The Park... the newest superhero

Introducing the – drum roll please – the Park, the newest superhero. He tackles crime and increases happiness. And he is? The Park!

By Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Parks fight crime with peace and flowers and trees.

We all know that parks are lovely places to visit and make you feel calm and relaxed but now there is actual proof of how great they are and how much they do for us.

A new study in the American Journal of Epidemiology analyzing parks in Philadelphia has proven that not only does turning abandoned parks into beautiful grassy spots make the place look pretty it also reduces crime. Gun crimes, vandalism and criminal mischief all dropped significantly in a study over 10 years in over 4,000 reclaimed spaces.

The well tended parks let people know that someone cares about the places and therefore people are less likely to commit crimes in the area for fear of getting caught. It's easy to see that parks are wonderful places!

Want to spruce up your community and spread some good will? Get involved, where possible, in caring for your parks and open spaces.

The findings are not all that new, really. CABE, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, when it still existed, found the very same in that areas with good and vibrant parks had less crime and more happiness.

And, I am sure, aside from the fact that they knew that open spaces and parks would do wonders for the well-being of people – the very reason publicly-owned parks and open spaces were created under the Public Health Acts by the Victorians – they knew too that parks and open spaces where people could go and enjoy Nature, even if it was somewhat regulated in many early parks, would have many other benefits for society.

It is therefore well outside my comprehension why municipalities always consider scrapping the parks and open spaces and especially their proper management first when it comes to spending cuts.

They do not seem to realize and understand those findings, by so many bodies by now, of the benefits of parks and open spaces and that those benefits then means they don't have to concentrate on tackling other issues.

Having said that, though, it only works if and when people have a sense of ownership of such spaces and that is best achieved by involving everyone in the running and maintenance, under the auspices of the municipality, though that latter point may not always be necessary.

In fact, in some places in the British capital it has been proven that a neighborhood is well capable of managing the parks and open spaces. While the parks and open spaces, in those cases, have remained in public ownership, as the must be, especially if they came about due to the Public Health Acts, the management does not (always) have to be provided by the councils.

When management has to be reduced vandalism and other crime often moves in but this can be reduced and even eliminated by involving the community in their parks and open spaces.

It has been proven in some of the toughest neighborhoods in Britain and, so I understand, in the US, and thus it can and will work in your area.

© 2011

IOG INDUSTRY AWARDS HONOUR UK GROUNDS EXPERTISE

Almost 350 of the UK’s and Europe’s leading groundscare experts from both the professional and volunteer sector, as well as dignitaries from the governing bodies of sport and influential sports administrators, have honoured the expertise, dedication and passion of the country’s grounds profession at the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) Industry Awards.

The packed Oscar-style ceremony at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers FC, recognised leadership, innovation and outstanding achievement across every aspect of groundscare – from grassroots pitches to professional stadia, including all types of public and private sports venues, and it highlighted the progress of young/student grounds professionals as well as product innovation.

Hosted by talkSPORT Radio’s Mark Saggers, the sell-out IOG Awards followed a day-long series of IOG Conference presentations by some of the biggest names in the industry from both sides of the Atlantic.

The winners of the 2011 IOG Industry Awards are:

Grass Roots Sports Ground of the Year – sponsored by Bayer

Winner: Heaton Sports Club

Finalist: Leamington FC, Warwickshire.

The facilities at Stockport-based Heaton Sports Club embrace cricket, rugby, tennis and lacrosse, including a four-lane cricket practice net area.

Volunteer Sports Grounds Management Team of the Year

Winner: Cleckheaton Sports Club, West Yorkshire

Finalist: Miskin Manor Cricket Club, Llantrisant, Wales.

Cleckheaton’s two-man team looks after five acres including cricket square and outfield (Bradford League) plus two floodlit bowling greens.

Volunteer Sports Groundsman of the Year – sponsored by Mark Harrod Ltd

Winner: Keith Hughes, Menai Bridge Cricket Club, Anglesey, Wales

Finalist: David Arthure, Swansea Civil Service Cricket Club.

Keith is part of a team that looks after a main cricket ground and two-bay artificial net facility at Menai.

Public Sector Sports Ground of the Year

Winner: Sunderland City Council

Finalist: Fawley Parish Council, Southampton.

Sunderland City Council’s 3.5 hectare Billy Hardy Sports Complex accommodates four cricket and five football teams.

Public Sector Outdoor Facility of the Year

Winner: Stanley Park Sports Ground, Chippenham

Finalist: Mayow Park, Sydenham, London.

The 50-acre Stanley Park Sports Ground is home to over 70 sports teams and has 18 playing surfaces.

Environmental Project of the Year – sponsored by Ransomes Jacobsen

Winner: Ashton on Mersey Cricket Club, Cheshire

Finalist: Sheffield University.

Included among the developments at the Ashton on Mersey Cricket Club is the installation of solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, which have eliminated the club’s electricity bill and, indeed, even allows the club to ‘return’ energy to the National Grid.

Professional Football Training Ground Team of the Year – jointly sponsored by AFT Trenchers and Cleveland Land Services

Winner: Manchester City FC

Finalists: Charlton Athletic FC, Crewe Alexandra FC, Nottingham Forest FC.

Every pitch at Manchester City FC’s Carrington training site has this year undergone major renovations. The groundscare team there looks after six natural turf pitches and an artificial pitch, as well as the accompanying lawns and gardens.

Best Maintained Artificial Pitch of the Year – jointly sponsored by Charterhouse Turf Machinery and Kubota

Winner: Radley College, Oxfordshire

Finalist: King Edward’s School, Surrey.

The Astro turf pitch at this independent boarding school for boys aged between 13 and 18 plays a key role in enabling the Radley pupils to undertake a wide range of sports at the 800-acre site, including rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis and athletics.

