BALI Winners Visit Wimbledon

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BALI Winners Visit Wimbledon: Winners of the 2017 BALI National Landscape Awards, recently enjoyed an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the All England Lawn Tennis Club Wimbledon, an event which was both hosted and organised by ICL and awards headline sponsor Green-tech.

The event began with an introduction from Mark Pyrah, ICL’s Landscape & Industrial Manager for UK & Ireland and Tom Parker, Purchasing and Commercial Director of Green-tech, before handing over to Head of Courts and Horticulture Neil Stubley.

BALI Winners Visit Wimbledon

Neil described in great detail the meticulous planning and hard work that is required to successfully deliver the greatest tennis championships in the world – which is watched by an audience of over 1 billion people worldwide. He then proceeded to present a captivating overview of the site and its facilities which includes 44 grass courts, 5 indoor courts, 8 American Clay courts, 8 Plexipave Acrylic courts and 3 croquet lawns.

As well as highlighting the progress of trial work which is currently being conducted in partnership with the STRI, Neil revealed just how much tennis is played on the courts at Wimbledon. Last year, 658 matches were played totalling a staggering amount of 3,177 hours. This was across 38 grass courts during the championships, which was in addition to a further 25 tournaments as well as regular usage from the club’s 375 private members who are free to play on the courts until they close in September.

After lunch, the award winners received an access-all-areas tour by Neil which included a visit to the legendary Centre Court, a tour of the media centre, and a look at the current construction works of the No.1 Court. Work on the extensive reconstruction, which will see a retractable roof and wider, more comfortable spectator seating, began after last year’s Championships and is set to be completed in time for 2019 Championships.

Reflecting on the successful day, Mark Pyrah from ICL, who organised the event, said: “We were delighted to welcome the 2017 BALI award winners and show them the world class facilities at Wimbledon. They were hugely impressed by Neil and his team’s attention to detail. It was a very successful event and I’d like to thank Neil for his time and expertise in offering us an insight into groundsmanship practices at the highest level.”

Tom Parker from Green-tech added: “We feel privileged to have been able to visit such a world class venue to celebrate the success of the Bali Award winners. The level of quality, technical development and ambition of Wimbledon is extraordinary and it was amazing to have such an exclusive experience.”

For more information, please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland.

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SIS Pitches A Certified Manufacturer

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SIS Pitches A Certified Manufacturer: SIS Pitches first company in UK and Ireland to be individually recognised as a Certified Field Builder and Certified Manufacturer by International Hockey Federation.

  • SIS Pitches manufactures and builds hockey pitches across the UK and Ireland
  • Company first to be recognised in this manner in these countries
  • The world-class playing surfaces are manufactured in own factory in Maryport, Cumbria

SIS Pitches A Certified Manufacturer

A UK-based company specialising in sports pitches has become the first in Britain and Ireland to be double-certified individually by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).

SIS Pitches has been announced as a FIH Certified Manufacturer and FIH Certified Field Builder. This makes them the first company within Ireland and the British Isles to be double certified individually by the International Hockey Federation.

The double-certification from the FIH recognises SIS Pitches’ expertise in the control over the quality of hockey pitches in every aspect — from pitch design, manufacturing construction, installation and maintenance.

SIS Pitches, which is headquartered in Maryport, Cumbria, is a world-leader in synthetic and natural sports surfacing. It lays synthetic pitches across the globe, with some of its most prestigious hockey pitch projects located at The University of Manchester, Ben Rhydding Hockey Club, Harrow School and Alive LynnSport, which is the home of the Pelicans hockey team, based in Norfolk.

Away from hockey, SIS Pitches is proud to produce high-quality sports surfaces for football and rugby. The firm has constructed and installed SISGrass hybrid technology at 6 of the 12 pitches at the 2018 football World Cup in Russia, including the Luzhniki stadium, home of the opening and final matches of the tournament.

Alastair Cox, FIH Facilities and Quality Programme Manager, said:

“The consistently high standard of hockey turf manufacturing and the construction quality demonstrated in SIS Pitches’ field building earned them the right to be internationally endorsed by our Quality Programme for Hockey Turf. This is no easy feat. Additionally, their commitment to providing great hockey facilities that support our Hockey Revolution strategy – to make our sport a global game that inspires future generations, was an important factor in their application.”

