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Response to National Action Plan 2025

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Response to National Action Plan 2025: The UK Pesticides National Action Plan (NAP) 2025 has been eagerly anticipated by the amenity sector. We are pleased to see that integrated pest management (IPM) is a key focus of the document, reinforcing its importance in sustainable pesticide use. Additionally, the plan acknowledges the necessity of access to pesticides, which remains a critical factor for the sector.

The Amenity Forum has long emphasised the importance of regulatory compliance within the industry. In this context, two key introductory paragraphs in the NAP are particularly significant:

Pesticides play an important role in protecting crops to support domestic food production, preserving natural landscapes, and maintaining vital public spaces, such as road, rail networks, and sports pitches.

Response to National Action Plan 2025

Response to National Action Plan 2025

However, overuse or incorrect use of pesticides can contribute to biodiversity loss and unacceptable human exposure levels. Prolonged use of pesticides can also lead to pesticide resistance as has been identified in the case of black-grass herbicides (Varah A and others, 2020).

The Forum agrees that pesticides serve an important function, and it is essential to distinguish between their responsible use and the issues arising from misuse and overuse.

For years, the Forum has advocated for stronger enforcement within the industry. One measure we would have liked to see in the NAP is the mandatory adoption of the Amenity Standard. While this has not been included, we welcome the reference in Annex 1 to the need for effective inspection, enforcement, and control activities and will continue to engage with ministers of all the nations to lobby for the adoption of the Amenity Standard as a mandatory requirement.

Among the 18 actions outlined in the NAP, Action 5 calls for the gathering of more data on IPM and pesticide usage in the amateur and amenity sectors to better understand use, how these contribute to overall pesticide load and potential IPM approaches. The Forum recognises the existing knowledge gap regarding plant protection products (PPPs) and agrees that any future actions should be based on a clear assessment of both the benefits and potential risks of alternative practices.  The Forum and its members are keen to assist in gathering data to enhance understanding and support informed decision-making.

While the Forum welcomes the NAP’s publication, much of its content reiterates long established regulations, with several actions lacking defined timelines. The amenity sector plays a vital role in UK communities, and as such, decisive, science-led change should be at the forefront of government policy.

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Orsett Golf Club call up Ventrac

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Orsett Golf Club call up Ventrac: Orsett Golf Club in south Essex has joined the ranks of Ventrac owners, with the recent purchase of a 4520 tractor unit and a selection of attachments. The 18-hole heathland course was designed by James Braid and the club, which has over 700 members and a waiting list, recently celebrated its 125th anniversary.

Perry Lowe is the head greenkeeper and leads a team of seven full-time greenkeeping staff and a dedicated mechanic. He’s been in his current position for almost ten years and previously spent 14 years at Chigwell Golf Club in north east London, initially as deputy course manager and then course manager.

Orsett Golf Club call up Ventrac

Orsett Golf Club call up Ventrac

“We’ve got a huge amount of history in the club and there’s a lot of design history as well, which we try to look after,” he said. “We’re not just about revamping everything; we’re trying to keep the history of the club. Trying to keep the Braid look as best we can for modern golf.

“We do a lot of our work in-house so the versatility of the Ventrac is an added bonus. We had a rotary triple mower and it did a great job, but it was coming to the end of its lease. We’d seen and heard a lot about Ventrac in magazines and on social media, so we thought we’d give it a try. A couple of the guys I work with had spoken to people saying how impressive this machine was, so we decided to take a look at it. And the good thing about the Ventrac is, with all the attachments, it becomes an all-year-round machine.

“While the rotary triple we had did a great job, it actually sat in a corner collecting dust during the winter, whereas the Ventrac can go out in all weather; it’s got a wide footprint so it doesn’t make a mess, it doesn’t get stuck. So, you can get all the cutting done without causing any damage. We removed the Contour deck and put on the Trencher attachment and did a huge amount of irrigation, trenching on one of our tees. And it didn’t miss a beat. Absolutely flew through the job and didn’t make any mess at all.

“We’ve also got the Power Rake attachment. We have a lot of shale paths here, which get quite compacted and rutted, but we can go out at this time of year and grade the paths to remove the potholes. We’ll also be using it to prepare another tee we’re renovating. So, instead of being a machine that just sits in a corner, it’s an all-round machine.

“We bought the three attachments in the initial package with the idea that in the future we can add further implements and the one I have in mind is the stump grinder. The attachments we’ve got so far work really well. Once you get used to how to take them off and the little tricks, it’s a ten second job.

“Servicing is easy; it’s a compact unit, so everything is easily accessible.  We’ve changed all the filters and things like that a few times, but that’s not a complaint, it’s just part of our maintenance regime. It’s smartly laid out. Everything’s been thought through and ticked off.

“There’s been no issue with it at all. I don’t think it’s missed a beat. The operator loves it. We can’t get him off it. It’s his baby. He looks after it, he maintains it. I think the only thing we’ve had to look at replacing is a bearing on a roller. And that’s probably because we’re so dry and they take a battering.