Innovation in Grounds Maintenance – sponsored by Sanli UK

Winner: GreenMech, wood chipper

Finalist: Etesia, ride-on mower.

Greenmech’s Quad Chip 160 wood chipper is described as a new generation of wood chipper, and features a number of innovative features for improved use and operator safety: it has a 360 degree turntable, to ensure operators are kept safe, plus low noise operation.

Most Promising Sports Turf Student of the Year – sponsored by Sherriff Amenity

Winner: Adam Shoesmith, Myerscough College, Preston

Finalist: Will Graves, Merchant Taylors’ School, Middlesex.

Adam, who is described as “a very dedicated and hard-working student”, has successfully completed Year 1 of his FdSc sports turf course and gained a scholarship to pursue his studies further to BSc level.

Young Groundsman of the Year – sponsored by Rigby Taylor and Top Green

Winner: Niall Hazelhurst, Bolton Wanderers FC

Finalist: Andrew Flanagan, Hartlepool United FC.

Niall is a full-time member of the Reebok team and is currently accredited to NVQ Level 3 in Amenity Horticulture Sports Turf. Included in the Award’s decision-making process was the fact that Niall had an extraordinary introduction into groundsmanship, having been heavily involved in the initial build and hand-over of the club’s Eddie Davies Football Academy. His commitment during this period has been singled out as “outstanding”.

Independent Schools & Colleges Sports Ground of the Year

Winner: Charterhouse School

Finalist: Bolton School, Lancs.

Included in the sports facilities at Godalming-based Charterhouse are football, hockey and cricket, as well as swimming and athletics, golf and sailing, rugby and shooting, racquets, tennis, squash and fives plus hockey, lacrosse, netball and tennis.

Spectator Sports Ground of the Year – sponsored by the AELTC, ECB, the Football Association, Football Foundation, the Lawn Tennis Association, the Premier League, Rugby Football League, Rugby Football Union and Sport England

Winner: York Racecourse

Finalist: The Liberty Stadium.

York – the Northern racecourse of the Year - is one of the premier tracks in Europe and it can trace a fascinating history back to Roman and Viking times. Today, the racecourse welcomes around 350,000 race-goers each season who enjoy around 118 races over 17 race days. Included among recent improvements at the 10-hectare site are a comprehensive trackworks scheme plus redeveloped lawn and floral display areas.

Professional Sports Grounds Management Team of the Year – jointly sponsored by Campey Turf Care Systems and Imants BV

Winner: Manchester City FC

Finalist: Hurlingham Club, London.

The award judging process embraced the activities of Manchester City FC’s complete groundscare team across its sites – the Etihad Stadium, the Carrington training ground and the Platt Lane academy.

The Alex R Millar IOG Professional Football Groundsman of the Year – sponsored by British Sugar (Topsoil) and DLF/Johnsons Seed

Winner: Antony Haywood, Chesterfield FC

Finalists: Tommy Cumming, Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC; Ewan Hunter, Nottingham Forest FC; Lee Jackson, Manchester City FC; David Mitchell, Carlisle United FC.

This Award has been judged on criteria that included Antony’s effective use of resources, budgetary control, presentation and housekeeping standards, as well as environmental considerations at the club’s B2net stadium.

The Groundsman’s Groundsman of the Year

Winner: Les Gibbs, Glamorgan University

Finalists:

Darren Baldwin, Tottenham Hotspur FC

Jonathan Calderwood, Aston Villa FC

Dan Duffy, Swansea City FC

David Hodgson, Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club, West Yorkshire

Nick James, Heaton Mersey Cricket Club, Stockport

Lee Jackson, Manchester City FC

Ed Mowe, Leicester City FC

Phil Williams, Cardiff City FC.

As the university’s Grounds Manager, Les Gibbs is in charge of 22 acres of sports surfaces – and testament to his groundsmanship expertise is the fact that the site regularly accommodates national and international rugby and football teams as well as the Cardiff City FC academy plus, of course, the sporting needs of the university students.

Lifetime Achievement Award – sponsored by Everris

Winner: Richard Campey, Managing Director, Campey Turf Care Systems

Richard has spent the past 25 years promoting a strategy of best practice sports ground renovation and maintenance, which has not only enabled him to build a successful company but, importantly, the policy has also helped to ensure that numerous sportsmen and women around the country have at their disposal the best possible playing surfaces.

In addition, his ‘natural instinct’ for the turf care business has also earned him a reputation as someone who sets industry standards – he was, for example, the person who in 1997 introduced to this country the revolutionary Koro machine. The impact that this machine has had on the way pitches are managed is profound – and koroing is now a recognised generic term in the industry.

Source: Wildish Communications Ltd

Versatile Kubota M108S Agricultural Tractor Is Right For Every Job

In tough economic times, versatility is as important as price, which is why the Kubota M108S agricultural tractor is a firm favourite with farmers and contractors alike.

Part of the hugely popular Kubota M Series, the M108S has been designed to offer the agricultural sector power, performance, versatility and reliability – and all at an affordable price.

It offers exceptional pulling power and unparalleled levels of productivity which make it equally suited for use on livestock, dairy, mixed use or arable farms. Powered by Kubota’s 108hp new common rail engine, the M108S combines a 32 x 32 gearbox with hydraulic shuttle, swing shift and dual speed for smooth and progressive directional changes, as well as on demand 4WD to ensure exceptional traction and efficient braking.

The engine itself has been designed to reduce fuel consumption, which together with its high power to weight ratio means it is very economic to run.  What’s more, with a 175 litre fuel tank, this tractor offers hour after hour of efficient working without the need to refuel.

