Making sport possible
STAR STUDENT
GMA award winner Callum Allsop
FLUID DESIGN
A high-tech solution to water management
KEEP LEARNING
Find out about GMA’s new digital courses
CALL TO ARMS
GMA rallies volunteers to get pitches fit for play
IT’S TIME TO TALK Wembley grounds manager Karl Standley opens up about mental health
June 2020 | £4.00
GROUNDS MANAGEMENT
JUNE 2020
WELCOME
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Adapt, Evolve, Diversify The Covid-19 pandemic has reshaped the way every business operates, including the GMA which has quickly adapted and created new programmes, products and services as the foundation for us to grow when we emerge from this situation. We have had to take some tough decisions, not least moving SALTEX to March 2021 (see page 8) and the fact that, for the time being, this magazine will be produced in digital format with hard copies available only on request. This is part of the overhaul of our communications as we move forwards. What is also important is to reflect on what the GMA has achieved during the past few weeks, including: • The introduction of Level 1 online training (and we are currently developing Level 2 and 3 courses) • Made available membership fee deferral for those impacted by Covid-19 • Re-branded this magazine • Launched Covid-19 guidance (which is freely available on our website – www.thegma.org.uk) • Published the white paper ‘Back to Play’ campaign (see page 4) that has featured nationally to a reach of 115 million people • Launched the GMA Live networking webinars (see page 9). We know our members’ lives and work are impacted and we want to ensure our services and benefits support our members in a variety of ways, so we will continue to adapt and evolve in the coming months.
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FEATURES
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Industry news GMA has issued a rallying call to get grassroots sports back up and running
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SALTEX news An update on the scheduling of the next SALTEX
Mental health in grounds care Wembley grounds manager Karl Standley shares his story, plus advice on looking after your own mental wellbeing
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GMA Student of the Year Leicester City FC’s Callum Allsop on gaining valuable experience
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Technical update: Permavoid The exciting results of STRI’s trials on water management using Permavoid tiles
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GMA update GMA Live is helping people to stay connected
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GaNTIP update How Silverdale Athletic FC tackled problems caused by poor ground conditions
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Grow with the GMA GMA’s new online training courses
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In action Products from Rain Bird, Headland Amenity, Toro, Infinicut and Foley Company
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Product showcase Equipment to help with natural and artificial turf maintenance
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
GMA NEWS
GMA’s rallying call to reinstate grassroots pitches THE GROUNDS MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (GMA) has gained widespread national media coverage – and encouraging words of support from such sporting greats as Lawrence Dallaglio and Will Greenwood – for its rallying call for more volunteers, increased investment and more resources to improve access to community sport as the Covid-19 lockdown eases. Its ‘Back to Play’ white paper issued last month highlighted how: • With the right care and investment, 1.4 million more children could play football and rugby each week on existing grass pitches in England post lockdown – and four million more matches could be played on existing football pitches each year; • Half a million more children could play cricket each season; and • Planned strategic investment in sports grounds will enhance people’s physical and mental health as well as provide huge benefits both socially and economically.
WE’RE URGING PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED AND CONTACT THEIR LOCAL TEAMS RIGHT NOW 4 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT | JUNE 2020
The data – gathered through national Playing Pitch Strategies, the GMA-led Grounds and Natural Turf Investment Programme (GaNTIP) data and a national survey of over 4,000 people – not only gained invaluable national media coverage in outlets such as The Times, The Telegraph, The Guardian and the Independent, but the resulting social media support from the sporting world also included comments by TV presenter Gabby Logan. ‘Back to Play’ also highlighted the impact if nothing is done. Over the next decade, one in five football and rugby players, and half of cricket players, will be left unable to play weekly or seasonally. This equates to over half a million players a week, and 170,000 players during a cricket season. Geoff Webb, CEO at GMA, said: “Playing and watching sport has been sorely missed. Now is the time to ensure pitches are playable when games resume. We know that if we act now, we can turn the tide and even improve access to local grass pitches. But, without immediate long-term investment and care, the huge benefits of sport for mental and physical health, community cohesion and the economy, will be lost to millions every year.” He added: “We’re urging people to get involved and contact their local teams right now. The whole nation – Government, sports bodies and members of the public who love sport
– must help kick start sport as we are freed from restrictions.” Jason Booth, GMA’s director of technical and learning, commented: “We have around 56,891 rugby union and league, football and cricket grass pitches in England today. That’s one pitch for every 984 people. While pitch improvement programmes such as GaNTIP are making huge strides, more needs to be done to support grassroots sports and increase playability. With the right approach, we can reduce cancellations, increase year-round participation, engage new participants and promote active lifestyles. “We also recently launched Level 1 online courses to help upskill even more volunteers. Priced at just £25, the courses have been really successful so far – we’ve seen grounds staff use it as a refresher, as well as a learning tool for those with little or no experience. It’s a good little boost to help people on their volunteering journey.”
