Industry news

Update

THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM THE GMA AND THE INDUSTRY

Keep up to date on how Government guidance a� ects your working practices

COVID-19

GMA STATEMENT ON CORONAVIRUS Supporting our members during the Covid-19 outbreak

THE GMA HAS been working hard on behalf of its members to answer your questions. At this difficult and unprecedented time, we understand that livelihoods and businesses may be at stake. It’s proved difficult to get complete clarity for our entire membership, but we’re working hard to get a deeper understanding by raising your concerns with the sports bodies and Government.

Our membership operates across multiple sports and sectors – and we’re listening to concerns from professionals and volunteers working in multiple environments. We advise that all those working in the grounds industry monitor the Government’s latest guidance, and frequently check the website for your relevant body.

Our primary concern is protecting the safety and wellbeing of everyone across the turf care sector. Heeding the Government’s advice is of paramount importance. We understand that adhering to the message of ‘Stay home, Protect the NHS, Save lives’ places on our sector severe restrictions as we transition from winter to summer sports. This though is no normal situation and we must ensure we play our part in slowing down the spread of this deadly virus.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

Professional managers and staff are advised to continue to consult and discuss working practices with their employers, who should ensure all employees are informed of and are following Government guidelines. Your employer should determine with you whether your continued work is necessary, essential and/or safe.

Self-employed grounds staff or

contractors are advised to follow the latest Government guidelines, agree a plan that includes your safe working procedure, clearly communicate with clients in advance and agree safe working procedures. We advise regular reviews as Government guidelines develop. Ultimately it is your decision to suspend operations or to continue to work. The emphasis though is to ensure safe working practices, as communicated by Government. Make plans now for the future and reschedule appointments where you can and keep re-assessing this in order that

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GMA NEWS

Read all the latest news and updates, and discover what members are entitled to www.thegma.org.uk

when restrictions are lifted, you are able then to return to projects that may have been suspended.

Volunteers We know that volunteers take great pride in their work. Volunteers should follow latest Government guidelines and not put themselves or others at risk. We advise that the volunteer network monitors any announcements of the various sports re-opening for play. However, this will be dependent on how we are able to slow the virus down and return to normality.

SUPPORTING THE INDUSTRY

Many turf businesses have suspended operations, making responsible and difficult decisions. We stand by our members who own and manage businesses, and all those working within the turf care sector. Our commitment to our members is undiminished as we face this unprecedented challenge. We have all established new ways of working remotely from home and adjusted our focus and priorities.

The GMA has, and will, continue to have an open dialogue, raising your questions, seeking answers and working on your behalf. Join us to help tackle the Covid-19 virus so we can all return to the wonderful sports venues that your efforts and expertise make possible for so many to enjoy.

Read the GMA’s advice on keeping your grounds ticking over on pages 12-13

iMORE SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE

For the GMA’s dedicated web pages please visit www.thegma.org.uk/ Covid-19-0 To monitor the latest government updates visit www.thegma.org.uk/ government-guidelines-covid-19 For members that may require personal mental health support, visit www. thegma.org.uk/guidance-your-healthand-wellbeing. For employers, visit: www.thegma.org. uk/guidance-business-and-personalfinance Guidelines are available via this link: www.thegma.org.uk/guidanceemployers-and-employees

SALTEX

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

EVERYONE AT SALTEX hopes that you, your colleagues, businesses, and your families are keeping safe and well during this worrying time. Recognising the challenges in front of us, we wish to assure you that planning for SALTEX 2020 is still in full swing.

After consultation with our partners, we are hopeful that the situation we face today will have passed and that SALTEX will take place on 4 and 5 November. We understand though that this is an evolving situation.

SALTEX has faced many challenges in its 74-year history and everyone associated with the exhibition has always shown resilience.

SALTEX 2020 is still on track

SALTEX 2020 will be a great opportunity for the industry to reunite and look ahead to the future as the show celebrates its 75th anniversary.

In the meantime, we have taken the necessary measures to ensure that our team can continue the work required to deliver SALTEX this November, while at the same time planning for every eventuality.

