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Ilkley Town back up and running

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Ilkley Town back up and running: Ilkley Town AFC is back up and running in the wake of flooding by Storm Ciara.

“We’re very pleased to be back up and running again,” said Richard Giles, chairman of Ilkley Town. “When Storm Ciara hit, the river burst its banks and came on to the pitch.”

Since then, 20 teams of players and coaches across the whole of the football club have been unable to train or play games for the last two-and-a-half weeks.

Ilkley’s first team, who play on the all-weather pitch at Ben Rhydding Sports Club, have relied on the help of at least 50 volunteers to bring the playing facilities back into use again.

“We’ve brushed and disinfected the pitch,” said Giles. “We’ve worked hard on it, and have had a lot of volunteers to come and help. We’ve had a great response from the community, and players, parents and coaches have all volunteered their time.”

When asked if the floods had disrupted the improvements Ilkley Town need to carry out to upgrade their facilities in case of possible promotion, Giles said: “It’s distracted us, but even during the flooding from Storm Ciara the decorator was inside the pavilion refurbishing the changing room while the flooding was happening. It’s built up higher than the pitch, so it looked like it was in the middle of a lake.”

The hard work by the volunteers has meant for the first time since Storm Ciara, Ilkley’s first team will be able to train in preparation for this Saturday’s West Yorkshire League Cup match against Carlton Athletic. Kick-off is 2pm at Ben Rhydding Sports Club.

With their last two games called off because of the weather, Giles said: “The players will be a bit rusty as they get back to match sharpness. However, every other team will be the same boat.”

Giles said Ilkley Town are just one of the teams who use the facilities at Ben Rhydding Sports Club affected by the flooding.

“The Ben Rhydding hockey pitch had been under water and the groundsman at Ben Rhydding Cricket Club has been working hard to get the pitch back into shape.”

He added that two grass 11-a-side pitches and three mini pitches used by Ilkley Town’s junior teams seem to be okay despite the flooding.

“They’re not too bad,” said Giles. “Once the river goes down, they drain well.”

Giles said the flooding caused by Storm Ciara is rare, and he said the only time he had seen anything like it was Boxing Day 2015. He also said the end of March last year was pretty bad as well.

“It has flooded four out of the last five years after not having flooded before that,” said Giles. “We’re just crossing our fingers that the worse is behind us.”

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New training from BASIS and STRI

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New training from BASIS and STRI: BASIS and the STRI have joined forces to provide a new modular training course that will help greenkeepers, groundsmen and amenity contractors to protect the environments in which they work.

At a time when climate change is high on the agenda, the Managing Ecological and Environmental Landscapes (MEEL) qualification is designed for professionals involved in enhancing the ecological and environmental features of the landscape from a golf or amenity perspective.

New training from BASIS and STRI

Speaking at the launch at BTME, Stephen Jacob, BASIS CEO, said the new qualification will provide a core module, followed by a choice of specialisms, one for greenkeepers, and the other for professionals managing municipal landscapes.

“The golf specialism will focus on an integrated approach to habitat management, regeneration and creation, all which the sports turf sector already recognises as vital to achieving environmental sustainability while continuing to maximise the enjoyment of golf,” he said.

“The amenity specialism is geared towards professionals involved in creating management plans for enhancing environmental features of the landscape such as woodlands, wetlands and hedgerows.

“We’re delighted to provide candidates with the opportunity to further increase knowledge and understanding of their specific role, to provide the highest quality landscapes, while playing a key part in protecting the environment,” Stephen added.

The course has been developed with the STRI over the last two years, taking industry feedback into account to ensure each module is tailored to the particular needs of greenkeepers or groundsmen and amenity contractors.

Commenting on the training structure, Dr Christian Spring, STRI research and operations manager said, over four days the course will be delivered by a team of experts at the STRI, and will combine classroom and practical learning sessions.

“This new qualification is a fantastic opportunity for those working in the amenity industry to take the next step in their career, and we look forward to the first intake later this year,” concluded Christian.

The first course is set to commence in autumn 2020, with further dates to follow. For information on dates and timings please visit https://www.basis-reg.co.uk/training or contact 01335 343945.

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TMSystem™ and INFINICUT® at BTME

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TMSystem™ and INFINICUT® at BTME: With changes in pesticide legislation having an ever-deepening effect on sports turf quality, Turf Mangers are having to carefully consider the role of mechanical maintenance in delivering a proactive plant health strategy.

The UltraGroomer™ cassette from the renowned TMSystem™ collection is specifically designed to provide a healthier turf environment by preventing the accumulation of thatch. Visitors can find out more about this, alongside the award-winning INFINICUT® range, on stand Red 253 at BTME 2020.

TMSystem™ and INFINICUT® at BTME

A thatchy surface that is moisture retentive not only reduces the movement of oxygen and nutrients, it also provides an ideal environment to harbour pathogens. The UltraGroomer™ cassette features over 80 tungsten carbide tipped blades, spaced at 5mm apart, to reduce Poa ingress, minimise puffiness and prevent the build-up of organic matter. By improving the plants immediate environment, it becomes more difficult for disease pathogens to take hold.

The UltraGroomer™ can also be effectively used in conjunction with other cassettes from the TMSystem™ range, particularly the SMARTVibe™ to increase greens speed. During the winter months, when the plant is at its most vulnerable, the SMARTVibe™ can be employed as an alternative to mowing to reduce plant stress. Vibratory rolling can smooth the greens surface and quicken play without cutting, eliminating passes of heavy pieces of equipment which in turn, lowers the risk of compaction.

