage the fibres to stand upright, and reduce the

26 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT | AUGUST 2020

risk of contamination and surface water.

It can also be used for regular light brushing, helping to stand the fibres up, move the infill around, creating a level surface, and minimise the threat of moss and algae. It uses fewer passes than a standard drag brush and has the option of adding a further 1.8m wide brush which helps to enhance the final finish.

One happy user is Andy Jackson, grounds manager at Stoke City FC. “The oscillating brushes are the best feature because they get rid of any compaction problems and provide a fantastic finish. The Osca ticks all the boxes in getting synthetic turf to a level where it needs to be.” www.sisis.com

BLOWERS, SWEEPERS, COLLECTORS AND VACS | PRODUCT SHOWCASE

SCH

Clean-up capacity

EGO

Time to blow The EGO Professional-X LBX6000 Blower offers users more blowing time, more comfort and more power than its petrol-powered counterparts.

Part of EGO’s Professional-X range for heavy use and professional work, the blower can be powered

by EGO’s battery backpack or handheld batteries (all sold separately), giving it a run time of up to 350 minutes. At almost six hours run time, with zero emissions and an operational volume of just 80dB, it’s a great tool for all-day use. The LBX6000 can blow up to 1014m3/h of air per hour using its Turbo Boost mode. Running quieter than its petrol counterparts makes it ideal for use in noise-sensitive areas.

Steve Roskell, marketing director, EMEA at EGO, said: “When we designed the LBX6000, we carefully considered its impact on user health, the environment and cost, reducing vibration, banishing harmful fumes and reducing noise levels. When combined with our battery backpacks, users can power through a whole day’s work on a single charge – something many professionals think cannot be done with battery powered equipment.”

The EGO Power Plus blower is available from Henton & Chattell’s UK dealer network in the UK.

The TRCL features a powerful motorised fan unit which is mounted on the front and sucks up green waste from the towing vehicle’s cutter deck, then propels it to the trailer. The trailer has a low centre of gravity, which makes it extremely stable on hilly ground. Wide pneumatic wheels greatly reduce wheel markings on soft ground.

Lawn tractors with a centre rear discharge blow cut grass and leaves into a limited-size hopper, which results in frequent emptying and can become time consuming and frustrating.

The advantage of the TRCL is that it greatly increases the collecting capacity so that larger areas can be collected in one fill, thus reducing the amount of time and labour required.

The fan on the unit is belt-driven to protect the engine should a blockage occur.

This large capacity leaf collector has been developed by SCH to tow behind lawn tractors which have the ability known as “twin cut”. Other machines can be adapted on request. www.schsupplies.co.uk

www.egopowerplus.co.uk STIHL

Blown away The new STIHL BGA 200 cordless blower cleans large areas quickly and efficiently.

With a blowing force of 21 Newton, the BGA 200 is the most powerful in the STIHL range and features a high air speed (a maximum of 84m/s) for coping with wet leaves.

The unit is easy to handle, thanks to its newly developed comfort carrying system. This innovative feature allows the tool to be used in different ways depending on the application; hand-held in confined working areas or suspended in the carrying system for larger-scale cleaning work. This approach is practical, efficient and increases operational comfort.

Thanks to its low-noise operation – at just 93dB – the BGA 200 can also be operated without restriction in noisesensitive areas and can be used without hearing protection.

The blowing force has three different settings, which can

easily be selected by the user via an ergonomically situated selector switch. The user can easily adjust the length of the nozzle to meet different requirements and operating situations with the help of a quick adjustment system.

A 36V Lithium-ion battery from the STIHL PRO cordless system supplies the energy required to operate the BGA 200.

Batteries can be carried either by a belt bag or a backpack system (STIHL AP series). Alternatively, the STIHL AR series backpack batteries with their high energy content are available for all-day use. www.stihl.co.uk

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 27

PRODUCT SHOWCASE | BLOWERS, SWEEPERS, COLLECTORS AND VACS

M A K I TA

Doubling up The DUB363ZV Twin 18V blower from Makita is a versatile machine, ideal for keeping the work area safe and clear of debris. Operators can choose between the blower or vacuum functions to tackle a wide range of tasks.

Powered by Makita’s Twin 18V technology, the blower benefits from two 18V LXT batteries that work in series to supply energy to the 36V DC motor drive system. The powerful performance delivered is similar to a 25cc class engine blower, both in blower and vacuum applications.

For maximum efficiency, the DUB363ZV includes Makita’s brushless motor to deliver high air volume (13.4 m³/min) and velocity (65m/sec). In order to maintain a consistent output, the blower includes cruise control, allowing users to lock the variable control trigger at the desired power level. To increase precision, the three-stage telescopic nozzle has an adjustment range of 100mm.

The DUB363ZV has been designed with an in-built shredder within the fan so that, when used in vacuum mode, the machine will mulch down any materials. This maximises space within the 50-litre collection bag – and allows operators to work efficiently by significantly reducing the need to stop and empty the bag.

Finally, to help ensure user safety, a motor interlock system works to prevent the motor from starting until the nozzle and fan cover have been properly installed.

Orbit, one of the UK’s leading housing providers, has invested in a large fleet of battery powered Pellenc equipment, from dealer RT Machinery, to meet its low noise and carbon emissions requirements, including the Airion 3 blower.

Rhys Warwick, an estates team manager for Orbit, was asked to research new equipment for the company’s Orbit Earth sustainability intiative. After seeing Pellenc at SALTEX 2019, he was impressed and arranged a demonstration day, eventually ordering a fleet of mowers, brushcutters, chainsaws and the Airion 3 blowers.

