Cricket Club Raid Sees £13k Of Equipment Stolen

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Cricket Club Raid Sees £13k Of Equipment Stolen – Thieves using high powered machinery broke in to a cricket club’s storage unit, taking £13,000 of ground maintenance equipment – one of three incidents of criminals targeting sports clubs in the area.

Oldswinford and Stourbridge Social Cricket Club was victim of a ‘professional and clearly planned job’, say club bosses.

The thieves used high powered machinery to take off locks to the storage units to one of the club’s bases, in Norwood Road in Brierley Hill.

Once inside the shed, close to nearby homes backing on to the cricket field, the criminals took three grass mowers, three trimmers and a hover mower.

The total cost of the haul is estimated to be £13,000.

The theft, discovered on Friday afternoon, is the latest targeting of a cricket club.

Three weeks ago, a storage unit at Swindon Cricket Club’s ground in Hinksford Lane, Swindon, was broken into, but nothing was taken. And another club, which asked not to be named, was also recently targeted, with equipment being stolen.

Paul Hatton, vice-chairman at Oldswinford and Stourbridge Social Cricket Club, which also has a ground in Stourbridge, said: “We have had graffiti in the past, things going missing. But this was something else, it was a professional and clearly planned job.”

He said the theft was discovered by the groundsman when he went to use the equipment on Friday, and discovered the locks had been broken.

The club, which has four adults teams and six youth teams, is now to use equipment from its other ground, while depending on Dudley Council to cuts its grass.

He said: “They got in using highly powered machinery, and then managed to move out the equipment and take it away. It is strange no-one heard it, it was just 30ft from houses, we don’t know when exactly it happened.”

The club, he said, will now have to consider bringing in CCTV to protect the club, adding more expense.

He added: “We are feeling a bit depleted. Why someone things they can just come in and take our equipment we depend on is beyond us.”

 David Darlaston, chairman of Swindon Cricket Club, said “We were victim of an attempted burglary about three weeks ago. They opened up the unit, but don’t think they took anything.”

He added: “Sports clubs survive on the generosity of members, so to lose pieces of equipment, it causes upset, not just for that club, but others.”

A West Midlands Police spokesman said: “We were called to reports of a burglary at the Cricket Ground, Norwood Road, Brierley Hill, which is believed to have happened sometime between 10pm on 10 May and 2.30pm on 12 May.

“Garden equipment was stolen from a storage unit. Anyone with information can call 101 quoting crime reference number 20DY/99157M/17.”

To read the original article from Express and Star, click here

New ProTurf Analysis from ICL

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New ProTurf Analysis from ICL – ICL has announced the launch of ProTurf 15-5-15 + 2CaO + 2MgO, a new analysis to join the popular range of ProTurf fertilizers.      

New ProTurf Analysis from ICL

Over the last few years, ProTurf has become the number one choice for turf managers who are looking to significantly improve the health and presentation on a wide range of turf types including sportsfields, stadia, golf courses and racecourses.

The ProTurf range was the first to utilise the mineral polyhalite, a naturally occurring form of potassium, calcium and magnesium, which is mined at ICL’s own mine in Cleveland. ProTurf fertilizers provide a strong immediate growth response and a deep green-up colour, combined with a 2-3 month longevity.

The new analysis has been created as a result of customer feedback, after users reported that they would like a product containing a slightly higher level of nitrogen to kick-start growth in the spring. Taking the feedback on-board, ICL formulated the new ProTurf 15-5-15 analysis to provide an enhanced boost of nitrogen along with balanced levels of potassium and phosphorus. The calcium and magnesium are designed to support turf needs on sand based constructions.

Groundsmen and greenkeepers cannot only expect a greater kick-start of growth, even in cooler conditions, but they will also see an increased longevity along with an enhanced colour and growth response due to the Polyhalite.

Rigorous trials have already been conducted and early feedback has confirmed an overwhelming positive response with turf professionals who trialed the product reporting exceptional results.

Commenting on the launch, Henry Bechelet, ICL Technical Sales Manager for UK & Ireland said: “Over recent years we have seen ProTurf become an integral part in many turf maintenance programmes and we are delighted to be moving the range forward. This new analysis offers users of ProTurf a greater variety and it will also go a long way in providing that much needed boost in spring.

“We’ve been very excited at how it has performed throughout the trial period and I’m confident that many will be seeing the benefits of this product on their own turf.”

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

New Business Development Manager for Etesia UK

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New Business Development Manager for Etesia UK. Etesia UK has announced the appointment of Stephen Muir in a newly formed position as Business Development Manager.