Luke Edwards, Sports Systems Development Manager, SIS Group Ltd, said:

 “Having previously received FIH Certification for our factory, we’re thrilled to have joined the FIH Certified Builder Programme as this fits perfectly with our philosophy of manufacturing, constructing and installing only the highest quality hockey fields.”

For more information, visit: www.sispitches.com

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New Pitch Renovation Package

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New Pitch Renovation Package: Germinal Amenity has launched an all-in-one seed and fertiliser sports pitch renovation package.  Containing two key elements – Germinal’s A20 Premier Ryesport seed mixture plus an appropriate selection of fertiliser products – A20 Seed & Feed offers groundsmen everything they need in order to renovate their pitches and to create a sustainable playing surface within just six weeks of seeding.

The seed element of the A20 Seed & Feed package provides a combination of four top-performing species of perennial ryegrasses.  Together, these four cultivars create a dense sward with excellent fineness of leaf, a good cleanness of cut and which is exceptionally easy to mow into stripes.  The seed mixture – Germinal’s standard A20 Premier Ryesport mixture – also offers good levels of disease resistance and fantastic post-winter recovery.  The standard seed mixture can also be customised, allowing groundsmen to create their own bespoke specification.

New Pitch Renovation Package

For the fertiliser component of the A20 Seed & Feed package, groundsmen are able to select either a soil or sand based nutrient programme.  A third option, for park pitches and local community pitches, is also available.  All three nutrient programmes are F.A.C.T.S. (Fertiliser Advisers Certification and Training Scheme) approved and have been designed to enable the new sward to achieve the best possible results in terms of seedling establishment and sward development.  Each package contains a selection of phased release fertilisers and advanced soil conditioners which provide the necessary nutrients and trace elements required during the renovated pitch’s growing-in phase.

“The summer pitch renovation season is one of the busiest periods in any groundsman’s calendar,” explains Joe Hendy, Technical Sales Representative for Germinal.  “It can also be an exceptionally stressful time of year with groundsmen anxiously waiting for the renovated pitch to be ready in time for the start of the new playing season.  With that in mind, we have created an all-in-one seed, fertiliser and nutrient advice package to help ease the pressure.”

By providing a complementary package of seed, fertiliser and F.A.C.T.S. based nutrient advice, A20 Seed & Feed makes it easier and simpler for groundsmen to renovate their pitches and to successfully create a well-established and viable playing surface.

“All too often we speak to groundsmen who simply don’t have the time or resources, or in some cases the correct technical knowledge, to develop their own over-seeding and fertiliser programmes.  By following the simple advice laid out in our new A20 Seed & Feed packages, these groundsmen can be confident that they are using the correct rate of the most suitable products at the optimum time, and that they will be giving their pitch the very best chance of going into the new season in prime condition,” Joe adds.

“All three of the A20 Seed & Feed programmes use the very best phased-release fertilisers and soil conditioners from Compo Expert to ensure that every penny invested in pitch renovation works hard and delivers the required results.”

For more information go to www.germinal.com

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New Ultimate Offers From ICL

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New Ultimate Offers From ICL: ICL & Syngenta have updated and strengthened their popular Ultimate Offers by announcing the addition of two new packages for 2018. Ultimate Offers are a range of tank-mixes that contain various combinations of nutrition in combination with the plant growth regulator Primo Maxx II. They offer turf managers great products through a selection of vastly cost-effective packages, helping make significant savings with the added bonus of earning up to 15 Turf Rewards points depending on which Ultimate Offer you choose.

The launch of the two new Ultimate Offers underlines both ICL and Syngenta’s position of offering the best plant nutrition and plant growth regulator. The new “Ultimate Offer Iron” provides excellent growth regulation, turf density and turf colour for use on both fine turf and outfield applications whilst “Ultimate Offer SeaMax” provides growth regulation, stress tolerance and improved rooting for golf greens and football pitch applications. In addition, both packages also include Syngenta XC nozzles to ensure the optimum product application is achieved.

