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NEWS ARTICLES

Golf clubs urged to get sun savvy

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Golf clubs urged to get sun savvy: The Slip! Slap! Swing! sun protection campaign for golf launched last year, and is back on the 15th June with a new challenge.  The Melanoma Fund – the charity behind the campaign – aims to get 500 golf clubs in the UK and Ireland ‘Sun Protection Accredited’ in 2020.

Supported by 11 leading golf organisations* their mission will be to transform sun protection in golf to tackle the rapid rise of melanoma and other forms of skin cancer within the sport.

Golf clubs urged to get sun savvy

Golf clubs urged to get sun savvy

Rationale

Rates of melanoma – the most dangerous form of skin cancer – have more than doubled in the UK in the last 30 years, with incidence in women having doubled (100% increase) and for men nearly tripled (181%).  It is one of our fastest rising cancers, and although still higher in older people, rates in 25-49 year olds increased by 70% over the same period*. Global cases will reach nearly half a million (466,914) by 2040, an increase of 62% on 2018 figures.

Getting involved

Skin cancer is however preventable, and by becoming Sun Protection Accredited, clubs can help members and all staff improve their sun protection habits and knowledge.  Supported with free resources and up-to-date advice, involvement is quick, easy and achieved by pledging five actions:

  1. Nominate a Sun Pro Ambassador; promoting the campaign to members/staff.
  2. Add a sun protection statement to Terms & Conditions of play/Health & Safety policy.
  3. Display awareness posters and promote the campaign internally, and externally on socials.
  4. Ensure sunscreen is available in the club, either for sale or for complimentary use.
  5. Display the Sun Protection Accreditation logo – both digitally and in the club

A golfer like me

Golfers affected by all types of skin cancer have come forward to tell their stories, encouraging others to understand the reality of skin cancer and how it can affect anyone. They have also worked with the campaign’s ambassador; PGA Pro Jamie Cundy to produce a number of short videos which will launch throughout June on social media.

Say’s Michelle Baker, CEO of the Melanoma Fund; “Small, measurable actions by many, help create big impact, so if we can reach 500 golf clubs, we will help wake golf up to the issue, and achieve a massive strike against skin cancer this year.”

To help smooth the fairway to success, all participating clubs will receive free sunscreen* and support in promoting their work, to help keep them motivated and sun savvy throughout the summer”.

For further information visit the Melanoma Fund’s Slip! Slap! Swing! campaign at www.melanoma-fund.co.uk/golf #SlipSlapSwing20

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JCB’s government backed loans

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JCB’s government backed loans: JCB Finance has been accredited by the British Business Bank to provide the Government Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) – designed to support the continued provision of finance to UK smaller businesses (SMEs) during the COVID-19 outbreak.

From 17th June, JCB Finance’s new and existing customers, who need to invest in JCB equipment or non-competitive machinery made by other manufacturers, but have concerns about the impact of Coronavirus on their cash flow, will be able to apply for a CBILS-backed hire purchase facility.  The fixed rate facility will have a 6 month payment pause, then 48 monthly instalments with the British Business Bank paying the interest during the first 12 months.

JCB's government backed loans

JCB’s government backed loans

JCB Finance Managing Director Paul Jennings said: “With over 10,000 SME customers across construction, industry and agriculture, JCB Finance is well placed to help get the funding where it’s needed and help support businesses as they experience lost or deferred revenues because of COVID-19.

“JCB Finance has built a strong reputation for supporting businesses through good times and bad over its 50 years of trading, so becoming one of the latest partners of the British Business Bank to deliver the loans is great news.

“When the outbreak began, we were swift to mobilise our resources to facilitate a pre-approved emergency payment pause so that our customers could take advantage of initial relief without delay.  This accreditation means we can go further than that and help UK businesses to return to work.  It is in everyone’s interests to support businesses in weathering this storm and help them bounce back.”

For details on the CBILS-backed HP available via JCB Finance, including how to apply https://www.jcb-finance.co.uk.

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Ninja or Samurai?

