BIGGA launches work platform for members

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BIGGA launches work platform for members: Ahead of Thank a Greenkeeper Day on Wednesday 23 September, the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has launched a new online platform to help its members who find themselves out of work due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

It has been estimated that the coronavirus crisis saw British employers plan more than 300,000 redundancies during June and July as the economic impact of the pandemic hit hard.

BIGGA launches work platform for members

BIGGA launches work platform for members

Although golf has largely seen a surge in players this summer, as it was viewed as a healthy pastime that could be enjoyed in a safe and socially-distanced manner, sadly the economic uncertainty and revenue lost due to reduced capacity of clubhouses and other facilities mean that the golf industry has not been immune to the impact of job losses.

BIGGA has therefore launched an employment hub on the association’s website, where greenkeeper members can advertise that they are available for work. Golf clubs are encouraged to visit these pages if they have positions available, whether short term or permanent. The listings are completely anonymous and BIGGA will pass on the details of the golf club to the candidate if they show an interest.

Additionally, BIGGA has extended its ‘unattached’ member category whereby any member of the association who is now out of work can apply to receive discounted membership, enabling them to continue accessing the wide range of support and benefits that come with BIGGA membership, which will help in their search for new permanent employment.

BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “There’s no doubt about it, 2020 has hit everyone hard. Losing your job is tough to deal with at any time, but when things are as uncertain as they are at the moment, it can be very worrying. But if you’re a BIGGA member and you now find yourself looking for work, the association is here to help. This service is completely anonymous and free to BIGGA members. It’s our way of helping you get back on the right track.”

Head to the Careers section of the BIGGA website and click on the Available for Work tab to find out more.

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Sprayer testing changes from November

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Sprayer testing changes from November: As part of the Sustainable Use Directive (SUD), pesticide application equipment (PAE) testing became a legal requirement in 2016. Any machine applying a professional pesticide must be tested by the specified dates and at regular intervals thereafter.  

To explain this in a bit more detail, the change affects sprayers that are more than 5 years old and have a boom width over 3 metres, air blast sprayers, aircraft, and train sprayers. Currently a test is required every 5 years, but from 26th November it changes to every 3 years. So, for any sprayer of this type tested before November 2017, a re-test is due by that date.

Sprayer testing changes from November

Sprayer testing changes from November

It is also important to note that sprayers tested any time after 26th November 2017, the test is only valid for 3 years, so if your sprayer was tested for example in June 2018, the next test is due in June 2021.

For all other types of PAE, which includes boom sprayers 3 metres and under, weed wipers, slug pellet and granular applicators and a range of other machines, the requirements remain unchanged at 6 yearly cycles for retest.

Crop assurance scheme requirements haven’t changed so sprayers are still required to be tested annually. Regular testing is important in helping to ensure safe and accurate application of pesticides, protecting the environment and waterways, but also helping to safeguard the availability of products for the future. A regularly tested machine will reduce the risk of breakdowns, when timing of applications can be crucial for efficient control of weeds, pests and diseases.

The need for an integrated pest management (IPM) plan to be carried out helps ensure that when the decision has been made to use a pesticide, that the equipment is calibrated and has been tested to a standard that will apply the product in a safe and sustainable way.

For more information visit www.nsts.org.uk.

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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.”

Click here to read the original article:

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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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