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Students Boosted By EGO

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Students Boosted By EGO: EGO, the cordless outdoor power tool specialist, has helped horticulture students put theory into practice at Bridgwater and Taunton College in Somerset.

Sixty students from the college’s horticulture, green keeping, sports turf, countryside management and arboriculture courses attended. Apprentices and employers, who are undertaking the exciting new Apprenticeship Standard, were also invited in to take part in this special training day.

Students Boosted By EGO

Designed to raise awareness of battery-powered cordless technology, the day included a theory session in the morning, followed by a practical session in the afternoon. Attendees were able to test the tools at the Cannington Golf Centre where they performed a variety of gardening work. This included trimming hedges down during opening hours, which would otherwise be limited due to the noise of petrol tools.

“Air pollution, noise pollution and sustainability are all clearly huge issues in today’s society. More and more, we can see how petrol-based equipment does not combat these problems, and in fact adds to them,” said Peter Melrose, President (EMEA) at EGO.

“That’s why initiatives like this where we can educate young people entering the trade is so important. With the cordless technology from EGO, we deliver the same power as an equivalent petrol tool, but with less fumes, that’s much quieter and much more sustainable for the planet.”

Cary Rawlings, Assessor/Trainer at Bridgwater & Taunton College, said “I initially met the EGO team at Saltex 2017. We were thrilled to develop this relationship so that our students get to hear about the latest innovations and technology.”

The training day proved a hit with all parties. Jacob Camplin, a Level 2 Greenkeeping Apprentice, said “Today was very enjoyable. I learnt about the benefits of battery-operated equipment over petrol.”

Attendees were all provided with EGO’s new FAQ document, giving detailed insight on battery technology and how it compares to petrol. The opportunity to understand how servicing and maintenance works with these tools was also a key part of the module, which included EGO’s mowers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, leaf blowers and line trimmers.

Melrose concludes: “It was great to partner with the Bridgwater and Taunton College and the day was a great success. It’s fantastic to see students gain exposure to a credible alternative to petrol, and we hope to hold another similar event again soon.”

To find out more about studying land based courses or undertaking an apprenticeship with Bridgwater & Taunton College, please call 01278 441234. Or for more about EGO, please visit https://egopowerplus.co.uk

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Matt Gilks Appointed By Rain Bird

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Matt Gilks Appointed By Rain Bird: Rain Bird Europe have appointed Matt Gilks as a new Golf Sales Specialist for the UK and Ireland.

Closely involved in golf course irrigation throughout his career Matt joins Rain Bird from Farol where he specialised in sales to golf sector customers. Prior to that, his greenkeeping and engineering roles at The Belfry and MJ Abbott respectively were focused on water resources and construction.

Matt Gilks Appointed By Rain Bird

Matt comments on his appointment; “Irrigation is my specialism and having been involved with every aspect of golf course systems, from construction to water management, I understand the challenges golf clubs face. I’m delighted to join the Rain Bird team. In my role at Golf Sales Specialist I’ll be supporting clubs with their existing systems alongside Rain Bird’s expert technical team to ensure irrigation systems are running at their most efficient. I am also looking forward to supporting clubs looking to upgrade or renovate existing irrigation systems with Rain Bird’s latest technology.”

Jimmy Sandison, Regional Golf Sales Manager for UK, Ireland, Iceland and Scandinavia adds; “I am delighted to welcome Matt to Rain Bird. He brings valuable, practical experience in the golf sector and considerable expertise in irrigation and water management.”

Matt can be contacted via email at mgilks@rainbird.eu

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Andrew Pledger Appointed By ICL

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Andrew Pledger Appointed By ICL: ICL Turf & Landscape are pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Pledger as their new Technical Area Sales Manager. Andrew will cover the South East of England including Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Kent and East London.

Andrew has worked in the industry for many years and brings with him a wealth of experience.