Visit www.thegma.org.uk/backtoplaywhitepaper to read the full ‘Back to Play’ report. Visit www.thegma.org.uk/learning for details of Level 1 online courses.
SALTEX UPDATE
TECHNICAL UPDATE | COVID-19 ADVICE
SALTEX rescheduled for March 2021
KEEP IN TOUCH SALTEX 2021 will take place at the NEC, Birmingham on March 3 & 4, 2021. Visit www.gmasaltex.co.uk for more information. Follow SALTEX on Twitter and Facebook
Chris Bennett SALTEX press officer
In light of continued restrictions surrounding mass gatherings, combined with the unprecedented impact of Covid-19, the Grounds Management Association’s Board of Directors has taken the unanimous decision to reschedule this year’s SALTEX to March 3 & 4 next year DE SP I T E E ARLY O P T I M I SM , the decision has been made to move SALTEX, taking into account the best interests of all parties. This decision has been guided by discussions with industry bodies, as well as exhibitors, and is based on ensuring the safety of everyone connected with the event. By acting now, the Grounds Management Association (GMA) says the move gives the sector an opportunity to re-group and recover ahead of the show. GMA is also realigning the following year so that SALTEX runs in Spring 2022.
A new opportunity Speaking about the announcement, David Carpenter, independent chair of the GMA, said: “We would like to reassure our community that personal wellbeing remains our top priority. It is a case of mixed concerns at the moment, but I am hugely optimistic because I believe that the rescheduling of SALTEX will result in a much stronger show in Spring 2021. The new date will enable even more people to visit and celebrate the innovation, technology and the passion that the grounds industry represents – including excellent networking opportunities, as well as focusing on new business needs.” Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA said: “This has been a difficult decision to make, and I hope all our exhibitors join forces with us to mark a return to more ordinary working conditions in the not too distant future. Professional and personal lives have been placed on hold, and that will have a knock-on effect. We want to help ease that load. “We’ve seen the grounds community come together and
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adapt during this challenging period, and we hope that exhibitors will help us host something beyond a trade show – a celebration of what our industry can overcome when working together.” GMA also believes that holding the 75th SALTEX on March 3 & 4, 2021 will help companies get the respite required to adjust to changing professional and personal circumstances. The organisation understands the impact of Covid-19 on many businesses and individuals in the grounds management industry. Geoff Webb continued: “Next year, the event will provide a huge opportunity for our sector to regroup, reunite and celebrate. After this difficult period, the show will help to rekindle the economic activity of the industry. Until then, all our thoughts and support are with those facing the challenges posed by the spread of coronavirus.”