New Ultimate Offers From ICL

These new combinations add more choice and versatility to the range whilst delivering big savings compared to purchasing the individual products separately.

Ultimate Offer NK – earns 5 Turf Rewards points

  • 1 x 5L Primo Maxx II
  • 1 x 200L Greenmaster Liquid NK
  • 13 x Syngenta XC 04 nozzles
  • ICL Application Booklet

Ultimate Offer High N – earns 5 Turf Rewards points

  • 1 x 5L Primo Maxx II
  • 1 x 200L Greenmaster Liquid High N
  • 13 x Syngenta XC 04 nozzles
  • ICL Application Booklet

Ultimate Offer S & S – earns 5 Turf Rewards points

  • 1 x 5L Primo Maxx II
  • 1 x 200L Greenmaster Liquid Spring & Summer
  • 13 x Syngenta XC 04 nozzles
  • ICL Application Booklet

 Ultimate Offer WSF/18 – earns 10 Turf Rewards points

  • 2 x 10L Primo Maxx II
  • 18 x 15kg Sportsmaster WSF High N
  • 13 x Syngenta XC 04 nozzles
  • ICL Application Booklet

Ultimate Offer WSF/36 – earns 15 Turf Rewards points

  • 4 x 10L Primo Maxx II
  • 36 x 15kg Sportsmaster WSF High N
  • 1 x Syngenta Art of Application Kit
  • ICL Application Booklet

NEW Ultimate Offer Iron – earns 5 Turf Rewards points

  • 1 x 10L Primo Maxx II
  • 1 x 200L Sportsmaster Liquid Fe
  • 13 x Syngenta XC 04 nozzles
  • ICL Application Booklet

NEW Ultimate Offer SeaMax – earns 5 Turf Rewards points

  • 1 x 5L Primo Maxx II
  • 8 x 1kg Sportsmaster WSF SeaMax
  • 13 x Syngenta XC 04 nozzles
  • ICL Application Booklet

The offers are available exclusively through ICL distributors.

Please contact ICL on 01473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk or www.icl-sf.ie if you are in Ireland

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New Noise & Vibration Consultancy

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New Noise & Vibration Consultancy: Despite more than a decade of legislation1, millions of workers in the UK according to the HSE, are still being exposed to high noise levels and a similar number to vibration, which can lead to noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) respectively.

Recognising this, Essel Acoustics is a newly founded specialist consultancy with the expert skills and relevant experience in occupational noise and both hand arm & whole body vibration assessments and control. NIHL accounts for 75% of occupational health insurance claims and HAVS has become the most commonly reported issue under RIDDOR. Worryingly, workers in certain sectors such as ‘greenspace management’ risk both noise and vibration exposure. Fines in excess of £100K are not uncommon for health surveillance failings and reputational damage can ensue.

New Noise & Vibration Consultancy

Essel’s aim is to create a safer and more productive working environment. Owner, Satish Lakhiani has had more than 20 years’ experience in noise and vibration control as a design engineer of military hearing protection and as a consultant with a leading International consultancy. He holds an MSc in Applied Acoustics and is a full member of the Institute of Acoustics (IoA). His past experience includes conducting noise and vibration risk assessments in the following sectors:- – Automotive – Aerospace – Food and Beverages packaging/bottling – Cardboard recycling – Automated money counting centres – Plant Rooms – Data Rooms – Local Government ‘greenspaces’ – Military tracked and wheeled armoured vehicles, – Command and Control Operations Rooms (assessing emissions from communications headsets).

For further information on Essel’s capabilities please visit www.esselacoustics.com 

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Golf For National Heroes

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Golf For National Heroes: Huxley Golf has completed its third project for Help for Heroes: a large putting green at the charity’s Northern Recovery Centre at Phoenix House in Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire. The project comes after two similar successful projects which were conducted for the charity’s Recovery Centres at Tedworth House, Wiltshire and at Chavasse VC House, Essex.

