The 2017 Updating Tour!

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Over the last two months, the Amenity Forum has been on tour across the UK holding some 13 free events aiming to update those involved in the amenity sector of current issues and matters related to weed, pest and disease control. Some 450 people attended in total and the topics discussed were wide ranging. However each demonstrated the important and essential nature of weed, pest and disease control impacting upon every UK citizen in terms of creating safe, healthy and fit for purpose amenity areas. The launch of the website www.GetBritainMoving.uk was widely well received, emphasising as it does the important role of amenity in society. Just one example recently was to those who watched the FA Cup semi-finals played on an excellent pitch. We take this quality too often for granted but it would not happen without the dedication and actions of those who maintain such surfaces.

We are in the grip of both local and national elections – a good time to emphasise to those seeking office, how important amenity is to us all and that maintenance of our streets, pavements, railways and more is so vitally important. We should also not miss the opportunity to emphasise that decisions need to be based upon science and evidence, not just opinion. We still see headlines about methods of weed control which do not have such evidence checking.

Approved professionals engaged in the amenity sector, certainly those who are members of the Amenity Forum, always put health and safety at the top of their list in terms of choosing the appropriate methods of weed, pest and disease management.

John Moverley, chairman of the Amenity Forum, commenting upon the recent round of events, said ‘’It was certainly quite hectic to visit so many locations in such a short time but equally it was inspiring. It was great to see so many elements of our vital sector represented and to talk to those directly engaged in the activities. Whether in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales or the regions of England, this stood out loud and proud. We do need to communicate this even more widely to all. What is undertaken is vital and important and impacts upon everyone’

The Forum will continue to engage in discussions and events throughout the summer and on October 12th, will hold its annual conference and exhibition at the Pirelli Stadium at Burton on Trent, now regarded as a must attend event for anyone involved in or with an interest in weed, pest and disease control and amenity. Full details are available on the Forum website www.amenityforum.co.uk or by emailing, admin@amenityforum.net

Firefighters Tackle Fire At SIS Factory

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Emergency services were called out at 1.30pm yesterday.

A police spokesman said: “Emergency services are continuing to tackle a fire at Glasson Industrial Estate in Maryport.

“Members of the public are advised to keep their windows closed due to the level of smoke.”

A statement released by SIS Pitches said: “No individuals were injured in the blaze and there are ongoing police investigations into the cause of the fire.

“The nearby factory, which produces the synthetic pitches, has been unaffected and will continue production as normal.”

Bryn Lee, managing director of SIS Pitches, said: “Our highest priority is the safety and well being of our staff and those within the vicinity of the fire and we are thankful that nobody has been injured.

“We pride ourselves on our excellent safety procedures and will be carrying out a full investigation into the cause of the fire.

“The incident was contained within one facility and all other SIS Pitches facilities are in full operation.”

Police evacuated nearby offices as crews from eight fire engines and an aerial ladder platform tackled the blaze.

One driver said: “It took me an hour and 45 minutes to pick my son up from Netherhall School! Our back roads can’t cope with the amounts of traffic being pushed around them.”

At 5.10pm, spokesman for Cumbria Fire and Rescue said: “Firefighters are continuing to tackle the blaze. This incident is expected to continue for some time.”

A passer-by at the scene said: “It looks as though rolls of artificial turf have gone up in flames and it spread really quickly. The wind has fanned the flames.

“Lots of units nearby are in danger. The heat is unbelievable.

“Fire trucks are having trouble getting to the fire and are looking for a way to get water there.”

Fire engines were going to the harbour to fill up with water to fight the flames.

Workers from Fearons Builders, which is based next to SIS, were called to the scene by fire chiefs to move fuel stored at its premises.

Jacqui Towers, of Grasslot Street, said she has had her windows and doors shut all afternoon.

She said: “The fire was just a couple of hundred of yards from where I live. The smoke was unbelievable. It is a terrible thing.”

