Tag Archive for: scheme

GMA and ECB Apprenticeship Support Scheme

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GMA and ECB Apprenticeship Support Scheme: The Grounds Management Association (GMA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have joined forces to launch the ‘Apprenticeship Support Scheme’, designed to enhance the experience of grounds people apprentices in First Class Counties.

This pilot initiative is designed to strengthen the future of cricket by attracting and supporting more aspiring grounds professionals.

GMA and ECB Apprenticeship Support Scheme

GMA and ECB Apprenticeship Support Scheme

With the demand for skilled grounds managers growing, the scheme aims to provide apprentices with not only the technical knowledge required for cricket-specific turf care but also the essential support they need to develop their careers.

It also aims to address broader industry challenges such as workforce retention and succession planning by making apprenticeships a more structured and attractive career pathway. At the same time, it provides additional support for existing grounds professionals, ensuring they have the resources and expertise to mentor and develop the next generation effectively.

The GMA will provide tailored cricket-specific online courses to supplement apprentices’ learning, as well as bespoke webinars designed to enhance their knowledge and better prepare them for a career in cricket grounds management.

Apprentices will also have access to GMA membership, unlocking a range of benefits including the GMA Member Assistance Programme – a 24-hour confidential counselling and wellbeing service – alongside online technical resources, salary advice and guidance, legal consultation and much more.

The ECB Pitch and Grounds Advisor, Andy Mackay, will play a central role in the pilot, acting as a key point of contact for employers seeking advice on apprenticeship support. Andy will also work with stakeholders to develop an information and support hub, and resources to help promote grounds management as a career, laying the foundation for an all-rounded scheme in the future.

By working closely with First Class Counties, the ECB and GMA are hoping to help modernise grounds management recruitment and improve career progression opportunities to ensure that cricket venues continue to be maintained to the highest standards.

With this announcement coinciding with National Apprenticeship Week, it’s a great opportunity to recognise the important role apprentices play in the industry’s future.

Jason Booth, Chief Operating Officer at the GMA, said: “We are proud to be partnering with the ECB to pilot this initiative which not only opens the door for new talent but also strengthens the long-term sustainability of the profession. Apprentices are the future of the grounds management industry and providing them with the right support is essential to achieving high standards across professional cricket.”

Andy Mackay, ECB Pitch and Grounds Advisor, said: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to develop skills and discover talent, whilst having the potential to set people on the path to a rewarding and enjoyable career. We are excited to bring the GMA and our Counties together in partnership to explore how we can maximise this opportunity to add value to the apprenticeship framework for employers and apprentices alike and create long term solutions to recruitment challenges.”

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Green-tech supply bio retention soil for regeneration scheme

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Green-tech supply bio retention soil for regeneration scheme: Plymouth City Centre embarked on a transformative regeneration project to revitalise the key areas of Old Town Street and New George Street.

The £1.6 million contract aims to deliver significant visual and environmental improvements, including 25 new semi-mature trees, new islands of greenery, and a sustainable urban drainage system that includes three rain gardens with ornamental planting.

Green-tech supply bio retention soil for regeneration scheme

Green-tech supply bio retention soil for regeneration scheme

The scheme focused on enhancing the urban landscape, promoting sustainability, and mitigating flood risks through innovative solutions. YGS Landscapes was appointed as the Landscape Contractor as part of this initiative. They turned to Green-tech, a leading provider of landscaping materials, to supply 160 tonnes of Green-tree Bioretention Soil to create the three rain gardens.

This major public realm improvement project involved the removal of existing surfacing, street furniture, and soft landscaping and replacing them with new hard and soft landscaping, new street furniture, and lighting. It also required the removal of contaminated material, underground obstructions, pre-war historical city features, and old utility systems to integrate with modern amenities and drainage systems.

Green-tree Bioretention helped to address the project’s sustainability and drainage needs. Designed to facilitate rainwater absorption, filtration, and plant growth, this specialist soil played a central role in the creation of the rain gardens. The scheme plays an important role in the city’s flood management strategy and its Climate Emergency Action Plan as the three rain garden tanks are capable of holding back 75.5 cubic metres of storm water.

