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NEWS ARTICLES

Groundsman’s Amputation Horror

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Groundsman’s Amputation Horror: A groundsman from Derbyshire has been forced to leave full-time work and has undergone multiple operations after a horrific workplace accident.

The 47-year-old tripped on a tree stump while mowing a grass bank, struck his head and was knocked unconscious.

The lawnmower he was using carried on and ran over his foot, the blades slicing through his left boot and into his big toe.

Phil, who did not wish to have his second name published, had part of the toe amputated, developed an infection and was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome, causing him headaches and memory loss.

The condition also carries a risk of developing epilepsy, according to Derby law firm Thompsons Solicitors who represented him.

As a result of his injuries, Phil was awarded £80,000 in compensation from former employer High Peak Borough Council.

Following the accident, which took place in Buxton, Phil spent nine days in hospital and three months off work. He then returned to work on lighter duties, such as painting and decorating.

Soon after his return, Phil’s contract ended and he has had to take lower-paid employment as his injury limits his ability to work and drive.

He said: “My injury has changed everything.

“Now that I can’t drive manual vehicles, my job prospects are limited. I’m taking part-time work here and there but it’s nowhere near as stable as before my accident.

“It’s not just affected my work but my personal life, too. I’ve lost confidence and even getting around the house is a lot more difficult.

“I’m only 47 but I feel like this injury has slowed me down so much.”

Thompsons Solicitors took up his case and pursued a compensation claim against employer High Peak Borough Council.

Angela Staples, of Thompsons Solicitors, said: “Phil was injured because of his employer’s failure to risk assess the job.

“The grass verge was unsafe as there was a tree stump hidden in the ground. With some basic pre-planning, Phil wouldn’t have had to put himself at serious risk of injury.

“The accident has caused significant physical and psychological harm to Phil and left him unable to do jobs he could do before.”

High Peak Borough Council said that there was a full investigation into the incident.

A spokesperson said: “We regret that Phil sustained an injury to his foot while at work as a seasonal grounds maintenance operative.

“Our welfare procedures in relation to support for Phil were followed in full. This incident was fully investigated internally.

“The Health and Safety Executive also carried out a separate investigation and no enforcement action was taken.”

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Diesel Used To Vandalise Greens

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Diesel Used To Vandalise Greens: Cessnock Golf Club have suffered from vandalism three times in the past two weeks.

Greens at Cessnock Golf Club have been vandalised three times in the past two weeks.

The first incident occurred on the night of Wednesday, February 14 when diesel was poured onto the twelfth green (which backs onto the Calvary grounds).

The fourth green had also been targeted the Saturday night prior, when vandals left a series of holes in the grass.

Course superintendent Merv Hayward said it was devastating news for the staff, the golfers and the club volunteers (who give their time for several hours a week to keep the course in good shape).

“Our volunteers do a great job,” he said.,

“The course was really starting to look nice.

“You wonder what they (the vandals) get out of it.”

Mr Hayward said the diesel stains are irreparable, meaning the damaged sections of each green will have to be dug up and re-turfed – costing the club about $2500.

Anyone with information about these incidents should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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New Sherriff TurfHealth Packages

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New Sherriff TurfHealth Packages: Sherriff Amenity have announced the release of TurfHealth Packages, which will offer turf managers a combination of products within the Sherriff Amenity portfolio and offer them all-year round tank-mix options.

There are currently twelve combinations available through TurfHealth Packages which present turf managers with options for a number of requirements – from mixes to help strengthen the plant during high disease pressure periods, to mixes incorporating seaweeds, biostimulants and wetting agents to help with drought stress.

New Sherriff TurfHealth Packages

Furthermore, Sherriff Amenity have reduced the prices of each product within the packages, so customers will see savings on every package they purchase.

TurfHealth Package 1

Products: E2 Pro PhosRite and Green Lawnger TR

A phosphite and pigment combination to support the grass against disease and to promote a natural even colour. An ideal package for the autumn and winter months as growth and recovery rates decline.

