Help for housebuilders

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Help for housebuilders: The majority of the housebuilding industry has downed tools during the government’s ‘lockdown’ including the UK’s biggest builders, Barratt, Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey.

These giants of the industry remain active however in lobbying government to bring in measures post Covid-19 to help the industry recover as quickly as possible.

Help for housebuilders

Help for housebuilders

Prior to lockdown, Terrain Aeration was playing its own small part in supporting the leading housebuilders with its unique deep aeration treatment of gardens in new build developments. Picture a piece of flat land being prepared for the erection of dozens of houses and you’ll see diggers and dumper trucks, deliveries of raw materials, concrete mixers, bulldozers and brick lorries crisscrossing the site. All of which does a very good job of compacting the ground which may already have a sub-soil layer of rubble, old bricks and general landfill waste. Fine for building on so long as it provides a stable base but not so fine when it comes to setting out the gardens for each property.

Providing drainage systems for back gardens in new build properties is usually a prohibitively costly and unnecessary expense for the builder. The problem is, in a relatively short period and particularly when heavy rains occur, it becomes evident there’s nowhere for the standing water to go, the ground being so compacted. Normal aeration of a newly-laid lawn will have little or no effect, penetrating only a few inches into the heavily compacted area under the topsoil. Terrain Aeration has worked with the builders for many years resolving the problem with their deep penetration aeration system. The company’s range of machines is designed for use from open spaces to tight-entranced, enclosed gardens.

The Terrain Aeration machine hammers a hollow probe one metre into the soil using a JCB road breaker gun (this is needed because the ground is so compact at depth that it needs this hammer to break through).  Once the probe has reached one-metre depth, compressed air is released up to a maximum of 20Bar (280psi). The Terrain Aeration machines are the only ones using such high air pressure, which is needed to fracture and fissure the soil. The probe is withdrawn and the process repeated using spacings on a staggered grid pattern – this means that each shot interconnects with the previous ones. On the tail end of the air blast, dried seaweed is injected which sticks to the walls of the fractures and fissures and, over time, expands and contracts with the moisture content in the soil – similar to “breathing” underground.   The 1½” probe holes created by the Terrain Aeration machine are backfilled with aggregate to provide a semi-permanent aeration/ventilation shaft, helping to keep the whole aeration process working. Terrain Aeration is already set to work with the housebuilders once again, as soon as the current restrictions are lifted, and to contribute to getting the housing market back on track.

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Todmorden CC pay NHS tribute

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Todmorden CC pay NHS tribute: Todmorden Cricket Club have paid tribute to the NHS by cutting its logo onto their pitch.

Former club president and groundsman Nevil Sutcliffe said: “It’s just a bit of a tribute from us.

“It took me a couple of hours Monday morning, half-an-hour on Sunday working out what to do.

“The response has been incredible, crackers. It’s gone viral as they say.

“It’s doing the rounds on Twitter and locally on Facebook.”

Click here to read the original article

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Avant UK turns 21!

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Avant UK turns 21!: Avant Tecno (UK), the Norfolk-based subsidiary of Finnish compact loader manufacturer Avant Tecno, is celebrating 21 years of service on 23rd April 2020 with some exciting new announcements for their loyal UK customers.

In celebration of their 21st birthday this year, Avant have added their most powerful machine to their 8 series range – the Avant 860i Stage V. The largest of the Avant loaders, although still compact, it benefits from a greater lifting capacity of 1,900 kg, a greater reach of 3.5m, and a turbocharged Kohler KDI 1903 TCR 42 kW/57 hp diesel engine. The machine also complies with the latest emissions regulations and boasts many additional features to previous models, including an improved GT cabin with better visibility and usability, in addition to the best ergonomics in its class.

Avant UK turns 21!

Avant UK turns 21!

Also in recognition of 21 years of service in the UK, Avant are offering all of their customers a 3 year or 3,000 hour hassle free warranty with any new machine purchased in 2020. This also has the option to be extended to a 5-year warranty, particularly suited to those who purchase their products as part of a 5-year finance package. These warranties are in recognition of Avant’s confidence in the reliability and longevity of their machines, ensuring peace of mind for any new purchases made by their customers.

Since its launch in the UK, the Avant team has grown to 9 people and has sold in excess of 5,000 loaders through their network of 16 regional dealers, providing the UK with almost 30 sales points. With a product range of 8 model series and more than 200 different attachments, no other manufacturer offers the range of compact loaders and attachments that Avant do.

Based in Bridgham in rural Norfolk, Avant set up their permanent UK base in 1999 offering a full service inclusive of sales and marketing to servicing and repairs to show their full commitment to the UK market.

