Brighton Staff Vow To Clear Names

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Brighton Staff Vow To Clear Names: Three groundsmen sacked by Brighton and Hove Albion (BHAFC) over the leaking of team sheets have said they are fighting to clear their name.

Dean Massey, Ashley Smith and Jordan Woodsford were dismissed by the Premier League side last month.

Brighton Staff Vow To Clear Names

In a letter seen by the BBC, the trio was told the club had “lost all trust and confidence” in them.

A spokesperson for BHAFC previously said they would not comment on matters which it regards as confidential.

Mr Massey, Mr Smith and Mr Woodsford all claim they were not given the chance to appeal the decision to sack them following an investigation into the leak, which the club said began in October 2018.

All three men have said they are determined to prove their innocence through a court or tribunal.

Speaking to BBC South East, Mr Massey said: “The way they have gone about the situation is not what you expect from a Premier League club.

“I was distraught. I hadn’t done anything wrong. I just want the truth to come out.”

Ex-deputy head groundsman Mr Smith said he was told the club was going through a restructure and a change of culture, adding there were also suggestions he was removed due to being a fan of the club.

The 34-year-old said: “I feel like I have been treated terribly. You feel like a number or a piece of meat and not like a human being.

“I have been a fan since I was five. That’s not a real reason to sack someone.”

Mr Woodsford, 25, added: “It makes you feel like you are a criminal. It has been really stressful.”

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New Grinders At Richmond GC

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New Grinders At Richmond GC: The Richmond Golf Club are aiming to improve their cutting performance by relief grinding back to OEM specifications using their new Foley Company Grinders.

Located six miles from central London, The Richmond Golf Club has a well-deserved reputation for its impressive 18-hole course which has undergone significant developments in recent years including extensive re-bunkering and substantial upgrades to other areas of the course.

New Grinders At Richmond GC

Course manager, Les Howkins, has been steering these improvements and is now aiming to enhance his mowers’ cutting performance by relief grinding with the purchase of a Foley company Accu-Pro 633 with Accu-Touch 3 control and a 673 automatic Bed-Knife grinder.

Les explained: “For us, one of the main advantages of choosing the Foley Accu-Pro 633 is that it delivers relief and spin grinding in the one machine and the changeover is very quick – approximately 20 seconds.

“This is important because it gives us greater flexibility; we can easily switch from relief to spin and back again. We can choose what’s needed for each unit rather than having to do all the spin or all the relief grinding in one go as we had previously.

“Another reason is that the Foley grinder removes what is known as coning. This is where the reel wears more at one end than the other.  This occurs through general use or in some occasions over adjustment.   With the built-in electronic gauging system, we can set the units up true and grind them back to parallel.

“Other important factors for us are that the wheel-head and spin motors are electric.  Both are neat and tidy units, easy to operate, unobtrusive and quiet, which is crucial for the  health, safety and general operating welfare of our staff.”

Les said “We have “40 cuttings units of varying sizes, the majority of which are John Deere.” His mechanic, Ian Clarke was looking to improve the length of time his units stayed on cut before needing to be re-ground. “Ian is delighted with quality of cut delivered by the Foley. Now that we can relief grind quickly and efficiently and the cutting units stay on cut longer, he will be able to manage our grinding programme much more effectively. As the machines are also very easy to use, we are also planning to improve this further with more of our staff using the grinders.”

It is the 633’s Accu-Touch 3 controls which make this an easy process. It has an automatic computer system that provides a step-by-step tutorial for new technicians and a quicker set-up and spin grind feature for the more experienced operators. You input the make of unit you’re working on and the computer does the rest. Pre-programmed spin speeds, relief torque, and in-feeds are only a few of the new features found in the ACCU-Touch 3.

Complimenting the 633 is the 673 automatic Bed-Knife and the 450 Rotary blade grinders. Automation is an essential feature of Foley grinders because it increases productivity, ensures accurate results and allows operators to carry out other workshop tasks while grinding.

The 673 has an innovative bed-knife mounting system that uses powerful electromagnets to hold the bed bar in place, and positive gauge stops to make set-up fast and straightforward. You can grind any bed bar arrangement without additional tooling and fast angle set-up provides repeatability without recalibration. Set the angle stops once, and the 673 will grind the same angle repeatedly. Changing from grinding the front face to the top face is as simple as pushing a button and watching as the powered Tool Bar rotates into the position.

The 450 rotary blade grinder is a simple pedestal-based machine that can be used to quickly re-face and sharpen our blades, whether there right or left-handed.

