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Welcome winged wonders to your garden

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Welcome winged wonders to your garden: Think of pollinators and bumblebees, butterflies and beetles may come to mind – but the humble bat also plays a huge role in this vital work. Disruptive wildflower company Seedball is encouraging people to celebrate the importance of this mammal for International Bat Night, held this year between Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 August.

The night has been arranged by the Bat Conservation Trust and is designed to raise awareness of this special animal, which pollinates over 500 plant species, including some mangoes, guava, banana and agave, which is used to make tequila. Over 70 per cent of bats – and 100 per cent in the UK – also feed on insects, and as such play an important part in controlling the numbers of pests. They have massive appetites, and a tiny Pipistrelle bat alone can eat over 3000 mosquitoes in one night!

Welcome winged wonders to your garden

Welcome winged wonders to your garden

Bats’ excrement is also a fantastic fertiliser, known as guano. Bat guano comprises of roughly ten per cent nitrogen, three per cent phosphorus and one per cent potassium – a mixture which helps plants thrive and encourages their bright green colouring, boosts root growth and promotes strong, healthy stems. So, bats in a garden is a great sign that your plants will be benefitting from this brilliant natural fertiliser, helping your flowers bloom stronger, for longer.

Unfortunately, increased use of pesticides means that many British bat species are in decline, as they go hungry from lack of insect prey. Many are also faced with fewer roosting places due to a decline of natural habitats, meaning they struggle to get that all-important slumber during the day. In fact, one third of Britain’s most highly threatened mammal species are bats.

At Seedball, founders Drs Emily and Ana Attlee are encouraging people to plant wildflowers which will entice bats – whether that’s in a garden, balcony or even pots on a windowsill. The Bat Mix tin contains wildflower seedballs specially selected to attract a wide range of insects that bats feed on, including flowers that release their fragrance at night when bats are most active. The mix contains plant seeds with a combination of long and short pollen tubes, and a variety of colours and shapes of flowers to maximise the number of insects they attract – creating a delicious and well-rounded diet for bats! The seedballs contain borage, cornflower, corn marigolds, evening primrose, wallflowers and night-scented stock – which will not only encourage bats to visit but will also look beautiful too.

Dr Ana Attlee said: “Bats are a much-misunderstood creature, but here at Seedball we love them! They play such an important part in pollinating plants, getting rid of pests and keeping our soil healthy, and we encourage people to enjoy these furry visitors – as they are a sign of a happy, healthy garden. Our Bat Mix can be sown between August and October, so we’ll be celebrating International Bat Night on Saturday 26 August by scattering some seedballs and welcoming more bats over the coming months.”

For more information, visit https://seedball.co.uk/product/bat-mix/.

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‘Boost your game’ at SALTEX

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‘Boost your game’ at SALTEX: With the climate and economy throwing more challenges than ever before at today’s groundscare professionals, SALTEX is responding with an unmissable mix of learning and networking opportunities, education, and exhibition, all in one place over two days.

SALTEX is carefully curated to deliver all the tools needed to meet the changing face of groundscare and help create, support, and ensure a thriving industry – and this year’s theme of ‘Boost your Game’ covers the key tools of the trade for today’s grounds staff including knowledge, career, skills, sales, surface, and network.

'Boost your game' at SALTEX

‘Boost your game’ at SALTEX

Visitors will be able to boost their knowledge of all things turf with the industry’s leading experts and experienced groundscare professionals covering the burning topics of the industry in the Learning LIVE seminar programme.

They can boost their career with unrivalled opportunities to network, earn CPD points and speak to experts offering career advice, as well as boosting their skills by getting hands-on with machinery.

Boosting sales is easier when over 60 percent of visitors have a role in the purchasing decision-making as is boosting their network with attendees coming from all backgrounds and levels of groundscare including elite sports, estates and landscaping, parks, playgrounds, and educational settings.

Pitch Advisory Service advisors and representatives from the National-Governing Bodies will be on hand to offer free technical advice on maintaining all playing surfaces, as well guidance on accessing funding and ways to upskill through the Grounds Management Framework. SALTEX provides access to everything visitors need to boost their surfaces.