OBITUARY

Peter Walker MBE

WE ARE SAD to report the death of Peter Walker MBE. He was 84, writes David Hart. Peter was invited to succeed the late Wilfred Wooller as president of the Wales Branch, during which time he was most supportive.

He was educated in Cape Town and arrived in the UK as a teenager. An enthusiastic and talented cricketer, Peter turned up one day when Glamorgan CCC was practising. His bowling impressed the county captain Wilf Wooller who encouraged his talent, eventually selecting him as an allrounder in the team. Peter remained with Glamorgan throughout his career and helped Glamorgan win the County Championship. He was at one time president of Glamorgan CCC. He played three games for England and, following a successful playing career, became a respected radio commentator and administrator.

Branch members always found him friendly and he had a very impressive knowledge of cricket wicket preparation.

AWARD

RANSOMES’ SUFFOLK FA GROUNDSMAN OF THE YEAR WINNER

BECCLES TOWN FOOTBALL Club has won the Ransomes Jacobsen-sponsored Suffolk FA Groundsman of the Year competition for the second consecutive season.

Lead judge Ben Connell said: “I’ve been taking part in the judging for seven years, and the standards are getting better and better. I’ve seen the pitches improve over that time and I’d put that down to the dedication of the groundsmen and the support and advice they get from the Suffolk FA and the GMA.”

Steve Alabaster from Ransomes Jacobsen added: “I’m astounded by how much work the volunteers put in, especially when they have to finance the majority of the work themselves. Some of these guys have hardly got anything at all, and they’re producing fantastic surfaces.”

Left to right: Ben Connell (Ipswich Town FC), Steve Alabaster (Ransomes Jacobsen), Jodie Allard (Su� olk FA), Tim Parker (Parkers Pitches), Shaun Soloman (Beccles Town FC)

OBITUARY

TERENCE CURTIS 1935 - 2020

TERRY JOINED THE GMA in 1975 and I first met him in 1981 when I started attending Coventry Branch meetings, writes Malcolm Reeves. He had a number of jobs before he was appointed head greenkeeper at Brandon Golf Course, Coventry, in the mid ‘70s. He worked there for over 20 years before he retired.

Terry served as Branch secretary and chairman, and was Branch representative at the Midlands Region. He was also regional chairman and helped to establish the Leicester Branch. He was passionate about the role of grounds managers and would stand up for them in any discussion. He was also a keen outdoor bowls player and loved athletics.

Terry is survived by his widow Norma, daughters Annetta and Lesley, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Meet the people taking on new challenges in the industry

1GMA

MIRI BUAC

MIRI BUAC HAS been appointed head of communications at the GMA. Miri will work closely with the senior management team, as well as Stand Agency on GMA’s wider communications objectives, and Fusion Media on marketing SALTEX. Her expertise will help build the GMA’s reputation and brand in line with its wider strategy. Miri has worked at communications agencies, as well as with brands such as Youth Sport Trust and Sport England. She also helped deliver the London Olympic and Paralympic Games campaign for Heathrow Airport. Her communications roles over the years have seen her lead on behaviour change and help influence Government through her work with charities and not-for-profit organisations.

Miri Buac

Adam Cooper

2GANTIP

ADAM COOPER THE GMA-LED Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme (GaNTIP) has announced the appointment of Adam Cooper, a practising groundsman with more than 31 years’ experience, as regional pitch advisor (RPA) for the North West. Adam brings to the role extensive experience in maintaining cricket surfaces as well as surfaces for tennis, football, bowls, hockey, croquet and golf. He also spent the past two years in an advisory support role within GaNTIP.

3COMPO EXPERT

MATTHEW WILLIAMS

COMPO EXPERT, A European market leader in fertiliser production, has appointed Matthew Williams as national account manager for turf to increase the company’s profile in the UK’s sports turf sector. A BASIS-registered turf agronomist and a member of the European and International Turfgrass Society, Matt brings 15 years of sales and turf consultation experience to his new role. He had previously worked at Spunhill Amenity where he was UK turf sales manager, having moved from Barenbrug UK in 2018 where he had spent 10 years.