The new facility will be used by short stay, day visitors and guests to Phoenix House who take part in activities and courses to help them get back out doing what they enjoy most. Beneficiaries are encouraged to develop their own recovery programme under the guidance of specialist staff and may involve participation in sporting activities and guidance on health and wellbeing.

Golf For National Heroes

The putting green was officially opened at a ceremony on 18 January 2018 by Bernie Broad (left), Invictus Team GB Captain, and Peter Scrivener (right), Wasps Legends Trustee of Wasps Legends Charitable Foundation which kindly funded the project.

In extremely wintry conditions, the all-weather course was certainly put to the test on the day and proved that nothing can stand in the way of a good game of golf!

Speaking at the event, Bernie Broad said that sport and activities outdoors were vital to a healthy life style. He said: “I was introduced to golf whilst going through my recovery and it was such an enabler for me. It gave me such a challenge and reason to get out of bed some mornings. The putting green in Catterick, kindly funded by the Wasps Legends Charitable Foundation, will enable individuals to get outside and do something out of the ordinary, clear their minds and just breathe in the fresh air. Good putting is also key to good golf and a low handicap!”

The new putting green has pride of place at the entrance to the Recovery Centre, providing an aesthetically pleasing and welcoming – yet low maintenance – focal point on arrival at Phoenix House. The kidney-shaped six-hole green, created using the market-leading Huxley Golf Premier Nylon Putting Turf, measures approximately 76 sq. yards in total. To complete the project, a 35mm fringe surround was laid using Huxley Golf Leisure Turf.

Paul Chester, General Manager at Huxley Golf said: “This was an interesting project in terms of its design. The original idea was to position the new putting green on a hilly grassed area but, working in partnership with the management team, we concluded that the site was too steep. Our solution was to convert a disused bowls court. The result not only looks fantastic but importantly, it is easy for all visitors to access, regardless of injury. We’re extremely proud to have created a golf facility at three out of four Help for Heroes Recovery Centres.”

Help for Heroes Head of Recovery North, David McNeill, said the new creation would improve golfing skills and help the beneficiaries in other areas. He said: “The putting green is brilliant and a fantastic resource. It will encourage people to challenge themselves through golf, whether as an individual or in a group. I look forward to seeing those we support staying out late into the summer nights, enjoying themselves and improving their golfing skills.”

Peter Scrivener, Trustee of Wasps Legends Charitable Foundation, added that he hoped the new addition to the Recovery Centre would allow past and present servicemen and women to take their minds off their injuries. He added: “The putting green is a space where they can have some time alone and develop a new skill. When they come here they might be completely new to the experience, but it just gives them somewhere to go, give themselves peace and just enjoy themselves. We are delighted to support this, it is very humbling.”

For more information, visit: www.huxleygolf.com

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New Kubota Distributor

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New Kubota Distributor: Kubota UK Engine Division has gone into a strategic partnership with Machinery OY, who are located in Vantaa, which will see the business represent Kubota’s full range of oil and water cooled diesel and dual fuel engines throughout Finland.

Established in 1911, Machinery OY is Finland’s largest supplier of new machine tools to the engineering and construction industry. In addition to the distribution of Kubota engines, the family run business will also provide full customer support services and spare parts to end users, dealers and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) across a range of industry sectors.

New Kubota Distributor

Daniel Grant, Business Development Manager for Kubota UK’s Engines Division, said: “We are very excited to be working with Machinery OY, a new relationship that brings together two leading players in the industrial engine market. With the ever expanding Kubota Engine portfolio, we recognise the strength and stability of the service offering and aftersales support the new business partnership can provide and believe our product and service expectations will complement their existing premium brands and company ethos.

“With the substantial changes coming into force in 2019 with EU Stage V, it’s vitally important that we utilise the highest levels of expertise and knowledge. The dedicated team at Machinery OY has vast experience with Non Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM) engines, providing an excellent platform for Kubota to grow in sales, technical support and aftersales service throughout Finland.”

Kubota’s latest announcement means that the company has concluded its relationship with Koneskesko in Finland.

