Amenity Forum’s updating events

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Amenity Forum’s updating events: 2020 is set to be a year of much challenge and change for all operating across the important and diverse amenity sector. This is especially true for all aspects of amenity management and especially in terms of weeds, pests and disease.

The Government are conducting a full review of the National Action Plan which sets requirements and targets for the sector in terms of achieving best practice. There is also set to be a full review of pesticide policy and increased pressures for a planned integrated approach. Government plans set challenging targets for the environment and climate change.

Amenity Forum's updating events

The Amenity Forum is once again hosting a series of free half day Updating events across the UK aimed at all those involved in or with an interest in amenity management. Full details and locations can be obtained by emailing admin@amenityforum.net Pre-registration is requested for catering and administrative purposes.

Once again, a representative from the Chemicals Regulations Division of HSE will update delegates on policy issues and this will be followed by a presentation from the Forum Chairman on current initiatives in the sector and how we should best respond to policy and related changes. There will also be a networking opportunity focussing on how the sector might best communicate to the public and key stakeholders on the nature and importance of its work.

At each event a guest speaker will then provide his or her views to the title of ‘Integrated Management in practice’. The event will conclude with a presentation from the host organisation.
These events are possible thanks to generous support from Weedfree, a valued member of the Forum. Also, each event is hosted by an individual member for which the Forum is very grateful
Professor John Moverley OBE, Independent Chairman of the Forum, said ‘As I often say, what happens in amenity management impacts upon every UK citizen every day seeking to provide safe and healthy spaces fit for purpose. Our Updating event is always popular but this year is set to be more than ever. There is much change around and how we address this will be vital’

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About COMPO EXPERT

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About COMPO EXPERT: COMPO EXPERT, is a multi-national Fertiliser manufacturer with 700 employees world wide. We manufacture all of our products from raw materials and we are the market leaders in speciality fertiliser manufacture in Europe.

We have unique industry leading products like our surfactants; Kick & Kick LDS. Our SRF Floranid Twin range is unrivalled and utilizes the three forms of synthetic Nitrogen, providing an activity index of 95%. We also have our leading DMPP biological coating technology that stabilizes Nitrogen to an industry leading release pattern of eight weeks. Our. renowned Turf Research and Development facility is based in Wolbeck, near Munster and the state of the art factory is located in Krefeld near Dusseldorf, making COMPO EXPERT the leader in Turf throughout Europe.

About COMPO EXPERT

This factory is the only one of its kind to be to be able to manufacture the three synthetic forms of Nitrogen; Methylene Urea. Isodur and Crotodur. Chemistry is at the heart of COMPO EXPERT manufacturing and we are proud that we sell the finest ‘Conservation Fertilisers’ in the Turf market.

All our products have a high activity index, low salt concentration, low volatisation and leaching, with good agronomic safety. The full product range includes innovative slow-release, special minerals, coated, nutrient salts, liquids, trace elements and soil treatments.

If your SRF Fertiliser does not have an Activity Index of 95%, then be responsible and talk to COMPO EXPERT. Our 25Kg bags contain 25Kg of chemistry: no fillers, padders, inert material or bulking products. Use the best, reduce application rates and talk to COMPO EXPERT at Blue Zone stand No 143.

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Toro prevails at Brett Vale

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Toro prevails at Brett Vale: With its third Toro package deal, Brett Vale Golf Club has invested in both purchase and lease Toro machines due to their exceptional durability.

Newly appointed head greenkeeper Tony Barker has great things in mind for Brett Vale Golf Club in Suffolk, and after seeing the machinery already at the course in action it made sense to further invest in Toro to continue the good work, he says.

Toro prevails at Brett Vale

“I started nine months ago at the same time the last Toro fleet deal had come to an end,” he says. “So my first big task was to look into the options available when it came to signing another machinery deal.

“I did look at the alternatives, but nothing could beat the way Toro worked on the terrain here. In fact, new machines from other brands didn’t perform as well as the Toro machines we’d had for five years already! Our location means we have a lot of steep hills that take a lot of power to climb up and the machines from other brands didn’t have the power to manage the steep terrain, whereas the old and new Toro machines did.”

After Toro came out on top at the demonstration, it was clear to Tony the way forward was to expand the club’s Toro fleet, achieved by purchasing a mix of the machines from its last deal as well as bringing in new additions.

“Toro machines are more durable than most competitor brands, without a doubt,” he says. “So it made sense to purchase some of the machines already at the club which had been, and still are, doing great work. But I wanted to expand the fleet too, to help progress the club and course further and improve on the already high standards. Having a comprehensive Toro fleet is a fundamental part of this progression, and credit must go to the club owner Chris Waters whose investment has enabled us to make this progression.”

And it’s an impressive fleet that has been created, with a Reelmaster 6700-D, Groundsmaster 4700-D, three Greensmaster Flex 2120 pedestrian mowers, a Multi Pro WM Sprayer, a TYM T293 and more purchased at the end of the lease from the previous fleet, with a ProCore 648, two Greensmaster TriFlex Hybrid 3420s, a Groundsmaster 4500-D and a Workman HDX-D added to continue the good work.