Fuel efficiency is complemented by Kubota’s unique cooled EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) system, which reduces emissions by diverting exhaust gas through a cooler and returning it to the combustion chambers.

Read more here…

IT’S JUST NOT NATURAL!

By Michael Smith (Veshengro)

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) has made clear its serious concerns about any replacement of natural turf with artificial turf in professional sport.

IOG Chief Executive Geoff Webb stated: “Grass is the natural surface for our professional sports. It’s what players and fans want. Natural grass – properly maintained to governing body standards - provides the optimum playing surface today.

We recognise the improvements made with artificial playing surfaces, due to better technology. But even bigger strides have been made with grass. The standard of natural turf is a testament to the skill of the many dedicated, forward-thinking and experienced groundsmen; and they are strongly backed by a multi-million pound turf care industry that is the envy of the world. Together, this industry and the world’s best groundsmen are constantly improving and advancing the technologies and techniques needed to enhance playing surfaces.”

The IOG has a number of concerns:

• That artificial turf should not be used as an excuse to save on maintenance or, indeed, to replace the need for a groundsman. The high maintenance needs of artificial surfaces must never be under-estimated. These are not ‘all weather surfaces’;

• Some sports clubs’ interest in installing artificial surfaces is linked to driving commercial revenues, with real risk to playing quality and customer satisfaction. The emergence of artificial turf at grass roots level is also inextricably linked to significant cut backs and under-investment at a vast majority of pitches, most of which in football are in public sector ownership;

• Maintenance is often under-promoted at grass roots level - and suffers from under-investment rather than being viewed as an essential aspect of a club’s budget;

• With over 20,000 sites in England alone and an estimated 45,000 pitches, despite the grant funding available there simply is not the budget for a wholesale replacement of natural grass with artificial turf.

The IOG stands by the standards of natural turf pitches at a professional level and the skill of the groundsman in producing top class playing surfaces, which are clear to see every week in various sports.

The UK has the world’s most successful football league and natural turf surfaces combined with advances in technology contribute greatly to its success - as well as to the experience for both players and supporters alike. Any large scale introduction of artificial turf into competition will damage the games and sports we all love in Britain.

The IOG will take its case to the football and rugby authorities. IOG urges all sporting bodies to seriously re-think grounds policy - and place the right emphasis on the regular maintenance of natural turf pitches and grounds - for sport’s sake.

To this all one also needs to add the consideration that the CO2 linked to artificial turf is a high one in comparison to real grass which absorbs CO2. From a green – pardon the pun – perspective artificial grass is not a good thing as it does nothing to benefit the environment; not even water retention. Unoike real grass.

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) is the leading membership organisation representing grounds managers, groundsmen, grounds maintenance managers, greenkeepers and all others involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities in the UK. As well as maintaining the IOG Performance Quality Standards and providing a consultancy service for sports grounds, lawn maintenance and amenity horticulture, the IOG’s extensive Training and Education programme includes cricket, football, tennis, horseracing, bowls, artificial surfaces, turf science and many other specialist subjects. It also stages the annual IOG SCOTSTURF and IOG SALTEX exhibition, Europe’s leading show for the open space profession. For more information visit www.iog.org

Produced with material issued by Wildish Communications Ltd on behalf of: The Institute of Groundsmanship with additional writing by the editor.

© 2011

RUGBY WORLD CUP BALL EXPERT KICKS OFF IOG INDUSTRY CONFERENCE

Presentations by Ian Savage, the man behind the development of the Gilbert match balls used in the Rugby World Cup 2011, and by STRI’s Richard Hayden, who will discuss the ‘Preparation of pitches for international tournaments’, have just been announced as exciting new additions to the comprehensive programme for this year’s IOG Industry Conference at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton, on December 1.

As Product Research and Development Manager at Gilbert Rugby, Ian Savage’s keynote address will focus on his fascinating role as the person responsible for the Official Match Ball at the New Zealand tournament.

He will outline how he has worked closely with international players and coaches in the development of the Virtuo ball, as well as his investigations into ball performance due to differences in stadia and ground conditions.

His presentation will also cover aspects such as aerodynamics, impact control and insights into ball performance due to external elements – weather, pitch contaminants and individual player styles. It will also provide a chance to see how the ball has developed over time to reduce the impact of different weather conditions on the playability of the ball.

In addition, STRI’s Richard Hayden is promising delegates a ‘high tempo’ presentation on the preparation of football pitches for international tournaments, drawing on his vast experience which includes the development of two new pitches in Kharkiv in the Ukraine - where the grass has to survive at temperatures of -25 degC – as well as STRI’s work at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Their roles in the not-to-be-repeated programme at the ‘Building Skills, Transforming Grounds’ Sports Turf Conference further enhances the sessions that will inform and interest groundsmen at every level while also providing invaluable advice on some of the best-practice groundscare strategies in the world.

For more information about programme content, booking details and attractive package deals, visit www.iogawards.com

Source: Wildish Communications

DJ Turfcare uses Windsor to report growth despite recession fear

David Jenkins addresses the press at IOG Saltex

David Jenkins, managing director of DJ Turfcare, used IOG SALTEX to reveal a real success story of the year – and added to this by selling four machines on the stand.

“Despite gloomy predictions in the industry we have had our best trading year ever,” he says. “Since last year’s Saltex we have had remarkable results.

“This year’s Saltex has been tremendous for us and we have had a good number of high-quality inquiries to follow-up.”

Launching a new Plugger aerator (the PL855 Pro HD), one was immediately sold off the stand together with two other Plugger models and an Atom Bunker Edger.

Introducing a new smaller 7.5 kilo bag of MO Bacter, David announced at Windsor that he will for the first time be using selected independent garden centres in 2012 to sell the organic lawn fertiliser which eliminates moss without raking and has been highly acclaimed by professional users.