Sustainable Urban Drainage systems (SuDs) are designed to protect streets from flooding. On this occasion, it entailed creating large holes in the ground that were reinforced and layered with material to act like a giant plant pot to hold rainwater which will irrigate the new plants and trees.

Green-tree Bioretention Soil uses the highest quality sands and green composts to provide an efficient permeability rate to avoid waterlogging on the surface area while holding sufficient nutrient levels and organic matter to support the vegetation used. The soil’s composition ensures the successful establishment of vegetation and the effective management of stormwater runoff.

The incorporation of Bioretention soil in Plymouth’s city centre regeneration yielded multiple benefits. Beyond its functional role in stormwater management, the green infrastructure enhanced the area’s visual appeal. Importantly the project demonstrates Plymouth’s commitment to environmental stewardship and climate resilience.

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Reesink’s Reeown scheme

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Reesink’s Reeown scheme: Kilspindie Golf Club has its hands on a new used Reelmaster 3550-D as part of Reesink’s ReeOwn scheme that refurbishes and rehomes preloved Toro equipment.

When it came time for a new machine to cut the surrounds and small bankings on the tees and greens, head greenkeeper John Arbuckle, who has been at the club for 40 years now and has a team of four, decided that using Reesink’s ReeOwn scheme was the best course of action.

Reesink's Reeown scheme

Reesink’s Reeown scheme

John says: “We went with the ReeOwn scheme because of price. We were aware of the scheme and it made total sense to make use of it to get the best machine for the budget available. Reesink can be trusted to take care of the refurbishment, making sure that the machine was reliable and up for the job on our links course. The machine comes with a one year warranty too.”

The Reelmaster 3550-D in particular saves more than just its upfront cost, as it’s known to be both fuel efficient and economical to run.

Kilspindie Golf Club’s links course is hidden away amongst the nature reserve of Aberlady Bay, making the gentle tread of the Reelmaster 3550-D the ideal choice. It is 15-20 percent lighter than comparable models, providing the ideal combination of turf friendliness and productive performance.

John says: “The lightweight units is one of the key reasons we picked this particular machine. We bought it to complement the work we do with our Toro fairway mower. We’re cutting things a bit higher than we’d do with that, and since the 3550 has 5” cutting reels instead of rotary decks, it lets the growth recover more quickly.”

With a lightweight build, highly manoeuvrable three wheel drive, a generous 208cm cutting width, and a proven power unit, Toro has created a mower ideal for links and heathland courses complemented by a 7 mph mowing speed for fast and effective cutting.

John is no stranger to using Toro around the course, having worked with Toro equipment for over 20 years. “We’ve got a 3100 SideWinder, a greens triple and a Workman HDX,” he says. “Of course it always depends on the condition of the machine but it was great working with Reesink’s ReeOwn scheme and we’d definitely use it again when considering new machines.”

Discover more about how your course can benefit from the UK’s only used Toro professional turf machinery network by visiting reeown.co.uk or contact Reesink Scotland by calling 01480 226800 or by email at info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk.

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Green-tech a partner for Recycling Scheme

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Green-tech a partner for Recycling Scheme: Rainbow Professional has recently launched the Rainbow Recycling Scheme in partnership with Green-tech and its other wholesalers and recycling partners to recycle any old PVC spiral or PVC vole guard.

Head of Green-tech Sales, Dean Jackson comments, “Green-tech has been proactive in their stance to reduce plastic in the landscaping and forestry industries, and we have an extensive portfolio of biodegradable and environmentally friendly tree protection materials to offer our customers choice.  It is not currently feasible to eradicate plastic totally, but we can do the next best thing – we can use recycled plastic and in partnership with Rainbow Professional, we can collect and recycle old tree spirals and give them a new life rather than leave in the environment or commit to landfill.”