TurfHealth Package 2

Products: E2 Pro PhosRite, Green Lawnger TR and GoGreen Plus

All the features of TurfHealth Package1 but with the added benefit of GoGreen Plus – a sulphur free complexed iron for rapid green-up and hardening of the sward.

 TurfHealth Package 3

Products: Calsal, GoGreen Plus and Magflo 300

The 100% availability of nitrate in Calsal is the ideal support for early season growth. Combined with the rapid greening and sulphur free formulation of GoGreen Plus and magnesium in Magflo 300, there is a strong colour response and strengthening of the turf against disease.

TurfHealth Package 4

Products: Calsal, GoGreen Plus and Krista-Mag

An ideal tank-mix for growth at low temperature, incorporating the 100% availability of calcium and magnesium nitrate with the strong greening effect of GoGreen Plus, into a sulphur free formulation.

TurfHealth Package 5

Products: Rootmass Plus, Magflo300 and Greenmaster Step Liquid

Rootmass Plus provides a strong focus on supporting spring and autumn root development. The use of Greenmaster Step Liquid helps to replenish micronutrients. Magflo300 extends the greening response by helping to form chlorophyll.

TurfHealth Package 6

Products: Rootmass Plus, GoGreen Plus, Magflo 300 and E2 Pro PhosRite

Rootmass Plus with its high concentration of cold process seaweed extract, humic/fulvic acid and chelated iron, tank-mixed with GoGreen Plus, a sulphur free complex iron. Magflo 300, for an even more enhanced greening effect. E2 Pro PhosRite contains phosphite, widely recognised to enhance disease resistance.

TurfHealth Package 7

Products: GoGreen Energy and E2 Pro PhosRite.

GoGreen Energy provides optimum results when the plant is under stress conditions. A low NPK analysis and a wetter/spreader make a great plant health product when mixed with E2 Pro PhosRite. It’s benefits of promoting strong healthy growth with enhanced rooting makes this package a perfect stress busting turf health mix.

TurfHealth Package 8

Products: Aqua-Zorb 45, Amino Turf and Seavolution

A wetting agent and plant biostimulant mix, ideal support for turf under pressure from drought and physical wear.

TurfHealth Package 9

Products: Aqua-Zorb 45 and Rapid Root

Aqua-Zorb 45 is a key water management tool that can help prevent and correct localised dry patch. When mixed with Seavolution, a quality cold processed seaweed extract, the formulation combats the effects of parasitic nematodes and fungal pathogens. Complemented with Amino Turf, TH9 is a perfect summer turf health mix for growth and recovery.

TurfHealth Package 10

Products: Green Lawnger Pro HC, GoGreen Plus and E2 Pro PhosRite

Green Lawnger Pro HC is particularly beneficial in deteriorating light conditions. The combined effects of complexed iron in GoGreen Plus, further enhances the greening response and with the added benefit of E2 Pro PhosRite, this package serves to strengthen and protect the turf against disease.

TurfHealth Package 11

Products: Amino Turf, Rapid Root and Seavolution

A strong broad spectrum biostimulant mix, combining the high quality cold processed seaweed extract found in Seavolution with the high humic/fulvic acid concentration of Rapid Root and the maximum availability of amino acids in Amino Turf. TH11 will also help to improve cation exchange capacity, nutrient availability and root development.

TurfHealth Package 12

Products: K-Max, Go Green Plus and E2 Pro PhosRite

K-Max with 11% nitrogen and 39% potassium, makes this a perfect product for autumn use when it is important to discourage disease associated with lush growth, but it is still necessary to stimulate a response following renovation. With the benefits of GoGreen Plus, a sulphur free, complexed iron for rapid green-up and hardening of the sward, with the addition of phosphite in E2 Pro PhosRite, TH12 is a great mix for repair after a long and stressful summer.

For further information, please contact Sherriff Amenity on 01638 721 888 or visit www.sherriffamenity.com

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BASIS Points Reminder

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BASIS Points Reminder: Members of the BASIS Professional Register are being reminded that there are just three months left until the end of the points year.

BASIS Professional Registers and accounts manager, Michele Williams, explains that members must collect a specified number of BASIS CPD points by 31 May 2018, to maintain their Professional Register status.