“This is a particularly buoyant time for us and even prior to Saltex we sold several machines through pre-show publicity,” says David.

“Our manufacturers in Australia and the US seem to hold less stock these days, which may be a sign of the economy in those countries, but we are delighted that sales are going so well here in the UK.

“While we enter every trading year with optimism we could not have forecast this year’s results with so much talk of recession in the air.”

Showing for the first time in the UK on the DJ Turfcare stand (D24) was the PLUGGER PL855 Pro HD which has an optional stand-on, ride-behind platform called the Step Saver. This aeration machine features hydrostatic-drive and uses both solid and hollow tines. It is highly manoeuvrable and is ideal for superior grass maintenance in more difficult areas, being easy to transport and handle. It is particularly useful for large areas of fine turf, and cricket clubs have found the Plugger invaluable in reviving compacted squares.

Also at IOG SALTEX was the BTME award-winning MO BACTER from Viano (now available in new 7.5 kilo bags as well as regular 20 kilos) – an organic lawn fertiliser that destroys moss and eliminates debris by bacterial action, avoiding the need to rake. It has been featured on BBC TV’s Beechgrove Garden series in Scotland. The new size bags will treat 75 square metres, while 20 kilos treats 200 square metres.

The second-generation ATOM EDGERS, both professional and domestic – with new Mitsubishi engines – were on show for the first time. They are tougher, easier to use and have improved controls.

The Professional Edger Pro 580 is aimed at local authorities for kerb use and the Atom 450 Deluxe is designed for gardeners with large areas of lawn to edge.

Also on the DJ TURFCARE stand was the updated ATOM BUNKER EDGER – now celebrating its fifth year as a leading product for the golf industry from the DJ golf and grounds care range. It has a new Mitsubishi two-stroke engine.

The BUSHRANGER EDGER (seen for the first time at Windsor last year) for turf professionals was also on show. Aimed primarily at local authorities and those looking after large landscaped areas, the Bushranger Edger is ideal for producing razor sharp edges, especially up close to raised paving because of its drop-down wheel.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission finds the Bushranger can cope with the demanding conditions found in war cemeteries where immaculate conditions and neat edges are imperative.

Also at SALTEX was MOSSGO, a powerful microbiocidal liquid which quickly and effectively removes moss from hard surfaces, and acts as a long-term preventative on areas including artificial sports surfaces, pathways, timber and glasshouses.

Source: DJ TURFCARE

Bringing Park Woodlands into Timber and Wood Fuel Production

By Michael Smith (Veshengro)

With the ever increasing demand and need for a carbon neutral energy and heating source wood fuel is one of the answers once again, if not indeed THE answer.

Wood, until the advent of fossil fuels, in the form of coal, and later oil and gas, somewhere around the beginning of the 19th century, or a little before that, was the source for heating and other energy production, including the power for steam engines.

In order to be able to produce enough wood (for fuel) sustainably at home, in our own country, whether as logs, chips or even material to be made into fuel pellets the woods in our parks and open spaces must be brought “on stream”.

While this suggestion of bringing the woodlands and wooded areas of parks and open spaces into the timber production and an anathema to some – in the same way as many just even see the simple cutting down of a tree, any tree, anywhere, as bad and evil – it is something of a necessity that will need to be done.

Another necessity will be actually having more (productive) trees (planted) in parks and open spaces, especially the more countryside-like ones, even if they are in towns and cities, so that they can be harvested in rotation coppice for wood fuel (and other forest/wood products).

While it is true and fact that 50% of woods in England are not (properly) managed, and those do include council-owned woods, timber production for fire wood and wood fuel must also be carried out in park woodlands.

In 2009 British fire wood merchants had to bring in logs from as far afield as Poland, the Ukraine, and the western parts of the Russian Federation in order to fulfill demand for fire wood. This is simply not sustainable and also rather costly. Thus, in order to make wood a sustainable energy and heat source more of it must be produced and sourced locally.

Some municipal parks departments and parks managers are beginning to take steps of bringing fire wood production from the woods in parks and open spaces on stream but it can be hard work educating the public as to the whys and wherefores and that coppice management of woods is good for the trees, plants and other wildlife.

Coppicing, though suited to this are only certain types of trees, is an ancient form and system of woodland management that has a great future. It deals with trees a little like a perennial crop in that they regrow and can be harvest again, though not directly annually. Coppice rotation can be short to long depending for what purpose the area is being managed and times are from between five to twenty-five years.

Conifers, such as pine, spruce, fir, and their cousins, do not coppice at all and also some hardwoods do not react to it too well either while others absolutely thrive from being cut down every number of years. Sweet Chestnut is one of those, as is Sycamore, and another is Hazel, not to speak of Willow; and there are many other varieties still.

Coppicing is and was not only done for fire wood though but for many other forest products. Most chairs, tool handles, wooden tools, etc., used to be derived from coppice woods, as were the wooden implements for kitchens and elsewhere. But I digressed.

When it comes to trees and thus timber in parks and open spaces it is not only for making into wood fuel (or charcoal) that any timber that comes about should be used. If the timber is suitable for other more “noble” uses then that should be considered as a priority as more income can be achieved that way generally. It might even be possible to support hereby some small local operators creating products from any such timber.

Mush of the timber, the wood, that will be occurring in parks and open spaces, and especially under coppice management will be but wood suitable for fire wood and wood fuel, charcoal and some small coppice products such as bean poles and kitchen spatulas, etc.

Even larger trees that fall in storms or for other reasons or that have to be felled because they are diseased will only be suitable for the production of fire wood and other wood fuel.

