SISIS scarifier and seminars improve Rykneld BC

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SISIS scarifier and seminars improve Rykneld BC: Rykneld Bowling Club, in Derbyshire, has not only benefited from a new SISIS Auto Rotorake Mk5 but has also seen major improvements to the green after various committee members enhanced their greenkeeping knowledge through the Dennis and SISIS virtual bowls seminar portal.

Founded in 1918, Rykneld is one of the longest running bowling clubs in the county and over recent years has also become one of the most successful. It boasts a thriving membership and some of the best players in Derbyshire, which is testament to just how good the green has become.

SISIS scarifier and seminars improve Rykneld BC

SISIS scarifier and seminars improve Rykneld BC

“Lately we have been getting great feedback,” said committee member Malcolm Holden. “That is not only from our own members but also from visiting teams. The improved surface has enabled us to have a South Derbyshire Premier League team excelling at the club.”

Looking after the green at Rykneld is very much a team effort as five committee members work hard to maintain it. They have recently enhanced their greenkeeping knowledge after becoming members of the free Dennis and SISIS virtual bowls seminar portal.

On the portal, members have access to regular, updated video seminar sessions on a wide range of relevant topics written and hosted by expert speakers. At the click of a button, users can also ask questions to the various experts and tap into their vast amount of experience and knowledge. Other resources on the portal include downloadable PDF’s containing seminar content, case studies, more informative videos, links to key products and vital information on funding.

“We have been following the videos on the portal religiously,” said Malcolm. “The portal is fantastic, and it covers every kind of topic you can think of when it comes to greenkeeping. We document everything we do, and the virtual seminars are helping us to continuously improve the green.”

Thatch is one particular issue that Malcolm and the team have been trying to solve through the seminar portal. Recently their efforts were boosted after the club purchased a SISIS Auto Rotorake Mk.5.

The SISIS Auto Rotorake Mk.5 is a powerful self-propelled heavy duty scarifier designed for the removal and control of thatch on fine turf. It features a contra-rotating reel with specially designed tipped blades for a clean, consistent cut and maximum thatch removal. A variety of maintenance tasks can also be carried out due to a selection of seven different interchangeable reels.

“The green has built up about 100 years of thatch, and it is slowing the green down,” said Malcolm. “It is not going to be a quick fix, but we are really stepping things up with the SISIS Auto Rotorake now.

“We’re already starting to see progress because of the amount of air it is helping us to get into the soil. Prior to the Auto Rotorake we were using a hand pulled spiker which was incredibly tough to pull – it was physically exhausting! The Auto Rotorake is just a brilliant machine which we are using on a fortnightly basis.

“That is what you get from Dennis and SISIS. Of all the suppliers we deal with, they have got to be the best. If they say they’ll do something, they will always do it – they keep their word, and I can’t fault them at all.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow SISIS on Twitter or Instagram @SISISMachinery and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/SISISMachinery. You can also view the latest SISIS videos by visiting www.youtube.com/SISISMachinery

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EcoBunker aids transformation at Skylark

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EcoBunker aids transformation at Skylark: Seven years ago, Skylark Golf & County Club in Hampshire in the south of England, was in a sorry state.

“The course was opened in the late 1990s, and it was known at Quinn Dell,” says course manager Simon Bell-Tye. “And when I got here in 2014, it had been neglected and run down for most of that time. It was a field with holes in it.”

EcoBunker aids transformation at Skylark

EcoBunker aids transformation at Skylark

But the arrival of its new course manager was a sign that the place was on the up. Acquired by local company JDI (Just Develop It) in late 2013, the renamed Skylark hasn’t looked back.

“My boss at the time, Dan Richards, an ex-golf pro, had a real vision for the place, starting with making the course more presentable and playable,” says Bell-Tye. “But it was a big job. There was a weed called toad rush in the greens. I didn’t know what it was – I’d never come across it before – and the bunkers were just scoops in the ground.”

Now, though, Skylark’s bunkers are among its best-regarded features, thanks to the installation of synthetic edging system EcoBunker over several years. “I’m a member at Royal Winchester and I saw them doing the EcoBunkers there,” says Simon. “I mentioned this to Dan and he said ‘Good idea, get them in’. Rich Allen came and explained their process, and we took him and their construction manager Llewelyn Matthews to the eleventh hole, which had our very worst bunkers. Then Llew spent a week showing us how to build the EcoBunkers, and we haven’t looked back since.”

But the ‘normal’ EcoBunker method wasn’t enough for Skylark. To reduce the bunker maintenance still further, EcoBunker CEO Richard Allen devised a new add-on, named EcoEdge – which sees top quality artificial grass, backed with rubber, used as a rim for the bunkers. Compared to the usual EcoBunker Advanced methodology, where natural grass is planted on top of the synthetic edge, this obviously reduces the maintenance requirement for bunker edging still further. “Skylark was the first club in the world to use the EcoEdge system, although since, a number of other clubs have invested in it,” says Allen.

The reaction to the EcoBunkers was immediate. “Members loved them, so I got a budget to do a number of bunkers each year,” says Bell-Tye. “Ultimately, we have added fourteen extra bunkers to the golf course. We build them all in house – last winter I used forty pallets of material in four bunkers – and they look wonderful. They are huge, and they just pop out at you.”

Skylark’s success has come both on and off the course. From hosting one or two weddings a year, the club now does 140-150. And the golf? “When I joined we had 200-250 golf members. Now we’re up to 750, and we are full, with a joining fee,” says Bell-Tye.

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Turn up the music

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Turn up the music: Makita UK has expanded its accessories range with two new radios. The DMR301 and MR007G are the perfect job site companions – as well as outstanding output, they have also been designed to withstand tough site conditions. Even better still, the DMR301 can be used to charge Makita’s LXT and CXT batteries for added on site efficiency.

