Celebrating Public Parks

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Celebrating Public Parks And Revaluing Their Contribution To Community Health And Wellbeing

  • National Have a Field Day 8th July  to demonstrate public support for parks 
  • Visit your local park this weekend – you’ll feel happier anCelebrating Public Parks And Revaluing Their Contribution To Community Health And Wellbeingd healthier as a result 

Have a Field Day on Saturday 8th July is a celebration of the UK’s parks and green spaces. Charity, Fields in Trust is working with local communities to demonstrate the many ways we value our parks. From carnivals, sports competitions, musical performances and community picnics, thousands of people will be attending hundreds of events in local parks across the country which showcases exactly how much we love our local parks and green spaces.

Fields in Trust, the charity behind Have a Field Day, was founded on July 8th, back in 1925 with a clear aim to ensure that everyone – young or old, able or disabled and wherever they live – should have access to free, local outdoor space for sport, play and recreation. However, financial pressure on local authorities means that our parks and green spaces are increasingly under threat and many could be lost forever to building and redevelopment.

The recent Communities and Local Government Parliamentary Inquiry reported on the public benefit that parks contribute to preventative public health, mental well-being and community cohesion; yet parks could still be lost to building development as they are not a statutory service for local authorities. Funding cuts mean green spaces are less well maintained and they are under threat due to pressure on land for housing and retail developments. Nearly 92% of local authority parks departments have experienced budget cuts in the past three years. This is in the face of three-quarters of park managers reporting increased visitor numbers (State of UK Public Parks 2016).

New research for Fields in Trust indicates that more trips to more parks more often is good for the health and wellbeing of the UK. Visiting every day produces the highest wellbeing scores but our new research suggests the optimum use of green space is at least once a week as this gives us 65% of the health and wellbeing benefits rated across the four Office of National Statistics indicators. The completion of this research will identify a robust economic and monetary value for these health benefits in order to make the case to local councils and governments to maintain our parks.

But health and economic value aside, deep down we all know that parks and green spaces are incredibly valuable and that’s why across the UK communities are coming together at Have a Field Day events to showcase the many ways parks are enjoyed by local communities. For example, Birkenhead Park, the first publicly-funded civic park in the world, is launching a new family programme; several parkrun volunteers are recognising the importance of their local park for running; in Wales thousands will attend a community carnival in Pontypool Park; The winner of the UK’s Best Park Award 2016, Rouken Glen, near Glasgow, is hosting Children’s Nature Activities allowing youngsters to explore water beasties. And a series of neighbourhood picnics have been organised by members of the 38 Degrees campaign group who are also completing a petition asking councils to protect these much-loved community spaces. On Wimbledon’s middle weekend community tennis is being celebrated in Bounds Green, north London, where there is also football training and an Australian Rules football tournament.

Fields in Trust Ambassador, author Bill Bryson said: “Britain has the comeliest, most enchanting, abundant and often venerable parks and green spaces of any country I know. Wherever you are, you are never more than a few minutes from woods, greensward and fresh air.  How splendid is that?  I am delighted to see them celebrated by Fields in Trust.”

Fields in Trust Chief Executive, Helen Griffiths, said “Our parks and playing fields are used by whole communities from pre-schoolers to retired adults.  Research helps us understand how a local park can contribute to its neighbourhood but the real value of a green space is determined by the local community who use it for play, sport and recreation. Each of the thousands of parks playing fields and playgrounds across the UK is valuable to the neighbourhood that it serves. Fields in Trust believe we should re-value our green spaces as resources which contribute to public health, mental wellbeing and community cohesion, not simply view them as a drain on council finances for upkeep. If you Love Your Local Park we encourage you to get together with neighbours on 8th July and celebrate our precious parks and playing fields.”

All planned events are listed on the Fields in Trust website. From picnics to sports matches and  community carnivals look up your local event and join in – or get a group of friends together for a picnic to demonstrate how you #LoveYourLocalPark.

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TYM Tractors Debut At The Game Fair 2017

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TYM Tractors Debut At The Game Fair 2017 – Reesink Turfcare is bringing TYM tractors to the 59th Game Fair in Hertfordshire on 28 to 30 July 2017 for the first time.

Tym Tractors Debut At The Game Fair 2017

The event, which is billed as the nation’s largest celebration of the Great British countryside, draws a large crowd of people from the woodland and forestry, estate management and gardens sectors. It is this that makes TYM’s presence at the fair “an excellent fit” according to TYM sales manager Steven Haynes.

“TYM is a brand well recognised as a good addition to the maintenance equipment used on farms, National Trust land, large gardens and estates and schools, colleges and universities,” Steven says. “The range we’re bringing to the fair is popular with our customers in these sectors and we think will be well received thanks to their lightweight but powerful capabilities, ease of use and economy.”

Reesink Turfcare, the UK distributor of TYM, is bringing five tractor models to The Game Fair. While the full TYM range extends from 25 to 105hp models, the five on display will be the TS25, T293, TE40, T353 and T433, which forms the sub 50hp range, all suited for rural countryside applications.

Apart from the TE40 and TS25, both of which have a three-cylinder water-cooled engine, all the tractors coming to the show benefit from a powerful four-cylinder, liquid-cooled diesel engine. All feature hydrostatic power-steering for effortless manoeuvrability, a tight turning circle and a four-wheel-drive front axle for greater traction where needed.

