Trencher Hire praised by charity

Trencher Hire praised by charity: A vital new conservation project called the Horstmann Trust has been launched in the unlikely location of South Wales to help preserve some of the world’s most endangered species of vultures, many of which are found in Europe, Africa and Asia.

The charity’s CEO Adam Bloch is a passionate conservationist, who is clearly concerned not just about the plight of vultures, but the ever-increasing number of animals joining the endangered species list across the globe, as their habitat is destroyed by man and the effects of climate change become ever more evident.

Trencher Hire praised by charity

Trencher Hire praised by charity

Trencher Hire UK has played a small but important role in the installation of welded steel fences within the site. Trencher Hire UK supplied a Vermeer RTX-250 on a week-long contract, but Adam said the machine was so efficient and easy to operate that the work was completed in just three days.

He commented: “We dug slots to a depth of 900mm to make sure that animals couldn’t dig under the welded steel fencing we were installing. The trencher made short work of this and backfilling was quick and easy. If we had tried to do the work with a digger, it would have created a whole lot of mess and incurred a lot of time making good afterwards.

“Trencher Hire were really helpful and I couldn’t fault the service. They turned-up at the allotted time, explained how to use the machine and the unit itself was excellent.”

The work of the Horstmann Trust is to develop an ongoing breeding programme with the primary focus on hooded, Egyptian and bearded vultures, as well as the Andean Condor. Adam commented: “There are 23 species of vultures around the world, with the majority facing rapidly falling populations and some facing extinction. We are creating a strong, genetically diverse captive population with some of our birds going on to be released back into the wild, whilst others will be given to other conservation organisations working together in these breeding programmes.

“We have to look to the future and our programme has to be a very long-term one. Many of the vulture species lay just a single egg each breeding season, so producing young can be slow. Condors can live up to 80 years in captivity and don’t reach sexual maturity until they are at least 6-8 years old but, in some cases, can be much longer!”

He is supported in his work by Holly Cale, who is Curator and Head of Research, along with a small number of staff and volunteers.

If you would like to make a donation to support the work of the Horstmann Trust you can contact Adam via email: adam@horstmanntrust.org.

To find out how Trencher Hire UK call help, contact us on: 0121 751 9319, or email: team@trencherhire.com or visit our website: www.trencherhire.com

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SALTEX Learning LIVE line-up

SALTEX Learning LIVE line-up: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) has revealed a spectacular seminar lineup as part of the SALTEX 2022 Learning LIVE Programme designed to help grounds people to create the best playing surfaces across a range of sports and settings.

Following on from the Lionness’ success in the Euros, and with the Rugby League World Cup and the first ever winter Football World Cup coming up, what better time to find out how the surfaces that make such events possible are created.

SALTEX Learning LIVE line-up

SALTEX Learning LIVE line-up

There’s something for most sports surfaces from some of the best in the business. For rugby, Catherine Hall (Premiership Rugby), Dr David James (Labosport) and Dan Prest (GMA) talk about raising Premiership Rugby pitch standards. For cricket, Gary Barwell (Edgbaston Stadium), Karl McDermott (Lord’s) and Steve Birks (Nottinghamshire CCC) discuss how new cricket formats impact on the modern-day grounds manager. Tennis is covered off by Neil Stubley (Wimbledon) who presents the All England Tennis and Croquet Club’s court expansion project.

But all top level surfaces start somewhere – at grassroots level – and Rob Sullivan presents the Football Foundation’s strategic ambitions to improve grass pitch quality and Chris Smith tackles the funding process to improve pitches. Perhaps there’s a role for hybrid pitches in the community – Dr Richard Earl (TGMS) reveals data findings from the Sport England hybrid pitch pilot for community use in London’s Regents Park.

Those in the education sector will no doubt be interested to hear how Whitgift School’s recent hybrid pitch installation was the first in the independent school sector and panelists Daniel Ratling (Whitgift School), Dr Richard Earl (TGMS) and D James Welsh (Whitehorse Contractors) session look at the rationale, the design/planning process, the construction, the project outcomes and the ongoing maintenance and renovation of the project.