The TMSystem™ is available to fit OEM triplex and light fairway machines, as well as being an integral part of the Cub Cadet INFINICUT® mower. Also playing its part in the fight against disease, the INFINICUT® range features a number of parameters that can be adjusted to deliver an unparalleled quality of cut, no matter the time of year or conditions encountered at the given time. The INFINICUT® cylinder mower range spans 22”/26”/30” and 34” working widths, and floating or fixed head variants, together with the recently launched SM34 Rotary Mower.

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STRI and Surface Performance form testing alliance

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STRI and Surface Performance form testing alliance: STRI Group has struck an alliance with international turf testing house Surface Performance Ltd.

The global sports solutions provider has engaged with Surface Performance to work together providing sports surface design and testing services for artificial sports surfaces.

 

This collaboration is uniquely placed to combine the highest standard of international and regional expertise to improve artificial sports surfaces at all levels of facility to clients across the globe.

STRI and Surface Performance have worked extensively with major sports governing bodies and organisations. STRI delivered pitch consultancy for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Wimbledon Championships and UEFA, while Surface Performance provides accredited testing and certification for FIFA, World Rugby, FA and ITF standards.

The agreement will support the delivery of range of innovative testing products and data-driven services, including STRI’s new sports surface performance tracker – TurfSync.

Celebrating its 90th birthday this year, STRI has reinforced its position as market leader in the sports surface industry. Significant investments have been made, including the development of research facilities in Australia and Qatar and the launch of design and consultancy hubs in China, Hong Kong and the Middle East.

Established in 2012, Surface Performance have grown to be one of the market leaders in synthetic sports facilities testing, with their head office and laboratory located in London, UK.

STRI head of business development, Andrew Brooker, said: “The agreement ensures our respective businesses can provide a well-rounded service to our existing and future clients. We are pleased to be working with Surface Performance to be able to deliver both services to the global sports surface market.”

Surface Performance director, Callum Reid, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for our team to work alongside STRI throughout the UK and globally. With more and more venues now offering both natural turf and synthetic fields, having the two companies working in parallel makes complete commercial sense.”

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AMIA and Exeter City to host demo day

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AMIA and Exeter City to host demo day: Agri Market Insight & Access based in Devon, are the exclusive distributors for the UK and Ireland of Selvatici Amenity Machinery.

The range of machinery offered by Italian Manufacturer Selvatici includes the Aeroking Vertical Drainage Aerators and the Sandqueen Sand Dispensers. On the 31st October 2019 AMIA, in partnership with Exeter City Football Club, are holding a Demonstration Day for the Selvatici Aeroking Aerators on the pitch at St. James Park Stadium

AMIA and Exeter City to host demo day

Exeter City FC’s Head Groundsman Clive Pring says “We have worked with AMIA for the last couple of seasons and used the machinery they have kindly leant to us as part of our partnership. It is always good to support those who support us, and we are delighted that Alan and the AMIA team can showcase their latest product with us at St. James Park”

Selvatici have been manufacturing in Italy for over 100 years near Bologna.  They have been manufacturing Professional Vertical Drainage Aerators for several decades which are now re-entering the UK and Irish markets after originally selling a number of units during the 90s and early 2000s.  Since then there have been a lot of innovations and improvements to the machines such as a new and more robust gearbox, completely renewed bodywork and a double lever for the front roller which ensures an easier lift.

The AMIA Selvatici Product Specialist Beth Williams-Nichols says “Selvatici’s range of Aeroking Vertical Drainage Aerators can be seen working at the majority of SERIE A Football Clubs in Italy due to their excellent performance and reliability’.

Selvatici manufacture 9 different models of the Aeroking Vertical Drainage Aerator ranging in sizes from a working width of 1.2m up to 2.5m with a good variety of additional extras such as self-levelling conveyors for cores when having used a hollow tine option.

Giulia Dal Fiume from Selvatici says “We are delighted to be re-entering the UK and Irish Markets as we believe our machines are a great option for groundcare professionals”

The Selvatici Aeroking 300.50 which will be demonstrated on the day features;

  • A lever-shift 3 speed gearbox
  • Front roller with water ballast for depth adjustment
  • Patented toolpath guiding system that limits the thrust on the edges of the holes
  • A working width of 1.2m
  • 2 different tine options (golf green and golf fairways)
  • Weight 510kg (approx)

As well as the Aeroking Aerators, Selvatici manufacture the professional trailed and self-propelled Sandqueen Sandspreader range. The Sandqueen Spreaders come in 4 different sizes and come with a number of attractive features and benefits.  Selvatici also manufacture Hydraulically and PTO driven Post Hole Augers.

AMIA are also the exclusive UK and Ireland distributors of the GL&D range of professional woodchippers.  The range includes Trailed Woodchippers which feature a unique Turntable design to allow for easy use without having to get into difficult positions.  There are also 3pt linkage models to suit all requirements as well as a range of Self Propelled Woodchippers which feature 2 engines with the first engine being to drive the machine and the second one to power the actual Woodchipper.

For more information about the Selvatici range and AMIA go to www.agrimarketia.com email beth@agrimarketia.com or call 01363 82928

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