Cricket club hit by vandals

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Cricket club hit by vandals: “Mindless” vandals who drove across a cricket pitch causing extensive damage for the second time in 13 months have left the ground’s owners feeling “angry and hopeless”.

Players and staff at Bradenham Cricket Club were fuming after finding their newly treated cricket ground full of tyre marks on Friday, September 18.

Brett Gates, the groundsman at the club, arrived at the green on Friday morning when he discovered the damage.

In a post on Twitter, he said: “Bad news overnight is that vandals have driven across the cricket pitch.

“Not only the outfield but across the square too. Just one week after the end of season work had been done.”

Norfolk Cricket also took to social media to slam the ‘mindless vandalism’ that took place, after the club saw an identical incident take place just over a year ago.

Tim Evans, chairman at Bradenham Cricket Club, said: “It’s the second time this has happened now, it’s nonsense.

“The club has just paid quite a lot of money on putting the ground to rest, that was only one week ago.

“We thought about getting cameras after it happened last year but it’s an expense we would struggle to pay for.

“I just feel helpless, it is so disappointing. We, as a club, pride ourselves on our community spirit so it’s incredibly difficult for us to see this.”

The club had just finished the 2020 season after it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Last week the club spent around £1,500 to keep the square protected and get it ready for next season.

“They must have been driving with their lights off because they drove through metal rods and wires surrounding the square,” said Mr Evans.

“We’re thankful that the damage was done at the end of the season, it’s just frustrating that we paid all that money last week.

“The ground should have enough time to recover until the next season in April, we will just have to roll it out as best as we can.”

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Nothing like an Ariens’ zero-turn

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Nothing like an Ariens’ zero-turn: When people talk about Ariens zero-turn mowers it is generally with a realisation of how much more productive they are over other grass cutting machines.

This is usually followed by how solid they are and why they make such a worthwhile investment. This is users speaking, not just Ariens. The proof is in the fact their zero-turns are built for strength and quality with the ability to mow fast and for longer periods with total manoeuvrability, greater productivity and increased profitability. Here’s what commercial users are saying:

Nothing like an Arien’s zero-turn

Nothing like an Arien’s zero-turn

 

“The Ariens always gets the looks when it’s out and the performance and quality the machine gives is second to none. I cut a lot of grass every day and using the Apex 52, it feels like I’m sitting in an armchair cutting the grass. It’s clearly been designed for people like me who use their machine day in, day out.  I like the design of the machine and feel it protects me as a user. The land we maintain varies in terrain and with the Apex, there’s so much bounce taken out by the way the machine is designed, I hardly feel the bumps. This has been a worthwhile investment to my business.” James Ruddick, Ruddick Landscape Service, Carlisle

“The simple and easy-to-use features such as the foot-operated deck lift gives efficiency and smoother operation. It’s got great manoeuvrability and is very reasonably priced for such a robust, well designed piece of machinery. I have never come across anything quite like the Ariens and would highly recommend it to other companies looking to purchase a top-quality mower”. Andrew Longley, AJL Garden Services, Kent.

High praise indeed but then Ariens pride themselves on building with engineering excellence and this family company has been doing so for 80 years, distributing products in the US and Europe. It’s no wonder Ariens has become one of the fastest-growing zero-turn brands in the UK for both commercial and domestic machines. It’s now widely recognised zero-turn mowing is faster, more productive and cost-effective than any other method. The ability to turn on its axis and negotiate around obstacles with ease reduces mowing time by up to 50% while the comfort of the machine means the operator is able to work for longer periods. Ariens zero-turns boast powerful engines and premium cut quality while maintenance is straightforward. It all adds up to greater productivity and related increased profitability for the commercial operator.

“To-date, the Zenith has given us a very professional cut and the thick grass hasn’t put any strain on the Kawasaki motor. One thing I’ve noticed is the time savings I’ve made from using the Zenith against my previous machine, a tractor type mulcher with a front deck.” Adam Matthews, Estates Manager, St Michael’s School, Wales.

“I have had the Ariens Ikon X 52 zero-turn for nearly a week now and it is a complete game-changer for our grounds maintenance business. I really do not know how we did things before. It has completed our lawn cutting capability.” Paul Roseman, PJR Services, Essex.

Ariens has been steadily growing in the UK with its network of dealers and recently began manufacturing zero-turns at their Oxfordshire factory. This shows the strong commitment they have to the UK and European markets.

