SALTEX 2021 integral to industry’s recovery

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SALTEX 2021 integral to industry’s recovery: SALTEX and Events Director, Luke Perry, believes that SALTEX 2021 will provide a huge opportunity for the grounds management industry to regroup, reunite and celebrate. 

Luke Perry was appointed by the Grounds Management Association as SALTEX and Events Director just six weeks before the 2019 event.

SALTEX 2021 integral to industry’s recovery

SALTEX 2021 integral to industry’s recovery

“I was blown away by the exhibition,” he said. “I’ve been involved with so many trade events and I have never seen such an opening to a show. Before the doors had opened the queue was stretching down to the NEC atrium and it really hit home just how passionate people are about SALTEX. It was inspiring.”

Luke’s words are high praise indeed from someone who has worked on some of the UK’s most prestigious exhibitions. He has been immersed in the events industry for over 20 years and has worked across a diverse portfolio of shows which include the likes of BBC Countryfile Live, The British International Motor Show, Autosport International and several specialist events in the hospitality industry.

Enthused by his first taste of SALTEX, Luke was straight to work on preparations for the show’s 75th anniversary, spearheading the team of organisers in co-ordinating the strategy and making sure the event delivers on all fronts. “Putting on a two-day show is an enormous amount of work – it really is a 365-day project, but I wouldn’t have been in the events industry for so long if I didn’t love what I do,” he said.

Luke is looking forward to making his mark on SALTEX’s 75th anniversary but will have to wait a little longer than originally planned, following the announcement that the show has been postponed from November 2020 to Spring 2021.

“It was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but absolutely the correct one,” he said. “I think the feedback and support from the industry certainly is testament to this.

“We’ve had a fantastic response from exhibitors with many claiming that it will provide them with enough time to recover and plan effectively. In fact, many have suggested that Spring is actually a better time of year and that echoes the same feedback we have had from visitors. With such an unprecedented year ahead, we’re planning more than ever behind the scenes to make sure it hits the right mark.”

Luke candidly admits that show preparations are somewhat different to the usual event planning he is accustomed to. Naturally, there is still uncertainty and questions arising as to how large gatherings and exhibitions will be delivered.

“The honest answer is that we do not have all the answers yet, but we do have time on our side,” he said. “Our main priority is to put the safety of everyone connected with SALTEX above all else – and this is one of the reasons why the show was postponed.

“Nonetheless, we are working around the clock and planning for every eventuality. Part of this planning involves ensuring that we can deliver a show in which people can assemble and interact with a real awareness of the need to maintain safe practices. Should guidelines or restrictions still be necessary in March, we are working hard to ensure the show remains a brilliant and valuable experience for exhibitors and visitors. All we can do is take it step-by-step and ensure that we are prepared for each part of the journey.”

“After an extended period of isolation, there will be a real appetite for SALTEX. All signs are pointing towards an incredibly busy and vibrant show and we’re planning to deliver exactly that.”

SALTEX 2019 saw a record-breaking attendance of 9,104. The show also received a huge number of first-time attendees, an increase in younger visitors and the international audience grew significantly. Once again, SALTEX proved to be the industry’s showcase event in the UK, but Luke has his sights set even higher.

“I think we’ve got a great standing; a great pedigree and a history of success. Britain is a global leader in grounds management – SALTEX reflects that and has the opportunity to be the biggest and best in the world.

“As the GMA is a member organisation, it’s extremely close to the ground (excuse the pun) to the issues that matter most across the sector, at all levels. We’ve spent a lot of time listening to the industry and, in response, have quickly developed and issued essential Covid-19 resources. After this difficult period, I believe that SALTEX will play an integral role to helping the industry network, collaborate and continue to support one another more than ever before.”

SALTEX will take place on 3 and 4 March 2021 at the NEC, Birmingham.

For more information visit www.gmasaltex.co.uk

Follow SALTEX on Twitter @GMA_SALTEX and Facebook – www.facebook.com/GMASALTEX

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Aspen fuel fills the tanks

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Aspen fuel fills the tanks: Thirteen years into not using petrol from the pump, Nick Rose – Owner of Redwood Tree Services Ltd – says making the switch to Aspen Alkylate Fuel has filled more than just his tanks.

The efficiency and cleaner performance of his 2 and 4-stroke equipment has led to huge financial savings through significant improvements in performance and reduction in costly repairs.

Aspen fuel fills the tanks

Aspen fuel fills the tanks

The seven operatives of the Surrey-based tree surgeons undertake a wide variety of domestic and commercial projects utilising a large fleet of petrol driven equipment – including in excess of 30 chainsaws. “I first discovered Aspen Fuel when I attended the Arb Show at Cirencester” explains Nick. “We were a relatively small firm at the time, conducting a lot of hedge work and domestic jobs, and I found I was experiencing a lot of headaches and side effects of working in such close proximity of 2-stroke engines. This was all but eradicated, overnight, after we trialled the Aspen product.”