Smoke from the blaze could be seen in Workington, Cockermouth and Great Broughton and reports are coming in that it could be seen from Whitehaven, the Greenbank estate and St Bees.

Schoolchildren at the nearby Grasslot Infant School were sent home at 2.20pm.

Headteacher Karen Loudon said: “Although there was no threat to the school, children were getting upset and with roads closing we thought it was wise to close the school.”

Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service said: “Eight fire engines and an aerial ladder platform have been called to the scene which is a building fire.

“The building, used for manufacturing synthetic turf, measures 40m x 50m and is heavily involved in fire. Firefighters are tackling the blaze using main jets.”

Jim McBride, of Wigton, described seeing flames “100ft to 150ft in the air”.

“I’m sat on Mote Hill and the flames are level with me,” he said.

“There’s a thick black pall of smoke and it looks like several units are alight.”

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Dennis & SISIS kick start 2017 bowls seminars

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Dennis and SISIS have successfully kick-started their 2017 series of bowls maintenance seminars, after the first two were recently held at Attenborough Bowls Club in Nottingham and the Ye Olde Knowle Bowls Club in Birmingham.

The popular seminars, which are designed to educate greenkeepers on how to maintain and look after bowling greens, have been credited for improving the greens at numerous bowls clubs throughout the country. Combining insightful seminars and practical tips, a number of industry experts take to the stage to discuss a wide range of key topics.

As a key event for those who are tasked with maintaining bowling greens, over 150 delegates made their way to the two seminars.

Following a warm welcome from Jason Briggs, area sales manager for Dennis and SISIS, seminar delegates heard from Alan Lewis, a leading sports turf consultant, who offered guidance on the maintenance of a bowling green. In his presentation Alan discussed best practice including tips on brushing, scarifying, spraying, verticutting, aerating, watering and also revealed how certain renovations can significantly improve green speed.

Alex McDermott from Vitax Amenity and Paul Moreton from Germinal offered valuable insights into how to select the correct seed and fertiliser for a green. Phil Brown, president of the British Crown Green Bowling Association (BCGBA) then provided an update on the recent developments in the world of crown green bowls.

Delegates then stepped on to the green to hear from Andy Walker, field support manager for Dennis and SISIS, on how to get the best performance from a mower, before a complimentary lunch was served.

Lunchtime proved, as always, to be a great networking opportunity as delegates got the chance to meet and greet one another as well as talk to seminar sponsors Germinal, Midlands Grounds Machinery, Platts Harris and Vitax Amenity.

After lunch delegates then made their way into the spring sunshine where an on-green demonstration commenced. The demonstration not only provided a perfect opportunity to see some of the sport’s best maintenance equipment in action but experts from Dennis and SISIS, Midlands Grounds Machinery and Alan Lewis offered some fantastic tips on how to prepare and maintain bowling greens.

The seminars concluded with the hugely popular Turf Clinic Q&A session, which allowed the delegates to ask advice about their own projects or any issues that they may have had.
Keith Freakley, from Wycliffe Bowls Club in Leicestershire, was one of the many attendees who reported a successful seminar: “If you are a greenkeeper then you can’t wish for a better day out in coming to one of these Dennis and SISIS seminars. You learn a lot about renovation, maintenance, different types of machinery, greenkeeping, fertilisers and everything else which you really want to know to help you on a green.”

Peter Cross from Buckingham Bowls Club agreed: “I came along today to see if there was any information I could pick up and it’s been very informative. I would recommend this kind of event to any greenkeeper and even to bowlers. Every little helps and I don’t care how many times you come to one of these – you are always going to learn something new. It has been absolutely superb.”

A video of the recent seminar can be viewed by visiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXoTm9Vdsa8

Please contact Roger Moore on 01332 824777 or email roger.moore@dennisuk.com to enquire about upcoming seminar dates.

Further information about the range of bowls maintenance products available can be found by visiting www.dennisuk.com / www.sisis.com