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Ninja or Samurai?: Agronomic Services announce the distribution of these top-quality Ninja and Samurai tines. Named after the Ninja as there is virtually no disturbance to play, as the core diameter of these tines is only 4mm.

Simply Tine, Blow, Roll and play can commence, saving time and money. This is a viable alternative to aggressive coring.

Ninja or Samurai?

Ninja or Samurai?

Machined using a single piece of finest steel which offers reliability, longevity, and strength, just like a Samurai sword.

Ninja or Samurai – Why

Why do we need to Micro Core?

Because it removes organic matter/thatch.

This will allow the turf to expand, so this creates aeration into the surface, with all of the benefits of aeration. Micro Coring produces a firm putting surface and also reduces the onset of dry patch. In addition, there is minimal disruption when using a micro core tine such a Ninja or Samurai.

When would we typically micro core?

Usually this takes place in Spring and late summer. The specific design of Ninja and Samurai micro core tines has the advantage of immediate playability, they can be used at any time of the year due the minimal disruption to the greens.

Also, micro core tines are great to use when over seeding.

How do we utilize micro core tines?

Due to the design and dimensions, Ninja and Samurai tines fit into Toro and John Deere quad blocks. The aim is to remove the top 20-50mm of organic matter/thatch.

The process is very simple, tine, followed by blowing, mowing, rolling and the minimal disruption of the surface ensures players can immediately enjoy the golf greens. Green keeping with the stealth of a Ninja!

This is much more efficient, for manpower and due to the quality of the steel typically lasting up to two hectares it is cost effective for the Course Manager. This is a viable alternative to aggressive coring which is much more stressful to the plant and requires a significant recovery time.

So, Ninja or Samurai?

Introducing Ninja and Samurai Tines

The Ninja and Samurai tine is now available to customers in the UK and Europe from Agronomics Services Ltd. These superior quality tines are precision tool engineered specifically for golf course putting greens.

The tines are machined from a single piece of the finest Japanese steel, the one-piece construction and design offers surpassing reliability and longevity, similar to that of a samurai sword!

In order to achieve high durability the balance of the hardness and the toughness is extremely important. Toughness of the metal is gained through the quenching process, more frequent tempering and quenching will lower the hardness of the metal. This unique expertise and technique is derived from the traditional method to manufacture Japanese swords.

Ninja or Samurai?

Ninja or Samurai?

Specific to Ninja Tines are their unique shape with dual tips that wear evenly and have proven extremely durable.

Unlike a traditional coring tine which is driven deep, to fracture the soil and create pathways for water movement, Samurai and Ninja Tines were designed to work in the organic layer only, therefore 40-50mm depth. For the removal of organic material only and not exceeding 50mm means that greens are immediately available for play.

The advantage with a micro-core aeration tine is the minimal stress to the turf and minimal surface disruption, you can tine like a Ninja and your golfers will never know you were there!

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EGO launches rear roller & mulching kits

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EGO launches rear roller & mulching kits: With the addition of new Rear Roller and Mulching kits, EGO’s landscaping, grounds care and gardening professionals can now look after the health of their lawn and achieve a professional finish with picture-perfect stripes.

Rear Roller Kit (AR1700/AR1900)

Weighing around 8KG and featuring an innovative design that easily clips over the rear wheel axle of EGO’s LM1700E, LM1700E-SP and LM1900E-SP battery powered mowers, the steel Rear Roller Kit provides the ideal amount of power and weight to help achieve pristine and uniform stripes across a lawn.

EGO launches rear roller & mulching kits

EGO launches rear roller & mulching kits

The Rear Roller Kit is available in two sizes and is compatible with EGO’s best-selling LM1700E, LM1700E-SP and LM1900E-SP mowers.

Mulching Kit (ABP1700/ABP1900)

EGO has also released a brand-new mulching kit to help professionals keep lawns healthy.

Featuring a factory-sharpened steel blade and a mulching plug, EGO’s Mulching Kit helps to deliver optimum cutting performance to achieve a reliable, clean cut lawn. Compatible with the LM1700E, LM1700E-SP and LM1900E-SP mowers, the mulching kit is a fantastic way to keep lawns healthy all year round.

