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Wildflower Project Makes The Grade

August 29, 2018/in News, Press Release/by Michelle Beck

Wildflower Project Makes The Grade: Brunel House in Bristol has recently undergone an ecologically friendly landscaping project, with urban biodiversity at the forefront of the project. Formally offices and now a new Unite Students property, Brunel House in Bristol will house 246 students who will enjoy a landscape that offers an urban habitat for insects, bats, […]

New H&S Guidelines May Save Lives

August 28, 2018/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

New H&S Guidelines May Save Lives: An updated set of health and safety guidelines aimed at turf professionals ‘could save lives’ in the wake of a major review. The Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC) has launched a free-to-use web-based platform created by the Xact Group that aims to ensure golf club employers understand their roles and responsibilities towards […]

Wildflower Project Makes The Grade

August 29, 2018/in News, Press Release/by Michelle Beck

New H&S Guidelines May Save Lives

August 28, 2018/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Wildflower Project Makes The Grade

August 29, 2018/in News, Press Release/by Michelle Beck

Wildflower Project Makes The Grade: Brunel House in Bristol has recently undergone an ecologically friendly landscaping project, with urban biodiversity at the forefront of the project.

Formally offices and now a new Unite Students property, Brunel House in Bristol will house 246 students who will enjoy a landscape that offers an urban habitat for insects, bats, swifts and other wildlife.

Key to the central landscaping design of this new development is the incorporation of a wildflower meadow, supplied by Wildflower Turf Ltd at the request of construction specialists the RG Group.

Following the RG Group’s winning submission at the 2017 CIRIA BIG Biodiversity Challenge Awards, award sponsors Wildflower Turf Ltd were contacted by Sustainability Consultant Colorado Goldwyn with a view of utilising the RG Group’s prize to enhance the Brunel House project.

As well as donating 200m² of Wildflower Turf Landscape Turf, the Hampshire-based wildflower experts also assisted the project with specialist consultancy, recommended and supplied additional turf to meet the project’s requirements, and provided Accredited Partner training to the project team.

Colorado Goldwyn of EQ Consultancy said, “The combination of Wildflower Turf Landscape Turf and Species Rich Lawn Turf has pulled the landscaping scheme together beautifully and allowed for a flow of biodiversity throughout the differing levels of the landscape design.”

The wildflower-led landscaping initiative has focussed on assisting rare invertebrates such as the rare Carrot Mining Bee and Small Blue Butterfly. Additionally, and in collaboration with the RSPB, a number of other recommended ecological initiatives were also defined and adopted as part of the landscaping design.

As well as providing an aesthetically pleasing landscape for the incoming student population, local wildlife habitats have been protected, with the project on track to receive an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating.

James Hewetson-Brown, Managing Director at Wildflower Turf Ltd said “The ecological prosperity that a wildflower meadow can bring cannot be understated, and urban biodiversity projects such as this stretch widely to encompass both social and health benefits.”

Hewetson-Brown continued, “It is anticipated that the local student population will benefit, not only from the beautifully landscaped areas that will promote wellbeing and social interaction, but by gaining a sense of responsibility as they become interested in, and involved with, the protection of local wildlife.”

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New H&S Guidelines May Save Lives

August 28, 2018/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

New H&S Guidelines May Save Lives: An updated set of health and safety guidelines aimed at turf professionals ‘could save lives’ in the wake of a major review.

The Greenkeepers Training Committee (GTC) has launched a free-to-use web-based platform created by the Xact Group that aims to ensure golf club employers understand their roles and responsibilities towards health and safety with regard to golf course maintenance.

In 2017, the GTC’s Board of Directors commissioned a review of the highly-acclaimed Health and Safety Guidance Notes and the committee is pleased to announce the release of the updated guidelines.

The GTC first worked together with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in 1994 to produce the first edition of the Health and Safety in Golf Course Management and Maintenance booklet. By 2000, the health and safety consultants to the GTC, Jon Allbutt and John Davies, were commissioned to review the materials, in line with the many changes in legislation that were happening at that time.

While much of the guidance and best practice was still relevant, the GTC felt it appropriate to review and update and refresh the look and accessibility of the guidance notes.

The GTC consulted with Chris Hammond, health and safety director at The Xact Group, to build on what has been produced before and help to design and implement a web-based platform. The Xact Group work with BIGGA, England Golf, Scottish Golf and Wales Golf in the build and support of their health and safety online systems and provision of additional onsite health and safety and human resources services to member clubs.

GTC Chairman Alistair Booth said: “The aim of the newly-published guidance notes has been to give anyone at a golf club, or associated with a golf club, an overview of their roles and responsibilities towards health and safety and best practice. They have been moved to a web-based platform, making them easier for everyone to access.

“With increasingly-complex machinery and other tools being used on golf courses, these guidelines are hugely important in ensuring all involved in the management of a golf club understand their specific responsibility in keeping staff and golfers safe. As such, if these new guidelines are followed correctly, they could save lives or at least reduce the risk of serious incidents taking place around the golf course environment.”

The web-based platform is packed full of information and guidance on all aspects of golf course management and maintenance, covering areas such as: roles and responsibilities; legislation; greenkeeping safety; events; clubhouse management; establishing a health and safety management system.

The new website can be accessed by visiting the GTC’s website and clicking on the Health & Safety link. Visitors who require further guidance, such as risk assessments and template documentation, can consult their relevant full guidance Health & Safety website, such as BIGGA, England Golf, Scottish Golf or Wales Golf.

The GTC Work Equipment – Record of Training and Competencies wallchart has been a feature in greenkeeping facilities for a number of years. The wallchart is used to aid with the recording of staff training and competence and will continue to be a useful tool. The wallchart can be purchased from the GTC shop online.

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Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Wildflower Project Makes The Grade

New H&S Guidelines May Save Lives

Wildflower Project Makes The Grade

New H&S Guidelines May Save Lives

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Wildflower Project Makes The Grade

New H&S Guidelines May Save Lives

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