The tractors can be upgraded with optional heated and air-conditioned cabs for maximum operator comfort. Tractors without a cab feature rollover protection structures (ROPS) and can be folded down for compact and convenient storage under a low roof. They can also be fitted with an array of attachments such as backhoes and front loaders, a selection of which will be demonstrated at the fair.

Steven concludes by saying: “Not that it’s needed when the tractors’ unbelievable value is clear for all to see, but there may well be some exclusive promotions for visitors to the fair. We look forward to welcoming visitors on stand to showcase the range and let them know what’s on offer.”

Replay Travel To Iceland To Deliver Talk On Synthetic Surfaces

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Replay travel to Iceland to deliver talk on synthetic surface maintenance – A team from Replay Maintenance were recently invited to deliver a seminar, entitled ‘The Maintenance of Artificial Turf’, to a select congregation at the Kórinn Stadium in Iceland. 

Replay Travel To Iceland To Deliver Talk On Synthetic Surfaces

As the take up of Football increases in Iceland, so does the market for synthetic surfaces.  The invitation came as a direct response from the talk given by Replay Director, Garry Martin, at Saltex 2016.

The Icelandic event delivered knowledge, tips and promoted an active discussion around the topic of synthetic surface maintenance. It was held in Kópavogur, Iceland’s second largest municipality by population, part of the Capital Region and lying immediately south of Reykjavík. The name literally means seal pup bay.  Head of Sports Fields in Kópavogur, Ómar Stefánsson, attended the talk at Saltex in November and co-ordinated the event. “The 39 attendees were mostly caretakers of synthetic turf from communities and municipalities, both from the North of Iceland as well as the East Coast. One delegate doesn’t have a synthetic pitch yet but wanted to learn all about the maintenance before they install one.”

The day began with a presentation where Garry discussed maintenance principles and the key tasks which should be conducted to protect the look, playability and safety of a synthetic pitch. Questions were then taken from the floor before delegates were divided into smaller groups to encourage open discussion. Following this, active demonstrations were conducted on the synthetic surface within the venue’s football hall.  Ómar again, “The delegates were very happy and thoroughly enjoyed the presentation given. All in all it was a very successful event.”

Following the event Garry added, “It was a great privilege to be asked to speak at this event, where the topic of synthetic surface maintenance is rising in significance. I’m confident the information delivered will help with understanding the importance of maintaining artificial pitches, which can only be a good thing for sport in the country.”

Dennis And SISIS Announce Cricket Renovation Event

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Dennis and SISIS announce Cricket renovation event – Dennis and SISIS have announced that they will be hosting a cricket renovation event at St Albans School, Woollam Trust Playing Fields on Tuesday 18 July 2017.

Dennis and SISIS announce Cricket renovation event

This event follows on from the hugely successful ‘For the Groundsmen by The Groundsmen’ series of seminars that started in 2011 and have brought together groundstaff representing schools, universities, clubs and 1st class and test match venues around the country with the ultimate aim of enhancing their education.

The event will be a mix of indoor presentations and outdoors practical sessions.

The day will commence with indoor presentations from Chris Wood (ECB Pitch Consultant), Alex Vickers, Keith Exton and Rob Kendle covering key topics such as ‘Principles of decision making for Autumn renovations and profile reading’, ‘profile inspections’, ‘renovations and aeration’.

Outdoor practical sessions will be across three squares with each square discussing individual topics, renovations and preparation on a budget, contractor renovations and aeration. These will be hosted by Ian Smith, Andy Clarke, Rob Kendle and Keith Exton supported by event sponsors Dennis & SISIS, Boughton Loam, cricketworld.com, Durant Cricket, Ecosol, Headland Amenity, Limagrain, Poweroll and RT Machinery.

There is no charge for attending and all delegates will receive a complimentary lunch.

To register your interest please contact Roger Moore at Dennis & SISIS on 01332 824777 or emailroger.moore@dennisuk.com.

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

A floating football Pitch Is Being Built In Cardiff Bay

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 A floating football pitch is being built in Cardiff Bay as part of the Champions League festival, and will be open between June 1 and June 4.
A floating football pitch is being built in Cardiff Bay

Whilst there is always a football pitch built as part of the festival, this is the first floating pitch that has been built. On Friday, June 2, it will host the Ultimate Champions Match featuring footballing legends.

Over the festival, the pitch will also host community activity, including walking football, refugee teams from Cardiff, Swansea and Newport, a deaf football friendly international, learning disability and youth age groups matches.

Building of the pitch began this week and is expected to last three days. Lorries are bringing the huge pieces of the base into the Bay and then a crane is lifting them into place. The pieces are then being connected together in the water.

In total, it is understood 200 different blocks will make up the main structure, which will be attached to the wall in a similar style to a pontoon. The 3G pitch will be laid on top, with net around the side.

Marc Diaper works for Coffi Co coffee shop in Cardiff Bay. Staff have been watching the pitch being constructed all morning.

“There’s going to so many people down here for the festival as well as staff and the huge police presence. We’re really excited that we can see it coming together now. It feels like it’s real now. Until now it’s all been speculation, but it’s really nice to watch it going up”.

The free festival is open to anyone and is expected to attract 200,000 visitors over the four days. Other parts of the festival include a gallery built inside the Wales Millennium Centre, workshops, a virtual arena and stalls and stands. Fans will also be able to have their pictures taken with the trophy for free.

To read the original article from Wales Online, click here