Fire wood, in the context of this essay, is sawn split logs while wood fuel encompasses those also and in addition and especially other wood fuel components such as chips and/or pellets.

To the absolute great majority wood as fuel equals fire wood, that is to say logs, sawn and split, and that is how they use it in their wood burning stoves and fire places. Wood chips are for boilers, which our American cousins refer to as furnaces, and pellets are also predominately used for such applications.

“Logs” from sawdust and other timber industry residues, produced in a similar process to that of making the pellets, are an alternative wood fuel for use in wood burning stoves in lieu of sawn and split logs. In open fires, aka fire places, they should be, however, mixed with split logs.

While the timber industry waste can produce wood fuel too the predominate source will remain trees and for that very reason we must bring all possible woodlands (back) into production including those in parks and open spaces. It is not going to harm those woodlands in the very least and neither will it harm the flora and fauna in those woods; in fact the opposite is the case.

Any such timber production operation will, obviously, have a visual impact but the proliferation of plants and wild flowers and the self-regeneration of the trees will soon make up for that by already the next spring, resultant from the light that will now be able to penetrate to the woodland floor.

Within a short time the trees will become quite sizeable again in the vigorous regrowth and everything will be returning very much to the way it was. At least until the next harvest time comes around and the cycle of renewal will start again.

© 2011

Rock Croft Safe® Eyes – Product Review

Un-Fog-Able protective eye wear that will not fog, scratch or smear.

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Most, if not indeed all, ordinary safety goggles and -“glasses” have one major drawback, when you discount that the lenses scratch very easily indeed, and that is the fogging up in a variety of conditions, leading to loss of vision.

Safe® Eyes mesh safety goggles by Rock Croft, on the other hand, eliminate both of these problems. No fogging and they also are not affected by scratching. On both counts this is due to the fact that the “lenses” are not lenses but are made of a blackened stainless steel mesh. They will also not smear.

While seeing through the mesh takes a little getting used to, much in the same way when using a mesh visor on a chainsaw helmet, one soon does not even really notice the mesh pattern anymore.

The Safe® Eyes goggles are, basically, your mesh visor in goggle/safety glasses format, with the “lenses” being very strong and resistant to many a thing.

While the Safe® Eyes mesh goggles do not protect the whole face, or at least most of it, in the way does your helmet visor does, they do prevent stufgf getting into your eyes. The face heals; your eyes won't.

Often sawdust and bigger particles with much greater velocity, and thus even more dangerous bit than mere sawdust, still can and will get into your eyes despite wearing a helmet with visor – I speak from experience – and it is for that reason that forestry workers in Germany, for instance, now must wear eye protection under the visor.

Safe® Eyes on their own, in fact, would suffice in my opinion and experience, and it makes it thus possible to leave the visor away.

There are a couple of different style of this kind of eye protection, that is to say Safe® Eyes, available and one version, so I was told, I currently on trial with the (US) military.

This would definitely be a product that I am happy enough to endorse and promote.

For more information check out the website at: http://www.meshsafetygoggles.co.uk/ and http://www.safe-eyes.co.uk/

© 2011

Keep an eye on the playgrounds in your parks

By Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Metal thieves strip playground bare in West Midlands and this is just totally out of order and I do not care who those thieves were; they need locking up.

A few poles and frames were all they left after heartless scrap metal thieves stripped the West Midlands playground – including swings, monkey bars and slides – almost completely. They struck the Halesowen nature reserve recently overnight probably using metal disk cutters. A symptom of booming scrap metal theft across the UK.

Just about most metals are now considered fair game – lead, iron, steel and metals from car catalytic converters. Old air conditioning units. Even manhole covers. In some parts of London, even tube signal cables have been stolen, and even empty homes, even temporarily empty ones, are broken into and stripped of copper and other metals.

It's not just the theft that's a worry; it's also the mess, disruption and replacement costs it leaves, often leading to higher insurance premiums.

Hopefully the thieves can be caught in this case easily. It is not that hard to spot someone trying to offload a children's slide or swings and scrap merchants should be on look out for these thieves. If the thieves do manage to offload the metal nevertheless then the merchants too should be locked up.

Farms, churches, cemeteries and hospitals and schools are all high risk targets – but children's playgrounds are a new low. But it's also a question of police resources. For example, a local Wiltshire Police squad dedicated to dealing with metal theft was recently disbanded following budget pressure.

The problem is, though, and we must, unfortunately face those facts, that with the way times are at present and the price of metals, even the most base, fetching serious money, criminals will go after that stuff.

But, I am sure that a good example made, say, of those thieves in the West Midlands, by sending them down for a couple of years, even if it is their first time, should get the message heard loud and clear.

© 2011

Coppicing: a woodland management system of the past for the future

By Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Coppicing is an ancient woodland management practice that needs to be revitalized and reestablished if we want to have a sustainable supply of timber for a variety of purposes. Bean poles are but a small section of this, as is making of lump wood charcoal.

Coppicing has been carried out in British woodlands as, more or less, the mode of woodland management until just about the 1960s from night time immemorial.

It was in the 1960s when rather misinformed and misguided “environmentalists”, those who have read a lot but know little to nothing, put a stop to it claiming that those were ancient woodlands that needed to be left to return to their normal state.

Little did they know that they about signed the death warrant for those woods for, without proper continued coppice maintenance those woods will, in fact, die.

Coppice stools that are not maintained will, in the end, break apart and the trees will die. It is as simple as that.

Instead of being bad for woodlands and forests coppicing actually benefits the trees and the environment as a whole.

Much like pruning a rose or a fruit tree to encourage growth, coppicing, basically, has the same effect. Unlike pruning a tree or a rose it is a little harsher and not done as often but, in return, bring usable timber.