Jen Carter, head of communications, says: “The theme of this year’s show highlights the many opportunities visitors will have to come away better connected and with more expertise than they arrived with. Such an approach ensures visitors and exhibitors continue to be at the forefront of groundscare around the world.

“Registration in the first few weeks since opening is the highest it’s ever been, and we recommend registering now, if you haven’t already to ensure a spot at our 77th show.”

SALTEX takes place at Birmingham NEC on 1-2 November 2023. To guarantee a ticket to Europe’s largest and leading sports turf, amenities, and landscaping trade exhibition, register now at https://www.saltex.org.uk/

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Kubota UK sponsorship agreement with Hickstead Ltd

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Kubota UK sponsorship agreement with Hickstead Ltd: Kubota UK are delighted to have entered into a sponsorship agreement with one of the country’s most recognisable and well-respected equestrian sporting venues, the All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, with an agreement which sees the supply of additional machinery support for their busy 2023 events season.

With sponsorship of a further eight machines, Hickstead are operating a fleet of 15 Kubota units including compact tractors, RTV’s and ride-on mowers which will be pivotal to preparations, including for the Longines Royal International Horse Show on the 26th – 30th July.

Kubota UK sponsorship agreement with Hickstead Ltd

Kubota UK sponsorship agreement with Hickstead Ltd

“Our facilities include grass and all-weather arenas, and an outdoor showground which is mainly grassland and typical Sussex countryside” explains Showground & Estate Manager William Bunn.

Spread across hundreds of acres, the grounds team of 14 have a vast and varied workload and, since taking delivery of a fleet from Kubota, have not been disappointed. “We have multiple operators, with differing levels of experience, who have all commented how intuitive and well thought out the Kubota machinery is to operate. The ease of access for daily checks and maintenance proves that the range is designed with the operator as a priority.”

Kubota’s sponsorship and additional event support sees Hickstead running 15 machines in total, including M Series tractors, LX Series compact tractors, RTV side by side machines and ride on mowers, in use across the estate as the team ramp up preparations for a packed calendar of events. “One of the noticeable differences with moving to Kubota is the strength and high level of build quality across the range.” William adds, “From a management point of view, the machines have proven to be extremely reliable – our down time has reduced and when we have needed advice, the support from our local dealership, Rod Gaskin Ltd, has been faultless.”

“I look forward to building our relationship with Kubota as they help us to deliver world class events.”

Phil Catley, Kubota Groundcare Product and Key Account Manager added, “Supporting these events at Hickstead with the help of Rod Gaskin Ltd is a great way for us all to increase brand awareness and build new and existing relationships with some of the very best in the equine sector.”

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Free online hub will mobilise communities for nature’s recovery

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Free online hub will mobilise communities for nature’s recovery: Today, The Wildlife Trusts launch a new online hub of step-by-step guides to empower people to take action for nature where they live and work.

The Nextdoor Nature Hub provides free advice for groups who want to start nature recovery projects at a grassroots level.

Free online hub will mobilise communities for nature’s recovery

Free online hub will mobilise communities for nature’s recovery

‘How to’ guides about nature action include advice on:

  • How to create a nature recovery group
  • Transforming unused land into a wildlife haven
  • Working across multiple languages and cultures
  • Getting funding and support from businesses
  • Publicity, media and events

View the Nextdoor Nature Hub at www.nextdoornaturehub.org.uk. The platform is designed to be accessible to all, using simple language and video explainers. Information is also available in Welsh.

People can also upload stories about what they are doing to help wildlife in their gardens, workplaces, and communities. The Wildlife Trusts want to inspire a domino rally of nature action, where people draw inspiration from others to embark on projects at home.

Nextdoor Nature is The Wildlife Trusts’ flagship community nature recovery programme and is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Since it started last year, hundreds of groups have been supported to create community gardens and wilder neighbourhoods, building community spirit for people and providing habitats for wildlife.

Nikki Williams, Director of Campaigning and Communities at The Wildlife Trusts, says:

“Helping nature is something every individual or community can do, and when we come together it adds up to a big difference. The hub is a place where people can learn and be inspired by others. From creating wildlife corridors between gardens to wildflower meadows on disused land, you’ll be able to see what people are doing across the UK to transform nature-deprived places into havens for wildlife. We want to create a domino rally of activity, where people exchange and interpret ideas to give nature a boost where they live.”