Managing Director, Raimo Ala-Korpi, says: 
“We wanted to mark our 21st birthday here in the UK by giving something back to our loyal customer family who have supported Avant over the years. Our team in Finland designed the 800 series in answer to customer demand for a more powerful loader yet still remaining versatile and compact. The first 860i loader was delivered to the UK last month and we have already pre-sold more than 20 of these models to both new and existing customers in a variety of industries such as farming and agriculture, landscaping, construction and equestrian to name but a few. Our extended warranty, which is across our whole range of machines, shows our faith in our product when it comes to performance and lifespan, and our ongoing commitment to our service”.

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A statement from Geoff Webb

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A statement from Geoff Webb: Continuing to support our members during the Covid-19 outbreak, a statement from Geoff Webb, CEO at Grounds Management Association (GMA)

Over the course of the month, Grounds Management Association has continued to network with sports bodies and government to provide the latest guidance for the sector. Our primary focus always remains the safety, as well as the physical and mental wellbeing of anyone and everyone working in the industry.

A statement from Geoff Webb

A statement from Geoff Webb

Each working situation and environment during this challenging time is a case-by-case scenario. We have been able to get clarity from government that, for those where working from home is not possible – the case for much of those in our industry, then it is possible to resume work. However, this can only happen if you feel well and that it deemed safe (by your employer) for you to do so.

Government advice is changing rapidly, and we urge staff and employers to monitor the latest guidance daily. If you have any questions, contact your employer or sports body who can provide the most relevant information for your work and sector. We have produced a set of ‘safe working’ top tips for employers, relevant specifically to our sector.

We applaud the incredible key workers across the nation, as well as the those working hard to maintain the sports surfaces and green spaces that will return to being used and loved once safe to do so. We must continue to work together responsibly to play our part in slowing down the spread of Covid-19.

Our industry is crucial for sports and recreational activities, which provide positive physical and mental health benefits for many across the country. As a result, we hope that the role of grounds staff will be recognised and respected even more so going forwards.

Grounds Management Association (GMA) has also issued top tips to encourage best practice, for employers and managers in the grounds care industry.

Monitor official guidance daily

With the situation evolving daily, it’s worth keeping up-to-date with latest Government guidance online and the daily press statements to inform your decisions as an employer. If you’re self-employed, use the guidance to assess how you will personally work on the site.

Communicate regularly

With social-distancing taking place, it’s important to keep workers updated on the actions being taken to reduce risks of exposure to coronavirus (COVID-19) in the workplace. Ensure you have everyone’s up-to-date contact details, as well as any emergency contact details.

Provide clear, specific working guidelines

Those in vulnerable groups will require additional details on working guidelines for their personal situation, and if they are deemed extremely vulnerable they should be shielded and supported to stay at home. Create a safe-working plan that outlines the do’s and don’ts based on your specific working environment. For example, this may include asking only one employee to use a room or facility at a time and providing signs in the relevant areas.

Maintain excellent hygiene standards

It’s important to have strict standards and make sure there are suitable facilities for everyone to wash hands regularly for 20 seconds, with soap and water. Provide alcohol-based sanitiser for hands and to wipe down machinery. Provide tissues for staff to use, which must be disposed of afterwards.

Encourage responsible working at all times

Look out for others and those working around you. Make sure managers and colleagues know the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) and are clear on your process. For example, reporting the sickness, the support available, and what do to if someone at the workplace becomes unwell. Keep a safe distance apart at all times.

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Toro give $500,000 to Coronavirus efforts

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Toro give $500,000 to Coronavirus efforts: The Toro Company (Parent company of Hayter Limited) yesterday announced that it is giving $500,000 to assist families and communities worldwide that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grant funding from the Toro Foundation will span all regions where The Toro Company operates, and will focus on providing food, health and humanitarian assistance to helping people adversely impacted.

Toro give $500,000 to Coronavirus efforts

Toro give $500,000 to Coronavirus efforts

“Supporting our customers and communities is an important part of our culture and core to who we are as a company,” said Rick Olson, chairman and chief executive officer of The Toro Company. “Now more than ever, it is critical that we come together to respond to the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19 and to support those most vulnerable in our communities.”

The contributions include commitments to several global nonprofits that are assisting in the relief efforts. This includes the American Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross, Feeding America, the World Food Program, the United Way Worldwide, and United Way organizations in communities where The Toro Company’s employees live and work.

An additional element of the global giving effort includes a special program for its employees who wish to personally give to designated COVID-19 relief organizations. Under the program, The Toro Company will match employee contributions to a nonprofit organization of their choice in support of relief efforts.

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