BASIS Points Reminder

“There are numerous ways in which BASIS members can top-up their points before the 31 May deadline, including visiting exhibitions, conferences, trial sites and technical seminars,” she says.

A maximum of eight points per year can also be collected from reading a wide range of technical industry publications and newsletters.

The number of points an individual member must accrue depends on their qualification and category of membership. For example:

  • Certificate in Crop Protection (agriculture, vegetables or horticulture) – 40 points
  • Certificate in Crop Protection (agriculture, vegetables or horticulture) with FACTS Certificate – 50 points
  • FACTS Certificate only – 20 points
  • Certificate in Crop Protection (amenity horticulture) – 20 points
  • Certificate in Crop Protection (amenity horticulture) with FACTS Certificate – 30 points

“We’ve currently got 5,591 members, with over 200,000 CPD points to be collected during the year, and encouragingly, over three quarters of these have already been allocated. But there are still plenty of opportunities to meet your quota before the end of May.”

Stephen Jacob, BASIS CEO reiterates the importance of Continued Professional Development (CPD), explaining that it is essential for agronomists, advisers and farmers to stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly developing agricultural and horticultural industries.

“Over the past few years, we’ve seen agronomy step up a gear, and with the uncertainty around Brexit, and tightening regulations, this is expected to continue,” he says.

“New technology, restrictions and stewardship guidelines are being introduced all the time, so it’s essential that those providing advice remain up-to-date, and collecting BASIS CPD points will help to do so. This will allow consultants to deliver the latest information and assist farmers in making informed decisions.”

Points requirements

Members can access their training record on the BASIS website, or via the BASIS app at www.basis-app.co.uk, to find out how many more points they need to collect.

For more information please visit www.basis-reg.co.uk or contact a member of the BASIS team on 01335 343945.

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BALI Winners Visit Wimbledon

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BALI Winners Visit Wimbledon: Winners of the 2017 BALI National Landscape Awards, recently enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the All England Lawn Tennis Club Wimbledon, an event which was both hosted and organised by ICL and awards headline sponsor Green-tech.

The event began with an introduction from Mark Pyrah, ICL’s Landscape & Industrial Manager for UK & Ireland and Tom Parker, Purchasing and Commercial Director of Green-tech, before handing over to Head of Courts and Horticulture Neil Stubley.

BALI Winners Visit Wimbledon

Neil described in great detail the meticulous planning and hard work that is required to successfully deliver the greatest tennis championships in the world – which is watched by an audience of over 1 billion people worldwide. He then proceeded to present a captivating overview of the site and its facilities which includes 44 grass courts, 5 indoor courts, 8 American Clay courts, 8 Plexipave Acrylic courts and 3 croquet lawns.

As well as highlighting the progress of trial work which is currently being conducted in partnership with the STRI, Neil revealed just how much tennis is played on the courts at Wimbledon. Last year, 658 matches were played totalling a staggering amount of 3,177 hours. This was across 38 grass courts during the championships, which was in addition to a further 25 tournaments as well as regular usage from the club’s 375 private members who are free to play on the courts until they close in September.

After lunch, the award winners received an access-all-areas tour by Neil which included a visit to the legendary Centre Court, a tour of the media centre, and a look at the current construction works of the No.1 Court. Work on the extensive reconstruction, which will see a retractable roof and wider, more comfortable spectator seating, began after last year’s Championships and is set to be completed in time for 2019 Championships.

Reflecting on the successful day, Mark Pyrah from ICL, who organised the event, said: “We were delighted to welcome the 2017 BALI award winners and show them the world class facilities at Wimbledon. They were hugely impressed by Neil and his team’s attention to detail. It was a very successful event and I’d like to thank Neil for his time and expertise in offering us an insight into groundsmanship practices at the highest level.”

Tom Parker from Green-tech added: “We feel privileged to have been able to visit such a world class venue to celebrate the success of the Bali Award winners. The level of quality, technical development and ambition of Wimbledon is extraordinary and it was amazing to have such an exclusive experience.”

For more information, please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

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