DMR301 Bluetooth DAB/DAB+ Job Site Radio

The new DMR301 DAB/DAB+ Job Site Radio is compatible with both LXT and CXT batteries and is the first job site radio in Makita’s line-up to offer battery charging (when powered by the mains using an AC adaptor).

Turn up the music

Turn up the music

Thanks to its dual power functionality, professionals can use the same LXT or CXT batteries to power their tools and accessories on site, as well as keeping batteries charged across the working day to maximise efficiency.

Furthermore, the DMR301 can also wirelessly connect to mobile devices (within a range of 10m) via Bluetooth and features two USB output ports for charging mobile phones. To ensure that it can withstand tough jobsite conditions, the DMR301 is dust and shower proof (IP64 rated) and includes elastomer bumpers and metal pipes for added durability. The swivel mount, soft bend antenna also minimises breakage and/or loss.

When powered using a 6.0Ah 18V LXT battery, the DMR301 will run for over 24hours for entertainment all day long and for those looking to unwind at the end of the working day, the DMR301 is even equipped with a built-in bottle opener.

MR007GZ02 DAB/DAB+ Job Site Radio

Just in time for Christmas, the MR007G DAB/DAB+ radio is now available in a special edition red finish. The MR007G is compatible with Makita’s LXT, XGT and CXT batteries and can also be mains powered using an AC adaptor jack. This radio is ideal for use on construction sites as it is dust and shower proof (IP65 rated) and includes elastomer bumpers.

The MR007G can be wirelessly linked to mobile devices (within a radius of 10m) via Bluetooth and includes a USB port for charging mobile devices on site.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita said: “At Makita, we are dedicated to offering tradespeople a wide range of products that make working on site easier, safer and with these new products – more enjoyable. Customer feedback is at the heart of our product development and the new radios are testament to this – the option to charge batteries using our radios is in high demand and we are delighted to now offer this functionality with the DMR301.

“Spanning power tools, garden machinery products and a huge selection of accessories, the Makita range has something for everyone. What’s more, with our cordless products professionals can change between tools and tasks, and tools and accessories, effortlessly.”

To find out more about Makita and its range of products visit: www.makitauk.com

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New BASIS organic farming course dates

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New BASIS organic farming course dates: Organic certifier, OF&G (Organic Farmers & Growers), in collaboration with independent awarding body, BASIS and agronomy advisers, Abacus Agriculture have announced 2022 dates for the newly launched Foundation Award in Organic Farming, following a successful pilot.

Next year’s Harper Adams University accredited level four courses will take place over three days on 18 – 21 January at Stoneleigh Park; Warwickshire, 19 – 22 April at the Great Yorkshire Showground; 19 – 22 July at the Bath and West showground and 27 – 30 September, venue to be confirmed.

New BASIS organic farming course dates

New BASIS organic farming course dates

“We received really positive feedback after the trial in the autumn,” says Steven Jacobs, OF&G business development manager. “Farmers and advisers have a strong appetite to build their knowledge of organic systems and we’ve been taking enquiries for the course already and anticipate good uptake.”

The Foundation Award provides a comprehensive introduction to organic farming and organic legislation; to primarily crop and livestock production, soil management and conversion planning.

George Fletcher, who co-manages Berkswell Cheese, completed the pilot course and notes that with the rise of input costs associated with conventional agriculture, he was looking to make his business more financially sustainable. “The course taught me about practical techniques to help reduce expensive fertiliser and spray use and the clear advantages of bringing livestock into my crop rotation.”

Ian Knight, farm adviser and director at Abacus Agri, adds that this training is not only for those considering organic conversion. “The course is relevant across the agricultural sector. The key principles of organic farming and a natural biological approach to soil, crop, livestock and human health apply to every sustainable farming business and forms the direction of government policy and grant support for agriculture.”

BASIS’ head of business development, Greg Hopkinson explains what candidates should expect from the training and assessment for this course; “At BASIS we are really excited about supporting the organic sector through this new qualification. Candidates will need to combine the onsite training they receive with independent study before taking a written exam which will assess the knowledge they have gained.”

Designed to be a stepping-stone towards more advanced certifications in the future, the Foundation Award provides a comprehensive introduction to organic production which will be complemented by additional courses in the future. To learn more about the Foundation Award in Organic Farming visit www.ofgorganic.org or www.basis-reg.co.uk/training.

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Turkeeper.com ‘Information Technology’ award

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Turkeeper.com ‘Information Technology’ award: Kevin Scarce of TurfKeeper.com received the award in the Information Technology category at this year’s SALTEX Innovation awards.

The latest innovative feature, as presented to the GMA judging panel, is the downloadable TurfKeeper ‘Beacon’ App, which serves as a as a true “Push Notification” app. Any tasks that are added, edited or completed on the Turfkeeper online management system sends notifications to the intended recipient in the field. Machinery maintenance alerts warning of impending due maintenance are also sent out via the push notifications. It is now TurfKeeper’s vision to further expand the ‘Beacon’ app with further functionality.”

Turkeeper.com ‘Information Technology’ award

Turkeeper.com ‘Information Technology’ award

TurfKeeper is a complete online management resource which allows its users to plan, execute and diarise daily, weekly monthly work schedules and in return gain extremely insightful real time data reports on labour hours used in specific areas, cost of maintenance, stock usage etc. Stock control, machinery management, detailed NPK tracking and budget control and Health and safety are all included in the one stop shop solution.

The digital jobs white board feature offers a unique way of outputting planned tasks, daily notes, fixtures and direction of cut etc. onto a large screen TV for staff to view. As well as being Cloud based and viewable on all devices, it updates in real time from anywhere.

Kevin Scarce is the Sales Manager for TurfKeeeper.com

www.turfkeeper.com

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