The Mulching Kit works by double-cutting the grass, making it easy to create and distribute mulch. Whether professionals are looking to rejuvenate a lawn by providing additional nutrients, or to manage weeds and pests, EGO’s Power+ Mulching Kit is the perfect must-have addition for professional mowing.

Available now, the rear roller (AR1700) retails at £49.99 and (AR1900) at £57.99 with the mulching kit (ABP1700) at £34.99 and (ABP1900) at £37.99.

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Foamstream wages urban war on Covid-19

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Foamstream wages urban war on Covid-19: Little did we know back in March how long the lockdown was going to last or what lay ahead in our fight to contain the life-threatening virus, Covid-19.

And although lockdown continues, there have been relaxations in the restrictions which means an increase in the movement of people through urban and public places. This has made it more important than ever to ensure that public spaces are safe, with governments doing everything possible to prevent the transmission of the virus.  This is what will keep the R rate down and ultimately help us defeat the virus.  It is known that the Coronavirus can live on some surfaces for up to nine days and municipalities, landowners, and their contractors, need to take this into account when planning their sanitisation programmes. Unless public spaces are sanitised regularly, then transmission of the virus will continue as long as people continue to use them. The big question is this: how do we keep public places safe for people to use and enjoy once again, without using harmful toxic chemicals?  To avoid a second wave of the virus, it will be imperative to get this right.

Foamstream wages urban war on Covid-19

Foamstream wages urban war on Covid-19

British company Weedingtech offers a solution with Foamstream, a thermal system originally developed to kill weeds. Foamstream is now also widely used internationally to maintain & decontaminate public places by deep cleaning and sanitising them, effectively neutralizing viruses and preventing their transmission in the process. In 2019 Foamstream was tested and approved for controlling viruses (inc. Hepatitis C) on outdoor surfaces, with testing following PREN 16777:2014, the European standard with which all biocides have to comply. Foamstream proved to be a very effective way to neutralise Hepatitis-C, preventing its transmission. Given its mode of action, the science indicates that Foamstream is equally effective in neutralising Covid-19, thus reducing its transmission, making public places safer for us all.

Consider the places that need to be sanitised so they are safe for public use. Everywhere from parks to playgrounds, schools to sports facilities, hospital and universities, city centres to cemeteries and any other outdoor areas that may experience high levels of human contact. Authorities and municipalities need to be certain that any method they chose to clean and sanitise these public areas, will help in preventing transmission of the virus, without exposing people to harmful chemicals.

Weedingtech’s Foamstream technology emits near-boiling water (98°C) covered by an insulating biodegradable foam made from natural plant oils and sugars.  The foam retains the heat in the water so, the heat can work effectively to neutralize its target. The Foamstream process can be used on all kinds of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, funghi and non-sporulating bacteria. It’s safe for the operator, who needs only basic training and minimum safety wear, and safe for use in public places around people animals and water. The systems offer a variety of attachments making them suitable to carry out cleaning tasks on any surface.

Foamstream has been shown to work significantly faster than many manual sanitisation practices currently being used. Furthermore, it solves the virus problem without causing another problem downstream by exposing people to harmful chemicals.  Approved for use as an organic biocide, Foamstream is used by local authorities and contractors all over the UK, mainland Europe, North and South America and Australasia. There is a new virtual demonstration platform available for those interested to understand more about the process and Weedingtech urge authorities to see and consider the Foamstream route as their first line of defence against Covid-19 (and other viruses like hepatitis-C, norovirus and influenza) in public spaces.

Foamstream is already used by councils around the UK including Hammersmith and Fulham, Manchester City Council and Southwark as well as by some of the nation’s biggest contracting companies such as idverde and Urbaser.

https://www.weedingtech.com/applications/sanitisation/

In the US it is used in the Cities of New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Seattle and Baltimore.  The process can be seen on:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZV97mq6e_-E&feature=youtu.

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