Tag Archive for: community

Planting of a new ‘community woodland’

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Planting of a new ‘community woodland’: Leading international exhibition for sports turf professionals helps create wildlife habitat at Harrogate Golf Club with the planting of a new ‘community woodland’

Staff from the British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association joined the greenkeepers and members at Harrogate Golf Club recently to plant a ‘community woodland’, comprising more than 200 trees donated by exhibitors at the upcoming BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME).

Planting of a new ‘community woodland’

Planting of a new ‘community woodland’

BTME is due to take place at the Harrogate Convention Centre from 24 to 26 January and is recognised as among the most influential events on the UK golfing calendar, with more than 5,000 golf greenkeepers and turf professionals in attendance.

High on the agenda each year is sustainability and the increasing importance of environmentally friendly practices on golf courses, particularly with the annual Golf Environment Awards taking place in Harrogate concurrent to the trade show.

Overall, British golf courses cover an area roughly equivalent to the whole of Greater Manchester and provide wide-ranging habitats including wetlands, wildflower areas and woodland. Countless forward-thinking golf clubs around the UK are now undertaking activities that boost their environmental credentials and the team at BIGGA, as the UK’s only membership association for golf greenkeepers, wanted to do their bit.

When booking their spot at the 2023 exhibition, supporting companies were invited to ‘Plant a Tree for BTME’ and it is hoped that over the years sufficient trees will be planted to create a network of ‘BTME community woodlands’ around the UK, with Harrogate Golf Club the first to participate in the scheme.

BIGGA is extremely grateful to those exhibitors who have participated in the scheme, with Reesink UK purchasing 100 trees, Aquatrols purchasing 50 and The FairWays Foundation purchasing 20. Other contributors included: Advance Grass Solutions; Bernhard and Company; Campey Turf Care Systems; COMPO Expert; East Riding Turfcare; EVEN Products; GreenBest/Velvit; LFP Civil & Environmental Engineering; Redlynch Leisure; Shelton Sportsturf Drainage; and The Double A Trading Company.

James Hutchinson is Membership Services Manager – Ecology & Sustainability at BIGGA and is considered one of the UK’s leading authorities on golf course ecology. James said: “Plant a Tree for BTME is a wonderful scheme and I’m delighted that so many exhibitors purchased saplings, which we have planted at Harrogate Golf Club. This is such a brilliant idea because trees sequestrate carbon in the soil, meaning we are able to offset some of the carbon that is generated at BTME.

“Not only that, but trees create wonderful habitats for the great British wildlife. Golf clubs are often overlooked by the general public, but they provide priceless habitats for countless species, often forming safe zones for wildlife to thrive in urban areas. Harrogate Golf Club is a fantastic example and the addition of these silver birch, downy birch, rowan and cherry trees will create outstanding habitats for years to come.”

Ken Ward is Head Greenkeeper at Harrogate Golf Club and said: “I was thrilled when James asked us if we would like to take part in the Plant a Tree for BTME scheme. We are very much about ecology and sustainability at Harrogate GC and creating new wildlife habitat by planting trees is very much in line with the ethos of the club.

“Harrogate Golf Club is hugely appreciative of BIGGA and all the exhibitors who contributed to this scheme as it is such a worthwhile cause, not only for us but also for our kids, grandchildren and future generations.”

Lauren Frazer, Head of Business Development at BIGGA, said: “We’re committed to making Plant a Tree for BTME a fixture on the BTME calendar and I’m hopeful that next year we’ll be planting even more trees at another brilliant golf club and once again highlighting the vital work golf greenkeepers do to support the wider environment.

“Thank you to all of those who contributed to this wonderful scheme and I’m really looking to seeing all our exhibitors and the attendees at BTME in just a few short weeks.”

For more information about BTME 2023, head to www.btme.org.uk

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Ariens joins Made in Britain community

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Ariens joins Made in Britain community: Ariens, a leader in outdoor power equipment, is delighted to announce that it’s joined Made in Britain and will now proudly adorn all petrol zero-turn mowers for the EMEAA market with the iconic Made in Britain mark.