Not all trees can be coppiced (or pollarded) and some reproduce better than others.

The great majority of conifers, if not indeed all, do not respond to this treatment and some deciduous trees also do not.

We are lucky, in a way, as far as coppicing goes. It is not rocket science and book knowledge and learning can get it revitalised.

This makes it somewhat different from the use of crosscut saw and other old forestry ways.

Some skills can only be learned from a “master” in the filed, and not (just) from books. The sharpening of saws and axes is one; the setting of saw teeth another and the latter is much more difficult to learn than sharpening.

But, I digressed.

Some people, environmentalists included, still do not get coppicing (or forest management per se) and some, alas, also immediately seem to turn off listening when professional foresters try to make the case for forest management, even the most sustainable types of it.

I have been told, nay accused, more than ones, “but you are a commercial forester!” and aye, that is true but what does that have to do with it and why can a forester not be caring for the environment. In fact all proper ones do.

It is the same with advocating the old “clean forest” police – which even the Forestry Commission is staring to “get”, finally – where all debris, more or less, as in dead branched, tops of felled trees, etc., was taken away from the site (or burned on site) to avoid and prevent the transfer of diseases and also fire ladders.

Today the call goes out that habitat piles is what we need “for the wildlife”, as in fungi and invertebrates, etc.

The fact is that the forests under the “clean forest” policy that I worked in as a young man had more wildlife and were more alive with mushrooms of all kinds and much healthier than are place with hundreds of habitat piles.

Let's take a closer look at the old ways again. They may be able to teach us something about sustainable practices and about making use of everything.

© 2011

MACHINERY MATTERS AT IOG SALTEX

With 429 companies and organisations on show supplying industry-specific products, knowledge and advice for all manner of turf care and open space management disciplines – coupled with an equally wide-ranging education programme - this year’s IOG SALTEX (Windsor, September 6-8) promises to be the fount of all knowledge for everyone involved in the maintenance and management of sports, amenity and leisure facilities.

Companies supplying turf care machinery and services continue to feature heavily at the show – with 45 per cent of exhibitors being listed under this category (compared to 28 per cent last year and 30 per cent in 2009).

Indeed, this year 157 ‘machinery companies’ will be on the showground – 51 more than were present at last year’s show!

Coupled with the fact that companies involved in the supply of amenity services also figure prominently this year (visit www.iogsaltex.co.uk for the complete list of companies represented), the statistics prompt IOG Sales Director Clare Johnson to comment:

“The exhibitor count for this year’s show again truly reflects suppliers’ confidence – both in the industry as well as in IOG SALTEX’s ability to attract high-calibre visitors from all corners of the sector.

“There’s no doubt that while a host of suppliers are understandably exercising a degree of caution, there remains a healthy appetite for business in every aspect of effective and efficient turf care,” she says.

IOG SALTEX 2011 (www.iogsaltex.co.uk) will be held on September 6-8 at Windsor Racecourse, Berks, and will embrace fine turf and sports surfaces, turf maintenance equipment, children’s outdoor play and safety surfacing, landscaping, contractors, commercial vehicles, outdoor leisure and facilities management, as well as software and security equipment.  The show is attended by open space management professionals and contractors – from groundsmen and greenkeepers through to play officers, architects, designers and surveyors as well as local authority and outdoor leisure facility managers.

Organised by The Institute of Groundsmanship, the first IOG exhibition was staged in 1938, the forerunner to today’s IOG SALTEX Sports, Amenity & Landscape Trade Exhibition. Held annually at Windsor Racecourse, IOG SALTEX is the annual extravaganza for everyone who cares for and/or manages open spaces – including groundsmen, greenkeepers, contractors, local authority and leisure facility managers. The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) is the leading membership organisation representing grounds managers, groundsmen, grounds maintenance managers, greenkeepers and all others involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities in the UK. As well as maintaining the IOG Performance Quality Standards and providing a consultancy service for sports grounds, lawn maintenance and amenity horticulture, the IOG’s extensive Training and Education programme includes cricket, football, tennis, horseracing, bowls, artificial surfaces, turf science and many other specialist subjects.  For more information visit www.iog.org

Source: Wildish Communications Ltd for IOG Saltex

HORTICULTURE WEEK’S IOG SALTEX PANEL WILL HELP YOU SURVIVE TOUGH MAINTENANCE BUDGETS

Leading players from the groundscare and green space sectors will take part in a ‘Horticulture Week’-hosted panel discussion at this year’s IOG SALTEX open space management show (Windsor, September 6-8).

Aimed at everyone involved in the maintenance of grounds and green space, the ‘How to Survive your Toughest Maintenance Budget Ever’ session (on Wednesday September 7) will explore practical options and positive solutions available to professionals who are having to cope with reduced maintenance budgets as a result of the tough financial climate.

The expert line-up includes Angus Lindsay, group head of assets and fleet at the Landscape Group; Richard Campey, founder and director of Campey Turf Care Systems; Dr Sidney Sullivan, green space consultant; and ‘Horticulture Week’ technical editor Sally Drury.

Topics to be covered will include cost-effective approaches to sourcing and managing machinery, refining pitch maintenance regimes to get the best from resources and how to prioritise budgets to support key facilities.

The session will include plenty of time for attendees to put questions to the panel and debate the issues.

The ‘Horticulture Week’ debate, ‘How to Survive your Toughest Maintenance Budget Ever’ is free to attend and takes place at 12.15 to 13.30 on Wednesday September 7 in Room 5, The Grandstand, IOG SALTEX, Windsor Racecourse.

Visit www.iogsaltex.co.uk for details of the full IOG SALTEX Education Programme.