Matthew Williams

PARKS

FIELDS IN TRUST’S NEW RESOURCE

FIELDS IN TRUST is supporting campaigners to protect parks and green spaces under threat with a new guide to the planning system. “Watch this Space” is a free, online resource. It provides signposts to support for campaigners and examples of successful community initiatives. View at www. fieldsintrust.org/watch-this-space

ADVICE

ICL LAUNCHES NEW PRODUCT GUIDE

ICL HAS LAUNCHED its new ICL Turf & Landscape Product Guide for 2020/21, including an up-to-date listing of products and useful information for those who manage turf and amenity areas. Find out more at www.icl-sf.co.uk.

HYBRID PITCHES

HEWITT SPORTSTURF & GRASSMAX JOIN UP

LEICESTER-BASED HEWITT Sportsturf, a contractor specialising in the construction, installation and maintenance of turf pitches for football and rugby clubs, has joined forces with GrassMax Systems (grassmax.com), a new Swiss company that specialises in hybrid grass technologies.

AWARDS

REESINK TURFCARE DEALER AWARDS

REESINK TURFCARE HELD its Aftermarket Dealer Awards in February. The Dealer of the Year Award for Excellence in Customer Support went to Lloyd Ltd; Cheshire Turf Machinery was awarded for Outstanding Service; Lloyd Ltd for Outstanding Skills; and Revill Mowers for Outstanding Parts.

PRODUCT UPDATE

New tools and products to make your job easier

P R O D U C T SHOWCASE Ride-on mowers and irrigation systems p37

1ECHO DCS-2500T

THE DCS-2500T IS the first battery-powered top handle chainsaw from ECHO. The 50V Lithium-ion battery generates power and cutting performance equivalent to ECHO’s bestselling CS-2511TES petrol chainsaw but weighs in at just 1.6kg and is quiet and environmentally friendly in

2SCH GAM73

SCH’S NEW BROADCAST spreader features a 73L hopper and is suited for fertiliser, seed and salt. As you tow the broadcaster, its wheels drive a gearbox, which in turn drives the spreading disc. The two wide-profile turf tyres give a high grip while being gentle on grass. The spread width is 3-10m depending on the forward speed. It is ideal for broadcasting fertilisers and seed on grass at up to 0.5 hectares per hour. www.schsupplies.co.uk

NUTRI-LINK

operation. It has a patented Quick Draw harness ring for hooking and unhooking the chainsaw in one movement and a drop prevention lanyard hook for off-ground safety.

The DCS-2500T will be available for order this summer.

www.echo-tools.co.uk

The DCS-2500T in action

The unit’s wide tyres are gentle on grass surfaces Bigger pack

sizes mean better value

4ICL PRIMO MAXX II & RYDER

SYNGENTA’S PRIMO MAXX II growth regulator and Ryder turf pigment are now available in larger packs. Turf managers now have the option of purchasing Primo Maxx II in 20L drums and Ryder in 5L bottles. Both are significant increases on the former sized containers and will provide better value. The new pack sizes mean that Primo Maxx II is now available in 5L, 10L and 20L packs while Ryder is available in 1L and 5L bottles. www.icl-sf.co.uk

5VALE PKL450

The PKL450 works for all kinds of weed spraying

VALE ENGINEERING IS launching a new ATV weed spraying system using the Yamaha Kodiak 450. The new PKL450 model complies with all current emissions standards and offers greater comfort and safety for the operator. Its features include a 70L sprayer tank with filter and baffle, very low drift nozzle technology, kerb-edge spraying nozzles, and a front-mounted clean water tank with 22L capacity.

3RIGBY TAYLOR

www.vale-uk.com

THE NEW NUTRI-LINK nutritional and bio-stimulant system is ideal for a wide range of turf surfaces. Comprising six specially formulated liquid fertilisers, Nutri-Link fertiliser is applied as a foliar spray that is taken up by both the leaf and the root.

Nutri-Link provides a host of benefits including enhanced root mass and depth, increased tillering and denser sward, improved disease tolerance, and rapid recovery from wear and mechanical damage.

www.rigbytaylor.com

Nutri-link has wide

ranging bene� ts