GMA is pleased to be able to honour all existing bookings and has also secured the same halls at the NEC to minimise disruption for exhibitors. It is also in the process of contacting exhibitors with new payment terms, with later dates, and it is also working with companies that may require further assistance during this challenging period. GMA and its SALTEX partners are working closely together to assist businesses with the transition. GMA can be contacted for further support via SALTEX@thegma.org.uk ■
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
GROW WITH THE GMA DURING COVID-19
New online training hits the mark! Grounds Management Association has successfully launched a new series of online Level 1 training courses to help build a cohort of skilled grounds staff and volunteers to make sport possible across the nation
Dan Prest GMA head of technical and learning
THE GROUNDS MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION has responded to these uncertain times by launching a range of Level 1 online training courses to ensure that professional and volunteer grounds staff, as well as other stakeholders including club chairpersons, are suitably informed and educated to make the right decisions at the right time with available resources when sport resumes. GMA’s well-established and respected oneday, face-to-face training courses have been revamped to improve access. This will enable a low-cost introductory education route for those involved in the maintenance of football, cricket and rugby union and rugby league pitches. Enrolment is easy – learners have 28 days from enrolment to complete a course, which will typically take just four to five hours. The learning materials can be downloaded and printed, and participants will subsequently be signposted to practical videos to use.
Stretch yourself In addition, GMA is also currently developing its existing Level 2 and 3 training courses for winter pitches and cricket for online delivery. The above new online courses complement the existing online GMA Level 2 to 6 qualifications. It’s all about ‘stretch and learn’ – GMA wants to not only help you prove that you have the knowledge but also stretch your learning while you are achieving that. Indeed, over recent months, this approach has proved very popular with a significant increase in enrolments and it enables you/your employers to keep all members of the team engaged during these uncertain times.
Visit www.thegma.org.uk/learning for details of the courses and enrolment, along with news of GMA’s new part-time online tutor who is also looking at ways to encourage people to join GMA Learning.
I FEEL I’VE COME A LONG WAY IN MY THINKING AND UNDERSTANDING, AND IT’S BEEN GREAT TO CHALLENGE MYSELF OUTSIDE OF WORK VIA HOME LEARNING TO ACHIEVE MY GOAL OF IMPROVING MY EDUCATION TO A HIGHER LEVEL WHILE GAINING A DEEPER KNOWLEDGE OF TURF MANAGEMENT – Michael Williams, Whitgift School
Commenting on his recent Level 5 Professional Diploma in Turf Surface Management – the first person to complete this online accreditation – Michael Williams, senior groundsperson-irrigation specialist at Whitgift School, said: “I found these courses (Levels 4 and 5) to be outstanding and a great credit to GMA. It’s been an eye-opening journey this past two years and, combined with a Level 3 Diploma, completes four years of turf management studying. I’m obviously delighted to gain these brilliant professional qualifications with great support from Whitgift School.” ■
thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 23
FEATURE | MENTAL HEALTH
“IT COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE” In a revealing debate about mental wellbeing at last year’s SALTEX, Wembley’s grounds manager Karl Standley opened up about how he suffered in a situation – which could happen to anyone – where he mistakenly thought the answer was to simply work longer and harder, only to arrive at thoughts of ending it all
Andy Carmichael Freelance writer
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KARL STANDLEY MOVED to the Wembley National Stadium in 2006 and, in subsequent years, he had been promoted by The Football Association (FA) to a point where, in 2016, he became head groundsman and responsible for the most famous, and commented on, football pitch in the world. (He was appointed grounds manager in March 2020.) While there had always been a lot of work and pressure involved in keeping the surface at the standard expected for cup finals and international matches, what often goes unreported are the number of other events hosted on the pitch. In 2017, not only were there charity games, corporate days and concerts but also the long-standing NFL London games. Tottenham Hotspur had also taken up residence while its stadium was being redeveloped, adding more than 30 additional fixtures. Managing this schedule to his satisfaction, and what Karl identifies as his “drive for perfection” in the surface, “simply became too much”, he says. Modern grounds management is not just about turf, it is also about project leadership across multiple, and sometimes competing, concerns. Imagine that, with the results constantly being watched and commented on by a worldwide audience of millions.