Ariens has an illustrious history of manufacturing machinery in the United States, but, to better meet the needs of its European customers, opened its first zero-turn production line at its UK plant over three years ago. This huge milestone means Ariens is able to manufacture its complete petrol zero-turn line-up of EDGE, IKON XD, APEX and ZENITH mowers – for the EMEAA market in Oxfordshire.

Ariens joins Made in Britain community

Ariens joins Made in Britain community

Made in Britain brings together the best of British manufacturing and only accredited organisations that meet its high standards can use its mark. There is also a growing awareness among consumers of the importance of buying local as recent Covid-19 and Brexit issues have caused supply chain concerns and impacted the quality of imported goods.

Darren Spencer, VP of EMEAA is proud to be part of Made in Britain, “Although we find ourselves in uncertain times, both here and abroad, investing in manufacturing in the UK is critical to ensuring our EMEAA customers continue to receive the quality machinery they expect from Ariens. Being able to brand all of our petrol zero-turn mowers with the Made in Britain mark shows them just that.”

For more information on Ariens and Made in Britain visit ariens.eu

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Kubota RTV supports community forest

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Kubota RTV supports community forest: Kubota has formed a partnership with the Forest of Marston Vale, part of England’s Community Forests which together form the country’s largest environmental initiative.

For over 25 years the Forest of Marston Vale Trust has been working with local communities, businesses and partners to plant trees and create new woodland across 61 square miles between Bedford and Milton Keynes; transforming a landscape once dominated by brick making, mineral extraction and landfill while growing tree cover from just 3.6% to well over 15%. The 12 new Community Woodlands are an extraordinary local resource bringing significant environmental, economic and social benefits to the area. The newest, Queens Wood near Houghton Conquest, also has the honour of being Bedfordshire’s Jubilee Wood, part of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative to mark the Platinum Jubilee.

Kubota RTV supports community forest

Kubota RTV supports community forest

A core target for creating the Forest is increasing tree cover to 30%, a tenfold increase,

as a means to transform the social, economic and environmental prospects of the area. The Forest of Marston Vale Trust, working with local communities, businesses and partners, has already increased tree cover to over 15%.

At the heart of the forest is the Millennium Country Park, 225ha of woodland, wetland, lakes and meadows. The Park, a fifteen-time winner of the prestigious Green Flag Award welcomes up to half a million people each year, and offers local people and visitors to the area the opportunity to get outdoors and connect with nature

It is cared for by a team of five forest rangers who need to travel around 8km of hardened path, 4km of horse trail and numerous tracks to plant and care for trees and maintain wetlands. Kubota has supplied the team with a new RTV X-1140 utility vehicle to help make their work more efficient, safer and more convenient.

The RTV X-1140 is powered by the renowned Kubota engine delivering 24.8hp, and can carry up to four people in comfort plus their cargo, or quickly switch to a two-seater with even more space for tools and equipment.

Senior ranger Nicola Ceconi comments: “We have to be able to travel on grassland and to work on the wetlands outside the season for ground nesting birds; some of the site can only be accessed by this type of vehicle, on foot or bicycle. It’s often muddy and we certainly need off-road capability, yet many of our paths are narrow and we can encounter cyclists or walkers so the compact size of the RTV is an advantage. We rarely need to use four-wheel drive and the Kubota’s low ground pressure is appreciated for the more sensitive landscapes.”

The full-size cargo bed offers plenty of room for tools and equipment, but the team often need to switch back to four-seater mode for jobs requiring more labour.

“It’s a quick and easy swap – when we had our training on this new machine it was good to see how simple it was to convert,” says ranger Lottie Scoltock. “The bed also has a useful hydraulic tipping function for jobs such as mulching flowerbeds.”

Nicola adds that the RTV is driven by all of the members of the team who appreciate its straightforward KVT automatic transmission and is spacious and comfortable to drive.

“It has an open sided cab which is easy to get in and out of and much cooler in summer. We really enjoy having the RTV and it makes our job so much easier.”