Geoff Webb, CEO of the GMA, says: “So many visitors to SALTEX work in grounds maintenance and this series of seminars provides relevant, invaluable information whatever the playing surface they work on from speakers and panelists with a wealth of experience and solutions to real-time projects. Anybody wanting to stay ahead of the game in the grounds care industry will benefit from the learning and connections they can make whilst at SALTEX. We are grateful to all those industry experts and leaders that are taking time out to speak at Learning LIVE and support those working hard across the industry to make sport possible across the UK.”

The SALTEX 2022 Learning LIVE schedule this year has been extended to over 30 sessions, they are free to attend across the two days of the show on 2-3 November and contribute to CPD-accreditation. More information can be found on the event’s website at www.saltex.org.uk/learning-live. Free visitor registration is now open at saltex.org.uk / register here.

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UK’s best student greenkeepers celebrated

UK’s best student greenkeepers celebrated: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and sponsors Reesink Turfcare and Toro have revealed the winners of their annual awards competition, with the finals taking place this year in the surroundings of the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex.

During a sombre evening following news of the death of Her Majesty the Queen, the winners of this year’s awards were revealed. Throughout the day, the 12 candidates – selected from a record 54 nominees – had contested the grand finals of the Toro Student Greenkeeper Awards.

UK's best student greenkeepers celebrated

UK’s best student greenkeepers celebrated

Ripon City Golf Club Deputy Course Manager James Gaskell (30) was revealed as the 33rd winner of the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award. James has been greenkeeping for five years, taking up the profession on a full-time basis after graduating from the University of Sunderland. A talented golfer playing to a 1.6 handicap, James said his experience of playing competitive golf compliments his greenkeeping knowledge and the awards judges were impressed by his considerable dedication to the sport and his chosen career.

The runner-up of the award is Andrew Ritchie of St Andrews Links Trust.

The 6th winner of the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award was revealed to be Carden Park Golf Club greenkeeper Peter Pattenden (19). A talented rugby player, Peter has represented North Wales and Scottish Exiles, but it is in golf that he has chosen to pursue a career. Having been a greenkeeper for almost three years, Peter works at Carden Park in Cheshire where his father – also called Peter – is courses and estates manager.

The runner-up of the Young award is Luke Charnley of Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

With the awards split into two separate categories, candidates for the ‘main’ Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award completed a rigorous day of testing that included an exam, an essay question, grass and seed identification and a presentation on their career so far. Candidates for the Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award, who must be aged 21 and under when nominated, undertook an exam and then a hole walk with the awards judges that is intended to test the finalists’ knowledge in a real world setting.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award was introduced in 1989, with an additional ‘Young’ category introduced in 2016. Previous winners and finalists have gone on to become some of the most influential characters in the greenkeeping industry, helping shape the sport of golf in the UK and further afield.

The Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner receives: enrolment in the 10-week University of Massachusetts Winter Turf School; a two-week expenses-paid placement at Adare Manor, venue of The 2027 Ryder Cup; an all-expenses paid trip to the GCSAA Conference and Show in Florida; and a visit to Toro Corporate HQ, R&D Centre and Equipment Operations in Wisconsin.

The Toro Young Student Greenkeeper of the Year winner receives: a two-week work placement at Vidauban Golf Club in France; a five-night trip to Continue to Learn at BTME; and a gift voucher for Toro Training.

The student award endorser receives a trip to the GCSAA in the USA and the young student endorser will receive a trip to Vidauban Golf Club. All finalists receive a year’s free membership with BIGGA.

BIGGA Learning and Development Executive Deb Burnett said: “Among the many activities BIGGA undertakes each year to assist the professional development of our members, the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards are almost certainly the most inspirational. For those feeling disillusioned about the challenges our industry faces in coming years, our 12 finalists provide all the reassurance you need to be convinced that greenkeeping and the sport of golf has a very bright future.

“My congratulations go to all our finalists, particularly our well-deserving winners and runners-up. Thanks must also go to Reesink Turfcare and Toro for their incredible support and to the Goodwood Estate for being such wonderful hosts.”