“There’s nowhere on the course it doesn’t go, in fact, we’re pushing it into a lot more areas than we ever thought because of its wide footprint and four-wheel drive. We’ve got a few greens that are set in little gullies and valleys with quite steep banks. The other machine would get around them at certain times of year, but you’d have big wheelspin marks when trying to get around, so that’s why we’ve got the Ventrac; it just chugged around. It’s an absolutely brilliant piece of kit.”

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Keeping the mountains moving in Saalbach Hinterglemm

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Keeping the mountains moving in Saalbach Hinterglemm: Polaris is a firm believer that a product comes to life through its applications, partnerships but most importantly, via the people who use it.

To showcase the versatility of the Ranger, Polaris has embarked on a journey across Europe, the Middle East and Africa to discover and film how customers are using the Polaris Ranger in their day-to-day lives. The initiative, called Ranger Stories, is set to demonstrate the many ways in which the RANGER line-up is servicing customer lives worldwide.

Keeping the mountains moving in Saalbach Hinterglemm

Keeping the mountains moving in Saalbach Hinterglemm

Episode 15 – Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria

From the fresh tracks in the morning to the very last chair, RANGER is always at work with customers who live and work in Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria. In the heart of this world-class ski destination, a Polaris RANGER is a common sight. For the locals that keep the mountains moving, it’s a necessary tool that allows them to get the job done and keep the customers happy, no matter what the mountain climate throws their way.

“Saalbach Hinterglemm is a hotspot for sport and tourism year-round,” said Gerold Vonblon, Managing Director and Founder of Vonblon, Polaris dealer in Austria. “Skiiers, snowboarders and mountain bikers in the summer; the fantastic network of pistes for all abilities means there’s a constant stream of activity. For the people that live and work here, they are guaranteed to be busy year-round, so it’s important they have vehicles that are reliable day-in, day-out, and can be adapted to the extreme seasons.

“Seeing how Polaris Rangers have become an essential part of daily life here—whether for ski event logistics, mountain hospitality, or trail maintenance—is a testament to their capability and the trust that’s been built within this hardworking community.”

Ranger Stories Episode 15 follows Gerold Vonblon as he visits valued Polaris customers across the Saalbach Hinterglemm area:

Thomas Johann Ferner – Owner of the Stöcklalm Restaurant in Leogang and owner of three Polaris Rangers, including the Ranger XP Kinetic and two Ranger XP 1000s. Running a restaurant business on the top of a mountain is no easy feat in winter, so Thomas and his wife, Christine, must find an easy way to transport essential supplies and ingredients from the town below to their restaurant. The solution is a fleet of Rangers, all equipped with snow tracks, to traverse the snowy slopes and carry everything they need in the cargo bed.

Fritz Steger – Local hotelier and Chief of the Piste at Saalbach Hinterglemm Ski Club, Fritz is the main man when it comes to preparing the Zwölferkogel for major skiing events, including the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships that took place on the mountain this year. With a fleet of Polaris’ in operation, including the Sportsman XP 1000 and RANGER XP Kinetic fitted with snow tracks, Fritz is always on hand to monitor and manage the slope during the busy ski season.

Sepp Gensbichler – Winkler Alm Restaurant Owner in Saalbach Hinterglemm, a restaurant that sits amidst all the action on the Zwölferkogel directly on the slope, Sepp is a longstanding Polaris customer now on his third Polaris RANGER XP 1000. Fitted with several accessories that make it ideal for winter use, Sepp’s RANGER has a full cab, including an in-cab heater and snow tracks for travelling up and down the mountain with ease.

Hannes Gensbichler – Zwölferkogel Workshop Manager in Saalbach Hinterglemm, Hannes is the master of winter vehicles that operate in and around the Saalbach region, working round the clock to keep the mountain in pristine condition for the season. Maintaining snow groomers, snow blowers, and snow plows are all in a day’s work, made easier by their fleet of 12 Polaris Sportsman and RANGER XP Kinetic that work tirelessly alongside the team to keep the mountain moving.

The all-electric RANGER XP Kinetic is an important tool for the teams that operate throughout the Saalbach Hinterglemm region, synonymous with their commitment to sustainability and responsibility to both people and nature, whilst supporting them with unmatched capability and strength to get the job done, no matter what the mountain throws their way.

Similar to Vonblon’s customers, Polaris vehicles in operation across the area are commonly seen with snow tracks fitted for travelling across deep snow, complemented by the fact that UTVs are generally much more lightweight than cars, for easy traversing up and down the mountain. Customers can then replace the tracks with wheels in the summer season, making it the ultimate year-round vehicle. For most, adapting the RANGER with a full cab kit, including windshield, roof, full doors and a rear panel, is a must, along with an in-cab heater for extra warmth and windshield defrosting.

Hear the stories of Saalbach Hinterglemm’s winter workforce and see why no other machine gets the job done like RANGER.