MENTAL HEALTH | FEATURE
Karl (far right) says he is grateful for his teammates’ support. Left to right: Ross Souroukides, David Moulds and Brendan Abbott
thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 11
COVID-19 | GMA UPDATE
GMA LIVE BRINGS VIRTUAL NETWORKING TO LIFE Luke Perry, Grounds Management Association (GMA) director of events and SALTEX, discusses how the GMA Live webinars are the ideal networking medium during the Coronavirus pandemic
Colin Hoskins Editor
How is the GMA adapting to the changing circumstances created by the pandemic? Like many, we’ve moved very quickly as an organisation to adapt to a digital ‘working from home’ environment. We’re an active, outdoors industry, so I’m sure that the restrictions have been demanding for many in the sector. What is great, however, is the interest in our online learning and our newly-launched webinars. We often get feedback that our members love attending events to network and learn with like-minded friends and colleagues. So, we acted quickly with the aim to replicate a networking and learning experience with the GMA Live webinars.
The first webinar was held on 13 May. What was the response?
The next GMA Live takes place on Tuesday June 16. Visit thegma.org.uk/news to sign up.
Hugely positive, with over 400 delegates signing up. In the current circumstances, we’ve really seen the grounds community come together, share knowledge, exchange resources and grow closer than ever. We’re
really proud of that, and we’re pleased that GMA Live was exactly what the industry was looking for.
What are the next steps for GMA Live? Our first webinar coincided with our new report, ‘Back to Play: the season beyond no sport’, and this month we’re running a second GMA Live webinar also along the theme of Back to Play – this time from a business and mental health perspective. Mental Health Awareness Week was a big focus in May and we recognise that the wellbeing of employees requires close consideration in new working environments. This is all about how we adapt to that ‘new normal’. We’ve teamed up with an expert and industry-leading panel of speakers to present all points of view across the sector. Our aim with the session is to provide grounds staff, volunteers, employers and businesses with a rounded view of how they can best support others and themselves going forward. ■
thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 9
GaNTIP UPDATE
“Every cloud has a silver lining!” Silverdale Athletic FC’s determination for continual pitch improvement, coupled with a commitment to follow maintenance recommendations from the Pitch Improvement Programme, has resulted in the club winning the 2020 Staffordshire FA 2020 Grounds Team award ONE CHALLENGE facing clubs that have requested help from The Football Association’s Pitch Improvement Programme (PIP) is having sites with complex geological backgrounds and inherently poor soil and drainage. There are numerous areas of the Potteries, for example, where there are ‘restored soils from open cast and quarry spoil’ – and that includes the Silverdale district of Newcastle-under-Lyme. The Silverdale Colliery was established in the Kent’s Lane area in the 1830s and was operational until 1998 when, as a result of the Coalfield Regeneration Project and collaboration with Newcastleunder-Lyme Borough Council and Barratt Homes, a community centre was planned with two football pitches (11 v 11 and 9 v 9) and a training area. But developing the site was extremely challenging – primarily because mineshafts directly
beneath the pitches had been capped by thick concrete slabs and covered with several metres of heavy engineering clay. The subsurface conditions were also far from ideal, with no topsoil layer and very little subsoil. This presented substantial problems in achieving the appropriate gradients to assist with natural drainage. Turfdry was appointed for pitch construction and it arranged to use excavated subsoil from the adjacent Barratt Homes development and incorporate it as a suitable subsoil layer. Good quality topsoil was ameliorated with sports sand to complete the upper soil profile. The pitches were constructed to a high specification, including lateral geo-textile membrane drains at 2m centres.
Problems appear For a number of reasons, the pitches were left unmaintained for 15 months and were finally brought into use by Silverdale Athletic FC in January 2014. However, by May 2014, the club reported significant issues – such as poor pitch levels due to sunken drain lines, significant
Built on difficult ground, Silverdale Athletic’s pitches are now in good condition
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Kevin Duffill Regional pitch advisor West Midlands
moss presence, an anaerobic soil profile, poor sward quality and high levels of weed.