“The Groundsmaster 4500-D that we purchased for the roughs is probably my new favourite,” says Tony. “It’s doing a great job already and really proving itself. In fact all the machines are. The playing surface has definitely improved already because of the quality of cut and the whole team is loving using Toro across the course.”

Set within a vale designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, the 137 acre parkland course at Brett Vale makes for one of the most idyllic courses in Suffolk. With the club’s relationship with Toro and Reesink Turfcare, its official UK distributor continuing, the course looks set to keep improving.

Tony concludes: “At the end of the day, Toro provides durable and high quality machines that give us real results – so why would I change that?”

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Tributes to JCB employee

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Tributes to JCB employee: Tributes have been paid to a former JCB employee who joined the company as a teaboy and rose through the ranks to become a director.

Bill Hirst MBE – who was the third person recruited by JCB in 1947 – passed away last night (Sunday, January 5th) at the age of 86.

Tributes to JCB employee

Today JCB Chairman Lord Bamford led the tributes to the man who joined JCB as the company was in its infancy. Lord Bamford said: “Bill and his generation helped my father to build a company which became a real force in the world of construction equipment.  Bill was very proud to have worked for JCB and will be remembered by many, many people from the early days of the company. I’d like to offer my condolences to Bill’s wife Jean and all her family at this very sad time.”

Bill, the fourth of eight children, joined JCB as a 14-year-old tea boy when he left St Joseph’s School in Uttoxeter, where he had been Head Boy.

He was recruited on a salary of £1 a week when the company was based at stables at Crakemarsh, three miles down the road from JCB’s World Headquarters at Rocester.

And it was Bill who was instrumental in the relocation to Rocester in 1950 to the site of a former cheese factory. Bill knew JCB Founder Joseph Cyril Bamford was searching for a new location for a factory and suggested the Rocester site – because it was closer to home and meant he could spend an extra 10 minutes in bed each morning.

Tributes to JCB employee

Bill started his National Service in 1951 as was posted as a Royal Military Policeman to Kenya, returning to JCB two years later.  He married his wife Jean in 1955 and the couple had four children.

On his return to JCB, Bill completed 10 years as welding foreman, five in research and then joined the service and spares department at Rocester as service engineer, later becoming Warranty and Final Inspection Manager. He was awarded the MBE for services to export in the New Year’s Honours List of 1975 and became Technical Services Director in 1981. Bill Retired in 1991. He was a staunch supporter of the Royal British Legion and served as President of the Uttoxeter branch in retirement.

Speaking on JCB’s 65th anniversary in 2010, Bill said: “I am proud to have been part of JCB – it’s been my life.”

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STIHL return to BTME

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STIHL return to BTME: After a successful debut, STIHL will be returning to BTME 2020 to showcase its full range of groundscare products, including its range of high performance professional lawn mowers, as well as its latest chainsaws.

Taking centre stage will be STIHL’s new RMA 765 V PRO mower, which is the latest addition to STIHL’s expanding range of high-performance professional models. Packed with innovative features, the new cordless mower is designed with a 63cm aluminium twin blade cutting deck, height adjustable front wheels for zero turn, and an electric ground speed control. In addition, the solid mono handlebar ensures users can empty the tough fabric 80-litre grass catcher box with ease.

STIHL return to BTME

The extended range of STIHL’s professional lawn mowers will also be on display, including the RM 765 YC, the RM 655 RS rear roller mower and the RM 4 RTP mulching mower. All created for professional use on larger areas, each mower within the collection is built for maximum durability and comfort for prolonged use.

Visitors to the stand will be able to see up close the new MS 400 C-M, the world’s first chainsaw with a magnesium piston. The new chainsaw has been designed with professionals in mind, offering the highest maximum speed (14,000 rpm) in the 60cm3 -class. The new 66.8cc 2-MIX engine has more displacement, providing both more power and torque than the MS 362C-M, as well as rapid acceleration.

STIHL’s MSA 220 C-B will also be on display, the most powerful cordless chainsaw in the STIHL range. Powered by a 36 V Lithium-Ion battery, the new saw comes as standard with the STIHL exclusive 3/8” Picco Super 3 (PS3) full chisel saw chain with a guide bar length of 35cm/14”. The powerful MSA 220 C-B makes quick work of any task and guarantees consistently high-quality cutting performance, regardless of the battery charge level.

Completing the groundscare range showcase is the new STIHL BR 800 C-E, the latest addition to its range of innovative and high-performance blowers. Producing an impressive blowing force of 41N, the 80cc STIHL 4-MIX® engine runs on a fuel-oil mix just like a 2-stroke model and offers the benefits without the compromises of 4-stroke power. The STIHL 4-MIX® engine provides fast acceleration, more power, added torque, and lower noise during operation to complete jobs quickly and more easily. In addition, the engine offers reduced emissions and increased fuel efficiency.

To make getting up and running even easier, the BR 800 C-E is designed with a convenient starting system featured on the side of the machine, allowing users to start the blower while wearing it. The simplified starting system also features an automatic choke reset and a switch position on the control handle that is always ‘ON’, ensuring that the professional user can start the BR 800 C-E with ease.

For more information on STIHL’s professional groundscare range and latest chainsaws, be sure to visit stand Blue 165 at BTME on 21st – 23rd January 2020, or visit www.stihl.co.uk.

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