CATCH THE LATEST EPISODE OF RANGER STORIES HERE

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Royal Ascot Golf Club completes phase three of regeneration

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Royal Ascot Golf Club completes phase three of regeneration: Royal Ascot Golf Club has completed the latest phase of its course regeneration project to fulfil ambitious growth plans to make its playing facilities among the best in the UK.

The club has committed £500,000 to the project which will see each of its 18 holes upgraded by enhancing drainage and irrigation provisions, renovating all bunkers and adding new treelines to the course’s surrounds.

Royal Ascot Golf Club completes phase three of regeneration

Royal Ascot Golf Club completes phase three of regeneration

Phase three saw holes five, six, sixteen and seventeen plus ten bunkers transformed before the beginning of the new season with the project scheduled to be completed this autumn.

Despite one of the wettest winters in recent times, improvements have meant the course has remained open for play through the winter. And Course Manager Ian Hockley is pleased with the outcomes both visually and practically.

“Delivering a quality playing surface on each of our holes in all seasons is a key priority for the club,” said Ian. “This investment coupled with the hard work of our eight-strong grounds team makes that goal possible, and we’re really pleased with the outcomes.

“Visually, our bunkers are now much more visible for players and are positioned appropriately for the modern game.

“We’ve been able to eliminate any risk of cross contamination too by applying clean sand to each of our bunkers and removing any clay which runs the risk of heavier conditions and flooding when the weather turns.

“Feedback from players has been overwhelmingly positive which is great to hear with the new season around the corner.”

The investment forms part of Royal Ascot Golf Club’s long-term strategy to enhance the playing and social experiences of members and visitors alike.

Last year, the club cut the ribbon on its regenerated clubhouse and patio which is now open seven days a week and capable of hosting corporate events and private celebrations while serving food all year round.

Other planned developments at the club include the creation of a new swing studio and an extended pro shop.

Stephen Nicholson, General Manager at Royal Ascot Golf Club, added: “We’re committed to establishing Royal Ascot Golf Club as one of the UK’s best courses.

“With the nights drawing out, the completion of phase three of our course regeneration project is timely as we welcome an increasing number of players to the course as the weeks build up to summer.

“Credit must go to our grounds team who play an essential role in maintaining the highest standards to our course.”

Further information about Royal Ascot Golf Club is available online via www.royalascotgolfclub.co.uk.

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Duncan Ross continue school field transformation

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Duncan Ross continue school field transformation: Following Phase 1 of works with Duncan Ross Ltd, Altrincham Grammar School for Boys addressed critical drainage issues and drastically reduced match cancellations. Phase 2 has built on these successes by further improving the school’s sports facilities.

The school has been dedicated to its ‘Sport for All’ campaign, which seeks to improve access to quality sports facilities and ensure students of all levels have the opportunity to engage in physical activity. Duncan Ross Ltd.’s project has been integral to bringing that vision to life, enabling students to enjoy well-maintained and high-performing sports pitches throughout the year.

Duncan Ross continue school field transformation

Duncan Ross continue school field transformation

Neil Brown, Head Groundsman for the Hamblin Trust, highlighted the significant impact of the improvements made during Phase 1 and Phase 2. “Since we’ve had the drains done, the pitches have been fantastic,” he said. ”

In the last 18 months, we’ve only had two games called off, and even then, it was our decision to be extra cautious due to upcoming cup matches. The fields are now miles better for the kids to play on, with improved surfaces and more grass coverage, and the teachers and students are really pleased with how well they play.”

Phase 2 of the project concentrated on the training areas which had significant unevenness, with noticeable dips and slopes that made play difficult. As a result, a decision was made to level the entire area to create a more functional and versatile space.

Duncan Ross Ltd executed this transformation with precision. “The team at Duncan Ross went over and above, using various equipment for stone burning, flattening, and levelling,” Neil explains.

“The work was done so well that, when it was fully grassed in, we decided to convert it into a football pitch instead of just a training area because it was just too good only to be used for training.

Alongside the levelling work, extensive drainage improvements were made, mirroring the successful approach taken in Phase 1. Drains were installed at five-meter intervals with sand slits at half-meter intervals, significantly improving water management on the field. Previously, areas of the Year 7 field would become waterlogged and unplayable for months at a time, but that issue has now been resolved.

Looking ahead to Phase 3, the school is set to benefit from additional enhancements, including the installation of an Olympic-style long jump and triple jump area and another synthetic cricket wicket for match play. The ongoing collaboration between Altrincham Grammar School and Duncan Ross Ltd continues to elevate the school’s sports facilities, fostering greater student participation in various sports.

“There are a lot more kids playing cricket now using the practice nets,” Neil explains. “With the extra football pitch, we have better facilities all around. Before, the fields would turn into a mud bath in winter, but now we have quality playing surfaces all year round. It’s just a much better environment for the kids to play and develop their skills,”

With Duncan Ross Ltd.’s expertise and commitment to delivering top-quality sports surfaces, Altrincham Grammar School for Boys is well on its way to achieving its ‘Sport for All’ vision, ensuring that students have access to excellent facilities for years to come.

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