To find out more about how an Ariens zero-turn can increase your productivity and profitability, like the many commercial operators who have made the switch to zero-turn, go online at ariens-uk.com or for more information contact Ariens on 01844 278800.

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GGM to be carbon neutral by 2030

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GGM to be carbon neutral by 2030: Award Winning GGM Groundscare has taken its dedication to being an eco-friendly organisation to the next level and commit to a drive to improve its green credentials even further.

The Colne -based organisation already boasts an impressive record for environmental awareness and over the lockdown period the business has taken stock and investigated ways to enhance this, undertaking several new measures including investing in renewable energy, reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions and helping improve air quality locally.

GGM to be carbon neutral by 2030

GGM to be carbon neutral by 2030

The move came after the company completed a full energy and environmental audit and joined the Chamber of Trade’s Green Rose programme, and are currently working towards the ISO14001 environmental standard.

Chris Gibson, Managing Director explains:

“GGM Groundscare recognise that, as with every organisation, our business activities impact upon our environment in terms of both our routine operations and our development. As a responsible and environmentally aware organisation, we acknowledge that we have a commitment to help protect the environment in every way we can.

“To this end, we’ve undertaken a range of measures to improve our already excellent green credentials. We are committed to ensuring our operations take into account the impact on the environment by reducing the consumption of fossil fuels and to incorporate long-term strategies for efficiency into our Environmental and Sustainability policy planning and development, with the goal of achieving ISO14001 Certification on the pathway ultimately to carbon neutrality.”

The new drive includes the addition of two new electric vans to the GGM fleet and will replace the existing vehicle fleet where relevant and suitable with electric vehicles which will be used for supporting service and hire customers across the region, calculated to save 30 tonnes of carbon in the first year, reducing the carbon footprint as well as improving air quality in the local community. In addition, the business has installed electric vehicle charging units which are offered to customers and suppliers free of charge.

The business has invested in Solar Photovoltaics Technology (Solar PV Panels) with the support of the Chamber’s Low Carbon grant programme which will improve energy and environmental efficiencies. Clean, sustainable and renewable, investing in solar energy allows the company to dramatically reduce its CO2 emissions whilst also reducing costs and assisting them in meeting environmental and sustainability targets. In addition, GGM decided that the company would benefit from upgrading the current lighting system, which would lower energy consumption and additionally install lighting controls to further reduce excess energy consumption by using motion / light sensors and timing controls, along with LED lighting.

The business has also undertaken several additional green initiatives which will have a positive impact on employee’s health and wellbeing, as well as the environment. At Colne, showers and a secure bike rack are being installed with the support of Lancashire County Council’s Connecting East Lancashire initiative this will encourage take up of the company cycle to work scheme, and at Haydock a wild flower oasis has been created to encourage biodiversity and provide an area for the team to take a break and help maintain good mental health.

Chris Gibson concluded:

“GGM are proactively investing in Greener initiatives to minimise our Carbon Footprint and demonstrate to our customers, suppliers, employees and the local community that we care about the local environment”.

“We’re proud of the progress that we have made so far and we will constantly strive to improve in every way we can”.

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Henderson Grass Machinery helps Charleton rise from the ashes

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Henderson Grass Machinery helps Charleton rise from the ashes: When fire destroyed the clubhouse of Charleton Golf Club, near Leven, in January, the club must have thought they’d used up all their bad luck for the year in one fell swoop …. then came Covid 19, and the work, and plans, to get back on their feet were stopped in their tracks

Now, however, in a scene straight from the Phoenix from the Ashes play book, the club is fighting back. A new clubhouse is rising from the foundations of the original and, thanks to local machinery dealer, Henderson Grass Machinery, Head Greenkeeper Brian Heggie has the tools to get on with the job of maintaining the course.

Henderson Grass Machinery helps Charleton rise from the ashes

Henderson Grass Machinery helps Charleton rise from the ashes

“After the fire, and when lockdown made it possible I sat down with Scott McNeil, of Hendersons, we looked at the older machinery in our sheds and established how much of money it would raise for a deposit on some good quality second hand machinery,” explained Brian, as he sat aboard a Toro 45100, one of the results of the negotiations.