Aspen Alkylate Petrol is virtually free from sulphur, benzene and solvents, making it 99% cleaner than regular petrol when comparing the level of hazardous hydrocarbons. With these ingredients removed, the odour and infamous ‘blue haze’ produced is minimal, reducing the impact the machinery makes on both the operator and the environment. “The health benefits were apparent immediately, but we quickly also began to discover how much better Aspen was for the health of our machinery.”

“Our chainsaws and other equipment are in use tirelessly, but the fact that Aspen burns so much cleaner and is free from ethanol means we very rarely experience reliability issues when it comes to engine performance – Carburettor’s, gaskets, spark plugs even, which I’ve seen destroyed in a matter of weeks or months in chainsaws running on pump fuel just aren’t an issue when you’re using Aspen.”

The savings for Nick extend beyond that of costly replacement parts, he has also noticed a reduction in his overall fuel usage. “It takes us roughly six months to go through a 200L barrel of Aspen, which is great value when you consider the vast improvements in the efficiency of our equipment. Having the fuel on site is another major benefit and gives us further savings in the form of time, by not having to go to the petrol station every week. All around, it just makes complete sense.”

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Online offering for BASIS training & assessment

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Online offering for BASIS training & assessment: BASIS is offering candidates the option to complete courses and exams online, to ensure standards are maintained in the industry and training can continue.

Having worked with the HSE Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) and accreditation partner Harper Adams University throughout the process, a number of our BASIS exams are now fully digital. Written exams are completed using online exam and invigilation software, followed by viva examinations via video call.

Online offering for BASIS training & assessment

Online offering for BASIS training & assessment

Sue Mason, BASIS exams and training manager, explains that the new invigilation software, QMark, enables BASIS to deliver examinations under stringent conditions, akin to being held in traditional exam format without the need to meet face-to-face or in groups.

“We’re pleased this is now in place,” says Sue.

“We know a number of candidates have either completed their training, or were near finishing earlier in the year, so this gives everyone the opportunity to finalise training and undertake the exams to gain the qualification.

“The online exams will mirror the format of a formal written test. We’ve worked closely with Harper Adams to ensure the software is quality assured so we’re delivering exams in the same conditions,” she adds.

Should candidates have halted training mid-way through the course due to lockdown, BASIS is still offering this online alternative, with the new exam format taking place once the course has been completed.

Stephen Jacob, BASIS CEO, says this online offering means important training and certification can still go ahead, despite the current restrictions, to maintain industry standards and customer or employer expectations.

“We want to ensure all those looking to complete exams and become accredited members of the Professional Register in 2020 can do so. The process hasn’t altered, we’ve just gone digital.

“I would advise those looking to take their exams to speak to their BASIS approved trainer to discuss the next steps to undertake their exams,” concludes Stephen.

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Kiveton Park take pitches to the next level

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Kiveton Park take pitches to the next level: Kiveton Park Football Club’s team of volunteer grounds people are aiming to take their pitches to the next level following the arrival of a New Holland Boomer 40 and Trimax Striker from Campey Turf Care Systems.  

The Yorkshire based club restructured three years ago and moved from their previous site to Wales High School. When they arrived, there was one football pitch on the school’s front field with burnt in lines and plenty of work to do. But now, led by the enthusiasm and growing knowledge of club secretary Gordon Johnson, the club is being recognised for the quality of their eight pitches.

Kiveton Park take pitches to the next level

Kiveton Park take pitches to the next level

“I’ve got a passion for groundsmanship which I found when we moved to the school,” Gordon explained. “The Sheffield FA pointed us towards the Grounds Management Association, and we became members and signed up to the FA’s Pitch Improvement Programme. From there, I got really into it and did a level one course, and I’ve progressed from what I learnt on my level one with more maintenance techniques to try and get more games on. This year I did my level two at Stockport County FC, which was brilliant, and I absolutely loved it.

“It was through a coaching course that I got involved with Campey. One of the FA Tutors told me we could apply for an equipment grant from the Football Foundation and the amount was significantly higher than before so as a grassroots club we didn’t have to put as much money in.

“I applied for it, and the guys at the Sheffield FA were brilliant and guided me through it. I did a lot of homework based on the Pitch Improvement Programme because it tells you what equipment you might need. I Googled searched it and found an article that explained how Campey had done a similar thing with another grassroots club and the guy from that club was sitting in his tractor and I thought we could have that.