New Business Development Manager for Etesia UK

Stephen started his career in the automotive industry in which he worked with prestigious brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover and Audi, and it was during this time that he gained his Business Managers Accreditation.

After this successful spell in the automotive industry he moved into the groundcare sector and utilised his experience of working with leading brands by undertaking the role of Area Sales Manager for Ransomes Jacobsen dealer Fairways (GM). During his time here, Stephen played a key part in helping to develop the company into arguably the largest machinery and service supplier to Scotland’s groundcare industry.

In his new position as Business Development Manager, Stephen will be further promoting and creating brand awareness for Etesia, and also Pellenc and Oeliatec – for which Etesia are exclusive UK distributors.

Commenting on his new position, Stephen said: “With over twenty years’ experience in sales I believe this is a fantastic opportunity with Etesia UK. We have an excellent product range and I will continue to ensure that our customers are provided with world-class products, service and back-up. It’s an exciting time because we have a host of new innovative products to offer and new customers to find – and I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Outside of work, Stephen enjoys spending time with his wife Michelle, 19 month old son Max and their West Highland Terrier – Chalky.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk

‘Sacked’ Hull Groundsmen Want Your Help To Get Their Jobs Back

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‘Sacked’ Hull Groundsmen Want Your Help To Get Their Jobs Back – Two KCOM groundsmen who claimed they were sacked over the state of the pitch have set up a crowdfunding page to take their bosses to an employment tribunal.

Darrell Cook and Mark Harrison say they were dismissed a month ago by the Stadium Management Company (SMC) for gross misconduct after claims the pitch, used by Hull City and Hull FC, had been deteriorating.

Darell, 55, says he was also told he was being sacked for working as a kit man for Hull FC while Mark claims he was told another reason for his dismissal was down to ordering too much grass treatment product. The third allegation Mark has made relates to allowing casual workers to turn up and repair divots in return for a match ticket. They were also told not to return.

Both men insist they did nothing to warrant their dismissal and were not given any warnings beforehand. They say they are not looking for compensation, they just want their jobs back.

Speaking to Hull Daily Mail, the two men said: “We don’t want the inevitable attention this may bring but we had no other option if we were to fight for the jobs we love and to clear our names.

“This is not just for us but for our wives, parents and children. We’re proud men who have always taken immense pride in our work.

“We wouldn’t normally be able to afford a legal challenge like this against such formidable opposition. There is no access to legal aid and we didn’t earn big salaries so we hope the people at SMC understand why we had no choice but to take this route.

“We look forward to the day we can hold our heads high again and get back to work providing both Hull City and Hull FC with a playing surface both clubs and their fans can be proud of.”

Darrell added: “This is a job I have done for 27 years and there was no indication anything like this was coming.

“Both myself and Mark have worked for the SMC for 16 years. We have never been in any trouble or had any reprimand so this came out of the blue.”

“The idea of crowdfunding has alleviated that worry a little. We are both well-known and I hope well-liked so we would like to think we’ll get some support.”

The two men say they are only seeking justice at the tribunal and have not issued proceedings.

“We want to clear our names. We actually want to get our jobs back and a tribunal can order that. We were proud to be involved with Hull City and Hull FC – we just want to get back to work and continue that association for many years to come.”

To visit the crowd justice page, please click here

Brand New Hickstead Sponsorship for Avant

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Brand New Hickstead Sponsorship for Avant. AVANT has extended its support of the All England Jumping Course, Hickstead for the 2017 competition season with a new sponsorship agreement recently announced.

Brand New Hickstead Sponsorship for Avant

The Avant Ring 2 will be officially in place for the duration of the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby Meeting, The Longines Royal International Horse Show, The Hurstpierpoint College National Schools and Pony Club Championships and the All England Jumping Championships.

Over the season, Avant Ring 2 will see more than 3,000 competition rounds take place in both show jumping and showing disciplines.

Hickstead Sponsorship Manager, Simon Gaskin said: “We are delighted that Avant have taken up the sponsorship to sit alongside their status of Official Suppliers to the All England Jumping Course.

“Avant machinery plays a vital role in the operation of events at Hickstead, and the attachments are a real asset when setting up for the events.”

Added Raimo Ala-Korpi, Managing Director of Avant UK: “We are very pleased to be sponsoring Ring 2 at Hickstead this year, and look forward to seeing the exciting competitions taking place in the Avant ring this year.”

Avant manufactures a wide range of compact, 4-wheel drive machines, which can be fitted with a very comprehensive range of accessories to make general maintenance and equestrian jobs, easy and less labour intensive.