Amenity Management – important and essential

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Amenity Management – important and essential: 2020 is certainly a year not to be forgotten. It has impacted on us all in so many ways and it is clear that returning to what we thought as of normal will not be easy and may indeed never return in full.

We have all had to acquire new skills and new approaches to daily life and undoubtedly there have been significant challenges for us all, individuals and organisations. Yet it has also provided opportunity. The months of lockdown demonstrated just how much what happens in amenity management impacts on everyone who lives and works in the UK. It highlighted the essential elements involved in keeping transport networks running, our parks safe and our streets and pavements and so much more. It highlighted how important sport is in our lives and the incredible work of those who, despite the challenges, kept our golf courses and sports facilities maintained and fit for purpose.

Amenity Management – important and essential

Amenity Management – important and essential

2020 is also a year in which a major review of approaches to weed, pest and disease management is being undertaken by the UK and National Governments. This will lead to the publication of a new National Action Plan in 2021. The amenity sector and those who work in it have never been afraid to embrace change and innovation and this will remain so as long as what emerges is based upon proper evidence and science. The Amenity Forum is seeking to represent the views of the sector on all such matters and throughout highlights just how important what is done is to everyone.

We are asking governments to adopt the Amenity Standard as a requirement going forward for any professional work in amenity management. For those who fully support best practice and standards, this poses no problems but adoption in this way will further raise the profile and public confidence in what is done.

The Forum is holding its annual conference as an on line event on October 15th 2020 where the theme will be ‘’Planning for the Future’’ We are pleased to confirm that an address will be included from a senior government representative and there will be speakers drawn from across our sector. Building on new skills and new ways, our 2020 conference may have a new method of delivery but is set to provide the same high quality of speaker and opportunity to catch up on the many developments in our sector and issues impacting on us. Over the years, the conference has become a must attend event for all involved in or with an interest in amenity management and this is even more important in 2020.

Aside from important discussion on the National Action Plan and its implications, our focus will be very much upon innovation and new ways forward given the events of recent months. Of course, it is recognised that the opportunity for face to face networking will be lost but the team are working hard to provide the very best experience using professional software and it will be hosted from a central venue. There will be facility to ask questions and share views. The delegate rate is £50 and or further information on how to book or for more detail, contact Admin@amenityforum.net

Professor John Moverley OBE, Independent Chairman of the Amenity Forum, says ‘’The amenity sector is a vitally important one creating employment, contributing substantially to our UK economy and above all seeking to provide safe, healthy and sustainable amenity and sports surfaces fit for purpose. All who work in it need to be proud of what they do, truly important and essential’’

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Vanmac become UK distributors for Brouwer Kesmac

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Vanmac become UK distributors for Brouwer Kesmac: Vanmac Ltd have announced they are now an authorised full line distributor for the Brouwer Kesmac portfolio of turf and groundcare machinery.

With a long-standing, established reputation in the turf grower sector, the Brouwer Kesmac range of harvesters and pedestrian rollers, together with trailed verti-cutters, aerators and cylinder mowers are now available to local authorities, landscapers and grounds managers via Vanmac in the UK.

Vanmac become UK distributors for Brouwer Kesmac

Vanmac become UK distributors for Brouwer Kesmac

Founded by Gerry Brouwer and his son Eric in Ontario, Canada, Brouwer Kesmac is now established worldwide, built on a reputation of developing innovative equipment solutions that deliver quality and reliability. Vanmac Ltd, known throughout the UK for the distribution of the Trilo range of blowers & vacs, will offer sales and service support across the full range of Brouwer Kesmac products, along with supplying a vast selection of spare parts – which will be available to order through Vanmac Ltd’s website.

Of particular note from the range is the five-gang Kesmac verti-cutter, based on the proven design of the Kesmac cylinder mowers. Each of the five gang reels features 21 high-quality steel blades at 31mm spacings, to cut and remove thatch build ups – and at over 3m in width, it is ideal for use on larger areas such as golf fairways and parks. Another popular machine from the Kesmac collection is the Pedestrian Turf Roller, which can be filled with water to provide a smooth, clean surface, particularly suited to landscapers and contractors.

The appointment of Vanmac Ltd in the UK extends the distribution agreement between Brouwer Kesmac and Vanmac bv across Europe. For Vanmac Ltd, Area Sales Manager Jeremy Vincent, said, “We’ve been working hard to extend our portfolio here in the UK and are delighted to have added the Brouwer Kesmac collection to our offering. The range compliments everything that we currently offer to customers in the turf grower market and extends our offering to those managing professional turf surfaces. Over the next few weeks, we will begin supporting all of the existing Brouwer Kesmac customers and are excited to hit the road and begin introducing the quality range to new facilities around the country.”

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ICL’s Riptide Makes an Impact

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ICL’s Riptide Makes an Impact: ICL’s Riptide, the no1 ranked creeping bentgrass, has made an impact at Trentham Golf Club, according to Course Manager, Ed Stant.

Exclusive to ICL, Riptide is the no1 ranked creeping bentgrass variety on the STRI lists. It is ideal for seeding new areas or when used for interseeding as part of a course renovation programme. This fine-leaved, densely-shooting, creeping bentgrass establishes quickly, especially in spring, growing upright but low to the ground with high tiller shoot density and keeping its bright mid-green colour right through autumn and winter.

ICL’s Riptide Makes an Impact

ICL’s Riptide Makes an Impact

In fact, Riptide, has gained a wide following throughout Europe and has been adopted by several UK courses due to its adaptability in a wide range of growing conditions.

When Ed Stant, Course Manager at Trentham Golf Club in Stoke-on-Trent, was looking to incorporate a new seed for a new project, he found that Riptide was highly recommended.

“Having taken the decision to rebuild the short game green in March we sought advice from our STRI Agronomist Paul Woodham,” said Ed. “Rather than turfing or seeding, we took cores from the 18 course greens during greens maintenance before deciding to over-seed with ICL’s creeping bent Riptide.

“We are really pleased with the result; the cores have meant the green was in play quickly and matches the course greens. Riptide has established nicely into the sward and is improving daily.”

Riptide responds very well to lower nutritional inputs and less frequent watering, potentially significantly reducing costs involved in a higher maintenance programme and offering a more sustainable approach; less fertilizer, fungicide, scarification and verti-cutting.

“Over the past 3 months Riptide has filled in beautifully and is really starting to come into its own,” continued Ed. “During early morning dew you can see the creeping bent beginning to outcompete the Poa dominated cores and establishing well.”

Creeping bent as a species for golf greens fell out of favour with many course managers due to varieties proving difficult to manage or the results from over-seeding were just disappointing. New varieties such as Riptide have sparked new interest. The ability to establish quickly and aggressively colonise greens is creating outstanding results, bringing greens back into play quickly. The real beauty of Riptide is its lighter green colour aspect, enabling excellent integration into UK and Ireland greens.

Riptide certainly provides the opportunity to create excellent greens surface with lower inputs of fertilization and disease management. High tolerance against Michrodochium patch and Dollar spot reduces the frequency for fungicide applications.

“Good advice, good product and competitively priced – I would have no hesitation in recommending Riptide,” concluded Ed.

For more information on Riptide and other products in ICL’s ProSelect grass seed range please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

For more news and insightful views, you can follow ICL on Twitter @ICL_Turf

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