‘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.

Vandals Set Fire To Golf Course Twice In Four Days

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A Greenkeeper has blasted mindless vandals who deliberately set fire to a Barrhead golf course twice in four days.

Kevin Wilson hit out at the firebugs who caused two separate wildfires which left Fereneze Golf Club “scarred”. Emergency services were called to the course last Monday and Thursday to extinguish the flames, which caused smoke to billow across the Fereneze Braes.

A patch of grass at the 11th hole of the course was set ablaze in the first incident, while gorse which surrounds the greens was torched just a few days later.

Mr Wilson told the Barrhead News of the frustration he felt when he saw the damage.

He said: “It’s a very important part of the golf course they’ve burnt. Maybe it’s an act of maliciousness, I don’t know.

“The club’s got a history during the long summers of people coming up and having recreational fun.

“It only takes a match and the wind does the rest at this time of year. It just makes it looked scarred – it’s unsightly.

“They know for a fact what’s going to happen. They know when you get a dry area it will be a piece of cake to ignite.”

Although the golf club will not have to cover the costs of any damage, groundsmen will need to cut down the affected areas during the winter months – something which irks the greenkeeper, who spends each day trying to make the course look its best.

Mr Wilson added: “We don’t mind people coming up to enjoy the views but it’s a different matter when you get some kids or grown-ups who are having a drink and decided they will start a fire, without thinking of the consequences.

“The golf course is my pride and joy.

“It’s my livelihood and I take great pride in looking after this place.”

An investigation into the arson attacks has been continuing. Police said they will be upping patrols in the area to try to prevent any further incidents.

To read the original article from Barrhead News, click here

Work Starts On Preparing Burton Albion Pitch

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Work starts on preparing Burton Albion pitch for 2017/18 Championship season. It may only be a week since the season finished for Burton Albion, but work has already started on preparing the Pirelli Stadium pitch for next term.

The top surface was removed on Monday as Albion ground staff look to reproduce the quality of pitch that played host to some memorable games during the Brewers’ debut campaign in the Championship and held up well throughout the year.

That begins the process that head groundsman Simon Marshall hopes will be well on the way by the end of the week, by which point they are aiming to have re-seeded the pitch.

To read the original article from Burton Mail, click here

Highspeed Group’s Longest Serving Agent Retires

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Highspeed Group’s longest serving agent retires. Paul Dyter, now 82, who joined Highspeed as an agent in June 1993 has decided that after twenty four years’ service, the time is right for him to retire.

Highspeed Group’s longest serving agent retires.

Paul joined what was then Highspeed Lubricants Ltd., selling specialist oils and greases to golf courses in his area of South West England. Waste management services, workwear and wash area solutions followed and Paul developed good business for the company.

Paul became well known and liked by his customers and was instrumental in setting up the Course Care Cup in 1997 in the Wessex area covering parts of Hampshire, Wiltshire and the whole of Dorset. The purpose was to bring together secretaries and green keepers in a social event in the form of a match between the two groups. This has continued over the years with the support of Highspeed Group and has undoubtedly cemented relationships with customers. Acumen Waste, since their recent acquisition of Highspeed Group is keen to lend support. Financial Director Kris Sutton said: “The Course Care Cup is a great tradition and something we are very proud to continue with, offering sponsorship in support of this event. Paul Dyter served Highspeed well over a long period and we fully understand his decision to retire at this point. We wish him well.”

Commenting on Paul’s retirement, David Mears said: “Paul played an important part in developing business for the company over many years in his area. We would all like to record our thanks for his commitment and wish him well in his retirement.”