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MP to join up with BIGGA CEO

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MP to join up with BIGGA CEO: The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association will welcome the co-chairperson of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Golf, Craig Tracey MP, to its Continue to Learn Extra webinar series on Tuesday 21 July.

All Party Groups comprise members of all political parties and support specific interests. In the case of the Golf Group, members work to a deliberately broad but simple remit, “to support the game of golf”.

MP to join up with BIGGA CEO

MP to join up with BIGGA CEO

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the MP for North Warwickshire has worked closely with BIGGA and the governing bodies of golf. Taking advice from the industry, he was actively involved in advising the Government on behalf of the golf industry, helping produce guidance upon the reopening of golf.

BIGGA has been heavily involved in that discussion, offering help and advice at every stage on behalf of the greenkeeping industry. BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton will speak to Craig about everything that took place during the coronavirus crisis and will discuss the challenges ahead for the golf industry.

BIGGA’s Continue to Learn Extra webinar series was introduced at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. Webinars are hosted on the BIGGA website and available to watch live by anyone interested in the golf industry.

BIGGA’s Jim Croxton said: “The coronavirus crisis has been an incredibly trying time for everyone associated with the sports and amenity industries. By presenting a unified front across the entire golf industry and supported by Craig Tracey MP and his team, we were able to highlight the positive benefits of playing golf and show how the sport could be played and golf courses maintained in a safe manner. This allowed the industry to reopen ahead of many others and I am looking forward to recapping with Craig everything that took place and discussing his vision for the future of the sport.

“Continue to Learn Extra’s live webinars are open to anyone with an interest in the topics discussed and I hope that you’re able to join us for what stands to be a fascinating conversation.”

Head to the What’s On section for more information about the webinar.

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SALTEX 2021 integral to industry’s recovery

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SALTEX 2021 integral to industry’s recovery: SALTEX and Events Director, Luke Perry, believes that SALTEX 2021 will provide a huge opportunity for the grounds management industry to regroup, reunite and celebrate. 

Luke Perry was appointed by the Grounds Management Association as SALTEX and Events Director just six weeks before the 2019 event.

SALTEX 2021 integral to industry’s recovery

SALTEX 2021 integral to industry’s recovery

“I was blown away by the exhibition,” he said. “I’ve been involved with so many trade events and I have never seen such an opening to a show. Before the doors had opened the queue was stretching down to the NEC atrium and it really hit home just how passionate people are about SALTEX. It was inspiring.”

Luke’s words are high praise indeed from someone who has worked on some of the UK’s most prestigious exhibitions. He has been immersed in the events industry for over 20 years and has worked across a diverse portfolio of shows which include the likes of BBC Countryfile Live, The British International Motor Show, Autosport International and several specialist events in the hospitality industry.

Enthused by his first taste of SALTEX, Luke was straight to work on preparations for the show’s 75th anniversary, spearheading the team of organisers in co-ordinating the strategy and making sure the event delivers on all fronts. “Putting on a two-day show is an enormous amount of work – it really is a 365-day project, but I wouldn’t have been in the events industry for so long if I didn’t love what I do,” he said.

Luke is looking forward to making his mark on SALTEX’s 75th anniversary but will have to wait a little longer than originally planned, following the announcement that the show has been postponed from November 2020 to Spring 2021.

“It was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but absolutely the correct one,” he said. “I think the feedback and support from the industry certainly is testament to this.

“We’ve had a fantastic response from exhibitors with many claiming that it will provide them with enough time to recover and plan effectively. In fact, many have suggested that Spring is actually a better time of year and that echoes the same feedback we have had from visitors. With such an unprecedented year ahead, we’re planning more than ever behind the scenes to make sure it hits the right mark.”

Luke candidly admits that show preparations are somewhat different to the usual event planning he is accustomed to. Naturally, there is still uncertainty and questions arising as to how large gatherings and exhibitions will be delivered.

“The honest answer is that we do not have all the answers yet, but we do have time on our side,” he said. “Our main priority is to put the safety of everyone connected with SALTEX above all else – and this is one of the reasons why the show was postponed.

“Nonetheless, we are working around the clock and planning for every eventuality. Part of this planning involves ensuring that we can deliver a show in which people can assemble and interact with a real awareness of the need to maintain safe practices. Should guidelines or restrictions still be necessary in March, we are working hard to ensure the show remains a brilliant and valuable experience for exhibitors and visitors. All we can do is take it step-by-step and ensure that we are prepared for each part of the journey.”

“After an extended period of isolation, there will be a real appetite for SALTEX. All signs are pointing towards an incredibly busy and vibrant show and we’re planning to deliver exactly that.”

SALTEX 2019 saw a record-breaking attendance of 9,104. The show also received a huge number of first-time attendees, an increase in younger visitors and the international audience grew significantly. Once again, SALTEX proved to be the industry’s showcase event in the UK, but Luke has his sights set even higher.

“I think we’ve got a great standing; a great pedigree and a history of success. Britain is a global leader in grounds management – SALTEX reflects that and has the opportunity to be the biggest and best in the world.

“As the GMA is a member organisation, it’s extremely close to the ground (excuse the pun) to the issues that matter most across the sector, at all levels. We’ve spent a lot of time listening to the industry and, in response, have quickly developed and issued essential Covid-19 resources. After this difficult period, I believe that SALTEX will play an integral role to helping the industry network, collaborate and continue to support one another more than ever before.”