Green-tech a partner for Recycling Scheme

Green-tech a partner for Recycling Scheme

For the past 25 years, Rainbow Professional has been the only tree guard manufacturer using 100% recycled materials. This is estimated to have saved at least 2 million kgs of carbon every year, 50million kg in total to-date and they have avoided virgin plastics from entering the environment.

The Rainbow Spiral Recycling Scheme is available to any professional end-user. It is simple to administer and affordable. Bags can be ordered from Green-tech or direct from Rainbow.  Once full they will be collected and transported to Rainbow’s manufacturing facility in Hull where they will be shredded and washed if needed. Depending on the quality, they may be immediately usable to process into new spirals, processed further into pellets, or used as in-fill for window frames. As Rainbow use 100% recycled materials, they have a local network of recycling partners that find the best possible outlet for each waste material.

PVC is one of the most recyclable polymers in the world; it can be used up to 9 times. Even in cases where the spiral has lost some of its properties, it can still be useful for some applications and in cases where further recycling isn’t possible, the waste materials are used to turn into energy.

Jackson continues, “We are delighted to be working with Rainbow Professional to deliver this scheme. It is recommended to remove hedge spirals between September and March when hedge plants are bare of leaves and the bird nesting season has finished. For collections of 6-15 bags (each bag will hold approximately 700 spirals), the scheme will run from April to September, outside of the planting season. However, for collection of over 15 bags, the scheme will run all year round.

Pierre Talpe from Rainbow adds,” As a manufacturer we are taking a responsible approach to protecting trees and for trying to reduce carbon in the environment by encouraging recycling and use of recycled products.  We are delighted to have Green-tech onboard with us. They are a major supplier of tree protection materials and are well respected in the industry. Their values to sustainability are aligned with our own and we are proud to be able to ‘close the loop’ from supply to collection to recycling to supply once more.”

Green-tech is running a number of webinars to explain the scheme and the process in detail.  They will be free to attend and will take around 30 minutes. The first is being held on Tuesday 25th April webinar. To reserve your place use the following link – https://bit.ly/41iMvPh

For further information or to order recycling bags call Green-tech on 01423 332100 or email at sales@green-tech.co.uk

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Grant scheme for sports club

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Grant scheme for sports club: A new grant scheme for deserving sports teams and clubs of all shapes and sizes has been launched by the UK’s largest independent pest controller, Pestokill, to help support sport, exercise and activities as the nation emerges from the latest lockdown.

The company is offering grants of £1,000, £500 and £250 to clubs, teams and societies located throughout the UK, regardless of whether or not they have received other grant funding or ever used Pestokill’s services. The company plans to hand out £19,000 worth of grants to a total of 46 clubs and teams.

Grant scheme for sports club

Grant scheme for sports club

To apply for the funding, clubs and teams need to complete a short online form on Pestokill’s website at www.pestokill.co.uk/sport that contains details about the club’s key activities and provide a brief explanation of what they would use the money for. The deadline for applications is Monday 31st May 2021, and the donations will be made shortly afterwards.

Pestokill was established in 1985 and operates throughout the UK protecting property, employees and clients from all types of pests and disease. The company works across every industry including food and beverage, leisure, hospitality, cinema, entertainment, healthcare, transport, retail, office, manufacturing and logistics, as well as providing its services to a wide range of sports clubs and teams.

Dave Clements, managing director of Pestokill, said: “We know from our experience working with lots of sports clubs and teams up and down the country that many have had a really difficult time during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, these organisations are vital to the health and wellbeing of the nation, as well as the local communities they operate in.

“As a successful national business, we’ve launched this scheme to offer our support to clubs as we begin to emerge from the latest lockdown and hopefully return to normal. We’ve kept the application process as simple as possible, and it takes less than five minutes to complete. We’ve asked applicants to provide a brief description of what the money will be used for and we’ll then select the most deserving 46 clubs and send them a payment.”

Dave added: “We’re already receiving fantastic feedback about the scheme and we’re really looking forward to distributing the money and helping to make a difference.”

For further information about Pestokill’s scheme and to apply for a grant, visit www.pestokill.co.uk/sport and complete the online application form by Monday 31st May 2021.

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