NEWS
LOCKDOWN SPARKS NEW INTEREST IN LEARNING A lawncare company has used its experience from the lockdown to launch the GreenBest Academy. Entering lockdown in March, they say, meant that for the vast majority of the population life hit pause. Suddenly, we found ourselves doing the DIY we had been putting off for years, and surveying our dry and patchy lawn with dismay – aware that we would be unlikely to be travelling further than Costa Del Back Garden on our holidays this year. For some, this uncovered a new passion – swapping spreadsheets for spreaders, blue sky thinking for actual blue skies and fertile imaginations for fertilisers. We don’t know what the ‘new normal’ will look like when we fully leave lockdown, and for some that in itself is motivation enough to leave the rat race to focus on the good life. That’s where the idea for the GreenBest Academy came from – during the COVID lockdown we saw a marked increase in demand for our lawncare range, and more and more requests for product knowledge. The GreenBest Academy will cater for everyone from the established lawn care operative to the new starter trying to establish a business. This autumn, head back to school yourself – email caroline.stanley@greenbest. co.uk to register your interest.
BIGGA cancels BTME, its annual turf exhibition
Jim Croxton, BIGGA’s Chief Executive
BTME will not take place in January 2021 as anticipated, with an alternative ‘Festival of Turf’ planned for summer 2021. BIGGA has cancelled the exhibition due to the ongoing uncertainty relating to the coronavirus pandemic. The decision was taken following consultation with members of the Association and regular dialogue with representatives of the Harrogate Convention Centre and other major stakeholders. It was agreed the hosting of a gathering of turf professionals from across the globe would create an unacceptable risk of infection. The education programme, Continue to Learn, is held alongside BTME each year and will still take place during January 2021, albeit as an online event and with an altered timetable designed to reflect the new digital platform. The announcement of an alternative event in summer 2021 will enable BIGGA to explore options for hosting the event outdoors, which current understanding of the infectious disease indicates will make for a safe event and will allow improved social distancing measures to be implemented. The Harrogate Convention Centre, home to BTME since its inauguration in 1989, has been utilised as an NHS Nightingale hospital since the
Harrogate Convention Centre, home to BTME, is currently an NHS Nightingale hospital
peak of the outbreak in April. However, the alteration of dates will require a new venue to be found and discussions are underway with potential event hosts. It is anticipated that BTME will return to the Harrogate Convention Centre in January 2022. “The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has sent shockwaves across our industry and BIGGA members have worked admirably in difficult circumstances to enable the continuing success of the facilities they maintain,” said BIGGA Chief Executive Jim Croxton. “The work they are doing in a safe and socially-distanced manner is admirable and has undoubtedly led to an increased confidence in golf as a safe pastime during these uncertain times. “BIGGA considers it important to host an annual
event and BTME plays a vital role in the calendar year for the turf industry.” BIGGA Head of Member Development, Sami Strutt, is responsible for the organisation of Continue to Learn. “Although the association will have no physical presence in Harrogate during January, we will be hosting Continue to Learn as a digital event and I’m certain the spirit of Harrogate week will be as strong as ever before,” she said. “We are in the process of building what will be an incredible series of online learning that will enable BIGGA members to continue their professional development, wherever in the world they may be.” n Watch Jim Croxton’s video interview with Turf Matters Editor Scott MacCallum on the Turf Matters digital platforms.
Forum calls for the Amenity Standard to become a requirement Since its launch at the start of the year, the Amenity Standard has been welcomed by all sides of both the amenity sector and policy makers. The Forum is now calling on governments to introduce this as a requirement 4 | Turf Matters | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2020
for everyone operating in the management of weeds, pests and diseases in amenity areas. “The establishment of the Standard is seen very much as a game changing moment for the sector,” said Professor John
Moverley, Independent Chairman of the Forum. The Standard has received the backing of all national governments in the UK. The Forum is holding its annual conference on October 15 where the
theme will be ‘’Planning for the Future’’ The event will be presented online. The delegate rate is £50. For further information on how to book or for more detail, contact admin@ amenityforum.net