SALTEX will take place on 3 and 4 March 2021 at the NEC, Birmingham.

For more information visit www.gmasaltex.co.uk

Follow SALTEX on Twitter @GMA_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/GMASALTEX

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Aspen fuel fills the tanks

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Aspen fuel fills the tanks: Thirteen years into not using petrol from the pump, Nick Rose – Owner of Redwood Tree Services Ltd – says making the switch to Aspen Alkylate Fuel has filled more than just his tanks.

The efficiency and cleaner performance of his 2 and 4-stroke equipment has led to huge financial savings through significant improvements in performance and reduction in costly repairs.

Aspen fuel fills the tanks

Aspen fuel fills the tanks

The seven operatives of the Surrey-based tree surgeons undertake a wide variety of domestic and commercial projects utilising a large fleet of petrol driven equipment – including in excess of 30 chainsaws. “I first discovered Aspen Fuel when I attended the Arb Show at Cirencester” explains Nick. “We were a relatively small firm at the time, conducting a lot of hedge work and domestic jobs, and I found I was experiencing a lot of headaches and side effects of working in such close proximity of 2-stroke engines. This was all but eradicated, overnight, after we trialled the Aspen product.”

Aspen Alkylate Petrol is virtually free from sulphur, benzene and solvents, making it 99% cleaner than regular petrol when comparing the level of hazardous hydrocarbons. With these ingredients removed, the odour and infamous ‘blue haze’ produced is minimal, reducing the impact the machinery makes on both the operator and the environment. “The health benefits were apparent immediately, but we quickly also began to discover how much better Aspen was for the health of our machinery.”

“Our chainsaws and other equipment are in use tirelessly, but the fact that Aspen burns so much cleaner and is free from ethanol means we very rarely experience reliability issues when it comes to engine performance – Carburettor’s, gaskets, spark plugs even, which I’ve seen destroyed in a matter of weeks or months in chainsaws running on pump fuel just aren’t an issue when you’re using Aspen.”

The savings for Nick extend beyond that of costly replacement parts, he has also noticed a reduction in his overall fuel usage. “It takes us roughly six months to go through a 200L barrel of Aspen, which is great value when you consider the vast improvements in the efficiency of our equipment. Having the fuel on site is another major benefit and gives us further savings in the form of time, by not having to go to the petrol station every week. All around, it just makes complete sense.”

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Online offering for BASIS training & assessment

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Online offering for BASIS training & assessment: BASIS is offering candidates the option to complete courses and exams online, to ensure standards are maintained in the industry and training can continue.

Having worked with the HSE Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) and accreditation partner Harper Adams University throughout the process, a number of our BASIS exams are now fully digital. Written exams are completed using online exam and invigilation software, followed by viva examinations via video call.

Online offering for BASIS training & assessment

Online offering for BASIS training & assessment

Sue Mason, BASIS exams and training manager, explains that the new invigilation software, QMark, enables BASIS to deliver examinations under stringent conditions, akin to being held in traditional exam format without the need to meet face-to-face or in groups.

“We’re pleased this is now in place,” says Sue.

“We know a number of candidates have either completed their training, or were near finishing earlier in the year, so this gives everyone the opportunity to finalise training and undertake the exams to gain the qualification.

“The online exams will mirror the format of a formal written test. We’ve worked closely with Harper Adams to ensure the software is quality assured so we’re delivering exams in the same conditions,” she adds.

Should candidates have halted training mid-way through the course due to lockdown, BASIS is still offering this online alternative, with the new exam format taking place once the course has been completed.

Stephen Jacob, BASIS CEO, says this online offering means important training and certification can still go ahead, despite the current restrictions, to maintain industry standards and customer or employer expectations.

“We want to ensure all those looking to complete exams and become accredited members of the Professional Register in 2020 can do so. The process hasn’t altered, we’ve just gone digital.

“I would advise those looking to take their exams to speak to their BASIS approved trainer to discuss the next steps to undertake their exams,” concludes Stephen.

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KUHN upgrades hedge cutter range

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KUHN upgrades hedge cutter range: KUHN Farm Machinery has added the Agri-Longer GII to its range of hedge and grass cutting equipment.

Positioned as a compact ‘go-anywhere’ farmer-owned and amenity sector machine, the Agri-Longer GII has a straight arm format with the main boom structure welded from ultra-high strength steel to guarantee the best flexibility-to-robustness ratio. It is available in two models offering a horizontal reach of 4.3m (4345 ML) or 4.8m (4845 ML).

KUHN upgrades hedge cutter range

KUHN upgrades hedge cutter range

In addition to the new feature of pendulum link mechanical safety, the key differences between the GII models and earlier Agri-Longer machines include increased hydraulic rotor circuit power (up from 34hp to 40hp) and electric joystick control as standard.

As with earlier models, the Agri-Longer GII hedge cutters have a 1.2m direct drive flail head with 220-degree flail head rotation. The cutting head, which can work directly behind the tractor wheel, has a removable wear plate and a reversible rotor that can be turned around to optimise lug wear. The rotor has 24 boot flails mounted on 12mm shackles.

The Agri-Longer GII has an oil cooling system as standard, offering constant power and protection of all hydraulic components.

Vertical reach for the two models is 5.21 and 5.74m respectively, while maximum hedge height is 3.59 and 3.98m respectively.

The electrically operated joystick is compact in design and the control unit includes the oil-pneumatic lift float, the oil temperature display and the hour counter for ergonomic efficiency.

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