Arto Orjo, Sales Manager at Machinery OY, commented: “This is the start of a long and fruitful relationship between Kubota and Machinery OY. There is a lot to learn, develop and expand throughout Finland and we’re very happy to be working with such a well respected engine manufacturer like Kubota to achieve this. Our development programme will provide the necessary product and technical knowledge to offer Finland nothing short of customer service excellence.”

For more information on Kubota’s extensive engine solutions visit www.kubota.co.uk or call 01844 268000.

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Wildflowers at University of York

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Wildflowers embraced by the University of York: Leading wildflower experts, Wildflower Turf, have made the grade by providing the University of York with a biodiverse boost to newly-built campus facilities.

Based in Hampshire but having recently expanded operations to include a new growing site in Yorkshire, Wildflower Turf worked closely with the University’s landscape partners to enhance the area around the recently completed Piazza Learning Centre.

Situated within a picturesque lakeside setting, the Piazza Learning Centre is both sympathetic to the natural landscape while also being fully accessible to the University of York’s student population. The new building contains a range of high-quality learning spaces and facilities for those living and studying on the University’s Campus East.

At the outset of the project the University developed a very clear and practical biodiversity plan and Wildflower Turf was commissioned by the project’s landscape contractors, J Palmer Landscapes, to provide a wildflower solution that would enhance the existing natural environment.

Over 1,800m² of Wildflower Turf’s unique Native Enriched Turf product was installed in November 2017 and the addition of wildflowers has provided the University with a wonderful and aesthetically pleasing space.  As well as requiring little maintenance, the Native Enriched Wildflower Turf contains over 50 different native and naturalised species and will help the project to qualify for excellent BREEAM standards.

Other key parties involved with this project include Interserve Construction Ltd (Design & Build contractors), Race Cottam Associates, (Architects), J Palmer Landscapes (Landscape contractors), and Martin Woolley Landscape Architects.

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Abergele GC Green Keeper Awarded

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Abergele GC Green Keeper Awarded: An Abergele green keeper has beaten competition from all over the UK to win the Outstanding Environmental Project of the Year 2018.

Darren Anderson, master green keeper at Abergele Golf Club clinched the win at The Golf Environment Awards ceremony in Harrogate, Yorkshire for his Tir Gwyllt project near the 3rd hole at the course near Gwrych castle.

Mr Anderson, 41 , said: “Firstly it was about us building an ecology area, the awards obviously encouraged us and we were still entering even though we thought we didn’t have a chance.

Green Keeper Wins Outstanding Environmental Project Of The Year

“I felt immensely proud when it was announced we won, I just couldn’t believe it. I didn’t know what to say, apart from thank you to everyone.”

The project created a wildlife haven on the overgrown site of the former 9th hole, and was a combined effort spearheaded by Mr Anderson with his team including Gareth Jones, Rob Myatt and Greg Howsam, with his wife Sali supplying the name Tir Gwyllt, or ‘wild land’.

The team created owl and bat boxes, a fruit table for butterflies, habitats for door mice and hotels for bees, ladybirds and other beneficial insects with recycled materials.

They also removed overgrown rye grass which allowed native species of orchid to return and planted wildflower gardens to encourage pollination.

After receiving the nomination along with clubs in Scotland and England, Mr Anderson was joined by club directors Terry Hughes, Martin Thomas, and Dewi Roberts for the awards ceremony organised by international sports pitch consultants the STRI Group and organisers of The Open the R & A .

Mr Anderson, a former pupil at Emrys ap Iwan, said: “The whole idea was we wanted to improve our environmental standing and encourage ecology with the resources we had really as we didn’t have money to spend.

“When we found out we made it to the final, we were over the moon and the club directors automatically said they were going along to support the awards, however when I saw the fantastic work the other finalist had done, I warned the directors, please don’t get your hopes up.”

As part of the award, Mr Anderson – a third generation green keeper, originally from Edinburgh – has will visit to Portugal in April for a showcase in environmental approaches to managing golf courses.

A spokesman for Abergele Golf Club said: “It goes without saying that we are extremely lucky to have Darren, the work he has put in to enter for this award and continues to do to maintain these standards makes Abergele Golf Club a Golf Course to be proud of.”

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