David Timms, national accounts manager for Reesink Turfcare, said: “After a record number of entries and a thorough two-week online interview process, it was a pleasure to welcome and meet the best talent in greenkeeping at Goodwood for the finals of the 2022 Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Awards. It was clear why these 12 finalists made it this far – a great achievement. Everyone shone and it was a close competition. The winners – James and Peter – are incredibly worthy and I look forward to seeing what they go on to achieve.”

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Makita pushes performance

Makita pushes performance: Makita has launched its largest capacity battery to date with an impressive 288 watt-hours of energy. The 8.0Ah BL4080F offers the longest runtime for its XGT products, meaning less downtime and improved productivity. Especially useful when used on higher drain XGT machines, this new battery pushes performance even harder.

The 40VMax XGT BL4080F 8.0Ah battery has been designed to be both robust and highly intelligent. Equipped with 20 cells, it has a higher power output that enables Makita’s XGT tools to be pushed even harder and perform heavy duty, continuous operation over extended periods.

Makita pushes performance

Makita pushes performance

Thanks to its heavy-duty and durable outer and cell casing, this product has a significantly improved impact resistance. The BL4080F is also IPX4 rated with a water and dust-resistant triple layer structure and an enhanced terminal structure to handle any job site condition.

The battery has been designed with Makita’s digital communication function between the tool, battery and charger to optimise the charging process, reduce charge times and protect the battery from damage. This real-time digital communication actively monitors heat, overload, and over-discharge as well as delivering up to 2X longer sustained power during demanding applications.

Kevin Brannigan, Marketing Manager at Makita, said: “We are very excited to be releasing this product as our largest capacity battery to date. Offering the longest runtime for our XGT products, this product will considerably improve productivity on site, as users won’t need to down tools to recharge batteries as often. Furthermore, despite its capacity, the battery can be charged in just over an hour – at approximately 76-minutes when using the DC40RA charger, which makes it stand out in the market. It truly is a gamechanger, and we cannot wait for people to test it for themselves.”

For more information about Makita and its cordless technology, visit: www.makitauk.com.

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RainBird’s RC2 Smart Irrigation Controller

RainBird’s RC2 Smart Irrigation Controller: The new RC2 Smart Irrigation Control Solution has been added to Rain Bird’s range of irrigation controllers. Used in conjunction with and accessed through the Rain Bird Mobile App, it enables users to manage remotely residential and light commercial installations with confidence, with or without WiFi.

The RC2 is a powerful, contractor grade controller that is fast and easy to use. It has an eight station capacity, three standard programs and four start times/programs as well as a Master Valve pump start relay. When paired with the free of charge professional App, contractors and site managers have full WiFi control of irrigation scheduling of multiple sites and zones. Through alerts, users can monitor and manage all irrigation events and warnings in real-time and make adjustments to prevent overwatering or costly wastage. The landscape will receive only the water it needs while potentially saving up to 50% in water.

RainBird's RC2 Smart Irrigation Controller

RainBird’s RC2 Smart Irrigation Controller

A number of features support the claim that combining the RC2 with the Mobile App makes it the most efficiently programmed controller available today. WiFi connectivity and Rain Bird’s Quick Pair technology enables fast, seamless initial set-up between a mobile phone or tablet and lasting stability. The RC2 is compatible with iOS 8.0 and Android 6 or later mobile devices.

Irrigation programs are instantly sent and imported into the controller. Schedule templates allow contractors to employ commonly used irrigation programs or alternatively customised schedules can be set, including watering specific zones at specific times. Weather data from local weather sources can also be obtained and be used to automatically adjust system run times daily.

As well as access to the advanced scheduling features of the Mobile App, the RC 2 also has simple touch commands at the controller interface. A built-in complete system access point enables allows users to configure and make changes to the controller on-site if a Wifi network or hotspot is unavailable. In the event of power failure, the RC2 memorises and permanently saves the current programming.

For more information contact Peter Longman, Rain Bird Europe, plongman@rainbird.eu  www.rainbird.eu

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