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A glimpse into the future at Dennis and SISIS Seminar

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A glimpse into the future at Dennis and SISIS Seminar: Dennis and SISIS recently hosted their popular cricket pitch maintenance seminar where 200 delegates had the opportunity to enhance their understanding of future hopes, needs and goals.

Hosted at St Albans School Woollam Trust, the seminar was designed to help attendees plan and adapt their maintenance programmes in an ever-changing environment. It brought together an audience consisting of cricket groundspersons representing grass roots, contractors, schools, local clubs, and international test venues.

A glimpse into the future at Dennis and SISIS Seminar

A glimpse into the future at Dennis and SISIS Seminar

Following an introduction by Howardson Group Area Sales Manager Robert Jack, Met Office Presenter Aidan McGivern produced a theoretical weather forecast for 2050 and revealed what conditions we could expect to see in the UK if global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise. By showing what the weather could look like by 2050 at certain times of year, Aidan helped delegates relate to how different their experiences might be under a changing climate.

In the next section of the seminar Tony Hanson (Environmental Solutions International), Andrew House (Environment Agency), and George Warren (Anglian Water) utilised their wealth of experience to offer invaluable advice on how to reduce the impact of water restrictions on sports surfaces.

Turf Consultant Alex Vickers then delivered a presentation on the topic of rootzones in a changing climate. As ever, Alex entertained the audience while explaining this important subject in a relatable way.

Christian Spring, Principal Scientist at the STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute), was up next to explore the potential pests and diseases groundspersons can expect to encounter in the future.

The halfway point provided delegates with a complimentary lunch and a chance to speak to seminar sponsors – Cricketworld.com, Stuart Canvas, SIS Pitches, DLF and MM Seeds, RT Machinery, Boughton Loam, Grounds Training, Mansfield Sand, Origin Amenity Solutions, Turf Tank, White Horse Contractors and Turf Matters.

As the audience settled back down, Dr Iain James, Head of Facilities Services for the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board), took to the stage to discuss what sustainability means for grass roots clubs. Karl McDermott, Head Groundsperson at Lords, and Vic Demain, Head Groundsperson at Durham CCC, then proceeded to investigate the difference in cricket pitch preparations between the north and south.

The day concluded with a Q&A session in which attendees could ask the expert speakers for advice about their own projects or any issues that they may have.

Commenting on the seminar, Nick Lockhart, Cricket Professional/Head of Grounds at Felsted School said: “It was informative, thought-provoking, and of great interest. It has given me a lot of things to think about for the future, in terms of climate change, irrigation and pest control. There is no doubt that this seminar will have helped a lot of people today.”

As well as soaking up the education, Andy Moody from Moody Grounds Maintenance felt it was a great networking opportunity. “Over the years I have been to a few of these Dennis and SISIS events and I always encourage the people that work for me to come along as well. Sometimes we can be very lonesome people in the grounds maintenance industry, so days like this are a great opportunity to meet other likeminded people.”

There was one presentation, which struck a chord with Christian Brain, Head of Grounds at Cheltenham College: “The speakers were brilliant and there were some really good topics which gave us a look into the future to find out what is coming our way. Looking at water issues going forward was particularly beneficial for me. The site we’re on doesn’t have a great deal of irrigation, so that is a real concern. Therefore, looking at what we can potentially do going forward to try and solve those issues, was a real highlight for me.”

Turf Consultant Keith Kent said: “I’ve come to the seminar today because I have always found the Dennis and SISIS events to be so good. I’m working at Loughborough University at the moment and I’m carrying out some cricket pitch maintenance, which is something I have never done before after spending my entire career in football and rugby. There have been some entertaining and stimulating speeches today and it has been well worth the journey.”

A vide of the day can be viewed – https://youtu.be/QggZT7aXl-o

Further information about the range of maintenance products available can be found by visiting www.dennisuk.com / www.sisis.com.

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

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Retail area announced at GroundsFest

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Retail area announced at GroundsFest: Organisers of GroundsFest have announced a retail area – the largest ever seen at a groundscare event. This will allow visitors to purchase a wide range of products, tools, clothing, and accessories at a discounted rate.

The retail area is being organised by FR Jones and Son, a family run business that offers over 10,000 groundscare and arboriculture products from over 100 leading brands.