Renovation work As a result of PIP/Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme involvement, an intensive renovation programme was instigated, comprising significant topdressing (to restore levels and repair drain lines), a turf nutrition programme, intensive deep and surface aeration, and regular weed control. By 2015, the pitches had improved significantly to being able to support 60/70 matches per season with minimal postponements. The typical annual maintenance budget is £10K-£15K and, fast forward to 2020, the club continues to follow the PIP recommendations with limited mowing and aeration equipment – a ride-on mower plus the use of a slitter and drag mat. Contractors are used to undertake key operations such as deep aeration, weed control and end-of-season renovations. Now, says club chairman Marko Djukic, “we have playing surfaces we can all be proud of”. ■
Visit www.thegma.org.uk for details of the Grounds & Natural Turf Improvement Programme
TECHNICAL UPDATE
TECHNICAL UPDATE | WATER MANAGEMENT
Dr Christian Spring STRI research operations manager
GOING UNDERGROUND PERMAVOID is an incredibly strong plastic tile, made from 90% recycled materials, that measures 0.71m x 0.35m and is composed of 95% air space. The system was originally developed for managing water as part of sustainable drainage schemes, such as under car parks. It can be ‘tanked’ by being wrapped in an impervious membrane, giving the ability to store tremendous amounts of water in a very flat profile. The water can then infiltrate into the soil over time or the outflow can be controlled to attenuate water. The system has evolved by the creation of wells in the tiles in which wicking cylinders can be inserted to create a passive irrigation system (the Blue2Green system) that can pull water out of the tanked tile, allowing it to be taken up by plants.
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In the laboratory STRI’s research encompassed a range of scientific trials: • Laboratory evaluation of the wicking system, its components and interaction with growing media • Field evaluation of the Blue2Green system in both arid and tropical climates • Field testing of Permavoid as a drainage layer and its ability to reduce rootzone depth • Permavoid’s use in temporary sports surface constructions • Integration of Permavoid in modular pitch solutions • Integration of pitch profile systems, such as Sub-Air, with a passively irrigated Permavoid raft. In all trials, Permavoid had benefits above conventional solutions alone.
Initial testing on evaluating the science and efficacy of the wicking components aimed to assess: • How did the wicking systems work and under what conditions did they work optimally? • How effective was the passive irrigation system at pulling water into the growing medium? • What spacing would be optimal in sports turf installation with typical sand-based growing media? The wicking components were tested by looking at the rate and extent to which dyed water was drawn up by the materials when they were sat in a reservoir of liquid (Fig 1). It became clear that when they were pre-charged with water, they tended to respond more rapidly than when dry (Fig 2). To evaluate how the wicking system
WATER MANAGEMENT | TECHNICAL UPDATE
A six-year research project by STRI into an innovative water management system based on the Permavoid geocelluar tile system has produced some startling results – both in the laboratory and in the field – for cool and warm season grass playing surfaces
worked in pulling water through a growing medium, eight clear Perspex tanks were set up; each with a Permavoid tile in the bottom, a wicking cylinder at one end of the tile and
Figure 1: Testing the wicking components using dyed water
Figure 2: Performance of dry vs pre-soaked wicking components
wicking geotextile membrane laid on top of the tile, as it would be when installed in the field. Half the tanks were filled with a medium-coarse sand-based rootzone; the others were filled with a medium-fine rootzone – both spanning the typical range of materials found on sand-based football pitches and golf greens. This was to assess the effect of rootzone particle size on capillary rise and how this interacted with passive irrigation. The rootzones were initially tested dry, to see how the sub-surface irrigation system would work on new installations in drier climates, when rootzones may be more hydrophobic at the point of installation. The rootzones were wetted from below and the trial repeated to reflect situations where growing media were not hydrophobic. The tanks were topped up with dyed water and progression of the dye up the front soil profile was measured, to assess not only the peak rise of the irrigation water but also the consistency of rise with distance (to look at optimal spacings between cylinders). The results validated the passive irrigation concept. Initially, when the rootzones were dry, the rate and total extent of wetting front rise was similar (Figs 3 and 4, below). This was not quite as soil physics would predict! It would be expected that the rise in
the wetted front would be greater in the finer textured rootzone. However, once the rootzones had wetted up and became less hydrophobic, results were more consistent with soil capillary rise theory (Figs 5 and 6, overleaf). Under these conditions the level of rise was significantly greater in the medium fine rootzone. The rate of rise was also quicker once rootzones had been prewetted. This has important implications for establishing seedlings, when their root systems are shallower and less well developed. An interesting conclusion from this would be that, as stadia are using coarser rootzones, then profile depths would need to be much shallower to attain any benefit from sub-surface irrigation or a suspended water table. This is especially relevant when considering the average depth of rooting in stadia, where rooting is often confined the upper 100mm of the profile.
