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WACA Jack Gets Cricket Ground Ready For Ashes Test

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‘WACA Jack’ Gets Cricket Ground Ready For Ashes Test: Next weeks’ Ashes test will be the last to be held at Perth’s traditional home of cricket.

John Lewis, who was given his more catchy nickname by WA fast bowling great Dennis Lillee, has been a WACA Ground staple for almost 40 years with his jobs varying from “general fixer-upper”, groundsman and assistant pitch curator to cultivating his beloved roses.

But as the WACA prepares for its final Ashes battle tomorrow week before a move to Perth Stadium, the 71-year-old admits his tenure is also nearing an end. Unlike most Victorians who revere the MCG, his adopted State’s ground is his only love.

“To me it’s home … well, my second home anyway,” Mr Lewis said. “It may as well be because the only time I’m not here is when I’m home sleepin’. To be here for so long, this ground means everything to me, mate, it really does. It’s going to be hard to walk away, mate, I can tell ya.”

Mr Lewis, a former roof carpenter and truck driver who survived a heart attack in 2015, started work at the WACA on June 19, 1978.

“At 8am,” he said proudly.

He laughed as he recalled once heading out to the wicket to remove a broken stump with a hammer and a screwdriver, only to find English Test batsman Derek Randall unsuccessfully trying to loosen it pouring cordial down the stump hole.

Mr Lewis still has his part of the stump at home. But not all of his tasks were a joy. “There were 1287 old garden chairs which were all multiple colours,” he said.

“Every year they had to be shaved back and repainted with all new boards put on. It would take nearly the whole of winter to fix them up.”

And there was only a brief pause when asked what he could buy if he had a dollar for every time he had mowed the WACA lawn. “Probably the Taj Mahal,” Mr Lewis said with his trademark cheeky grin.

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Cutting Edge Visit For Trade Press

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Cutting Edge Visit For Trade Press: A number of the UK trade press recently visited the factory of Dennis and SISIS in Derby for an insight into the future vision and continual investment of the companies along with a behind the scenes look at the new Dennis PRO 34R rotary mower.

Managing Director Ian Howard and Sales & Marketing Manager Roger Moore extended a warm welcome before giving an insight into current and future markets and products, before discussing the recent results of the SISIS Javelin Aer-Aid STRI (Sports Turf Research Institute) trials which included a CGI animation of what happens under the surface while using the tractor mounted aerator over a 30-day period.

Cutting Edge Visit For Trade Press

Following extensive trials conducted by the STRI, it has been concluded that the SISIS Javelin Aer-Aid would be an essential tool within any integrated turf management programme.

Over a four-month period, extensive STRI trials led by Dr Christian Spring were carried out at the world’s leading sports turf consultancy’s headquarters in Bingley, West Yorkshire. The research saw three trial plots set-up in which one area examined the effects of the SISIS Javelin Aer-Aid with air injection, one with the Aer-Aid without air injection, while the other plot was left un-treated. In particular, Christian and his team of researchers were looking at how and if the Javelin Aer-Aid had an effect on the hardness of the turf, root depth, water infiltration and disease.

Attendees were then given a first-glimpse of the Dennis PRO 34R rotary mower before it goes into full production in early 2018. The PRO 34R is a 34” (860mm) rotary mower designed to help groundsmen achieve an aesthetically pleasing appearance and desired playing surface and is ideal for sports pitches.

The professional rotary mower has been designed and developed with feedback from groundsmen over the past 18 months ahead of the official launch.

Ian Howard then gave an insightful presentation of the company’s sales over the past seven years, which has increased five-fold over that period, before discussing the future vision of the group of companies and products which may appear in the distinctive ‘Dennis Green’ and ‘SISIS Orange’ colours over the coming years.

The group were then given a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the All British Precision factory where components for Dennis and SISIS machines are manufactured. This includes the recent investment of over £400,000 in new fully automated manufacturing machines. This was followed by a tour of the Dennis and SISIS production and assembly lines which now includes a new in-house paint plant – yet more proof of the continual investment into the British manufacturer while ensuring that quality control is of the highest standard.

Factory tour over and it was back into the office for lunch followed by a question and answer session and thanks from both Ian Howard and Roger Moore.

“The event was hailed a great success by all,” commented Ian Howard. “It is always nice to open our doors and give the trade press an insight into exactly what goes into bringing a new product to market – from market research, design, production and extensive field tests with groundsmen and greenkeepers. It also gives them the chance to see our hard-working members of the team which shows the dedication and proudness which you do not always get a chance to see.”

The company is proud to be flying the flag for the UK turf care industry.

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

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Duo Rewarded For Loyal Service

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Duo Rewarded For Loyal Service: Head greenkeeper Alan Smith and deputy head greenkeeper Graham Hipkin have both celebrated 40 years of service to Clacton Golf Club.