Retail area announced at GroundsFest

Retail area announced at GroundsFest

Commenting on the retail area, GroundsFest’s Sales Director Charles Neale said: “We know from our research that this retail area will be very popular with attendees. FR Jones and Son have an extremely large following and the area will attract thousands of groundscare professionals to GroundsFest. They have a wide range of products suitable for budgets of all sizes and it will be a fantastic opportunity for visitors to walk away with some incredible discounts which will only be available at GroundsFest.”

FR Jones and Son have been trading in the industry since 1963 and have expanded significantly in the last few years. It is now one of the leading suppliers of professional grounds maintenance and arboriculture equipment in the UK.

Managing Director Justin Jones is excited to be a part of the event.

“GroundsFest is a really exciting concept,” he said. “The industry has been crying out for a national event in the summer which features outdoor demonstrations and GroundsFest ticks every box. Many of our customers are already looking forward to it and I think the event is going to be very well attended.

“As a company, we are delighted to be involved. We are going to have a fantastic line-up of products on display at GroundsFest, and we will be offering exclusive discounts on selected items which will only be available for visitors throughout the two days. Our large team has plenty of experience and product knowledge and they will be out in force at GroundsFest to help visitors make the right decisions.

“We look forward to meeting thousands of existing and new customers in September.”

GroundsFest is taking place at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on 20 and 21 September 2023.

For more information, please visit www.groundsfest.com

You can also follow GroundsFest on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @GroundsFest for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

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Baroness dealer awards presented at BTME

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Baroness dealer awards presented at BTME: Baroness dealer awards were presented at the recent BTME exhibition in Harrogate.

George Browns Ltd

WE’VE WON! Baroness – Highest Overall UK Sales.  Pictured here is Tim Mason, Group Sales Manager (Groundcare), collecting the award from Stuart Gray from Baroness UK. We’d like to thank all our customers for trusting in us and we hope we can continue into 2023 for another positive year.

Baroness dealer awards presented at BTME

Baroness dealer awards presented at BTME

Lister Wilder

This week our sales team have been attending the #BTME show in Harrogate, where David Gray collected the Sales & Service award on behalf of the team presented by Luke Collins from Baroness UK.

Phill Hughes (Sales Director) commented – “It’s always an honour to receive awards, it shows the huge efforts put in by our Sales, Parts and Service departments to ensure that we deliver great customer service across our core franchises. Baroness mowers are now widely accepted as offering the best cut in the business, and providing low cost of ownership with proven reliability – they are a pleasure to work with and a manufacturer that has a clear vision for the future”

Gibbons Garden Machinery (GGM)

Awarded at the 2023 BTME show, The GGM team were awarded the Rising Star Award presented by Andy Darley from Baroness U.K.

The Rising star Award is presented to the fastest growing dealer for sales performance, and we’re very pleased that the continued hard effort put in by the team is being recognised & awarded by a manufacturer as prestigious as Baroness.

The whole team here at GGM is looking forward to seeing what we can achieve in 2023!

Adam Butler Director Baroness U.K. adds: The Baroness Dealer Awards provide a superb stage on which we can showcase the hard work and dedication our multi branch dealers continue to produce year on year. We are extremely proud of all our dealers and especially the 2022 winners. We produce world leading machinery in which we require world leading backup. That’s what we have and that’s what we will continue to do. A big thank you from TEAM Baroness goes out to all our dealers and customers alike for their continued support.

More info on the Baroness range visit: www.baronessuk.com

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John Deere launches hybrid innovations at BTME

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John Deere launches hybrid innovations at BTME: John Deere has launched two battery-powered, walk-behind greens mowers and announced further hybrid innovations to its existing product range.

The 185 E-Cut and 225 E-Cut greens mowers will be shown for the first time in the UK at the British and International Golf Greenkeepers’ Association’s BTME event in Harrogate from 24-26 January.

John Deere launches hybrid innovations at BTME

John Deere launches hybrid innovations at BTME

The two specialist machines are packed with the same quality components and technology that existing John Deere customers have become familiar with, but are powered by a 58-volt, 3.2kwh lithium battery.

The 185 E-Cut has an 18-inch (457mm) cutting width while the larger 225 E-Cut takes a 22-inch (559mm) cut.

With near-silent operation, the walk-behind machines can cut approximately 50,000 square feet of grass on a single charge, making them 30% more productive than similar models in their class.

John Deere announced the products in America last year and has been putting them through their paces on courses for the past 12 months.