“We had a limited budget, so if what we have bought takes us through the next three years we might then be in the market to buy slightly newer machines. Had we committed ourselves to a fleet of brand new machines the lockdown and pandemic would have meant that we would have struggled to pay for it,” explained Brian, who having maintained the course singled-handed during lockdown, has recently appointed a Deputy and taken on two apprentices.

In the end, the club purchased a new 60hp Kubota tractor with a Vertidrain; the Toro 4500 rough mower; a Toro 3100 tees mower; a Toro 3400 greens mower; a SISIS scarifier, with more pieces of kit due to arrive over the next few months.

“We tried to take the used machinery from some of the bigger golf clubs and resorts because they had the full maintenance packages so the machines were well maintained and within their hours – and with it being Toro kit, you knew it was going to last.”

Henderson Grass Machinery has had a longstanding relationship with the Charleton Estate and Brian is delighted to have the company on his side.

“I can’t fault them. If I ever need a machine, like a seeder for example, they will lend it to me while Scott (McNeil) being an ex Head Greenkeeper himself knows what it is like to run a golf course on a limited budget and tries to help as much as he can,” said Brian.

Charleton Golf Club is just the type of golf club that Hendersons are keen to support and their pre-owned machines are perfect for a golf club with tight budgets.

“The clubhouse fire was a huge blow to the golf club and we immediately felt that we should help as much as we could to get them back on their feet,” explained Scott, who was Head Greenkeeper at Brechin Golf Club in Angus, and another Fife club in St Michaels Golf Club, near St Andrews, before joining the sales team at Hendersons.

“My aim is always to try and find exactly the right machinery to fit the needs of the golf club, rather than try to give them something that is perhaps close to what is required but not exactly right,” he explained.

“Brian and I both knew what was needed to bring the course on to the next level and we worked closely together initially  to generate the funds for the deposit and then secure the machines that were needed.

“We want to continue to work with Charleton to help them overcome both the fire and the consequences of Covid 19 and then kick on to the next level,” said Scott.

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Bespoke DLF Wildflower mix brightens the landscape

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Bespoke DLF Wildflower mix brightens the landscape: A wildflower meadow at the heart of a brand-new retirement village in Alcester has been praised for its outstanding, long-lasting visual impact.

For the contractors, HFN Landscapes, the project was fraught with challenges – difficult ground conditions and high magnesium soil required a bespoke mixture, created by DLF Seeds.

Bespoke DLF Wildflower mix brightens the landscape

Bespoke DLF Wildflower mix brightens the landscape

When Contracts Manager David Smith commenced work on the Great Alne Park project in February, he was greeted by what could only be described as a 20,000 square metre mud bath! “Phase one, the construction of the homes was complete, when we then came in to carry out the soft landscaping – this included allotments, a croquet lawn, the individual apartment gardens as well as a large wildflower area which was the centrepiece of the whole complex” explains David, who has been in charge of HFN’s soft-landscaping projects for two years.

“We used ProMaster 25 in a lot of the transition areas on the site, then when it came to the Wildflower meadow, we provided the architects’ specification alongside the soil analysis to Paul Hadley at DLF”. DLF produce a range of native wild flower mixtures to suit different soil types, however high magnesium was identified, which can contribute to deterioration of clay soil structures, reducing infiltration rates and causing an environment not conducive for effective germination. With this in mind, Paul formulated a bespoke wildflower mixture including species that can tolerate a mixture of environmental conditions such as Knapweeds and Buttercups, together with a number of indicator species including Wild Marjoram, more akin to alkali soils. To deliver an initial boost of colour in the meadow’s nursery year, a selection of Cornfield Annuals were also incorporated.

Bespoke DLF Wildflower mix brightens the landscape

Bespoke DLF Wildflower mix brightens the landscape

“There is no doubt that Paul’s knowledge gave us a mixture that not only met the architects vision, but exceeded what we hoped to achieve in its impact and longevity; especially given the fluctuating hot and wet weather conditions and the added complications that COVID restrictions have had on our work.”

The outstanding floral display has since attracted much attention, including on Central News where residents complimented the space as a haven during the lockdown period. “Six months since we seeded the area and it’s still a sea of colour, which couldn’t be further away from where we started!”. David concludes, “As a business, HFN are very proud of what we have achieved, but that wouldn’t have been possible without Paul’s advice and the quality wildflower mixture DLF delivered. As we increasingly get asked about recreating wildflower and meadow style areas, we know we have the support and product to deliver.”

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