IOG SALTEX 2011 (www.iogsaltex.co.uk) will be held on September 6-8 at Windsor Racecourse, Berks, and will embrace fine turf and sports surfaces, turf maintenance equipment, children’s outdoor play and safety surfacing, landscaping, contractors, commercial vehicles, outdoor leisure and facilities management, as well as software and security equipment. The show is attended by open space management professionals and contractors – from groundsmen and greenkeepers through to play officers, architects, designers and surveyors as well as local authority and outdoor leisure facility managers.

Organised by The Institute of Groundsmanship, the first IOG exhibition was staged in 1938, the forerunner to today’s IOG SALTEX Sports, Amenity & Landscape Trade Exhibition. Held annually at Windsor Racecourse, IOG SALTEX is the annual extravaganza for everyone who cares for and/or manages open spaces – including groundsmen, greenkeepers, contractors, local authority and leisure facility managers. The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) is the leading membership organisation representing grounds managers, groundsmen, grounds maintenance managers, greenkeepers and all others involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities in the UK. As well as maintaining the IOG Performance Quality Standards and providing a consultancy service for sports grounds, lawn maintenance and amenity horticulture, the IOG’s extensive Training and Education programme includes cricket, football, tennis, horseracing, bowls, artificial surfaces, turf science and many other specialist subjects. For more information visit www.iog.org

Source: Wildish Communications Ltd for IOG Saltex

Local Parks: For People or for Wildlife?

By Michael Smith (Veshengro)

The municipal parks in Britain were created so that the working masses could go and get some fresh air, seeing that they lives in tenements where little light and fresh air ever got to.

Those parks (and open spaces) were created under the Public Heath Act of 1875 and the subsequent ones and made the provision of parks and open spaces a statutory requirement on local authorities, councils and parishes.

That such parks can be and are a haven to wildlife, however, is and must come secondary to the original uses.

As parks, local municipal parks, and open spaces, are predominately for people and their needs of exercise in the open air they must, therefore, be managed primarily with that goal in mind. Wildlife, thus, must come – and does so under the law even – second.

It is this that must be understood when it comes to managing such parks and that it is people and their needs that come first.

Wildlife has its place but it will have to be one lower than the needs of the people for healthy recreation, even if this is just walking in a managed natural environment or well kept gardens.

There are a number of people who think that publicly owned parks and open spaces should, first and foremost, be managed – or better not – for wildlife and that people should be controlled in where they go and when and how.

This is a total and utter misunderstanding of the way parks are to be managed under the laws under which they were brought about. Wildlife was not a consideration at all back then.

While, as I said, wildlife certainly has its place and should be given consideration, primary consideration must be given to those for which parks and open spaces were made a statutory requirement, namely people.

The priorities must be gotten right and the priority is that parks and open spaces are for people's enjoyment and recreation and that should not take second stage to anything else.

Parks and open spaces are green oases in the often grimy inner cities and were thought to provide green spaces in which the working masses could go for a walk and enjoy some fresh air, even though in those days it was much more regulated what one could do in parks, and not just the Royal Parks of London. Park Keepers had real powers then and bylaws were rigorously enforced.

Parks and open spaces, under the laws that brought them about, which are still valid to this day in the same way, are primarily for people and management should reflect this, though each park and open space will have its unique areas that can also be managed for wildlife though without hampering the enjoyment of the place by the people.

Unfortunately there are some misguided people who think that wildlife has to come first in the management of parks and open spaces and will insist that this is to be so. It can, however, not be so, and that already as a result of the laws and statutory instruments under which the great majority of parks and open spaces, which are publicly owned, were created.

Thus care must be taken and those that make the demands that wildlife must have priority must be informed of the fact as to how the cookie crumbles, so to speak, as to how parks and open spaces are meant to work.

We cannot go about excluding visitors from parks at certain times, or from certain areas at certain time, just because someone thinks that wildlife needs to be protected during the breeding or nesting season or that this or that cannot be done in ways of necessary management because it might remove cover for one or the other kind of animals.

I don't think any of us have any problems with wildlife but it all comes down to a matter of priorities much like that one might encourage cyclists in parks but also in that one lets them know in no uncertain terms that it is pedestrians in the park that have priority.

“Public” parks and open spaces are here, primarily, for the enjoyment and use of people and it was for people and their use that they have been legislated for in the Public Health Act of the 19th century and the subsequent ones.

© 2011

Is Britain becoming deforested?

By Michael Smith (Veshengro), RFA

Latest national tree planting figures show a continuing decrease in the rate of woodland creation, whilst trees and woods are being lost across the UK

Tree planting figures released by the Forestry Commission show the rate of woodland creation in the UK continues to fall despite recent calls for increasing woodland cover from within and outside government. From more than 12,000 ha of new planting in 2004, levels had halved to less than 6,000 ha last year and have fallen further to 5,000 ha in the last planting season.

It should be evident to all but the most blind that the UK has been losing and is losing woodlands and hedgerows and hedgerow trees at a rate of knots with little if any replacement.

Responding to the announcement by the Forestry Commission, Sue Holden, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, the UK's leading woodland conservation charity which is now encouraging planting on other people's land, said: "These figures are truly worrying, but should be seen as a clarion call to us all to reverse the downward trend as a matter of urgency.

“Woods and trees are not a luxury but essential for our future quality of life. They are a key component in delivering a wide range of environmental benefits, such as carbon storage, air quality control, shade and shelter, surface flood water management and soil conservation, which are all the more pressing if we are to adapt to a rapidly changing climate.

“They also provide vital habitat for some of Britain’s most important wildlife, produce home-grown timber and wood fuel, have a proven ability to alleviate human mental stress and specific physical health problems and enhance our landscape.