Field trials Field research (in Bingley, Yorks) was then carried out on both cool and warm season grasses, with the cool season trial focusing on: • Comparing the performance of Permavoid with a conventional gravel raft. • Investigating if it was possible to
Figure 3 (left) and 4 (right): Passive irrigation results with differing rootzones
thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 17
IN ACTION
Level playing fields Two very different soil types presented problems for Dauntsey’s School in Devizes, which enlisted the help of Headland Amenity The 14 hectares of natural sports surfaces at Dauntsey’s School in Devizes are a tale of two halves. The main playing fields are located on a natural greensand belt, creating an acidic soil profile with a pH level below six. The remainder of the site is on a relatively heavy clay loam with pH levels above seven. Head groundsman Dale Gleed has been working with Headland Amenity to optimise plant health across both areas. Headland Amenity conducted soil analysis at the site and created a programme to raise pH levels on the greensand areas. As a result, Dale has been
Dean is pleased with the multifunctional performance of the Infinicut FX
All-in-one solution The dedication of a greenkeeper and his volunteers meant Wantage Bowling Club could invest in an Infinicut FX and TMSystem cassettes 26 GROUNDS MANAGEMENT | JUNE 2020
Multigreen has improved the appearance and health of Dauntsey’s School’s pitches
applying CalciComplex organic soil amendment in the spring and again in the autumn. Through the inclusion of dolomitic limestone, CalciComplex can gently raise soil pH and provide additional nutrients in acidic profiles. Dale says this has increased the viability of ryegrass on the field, which helps it cope with the wear demands of the school’s winter sports. “On the other areas we’ve been using Multigreen, either the 15-022 or 28-3-15 formulations,” says Dale. “The great thing with this is, because it has a ‘temperatureonly’ controlled release, we can apply it as early as the February
half term and not have to be restricted to tight application windows around school fixtures when the conditions allow. “This has delivered fantastic improvements in the plant strength, sward density and overall appearance of some of the pitches – particularly our cricket outfields.” Dale concludes: “It’s unlikely that we’ll ever get the pH levels to balance but with Headland’s support, the right products and regular analysis we know we’re going in the right direction.”
Having played bowls from the age of 10, in 2012 Dean Gibbons combined his passion for the sport with his interest in turf maintenance, becoming greenkeeper at Wantage Bowling Club. Dean, 28, brings youthful enthusiasm to improve standards whilst exploring new, greener alternatives for the club. On his recommendation, the club purchased a 22in Infinicut FX and a selection of TMSystem cassettes last year, meaning he can now mow, aerate and verti-cut the green, all with one battery-powered unit. Over the last few years Dean has gradually taken on all of the maintenance work at the club, meaning it no longer requires the service of external contractors – the savings from which went towards purchasing the Infinicut in July 2019. “I’d had my eye on the Infinicut for a few years. The fact it is battery powered makes it greener and quieter to operate and the range of cassettes available meant we only needed to fund, and subsequently
store, a single machine.” During a regular season, Dean and his team of volunteers mow the green up to four times a week, and say the “simplicity of use and manoeuvrability of the Infinicut has taken the strain off the maintenance.” Their TMSystem cassettes – the SarelRoller and UltraGroomer – are passed over the green on a bi-weekly basis. The SarelRoller helps to improve filtration rates and gaseous exchange into the upper rootzone, while the tungsten carbide-tipped blades of the UltraGroomer minimise ‘puffiness’ and remove thatch. “The flexibility I have to conduct those three tasks, exactly when we need to, means our green is now in better shape than ever,” says Dean. He remains a keen player and hopes that the quality of the bowling surface may encourage new, and perhaps younger, players.