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PRO 34R Tops Warwick Wish-List

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PRO 34R Tops Warwick Wish-List: Duncan Toon, Grounds Manager for Warwick Independent Schools Foundation, says that when he heard rumours about the new Dennis PRO 34R rotary mower, he instantly added it to his wish-list.

Warwick School, Warwick Junior School, King’s High School and Warwick Preparatory School are justly proud of their sporting success, including national awards, and the ability to provide all its pupils the opportunity to play their chosen sport.  Essential to their achievements are high quality and well-maintained sports pitches.  Therefore, the Foundation has recently made additional investments in its grounds in a bid to ensure the very finest sporting facilities.

PRO 34R Tops Warwick Wish-List

After joining the Foundation from Birmingham City FC nine months ago, Duncan’s first port of call was to acquire a new fleet of machinery which would help him to maintain the sports surfaces to the highest standards. It was while he was researching an extensive list of equipment that he first caught wind of the news Dennis was bringing out a new product.

“I had heard rumours about this new machine which was set to be a game changer and Dennis was always on my wish-list because I know they manufacture reliable machinery. I arranged a demonstration as soon as I could and based on what I saw I knew I just had to have one. I was amazed with how well built it was – it was robust and the finish was fantastic.”

As Duncan says, the rumours started to mount after the PRO 34R was first introduced to the industry at SALTEX 2017 with the sole purpose of gathering feedback from potential end users. Over the course of the next twelve months, the mower was refined and developed based on the input from the groundsmen who would eventually be using it. With no stone left unturned, the all new PRO 34R was unveiled at SALTEX 2018.

The Dennis PRO 34R is a 34” (860mm) rotary mower which has been designed to help groundsmen achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance and desired playing surface. It is ideal for sports pitches and lawns producing the enviable ‘Dennis Stripes’ while a powerful vacuum flow collects debris quickly and efficiently.

The angle of the cutting deck and twin blades can be easily adjusted using a single ‘click adjuster’ ensuring the mower is suitable for changing conditions and meeting groundsmen’s requirements.

“The best feature about the PRO 34R is the presentation and the incredibly fast clean-ups. We use it to clean the pitch up after rugby matches and also after training sessions and the brush on the front is a big bonus as it enables you to really get into the sward.

“You’re achieving two key maintenance tasks with it – you are cleaning up all the debris and you are also getting that amazing finish. I’m really impressed with it.

“It is also incredibly simple to use, especially if you have previously used a Dennis G860 cylinder mower. The handlebars are similar and it is just like riding a bike – you never forget.

“In fact, I’m seriously considering ordering more because of the speed of the clean-ups. We just haven’t got the staffing levels to use our other rotary mowers but because the PRO 34R’s are so much bigger, it would enable us to get the task done in no time at all.”

Based on the success of his PRO 34R, Duncan did indeed order more and is now the proud owner of four Dennis PRO 34R rotary mowers.

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter or Instagram @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK. You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers

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Driving Force In Zero-Turn Mowers

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Driving Force In Zero-Turn Mowers: For the professional operator, a machine that does the work in half the time of a conventional lawn tractor has to be a major consideration. This potential to increase productivity is one of the driving forces behind the growth in popularity of zero-turn mowers in the UK. The Zenith 60 is the latest zero-turn in the Ariens range. A performance machine, it’s packed with commercial features and built for durability and strength.

Powered by the reliable Kawasaki FX730V 726cc engine, the Zenith has a forward speed of 8.5mph (13.7kph) for fast mowing. Cutting the grass at speed combined with total manoeuvrability gets you through the job faster, without compromising a quality finish. Easy steering levers are all you need to drive, brake, steer and spin on the spot. Negotiating around objects has never been easier. At the end of the mowing row you can effortlessly turn 180º, saving you more time and without going over already cut grass.

Driving Force In Zero-Turn Mowers

The Zenith’s large 152cm (60”) cutting deck makes another contribution to greater productivity. Built with 10-gauge steel its 14cm (5.5”) depth provides optimal airflow in all mowing conditions. The foot-operated deck lift system provides effortless adjustments between 15 cutting positions in 6.35mm (¼”) increments with a vertical pin selection. The Constant Belt Tension System ensures the correct tension, minimising wear and heat while providing enhanced belt life with minimal adjustments. The Zenith features an industry-leading frame design with large tubular frame rails as a backbone to support the machine loads. The frame is fitted with a Rollover Protection System (ROPS) as standard.