Greenkeepers in the UK and Ireland will be able to order the machines later this year.

Chris Meacock, John Deere’s Division Sales Manager for Golf and Turf, said: “Battery-powered innovations in the golf and professional sports turf markets have been moving forward apace for the past few years.

“With the introduction of our first lithium battery-powered machines, we are able to provide a solution for our customers who are looking for a more favourable environmental profile, have on-site energy generation, or who are seeking significant reductions in the risk of leaks and spills.”

Industry exclusive three-wheeled hybrid mower launched

John Deere is also using BTME to showcase its industry-exclusive three-wheeled fairway mower with brushless electric reel motors.

This is the first time customers can choose a three-wheeled fairway mower fitted with five, brushless electric reel motors. The same hybrid technology has also been applied to the four-wheeled 7700A E-Cut.

This hybrid solution minimises 90% of the risk of hydraulic leaks by eliminating over 150 leak points.

Users can experience fuel savings of up to 30% by operating at reduced throttle when mowing compared to PrecisionCut fairway mowers. Noise levels are also reduced by up to 3dB at reduced throttle.

The alternator, controllers, and motors are designed to allow the machine to perform rigorous verticutting applications.

The 6700A E-Cut and 7700A E-Cut will be available to order this year.

“These two models have been two of our most popular products on golf courses for many years, so it’s an exciting step to be able to further develop our hybrid drive to offer greenkeepers reduced risks and more efficiency,” Mr Meacock said.

John Deere connected technology to be demonstrated

Visitors to the John Deere stand can take part in a demonstration of the company’s OnLink technology, showcasing the state-of-the-art fleet management system for greenkeepers.

Utilising proven satellite technology from John Deere’s agriculture division in tandem with the integration of cloud-based management software and connected machines, OnLink allows users to automatically synchronise any machine and operator working anywhere on the course, managing activity remotely.

For managers, this means tasks can be allocated days in advance, as well as increased accountability from operators. On top of these efficiencies, machinery maintenance schedules are simplified by using OnLink to track working hours remotely.

“At John Deere, we believe the future of golf course maintenance is about connectivity, sustainability, autonomy, and intelligence, while embracing electric,” Mr Meacock said.

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Binoculars at the ready

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Binoculars at the ready: Twitchers are gearing up and reaching for their binoculars to scan their trees, hedgerows and shrubs as the RSPB’s popular Big Garden Birdwatch survey takes flight once more.

Avid bird watchers and nature lovers are being invited to take part in the event from 27th to 29th January, and millions of our feathered friends are expected to be spotted and recorded for the annual survey over the three-day period.

Binoculars at the ready

Binoculars at the ready

The RSPB says taking part in the Big Garden Birdwatch is fun and free for everyone and people don’t even need a garden to get involved, as counting birds can be done from a balcony or local park.

The RSPB says 38 million birds have been lost from UK skies in the last 50 years, with species such as sparrows and starlings in severe population decline.

Every Birdwatch is incredibly important. Not only does it help map birdlife and show how birds are faring across the country, but it also helps the RSPB to monitor the situation geographically in urban and rural areas.

To take part in this year’s Big Garden Birdwatch survey, all people need to do is watch the birds for around an hour, count how many of each bird species land on the patch you are observing, and then go online and tell the RSPB what you’ve seen.

Twitchers are encouraged to attract birds to their patch, ahead of the survey days, by topping up bird tables and feeders.

Whilst regular sights at Big Garden Birdwatch survey events include blackbirds, blue tits and magpies, more unexpected visitors have, in past years, included the red-flanked bluetail, redwings and the black-throated thrush. The latter was actually spotted in 2016 by a woman on a quiet residential estate in the Cotswolds.

This rare and surprising garden sighting was incredibly exciting for the bird world as this species had only ever been seen a couple of times before in the UK.

Please visit the RSPB website at www.rspb.org.uk to find out more about the charity’s work, to download a Birdwatch Guide and ID chart, to donate to this worthy cause or, become an RSPB volunteer.

Anyone wishing to learn more about birdlife can also take a certified Lantra training course to gain a mix of knowledge and practical field experience.

Lantra’s Field Ornithology training covers how to identify British birds by sight and sound, how to carry out a range of field surveys, as well as basic field skills and good practice.

For further information about this course please visit https://www.lantra.co.uk/course/field-ornithology

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

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