Forest of Marston Vale commercial director Grant Sorrell comments: “The loan of the RTV X-1140 by Kubota makes a huge difference to our work. It’s a small team with a significant task so anything that makes us more efficient is a godsend.”

It’s part of a programme of community support by Kubota, which is based nearby at Thame in Oxfordshire.

“The Forest of Marston Vale was identified by our employees as a deserving community organisation to support, and it’s clear to see the tremendous social and environmental benefits it offers for current and future generations,” comments Kubota Tractor Business Unit marketing manager Rob Edwards.  “It is an excellent fit with Kubota’s ‘For Earth, For Life’ ethos. We are delighted to support the team with the loan of the RTV X-1140 which is perfectly at home in this type of application.”

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Cobra gives back to community

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Cobra gives back to community: Garden machinery specialist, Cobra, has donated a range of lawncare equipment to East Midlands based charity, Rainbows, to help with the maintenance of its grounds and outdoor spaces.

Rainbows is the only hospice in the East Midlands providing care and support for children, young people and families impacted by life-limiting conditions. Opening in 1994, the charity provides end of life care, symptom management, short breaks and respite care bringing support and happiness to their lives. It also provides bereavement support for parents and siblings.

Cobra gives back to community

Cobra gives back to community

The hospice has faced difficulty maintaining its outdoor spaces over the past year with COVID-19 restrictions prohibiting any volunteers from entering the site, and maintenance staff being limited to just one.

Cobra understands how important outdoor spaces can be to people, so wanted to do something to help support this very special charity.

Following a site visit by Cobra Machine Specialist Roger Lawson, it was determined that the MX5645PB 22 inch Briggs & Stratton powered lawn mower and the Kawasaki powered multi-tool MT270K kit, which includes a long reach hedge trimmer, pruner and brush cutter, would be most suitable for the Rainbows site and would provide the greatest benefit. The donation, which took place on 22nd June, will make it easier for the charity to look after its grounds and outdoor spaces, helping to create a beautiful, restorative space for patients, visitors, and staff.

Kate Golding, Head of Organisational Giving at Rainbows, commented, “We would like to thank Cobra for their donations, which will help us to keep our gardens in a fantastic condition. Our outdoor space is such an important part of the hospice and is enjoyed by the children, young people and their families – often at a time of reflection. The support of companies like Cobra is pivotal to our work.”.

Cobra Managing Director, Peter Chaloner, said: “We’re delighted to be donating a range of our lawncare tools to Rainbows. Its work provides vital support to those suffering with life limiting illnesses and their families, so we wanted to help them maintain their outdoor spaces, as we know how a well-kept garden can offer a host of benefits. We are honoured to be a part of making a great space for the staff and families at Rainbows.”

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Carnoustie give back to local community

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Carnoustie give back to local community: Carnoustie Golf Links are supporting a joint project with the Carnoustie Branch of Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS) to provide bespoke hampers to those in the local area who could do with a little help this Christmas.  

The RBLS currently supports many families already, through their Food Share programme, which enables the Legion to ensure they are choosing the right items for each family when creating their personalised Hamper, in time for Christmas.

“It is very important to us, especially at this time of year, to look out for our local friends and neighbours. To be able to help, in a small way, with the Royal British Legion is the least we can do” said Michael Wells, Chief Executive of Carnoustie Golf Links.

“I speak for all at the Carnoustie Legion when I say that we are extremely grateful for the support that Carnoustie Golf Links gives us.  Their support to the FoodBank has underpinned our work for the past year and we are proud that the Links have chosen to support the Legion with a further £1000 for this project.” Davie Paton of the Royal British Legion, Carnoustie.

Having recently reached the milestone of £250,000 of contributions since achieving charitable status back in 2014, Carnoustie Golf Links have continued their season of giving by also awarding the Carnoustie Claymores £1500. The money will be used to install a portable defibrillator at Carnoustie High School and include training for club officials and High School staff.

Pat Sawers, Chairperson of Carnoustie Golf Links said, “We are delighted to be in a position where we are able to assist the town in providing much needed and potentially lifesaving equipment.”

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