For more information visit www.headlandamenity.com
For more information visit www.infinicut.com
PRODUCT SHOWCASE NATURAL & SYNTHETIC TURF MAINTENANCE
WIEDENMANN
Little and often works best With aeration happening differently for everyone this season, Wiedenmann UK and its dealers are ready to help. Having come through one of the wettest starts to the year and then only benefiting from a short period of dry weather prior to lockdown, plans and flexibility have been turned upside down. “Little and often” still seems to be the preferred choice of aeration programmes. Wiedenmann UK offers a huge variety of tine options to accommodate the “little” including 5mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 16mm, 20mm and 25mm solid tines. For those wanting to hollow core, and use multi tine heads for finer work, the Terra Spikes can be fitted with multi tine
holders. Each multi tine head can hold up to 12 solid needle tines or coring tines in sizes 6mm, 8mm, 11mm, 12mm and 17mm inside diameters. With regards to how often, if time is not on your side, the range of belt driven Terra Spikes can help. Several models achieve output of a hectare of surface with the classic 2x2 pattern within a
normal working day. A fast machine is capable of exploiting even the narrowest window of opportunity, so in prevailing weather the decision to “go” can be taken at short notice. Use “heave” action as your friend; all machines cause a certain amount of heave, even shallow pedestrian models. With some machines you can set the heave differently relevant to depths, speed and soil types that are being worked on. A clean pattern and surface will be down to the conditions and how appropriately you have set the machine relevant to what you are trying to achieve. wiedenmann.co.uk
MAJOR
GKB
Major keeps students moving
Dressing to impress
Sport is an important part of the curriculum at Blundell’s School in Tiverton, Devon, which has nine cricket squares, 10 rugby pitches and five football fields. Keeping these facilities at a high standard is head groundsman Graham Cox and his team. Blundell’s School recently bought two new Iseki TG6495 50hp compact tractors and a Major 4m Swift trailed roller mower. “We chose what we consider the best for our purposes – equipment that gives greater performance and efficiencies,” explained Graham. “We liked that the Swift was gear-driven, meaning there were no belts that would need adjusting.” The Major Swift is a 4m trailed roller mower that folds to 2.4m for transport. It is constructed using Strenx 700 MC structural steel, which is lighter yet stronger than ordinary steel. The reduced weight minimises ground compaction and its rollers mean it leaves a clear striped finish in all conditions. “This year, we were able to get onto the grass six to eight weeks earlier than historically because of the Swift being lighter and trailed,” says Graham. www.major-equipment.com
The Ecodresser from GKB Machines offers grounds managers the ability to dress natural grass sport pitches in a costeffective way. Often sports pitches need more aeration, especially when wanting to create the best seeding conditions. The GKB Ecodresser enables this in one simple operation. Developed in the 1990s with the Council of Rotterdam, the GKB Ecodresser removes the need to buy and spread dressing. Extracting the desired dressing soil from the existing upper level, it uses this to bring the overall cost down. Combining multiple operations into one, the GKB Ecodresser is a reliable machine for maintenance of sport pitches. With the combination of cutting discs, coulters and fixed tines, the turf is intensively aerated whilst the dressing is applied to the upper layer and the sub layer is also being aerated. Offering the ability to level imperfections too, the machine carries recycled dressing onto the conveyer belt and scatters it in the desired area. This creates excellent seeding conditions, improves drainage conditions and enhances the rooting. To ensure minimal operating damage to the turf, the GKB Ecodresser is equipped with a cutting roller. These adjustable blade rotors extract soil from the upper layer and the heavy-duty rotor is protected with slipping clutches on each blade flange. Ensuring the aeration of the upper layer are the coulters, which are spring-loaded to remove the risk of damage from stones that may be present. There is also the option to equip the GKB Ecodresser with a stone screen and collection tray. www.gkbmachines.com
thegma.org.uk | GROUNDS MANAGEMENT 29