“Campey was absolutely brilliant with us. I got talking to Simon Holland, who was absolutely superb. He was asking me all the right questions like do we want turf tyres – which we would have probably missed – and other little questions like that. We spoke about whether we were planning to just cut or do other things with the tractor and we are, so he suggested a manual gear system rather than a foot pedal which is better for the volunteers.  It was advice like that which really helped us.

“With the money we saved in those areas, we were able to get a better quality cutting deck with the Trimax Striker, which again Simon suggested, and it’s a brilliant bit of kit. We were ready to get it just before COVID-19, so the machines were sat in their yard until they could complete the installation safely. But when we did get them, they were absolutely brilliant. They came out and showed us the machines and went through all the care aspects as well. They didn’t want to just deliver it, they wanted to give us that bit extra customer care and go that extra mile, and I was really impressed with that.”

The quality of pitches has gone full circle at Kiveton Park FC from burnt in lines to hosting League Cup Finals, and with the new machinery, Gordon hopes to take them even further. With their own tractor, the club can now look at hiring in other machinery to save on contracting costs which allows them to redistribute funds into their other community projects.

Campey offers detailed help and advice before, during and after purchasing to grassroots clubs who are looking to invest in their own machinery. For more information, contact your local Campey product specialist, dealer or email info@campeyturfcare.com.

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PRO 34R improves the Tigers

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PRO 34R improves the Tigers: Stuart Vause, head groundsman at Castleford Tigers RLFC, claims that his Dennis PRO 34R rotary mower has helped him make huge improvements to both the main pitch and also the training pitch.

In the five years that Stuart has been the head groundsman at his beloved Castleford Tigers, the pitch at The Mend-A-Hose Jungle Stadium has vastly improved – so much so, that Stuart has picked up the Professional Rugby Football League Grounds Team of the Year award twice in three years.

PRO 34R improves the Tigers

PRO 34R improves the Tigers

Stuart’s expertise coupled with the support and investment from the club has made this all possible. When he first arrived at the club, he inherited only an old mower designed for golf fairways which he used alongside his own personal equipment.

“The club has realised that if you want a good pitch then you have to have the correct equipment,” said Stuart. “We’ve spent quite a bit of money now, not just on equipment but on fertilisers, top-dressings and other products, and it has really made a difference.”

In terms of the machinery, the club’s first major purchase three years ago was a Dennis G860 cylinder mower. After reporting fantastic results from the G860, Stuart decided to continue with the Dennis brand and has since purchased a Dennis PRO 34R rotary mower.

“I needed a mower which would serve a few purposes,” said Stuart. “Recently, I have decided to put a lot more focus on the training pitch so I wanted a mower that would provide a fantastic finish but one that would also assist with other tasks such as cleaning up both pitches after use. The PRO 34R seemed to tick all the boxes.”

The Dennis PRO 34R is a 34” (860mm) rotary mower which has been designed to help groundsmen achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance and desired playing surface. It is ideal for sports pitches and lawns producing the enviable ‘Dennis Stripes’ while a powerful vacuum flow collects debris quickly and efficiently.

The angle of the cutting deck and twin blades can be easily adjusted using a single ‘click adjuster’ ensuring the mower is suitable for changing conditions and meeting groundsmen’s requirements.

“The PRO 34R is my main mower for the training pitch and I’m now in a routine where I’m cutting regularly with it,” he said. “In the past twelve months since I’ve been using it, the sward has really thickened and the surface has significantly improved. The finish is so good – it is just like a cylinder mower and the quality of cut is the best I’ve ever seen on a rotary mower. You can also cut and collect with it in the wet which is a big benefit.

“On the stadium pitch, I use both the G860 and the PRO 34R,” continued Stuart. “I will cut with the G860 and then use the PRO 34R to clean the pitch up after the games. It literally picks everything up and it is surprising how much the grass box holds.

“It is an ideal mower, especially as it is just me here. It has a wide cutting deck and various speed settings so I can get the job done quickly which is great if I am up against time or the weather. I tend to use it on a speed setting of 4 but I can always slow it down slightly if I want to take a bit more time.

“The PRO 34R is also incredibly easy to use. There is no time-consuming setting up and you can adjust the height of cut in no time at all. Ultimately, it is an incredibly simple and effective machine which you can rely on.

“In some way I like to think that the playing surfaces have played a little part in the team’s success over the last few years and has helped them to play the way they want to play. We are also unbeaten at home this year and the win percentage has been high. Long may that continue!”

For further information or a no obligation demonstration, please contact Dennis 01332 824 777 or visit www.dennisuk.com

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Dennis on Twitter and Instagram @DennisMowers and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/DennisMowersUK You can also view the latest Dennis videos by visiting www.youtube.com/DennisMowers

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