Andrew Pledger Appointed By ICL

A previous Toro Student Greenkeeper of the year in 2002, Andrew studied at the University of Massachusetts before embarking on a number of greenkeeping roles which included the positon of Deputy Course Manager at The Wildernesse Club and the Deputy Superintendent at The Hertfordshire. He then spent six years as Head Greenkeeper at Frinton Golf Club before moving to Chelmsford Golf Club as Course Manager – a position he held for seven years.

In addition to his Golf Course Manager roles, Andrew has also enjoyed many years of being a volunteer groundsman at West Ham Utd FC.

A well-known and respected member of the industry, Andrews knowledge and experience will serve him well and provide ICL customers and distributors with the very best in terms of advice and support. Andrew starts his new role with ICL on 8th October.

For more information please contact ICL on +44 (0)1473 237100 or visit www.icl-sf.co.uk.

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Artificial Pitch Burnt By Vandals

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Artificial Pitch Burnt By Vandals: Kelty Hearts’ artificial pitch has been burned, seats have been vandalised days after being installed, and youngsters have been seen on the roof of the club’s new stand.

The damage to the community facilities could see the club, which turned senior last year, lose its SFA licence because of regular pitch testing.

Police are now patrolling the area around New Central Park in a bid to stamp out the problem.

Meanwhile, the club is going to be footing the bill for CCTV, something it says it can ill afford.

Treasurer George McTrusty said the spate of vandalism had been wrecking improvements almost as soon as they were completed.

“We’re building a new stadium and they are trying to destroy the seats as they are getting installed, and they’ve been burning the pitch.”

The park with a 3G pitch, a community asset that is open to the paying public, is witnessing trespassing and vandalism on almost a daily basis.

This week has seen burn marks left across the main and children’s pitches.

Council community use team manager for Cowdenbeath Sarah Roxburgh said: “It’s incredibly disappointing that this enjoyment is being spoiled by a thoughtless minority who are determined to cause costly damage.

“We will be working with the club and police to help tackle this issue and make sure the park is a safe place for all to enjoy.”

Fife Council has invested £665,000 in the park for the whole community.

Local councillor Alex Campbell expressed his disgust at the behaviour of a minority of youths.

He said the club serves the community, from five-year-olds to 75s, and it was sad that so many local people worked really hard to deliver facilities for the community and “these vandals come along and destroy such a fantastic project”.

He added: “It is totally and utterly unacceptable that some youths are causing this mayhem.”

Police Scotland inspector Gavin Cameron said: “The abuse of these facilities is hugely disappointing for the community, and we are working closely with Kelty Hearts FC to tackle this issue.

“We are carrying out patrols in this area and I would urge people to please report any anti-social behaviour or damage being caused while it is happening so we can respond quickly and appropriately.

“We want local children and young people to enjoy their summer holidays and to make use of facilities like this sensibly and responsibly.

“Parents and guardians have a vital role to play by ensuring they know where their children are, and reminding them that such behaviour as we have seen here is not acceptable.”

Click here to read the original article

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Rugby Club Devastated By Pitch Fire

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Rugby Club Devastated By Pitch Fire: A Swansea rugby club’s bosses are “devastated” after one of their pitches was set alight in a suspected arson.

The second pitch belonging to Vardre RFC, based in Clydach, was badly burnt during the fire on Sunday.

South Wales Police are investigating the fire after Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue service were called at about 13:30 BST.

The club spends up to £5,000 a year over the summer to fertilise and reseed the pitches.

“We are worried that it will affect our season and prevent players from all ages enjoying the sports they love,” the committee said.

By the time fire crews arrived, the committee said the pitch was “completely burnt.”

“We are extremely proud of the quality of our pitches,” a spokesman said.

“These facilities are used by the mini, junior, youth and senior section of not only Vardre RFC, but Clydach FC as well.

“The second team pitch is also our only floodlit pitch so is vitally important in the season when the evenings are darker, and we require the floodlighting to train.

“It’s completely heartbreaking and frustrating when so many good people volunteer their time and effort to improve facilities and provisions for the local community and a mindless, selfish few continually vandalise the Vardre RFC playing facilities.

“Currently, we are unsure how long and how much it will cost to get the pitch back to its original state.”

Click here to read the original article

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