Vandals Scorch Pristine Golf Green

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Vandals Scorch Pristine Golf Green: The hard work of maintaining a vibrant golf green came undone as it suffered extensive damage when it was scorched by youths.

At around 5.10 on Monday morning, a group of youths took a wheelie bin full of rubbish and then set it on fire on the first green of Werneth Golf Club before fleeing the scene.

The fire destroyed a large square of the green and the turf will now have to be dug out and relayed by head greenkeeper Colin Worthington.

Colin was on his way to the club on Green Lane on Monday morning when he saw police officers outside who told him there had been damage to one of the greens.

Looking towards the course Colin said he could still see the flames on the distant green flickering.

While the green is still playable, the charred remains are unsightly on what is a beautifully kept course and Colin said to repair the damage would take weeks.

“I came into work and the police were here and they said there has been damage done to the green. I looked up and there were flames still flickering on it.” Colin said. “The damage is quite bad, it has killed all the grass off of it.

“The players can play on it but there is a big burnt patch on the green now.”

He said: “I have got to dig it all out and reseed it. The fire has killed all the turf so that will need changing. It will take weeks before it is recovered.

“It is just unsightly, it is more hard work for me during the season. All the work that you put in and then it is just ruined. They have pulled the bin along the public footpath, they have brought it over the road and over the bank. What are kids doing out at that time in the morning?”

Colin fears it may not be the last time incidents like this happen as the club is seeing more youths trespassing on the golf course recently.

He said: “It will most probably happen again. I have had it before were they have burned a little bin before and there are kids on the course everywhere. There must have been 20 kids on the course the other evening. There are people on drugs and everything.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “Police were called at 5.35am on Monday, July 31, to Werneth Golf Club, Green Lane, to reports of a fire on the green. A group of youths set fire to one of the greens and they have fled the scene. Anyone with information is urged to call 101 quoting 335 of the 31st.”

To read the original article from Oldham News, click here

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Ransomes Jacobsen Provides Opportunities for Local Students

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Ransomes Jacobsen Provides Opportunities for Local Students: Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd, the Ipswich-based turf equipment manufacturer, has recently hosted 15 pupils from local secondary schools for a week of work experience. 

The students were placed in various departments within the company including Operations, Engineering, Marketing, I.T., Customer Care, Sales and HR. All students were given a thorough overview of the company including its rich history dating back to 1789. The pupils were then shown around the manufacturing facility at the company’s site on Ransomes Europark, before spending the week in various departments to learn the processes involved in running a global business.

Alan Prickett, Senior Director at Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd said:

“Ransomes Jacobsen has been a pillar of the Ipswich business community for over 200 years. Over those years the company has employed many thousands of local people, and has also played a significant role in both war efforts. It is important to us to continue to serve the community and provide employment and educational opportunities to as many people as we possibly can.

“The feedback from students and staff members has been very encouraging. A large percentage of our workforce has been employed at Ransomes Jacobsen for many years, and we are delighted that their skills and experience are now being passed on to students, apprentices and graduates who, we hope, will also enjoy long careers with the company.”

Matthew Went, HR Director at Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd said:

“We are extremely pleased with how the work experience scheme has taken off this year. We have offered it in the past, but this year has been particularly successful, as we have streamlined the process and bolstered the programmes to ensure that students are given an authentic, well-rounded first experience of life at work. This forms part of our strategy to engage with students at an early stage to generate a relationship with our company and an interest in what we do here.

“We are looking forward to building on the success of this year and welcoming more students in 2018 and beyond. We hope that we are able to attract talented individuals to the company in the future, and part of that is to open our doors to the local community and show people the fantastic opportunities on offer.”

Ransomes Jacobsen has been approached by two further local secondary schools to host work experience for students in 2018 following the success of this year’s structured and professional programmes.

