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NEWS ARTICLES

An update from Scott MacCallum

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An update from Scott MacCallum: Well the countdown to Christmas is well and truly underway. We are being bombarded by the usual array of Christmas advertising which, increasingly, is failing to mention any of the products for which the company is known. However, we are all entranced by a dragon who inadvertently fired flames from his ears.

In our industry this time of year is a little weird. For some, golf for example, it is a time for winter renovation programmes. A chance to level that poorly constructed tee or carry out some much needed woodland management. Cricket, too, is off season, and work can be carried out to the pitch or outfield.

An update from Scott MacCallum

For football, rugby and horse racing, however, this is perhaps the busiest time of the entire year. Managers are jumping up and down about over congested fixture schedules, sneaky players are looking for that extra yellow card to give themselves a ban over Christmas and groundsmen are trying to produce surfaces in weather conditions which are not always conducive to the maintenance and growth of grass.

Whatever you are doing I hope that you achieve results you are happy with and can enjoy the run up to Christmas safe in the knowledge that, work-wise, everything is as good as it can be.

Best wishes

Scott MacCallum

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DLF announce SALTEX winner

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DLF announce SALTEX winner: Paul Humphreys at Concord College, Shrewsbury and Taunton Schools’ Mark Jolliffe have been announced as the winners of the DLF/Johnsons Sports Seed ForthRoots Competition at SALTEX 2019.

Having successfully answered three questions on DLF’s 4Turf Tetraploid ryegrasses, they were rewarded with new innovative tools for effective on-the spot overseeding worth over £600.

DLF announce SALTEX winner

Pictured receiving their prizes from their respective DLF Regional Technical Managers, John Hughes and Ian Barnett, Paul takes home the ForthRoots MultiTool and Mark the ForthRoots Ryeseeder. Designed to fit perfectly into the scars and space left following matches or training, the interchangeable tine options on the RyeSeeder and MultiTool help to create the perfect seed bed for quick recovery.

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Power provider invests in JCB diggers

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Power provider invests in JCB diggers: Electricity North West – providers of power to five million people – has invested in two brand new JCB electric mini excavators.

The company has bought the two 19C-1E fully electric models to help maintain a staggering 44,000 kilometres of underground cables.  Five times quieter than its diesel counterpart, the JCB machines are deal for use by the company’s engineers, who work 24-hours a day to maintain the network.

Power provider invests in JCB diggers

And Electricity North West is building on its eco credentials by charging the two machines using electricity generated from renewable sources at its depots across the region.

The investment is all part of a multi-million pound initiative by Electricity North West to drive down its own carbon emissions. Following a successful trial, the two machines are already hard at work across the region installing underground power cables.

Electricity North West’s Engineering and Technical Director Steve Cox “They are excellent machines. Our team finds them more powerful than diesel diggers and another major positive is the reduced noise levels. Power cuts can happen at any time of the day and night and sometimes we’re required to dig up roads and footpaths to repair faults. Using the new electric diggers, which have reduced noise levels, means we can work into the night without impacting our customers.”

JCB Chief Innovation Officer Tim Burnhope said: “I’m delighted to see Electricity North West lead the way by purchasing two of the electric machines. It reaffirms Electricity North West’s commitment to being at the forefront of transitioning to a zero carbon future.”

Electricity North West has made a commitment to phase out diesel mini diggers to reduce its carbon footprint as part of its ‘Leading the North West to Zero Carbon’ plan launched in March. The plan sets out how Electricity North West is investing £63.5 million over the next four years to drive down its own carbon emissions and help businesses and customers to do the same.
Steve Cox added: “The ‘Leading the North West to Zero Carbon’ plan demonstrates our commitment to be one of the businesses driving the region’s transition to a carbon neutral future. We’re looking closely at our own operations and how we can decarbonise them.  Collectively, small changes can make big impacts and this shows what can be done now to reduce carbon without having a negative impact on customer service, performance or cost.”

As well as lower emissions, the 19C-1E model is more cost effective with JCB research revealing that over the first five years, charging costs will be 50 per cent cheaper compared to using red diesel. Fully charged, the 19C-1E can put in a typical full day’s shift for a mini excavator.

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Rugby club’s open invite to vandals

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Rugby club’s open invite to vandals: A rugby club has condemned the actions of vandals who drove on their pitch and left tyre marks strewn across the muddy playing surface.

But Phil Prangnell, facilities manager at Dereham Rugby Club, has urged those responsible to curb their ‘boredom’ by joining the team and trying their hand at the sport.

Mr Prangell first discovered the damage when he arrived at the club on Tuesday morning and immediately spotted tyre marks across the pitch.

It means the club – based off Moorgate Road in Toftwood – faces a race against the time to get the pitch back up to match standard ahead of their next home fixture.

“When you pull up at the club you cannot miss it,” he said.

“In the summer timer we tend to get kids on scooters and a few in cars on the pitch, but it doesn’t do a great deal of damage. Obviously at this time of year it’s a different story.

“We’ve now got to try and repair the pitch for the next match and just hope it grows again where the tyre marks are.

“Along with people who don’t bother clearing up their dog mess, this is a real frustration.

“Why would you want to mess things up for other people? I’m sure there are plenty of other places around here where they can go off-roading.”

Despite the inconvenience of having to rectify the damage, Mr Prangnell believes there could ultimately be a positive outcome.

He has invited the vandals to join the club and better use their time by playing rugby – instead of going out of their way to destroy the club’s property.

“If they are that bored they should come along to the rugby club and get involved,” added Mr Prangnell, who has been supporting the club for several years. “You never know – they might enjoy themselves.

“We’re a friendly club and players of all abilities are welcome. If you’ve never played before, we’ll you up to standard.”

Dereham Rugby Club trains from 7pm to 9pm on Wednesday evenings. Matches are played on Saturdays.

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New TDR-15 for Culford School

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New TDR-15 for Culford School: When Culford School in Suffolk were looking to replace their 10 year old Progressive TDR-15 they had demonstrations of various other roller mowers, but found none of them quite made the cut! Instead they opted for the new and improved TDR-15 model. Set in a 500 acre estate they use the TDR -15 to mow about 100 acres of amenity parkland, playing fields and footpaths per week in the height of the growing season.

Size, versatility and manoeuvrability were amongst some of the main reasons they wanted another TDR-15.Tom Atkinson Head Groundsman at Culford School says “Peoples initial reaction when they see the mower is surprise at how large it is and think that the only place it can be used is in big wide spaces. Our estate has tree plantations with random trees dotted all around and is situated in a river valley. Despite that the mower with a skilled operator can get into small spaces by reversing into small gaps and using the rear deck. Where some similar machines are configured as three abreast, having one deck to the rear with the TDR-15 is a real advantage. All the decks are hinged so they follow the ground independently of each other and as it’s a roller mower that leaves a fantastic finish.”

New TDR-15 for Culford School

They have also found the roller mower really user friendly, “All lubrication points are easily accessible and despite its size there aren’t many. The new mechanical locks mean you can pick the whole machine up to transit over roads or obstacles without shutting off the whole machine and folding it away and we run the mower behind a John Deere 4066R with an economy PTO. Such a robust machine that costs very little to run.”

If you would like to talk to The Grass Group more about your requirements and why the TDR-15 is right for you, give us a call on 01638 720123 or email sales@thegrassgroup.com

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