Whereas many blowers swing downwards towards the nozzle, the Airion 3 has an angled air intake, which offsets the swing effect from the air blast. This keeps the tool correctly balanced at any speed without putting strain on the wrist. This design also reduces the blower’s noise disturbance for people in the surrounding environment, with the added benefit that the user doesn’t need to wear ear defenders.

The Airion 3 also features a Fast Connector system for rapid tool connection/disconnection.

This feature allows users to quickly remove the tool while working if there is a risky situation, or to use both hands freely.

Rhys said: “One of the main factors behind choosing Pellenc was health and safety – in terms of low vibrations, noise reduction, savings in fuel and less CO2.There are so many benefits.”

www.makitauk.com

www.pellencuk.com

WIEDENMANN

Just the jobs Grounds teams have long been fans of the Wiedenmann Super 500 because it’s the archetypal multi-tasker.

They know by investing in this one machine they can carry out sweeping, leaf collection, verticutting or flail mowing, depending on attachments employed.

In any of its modes, it produces a high airflow which ensures collected material is well compacted. Its highperformance vacuum packs the 2,500-litre hopper every time, leaving a clean finish. The airflow of the exhaust is driven downwards minimising noise and dust, important if working in noise sensitive areas. The multi rib belt drive system also reduces any maintenance work.

28 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT | AUGUST 2020

PELLENC

Going greener

It is exceptionally manoeuvrable with a light footprint, the pneumatic tyres minimising pressure on fine turf areas. The 2.1m high dump facility on the CHD model allows for easy tipping into bins and trailers, and this also comes as standard on the basic sweeping model. Working depth can be set easily and quickly from -20mm up to 150mm.

The natural habitat of the Super 500 is park grounds, extensively maintained areas, ecological meadows and sports grounds. The parallelogram guided sweeper head ensures that implements maintain an optimal working position at all times. This is a key safety advantage as its floating head ensures a clean pass over undulating ground.

A dethatching and scarifying unit is available with verticut blades that can be spaced at 19mm, 38mm and 57mm. www.wiedenmann.co.uk

CLASSIFIEDS | GMA

TO ADVERTISE

in the classified section of Grounds Management Please contact: James 07813 308416 jamesp@jppublishing.co.uk

thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 29

TECHNICAL UPDATE

TECHNICAL UPDATE | WATER MANAGEMENT

Paul Bannister Amenity Training and Consultancy

BE PREPARED Many health and safety inspections occur after an ‘event’ – perhaps an on-site accident or a report by a concerned (or disgruntled) member of staff – and, for grounds managers, the key is to prepare for a potential visit rather than react to an actual one THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE (HSE) is the principal enforcement authority which many associate with health and safety legislation. HSE enforces health and safety compliance on farms, schools, colleges and local authority (LA)-owned business activities. For many businesses in the amenity sector, the enforcement body is the LA. HSE and LA inspectors inspect, investigate, provide advice and guidance and, where necessary, provide enforcement action. They are warranted under Section 20 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HASAW).

This gives them the power to: • Enter any premises • Order areas to be left undisturbed • Take measurements, photographs and recordings, take samples and take possession of, and carry out tests on, articles and substances that appear to have caused (or be likely to cause) danger • Require the production of, inspect and take copies of relevant documents • Require anyone they think might give them relevant information to answer questions and sign a declaration of the truth of the answers • Require facilities and assistance to be provided • Seize and make harmless (by destruction, if necessary) any article or substance which they have reasonable cause to believe is a cause of imminent danger of serious personal injury.

It is wise to be prepared for a potential

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visit rather than react to an actual visit.

It is worth walking around your site with key staff and hazard-spotting issues and challenges that need resolving. This is often called a safety tour or site inspection.

From this, produce an action plan to demonstrate what needs to be corrected, how you will resolve the issues, by whom and in what established time frame. In many instances, the solutions or ways to remedy any issues will come from your staff; it may be something like changing the route around the site, adding signs and barriers, increasing the training of or communication to staff, or purchasing something to aid the task/operation to be completed safely. The cost of change has minimal or no dramatic impact on the business compared to something going wrong and/or injuring.

Should an inspector visit, be open and honest; remember the inspector’s aim is to keep people safe and healthy at work.

Remember to listen to the questions and provide answers as it is. Do not try to give answers you think they want to hear. Listen to the advice given. Do not respond in a defensive manner; this will just make the process more difficult for you and the inspector. ■ HSE provides some sound advice in the form of a leaflet that is free to download: ‘When a health and safety inspector calls: what to expect when we visit your business’ – available at: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hsc14.pdf

The outcomes of an inspection • A clean bill of health and no action (rare).

• Advice – verbal/written.

• Notice of Contravention: A letter outlining the health and safety laws you have broken and what you need to do to meet the legal requirements. This is chargeable under the Fee for Intervention (FFI)*.

• Improvement Notice: Outlines what is wrong, required change(s) and how long you have to implement the change(s). Chargeable under the FFI. • Prohibition Notice: Issued when there is serious risk to people. The notice stops the task from continuing until the issues are corrected. Failure to comply is a criminal offence.

Chargeable under the FFI. • Prosecution: Usually as a result of failing to comply with an Improvement or Prohibition Notice. * F FI is an attempt to recover the costs incurred by the HSE. The fee is £154 per hour for time the inspector spends at your site, preparing reports, getting specialist advice and talking to you or your staff after the visit.

Visit www.amenitytraining. co.uk and www.hse.gov.uk for more information.