The duo are pictured being presented with a gift from the club and a bottle of champagne from club chairman Bert Foster.

They were thanked for their hard work over the decades.

Meanwhile, Clacton held their first mixed Turkey Shoot competition of the year and the winner was Steve Chignell, who won on countback with 40 points.

He was followed in a close second, also with 40 points, by Steve Yates.

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Kubota Build For The Future

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Kubota Build For The Future: £1.2 million has been invested by leading machinery manufacturer Kubota UK to enhance operational performance and continue to set the highest health and safety standards at its UK headquarters in Thame.

The investment, part of the Kubota UK’s commitment to provide its customers with a first class service offering, includes expanding its office and meeting room space by renovating a previous storage building into state-of-the-art office facilities.  The Thame site has also had groundworks resurfacing completed to enhance traffic flow around the site, as well as refurbishment works carried out to its industry leading Training Academy and Research & Development (R&D) centre.

Kubota Build For The Future

The improvements also include a new cantilever racking system that will help streamline its inventory, offer more space to hold stock and help maintain its ‘first in, first out’ (FIFO) supply method. In turn, customers will experience an even better service, ensuring they receive the required machinery parts exactly when they need them and in the best condition.

Supply Chain Manager at Kubota UK, Solly Wilson, said: “The investment into our operations at Thame is a great example of our commitment to future proofing our business, ensuring the right infrastructure is in place and that we are always operating efficiently and safely.  By doing so, we can maintain the highest levels of service that we provide our customers.

“The new office and meeting spaces for example give us the opportunity to continue to grow and evolve as a business.  In the last 12 months, staff numbers at Thame have increased, highlighting the need for additional capacity.

“The new cantilever racking system also means we are far better equipped to allocate, monitor and transport products more effectively.  FIFO is a widely-known supply chain method where stock is rotated quickly so that no item sits in the warehouse for too long. If this process isn’t maintained to the highest standard, stock can spend significant periods of time on the shelf, taking up valuable space and potentially becoming obsolete, causing cost issues. It’s simple in theory, but each product has its own unique characteristics that will affect the overall operation depending on how well it’s dealt with.

“With this in mind, it’s vital that we’re able to operate at maximum capacity, not only from an operations point of view, but also from a customers, who need their orders delivered in a timely fashion and in first class condition.”

For more information on Kubota UK and its extensive range of heavy machinery solutions, visit www.kubota.co.uk or call 01844 268000.

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Reach For The Top With Echo

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Reach For The Top With Echo: Safety is a great consideration when cutting high hedges, so dispensing with the need for ladders, steps and platforms is good news. The ECHO HCA-265ES HD articulating hedge cutter is the newest addition to the ECHO range and offers an overall length of 2446mm (cutting length – 536mm), making it ideal for cutting tall or wide hedges without the need for a platform or ladder. Operators can adjust the angle of the cutting head with one hand, helping to reduce downtime for repositioning. The cutting head also includes nine cutting angle presets through 135° for maximum versatility. 

Looking over this new hedge cutter it’s easy to see why ECHO has become a world leader in the development of hand-held power equipment for professionals. Clearly the designers understand the requirements of the applications and optimise performance, durability and ergonomics. In other words, ECHO has considered the environment in which the machine will be used, and the job it will be doing with no compromise to quality. The HCA-265ES HD features a heavy duty magnesium gear case with needle bearings caged in the cutting head, providing added durability and less downtime. The cutting head itself can be folded 180°, making it easier to transport and store between jobs – ideal for the professional user. The hedge cutter also features triple edged blades and a faster cutter speed stroke rate – 4696 (1/min). This effective combination provides a faster slicing, cutting action, ensuring a clean and tidy finish. The blades on the cutting head are nickel-plated and laser-cut for long lasting sharpness, helping the HCA-265ES HD to tackle a variety of different hedges.

Reach For The Top With Echo

The HCA-265ES HD features a powerful 25.4cc professional grade engine, capable of tackling the toughest of jobs. There is also an Easy Start system which allows the user to start the machine faster and with little effort. The shaft grip handle has been ergonomically designed, with the controls grouped close together for ease-of-use, better manoeuvrability and control. A tool-less air filter cover allows for easy access even with gloves on, making it easier to clean the air filters while the commercial-grade felt air filter helps to keep dust and debris away from the engine, ensuring longer service intervals and better engine performance. All of which adds up to reduced down time in maintenance, leaving the professional more opportunities for increased productivity and able to take on extra jobs. Take a look at the ECHO range and one thing overall is apparent. ECHO only builds equipment to one standard and that’s professional. ECHO tools are hardworking, tough, durable and dependable, and an exemplary two-year professional warranty shows this. Find out more from your local authorised ECHO dealer.

You can also visit www.echo-tools.co.uk or call 0800 597 7777 for more information.

For more information go to www.echo-tools.co.uk/shop/hedge-trimmers/hca-265es-hd/

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