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, says:

“Nextdoor Nature has been a fantastic success in its first year, with so many communities across the UK firmly grasping the nettle to meet the challenge of transforming the neglected green spaces around them. I’m pleased that thanks to National Lottery players, there’s now a one-stop place where everyone can go for advice and inspiration. Here’s to an exciting summer of events to celebrate!”

The Nextdoor Nature Hub launches alongside a programme of more than fifty events taking place over two weeks, from Scotland to the Isles of Scilly. These events provide an opportunity for communities to celebrate what they have achieved since Nextdoor Nature started, as well as developing new ambitions for the future. The full programme is available at: wildlifetrusts.org/nextdoor-nature-events

By 2030, The Wildlife Trusts are aiming to enable at least 1 in 4 people taking action for nature. Nextdoor Nature is part of the charities’ work to engage people of all ages, identities, cultures, backgrounds and abilities, supporting them to value, enjoy, speak up and take action for wildlife.

Making the hub easy to understand is vital to ensure everyone can grasp the nature and climate crisis and take action at home. Approximately 1.5 million people have a learning disability in the UK and 4.5 million people do not have English or Welsh as their first language.

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SISIS Auto Rotorake essential for Prees

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SISIS Auto Rotorake essential for Prees: The SISIS Auto Rotorake MK5 is an ‘essential’ piece of equipment according to Duncan Austin, Head Groundsman at Prees Cricket and Recreation Club in Shropshire.

Prees Cricket and Recreation Club is one of Shropshire’s premier sports and community clubs. Set in beautiful countryside, the Club boasts excellent sports facilities and caters for local sports teams of all ages.

SISIS Auto Rotorake essential for Prees

SISIS Auto Rotorake essential for Prees

Duncan Austin is the man responsible for keeping the facilities in impeccable condition. He has been working at Prees for six years, but it was in his last position where he first became familiar with the SISIS Auto Rotorake MK5.

“I used to do the ground maintenance at a different cricket club for 18 years and we used a SISIS Rotorake there. I knew how good it was and I felt it was something we could really benefit from having here at Prees.

“We have had problems with a lot of thatch, and last year we paid a contractor to undertake a big thatch removal project. I think this also prompted us to go ahead and purchase the Auto Rotorake MK5, so that we don’t have to rely on outside help. Instead, we can keep on top of it and work towards gradually removing all the thatch.”

The SISIS Auto Rotorake MK5 is a powerful self-propelled heavy duty scarifier designed for the removal and control of thatch on fine turf. It is ideally suited to a range of applications from sports field maintenance to lawns and amenities and features several benefits including:

  • Contra-rotating reel with specially designed tipped blades for clean, consistent cut and maximum thatch removal.
  • Alternative blades for light scarifying.
  • Depth of cut adjustment control is mounted on the handle to enable depth to be set whilst moving forwards.
  • User-friendly, operator presence controls designed for maximum operator safety.
  • Easy-fit collector box.
  • 5hp petrol engine with independent drive to wheels and reel.
  • Careful weight distribution, slick tyres and full differential ensure ease of turning and minimal surface marking.

Duncan mainly uses it on the cricket pitch but will also use it on the bowls greens from time to time.

“One of the biggest benefits of using the MK5 on a cricket pitch is the contra-rotating reels, because if the scarifier turns the same way as the mower then it pushes and compacts the thatch. This just doesn’t happen with the MK5 and that is thanks to the contra-rotating reels.

“We have the brush reel which is really good for prepping before a match cut. It stands the grasses up and helps to give you a good clean cut straight after. We’ve also got the sarel roller/spiker and I like the fact that you can change the cassettes in next to no time.

“I would say that being able to use the Auto Rotorake MK5 for a wide range of tasks is its best feature. You can use it all year round whether it is for scarifying or brushing or using the spiker to keep the surface open.

“It is just a great machine.”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact SISIS on 01332 824 777 or visit www.sisis.com

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

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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