For more information, visit: www.jacobsen.com/europe

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£3,000,000 Investment Announced By Fleet Line Markers Limited

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£3,000,000 Investment Announced By Fleet Line Markers Limited: Industry leading line marking manufacturer, Fleet Line Markers, has announced a new £3 million investment scheme to significantly expand its paint chemistry and software departments. 

With the scheme to commence in December 2017, this latest development will enable the line marking pioneer to advance its innovations in both line marking paint and machines – having manufactured and released four new machines over the past six months alone, including the new Kombi range and GNSS guided line marker, MAQA.

Fleet have also have released a new range of cheaper paints that will compete with lesser competitor brands.

Fleet already employs 5 software engineers and is excited to greet yet another member in August 2017; new Java expert that will complement the skills of the specialist team.

Managing Director of Fleet Line Markers, Iain McGuffie, confirmed: “I am extremely excited about our significant investment into both Paint Chemistry and Software Development, and the amazing industry advantage that it will give to all Fleet customers.”

“All of our product innovations are built on our excellent understanding of customer requirements – from high quality, but cost effective paint, to line marking machines that eliminate both the time and costs associated with initial marking. This new investment scheme will enable us to work harder on these innovations, bringing more firsts to the market that boast the potential to be life changing.”

Founded in 1953 by Peter McGuffie, Fleet Line Markers is the established market leader within the line marking sector, being the first UK manufacturer to bring key developments to the market – namely laser guided and GNSS guided line marking machines.

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‘Heartbreak’ For Leeds Cricket Club As Thieves Wreck Artificial Wicket

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‘Heartbreak’ For Leeds Cricket Club As Thieves Wreck Artificial Wicket: A leeds cricket club faces paying out thousands of pounds to repair damage after thieves cut up and stole part of an artificial wicket.

Hunslet Nelson Cricket Club volunteer Carol Thompson, 71, was “mortified” after discovering a 12ft section of the wicket in the middle of the square at the club’s Gipsy Lane ground in Beeston had been stolen this week.

Mrs Thompson is child welfare officer at the club and her husband Howard, 70, is a coach and a groundsman.

She said the theft is devastating blow for the club, which runs three senior teams and five junior teams and is raising funds to build a new pavilion.

Mrs Thompson said: “I’m absolutely mortified – it is just so heartbreaking.

“We are volunteers at the club We have hundreds of kids form south Leeds. We are keeping these kids of the street and they are training two or three nights a week.

“It has been cut out straight across the middle, as if they wanted that exact measurement. I can’t imagine what they are going to do with it.”

“I have been told a new artificial wicket would cost up to £3,500.

“The pavilion we are using is literally falling apart. We have been trying to get sufficient funds and sponsorship to build a new clubhouse. To take £3,000 out of what little we have got means less money to put towards a new clubhouse.”

A West Yorkshire Police spokeswoman, said: “On Tuesday 25 July, between 11.30am and 5pm, suspects gained entry to the ground off Gipsy Lane in Leeds and removed pieces of artificial turf and then left the scene. Enquiries are ongoing.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact the police via 101 quoting crime reference 13170341806.”

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Agronomic Services Ltd IOG Corporate Plus Members

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Agronomic Services Ltd IOG Corporate Plus Members: David Snowden, Managing Director of Agronomic Services Ltd takes full advantage of his IOG Corporate Plus Membership.

“The IOG offers wonderful training opportunities for their members so I decided to take up their Reinforced Pitches Course held at St Georges Park which is a wonderful venue.”

David Snowden has more than 25 years in the industry. “I believe that we should never stop learning and that it is important to understand new technology and the science behind it.

We have products and services that complement the reinforced pitches and pitch preparation so I feel it’s crucial to understand all levels of the process. It’s great tenjoy a day of learning with like-minded colleagues and to listen to Chris Gray of the IOG.”

Agronomic Services Ltd will be exhibiting at Saltex 1st – 2nd November, Stand number F100. David will be presenting a seminar on Sports Pitch Renovation on Thursday 2nd Nov at 10.40am.

For more information, visit: agronomics.co.uk

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