Driving Force In Zero-Turn Mowers

To keep the operator comfortable through the day the high backed, ergonomically designed, padded seat not only reduces user fatigue, it also helps to absorb the impact on uneven surfaces. The Zenith 60 comes with a two-year commercial warranty or three-year residential warranty. For more information contact Ariens on 01844 278800 or visit www.ariens-uk.com

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Royal Portrush Prepare With Toro

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Royal Portrush Prepare With Toro: On 18-21 July 2019, The Open makes an historic return to Northern Ireland for the first time in 68 years and bringing golf’s oldest international Championship back again is Royal Portrush in County Antrim. As the club prepares to host the 148th event Toro is honoured to play a role in helping prepare the course.

As expected, preparations for The Open are years in the making and Toro has not only been there every step of the way since the news broke in 2015 that Royal Portrush would be the 2019 host, but for the last 25 years.

Royal Portrush Prepare With Toro

Course manager, Graeme Beatt, who joined the club in 2014, comments: “The relationship between Royal Portrush and Toro is a quarter of century old and for us there is no better machinery partner to ensure the optimum conditions for the players as well as the eyes of the sporting world.”

Preparing the all-important course, crews are using Toro’s Flex 2120 pedestrian mowers for the greens, Reelmaster 3550-D and 3555-D mowers on the fairways, approaches and surrounds, Greensmaster 1000 and TriFlex 3400 on the tees, Reelmaster 3100-D with Sidewinder system on semi-roughs and Groundsmaster 4500-D on the roughs. In addition, the team uses the Greensmaster 3250-D and GR1000 on the practice area and the ProCore 648 for aerating the courses. 25 additional Toro machines from Reesink Turfcare, the sole Toro distributor in the UK for golf and sports fields equipment and irrigation products, have joined the 50-strong Toro fleet already at the club in the run-up to and during the Championship.

But it’s not just a successful partnership with Toro machinery, Reesink and Lairds Grass Machinery that ensures the course will be tournament ready, but Toro irrigation too. In 2017, the irrigation system was upgraded to a Lynx central control system and Toro Infinity, Flex and B-Series sprinklers irrigate the rugged links course situated on the Atlantic coast.

“The location of the club is generally something of a challenge for an irrigation system, especially for the sprinklers,” says Graeme. “It’s quite a feat to deliver accurate spray in our unpredictable, windy and exposed conditions, but this has been no problem for Toro. We’ve been really impressed with the overall performance of the control system and sprinklers, but worthy of note are the B-Series sprinkler heads on the tees. They’ve really been put to the test and withstand all sorts.”

Of course, it’s not just an irrigation system that’s new for The Open. The world-famous Dunluce course has been extended from 6,867 yards to just over 7,300 yards and every hole has had some work in varying degrees, none so much as the 17th and 18th holes which have become the tented village areas and two new holes created at seventh and eighth.

22 miles of fibre optic cable has been installed with 12 miles of fibre ducts, 2,200 artic lorries-worth of equipment will have been used for the build and de-rig, 24 greenkeeping volunteers have been selected and a record-breaking number of tickets have been sold.

In fact, it’s this last fact that’s caused the only hiccup in the journey to being tournament-ready Graeme explains: “No Open Championship has ever sold out and when this one did, and in record time, the decision was made to release a further 15,000 tickets – that means we could have up to 230,000 spectators come through our gates! At that point we knew we needed to revisit the already established catering areas and extend them to accommodate this, which involved a lot of extra work. Let’s just say the Toro Workman MDX-D and HDX utility vehicles were really put to the test over this time moving kit around the course and aiding the team in construction work!”

Doug Reid from Reesink, who has worked with Royal Portrush for almost half of its 25-year relationship, says: “Royal Portrush has been nothing but consistent in its machinery purchasing over the years, but as expected in the last five years things ramped up and some fundamental replacements and changes to the fleet took place. The biggest change was the switch from the four-wheel Reelmaster 6700-D to the three-wheel Reelmaster 3550-D for a lighter tread on the fairways. The RM3550-D also happens to be ideal for a links course.

“The way we work with Graeme and the team is a definite partnership, and we’re glad that Toro remains the brand Royal Portrush has relied on for the last 25 years, and for its second Open Championship. Having the right equipment is vital in the preparation and performance for an event such as this, and we have worked closely with Royal Portrush to ensure all the tournament support needed from us is in place.”

It takes a tremendous amount of teamwork and coordination to prepare for an international event but as Graeme says: “I feel lucky to have been chosen for the job; it’s been such an honour to be involved. Probably the biggest achievement is that we’ve managed to do all the preparations we have with minimal disruption to our members. We’ve had their unwaivering support, and I’m sure that it will all be worth it to see their course presented on the world stage, challenging the world’s best golfers for golf’s greatest Championship!”

For more information, visit: reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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