“Trees are in many ways a highly cost effective way of tackling some of the major policy challenges of this government. This is why the Trust's pre-election manifesto called for a doubling of native woodland cover in the UK over the next 50 years.”

At the election the Conservative manifesto called for a national tree planting campaign – reiterated in the coalition agreement – and also highlighted the need to create green spaces and 'plant many more trees'. The Liberal Democrats on their own went even further calling for a doubling of woodland cover.

The benefits of woodland creation already feature in the UK's Low Carbon Transition Plan published last summer and the 2009 ‘Read Report’ on the role of UK forests in combating climate change. Most recently, under Defra's Climate Change Plan a designated Woodland Carbon Task Force will work out how to encourage large scale private sector investment in woodland planting.

The Scottish Parliament and Welsh Assembly have both made far-reaching commitments to increase woodland cover.

The UK is already one of the least wooded countries in Europe, with half the European average for tree cover.

Referring to the pressures on currently forested areas, Sue Holden continued: "We fully support the Forestry Commission's policy on restoration of open habitats and the restructuring of plantations, but are concerned that with new planting rates so low the net result may be a loss of woodland cover in the UK, at a time when increasing it is essential. The Government's own figures show a loss of over 9,000 ha of woodland between 1999 and 2008 for England alone which may well be an underestimate.

"There is an urgent need to compensate for these losses with large scale woodland creation elsewhere, and we are doing our bit by supporting the planting of native woods and trees through innovative schemes such as MOREwoods (http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/plant-your-own-wood/morewoods/Pages/freewoods.aspx) and through partnerships with companies, schools and communities.

"We want to help government achieve its ambitious plans, but we need to see real commitment to support woodland creation."

Meanwhile there is evidence of significant loss of trees outside woods in hedgerows and fields, as old trees die or are felled for safety reasons, but not replaced. Forestry Commission research has shown that between 1980 and 1997 England suffered a 64% decline in individual trees.

Planting and growing trees and woodlands is one of the best ways of averting the impact of CO2 on climate change but there are many who seem to not understand this and do not appear to be getting the message.

There is a lot of conflicting material out there, sometimes claiming that only old trees store carbon. In fact it is the growing tree, the young tree in his most vigorous growth period, that absorbs most carbon as it is a prerequisite for the tree's growth.

The equation is, basically, the more trees, growing trees, more carbon is being absorbed and stored by them. Old trees, in fact, as they start to slowly decay while standing, release carbon back into the atmosphere.

It is for this very reason that forestry, managed forest and woodland use, with using trees for the many different purposes when trees have reached their proper commercial maturity and then re-afforesting, that is to say replacing the trees felled, three for one, as used to be the good practice, is actually good for the planet.

We need trees and woodlands and we need well managed woods and forests for the good of the country and the good of the Planet.

© 2011

Record-breaking green spaces

By Michael Smith (Veshengro)

On July 25, 2011, a record-breaking 1,288 parks and green spaces throughout the UK have been receiving the Green Flag Award or Community Award. This is a certain sign that even in these challenging times, the value of green space is widely acknowledged as vital to our communities.

The record number of sites that have been receiving an award this year ensures that even more of us now have access to well-managed, high-quality green spaces. Many of those award-winning sites will have been raising their flags throughout Love Parks Week, which ran from the 23rd to the 31st July.

In recent years, research has proved that quality parks and green spaces play a vital role within local communities. They are assets contributing to the local environment, the local economy, individual’s health and well-being, and in bringing the community together.

This year alone has seen even more value placed on our green spaces. A major new study by The UK National Ecosystems Assessment (NEA) shows that the health benefits of living with a view of green space are worth up to £300 per person per year, though as a parks professional I would actually consider the price to be higher still.

The Natural Environment White Paper published by the government in 2011, highlights further the importance of our green spaces and the benefits our natural environment has to us all – strengthening the significance of the part we all have to play in developing and protecting it.

Investment in parks and green spaces has the potential to impact on many aspects of the local environment. The increase in the number of Green Flag Award and Community Award sites this year is testament to the value and significance local authorities and the community as a whole are placing on their green spaces.

Communities and Local Government Minister, Andrew Stunell said: “This year, a record of number of parks and green spaces across the country have been awarded a Green Flag – a testament to all the hard work that local authorities and communities put in to maintaining them. The announcement of this year’s winners also acts as a timely reminder to communities everywhere that there are hundreds of top-quality parks out there to enjoy.

“Given the important role parks and green spaces play in all our lives, I would like to thank all this year’s volunteer judges for their efforts. I share the joy of communities that, through the scheme, see their local areas flourish.”

Green Flag Plus Partnership chairman Phil Barton said: “The importance of good-quality green spaces cannot be overestimated. They are central to the growth of our communities, both socially and economically.

“The Green Flag Award Scheme, and its growth, is essential in driving up the standards of our parks and green spaces. Access to quality green space is something we all desire and the scheme plays a key role in providing it.

“In these challenging financial times it is heartening that the number of Green Flag and Community Awards continues to grow. As the value of green space and the role it plays in our communities strengthens, we must ensure these high standards remain.”

But, many parks and open spaces do face serious problems due to government cutbacks that seriously affect service delivery on a local level. Park staff everywhere, and the management teams, will do their very best do keep the standards up as far as possible with the every dwindling resources.

Looking after your local parks and open spaces may be something where the Big Society could come into its own as well with volunteer groups assisting the park keepers and grounds maintenance teams everywhere.

© 2011

Managing tree suckers and water sprouts

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Tree sucker sprouts and water sprouts are vigorous, upright, epicormic shoots that grow from dormant buds on older wood. They are mostly a problem on fruit and landscape trees, can grow very large in one season and occur most often under stressful conditions like drought, after severe pruning and limb loss.

Both kinds of sprouts should be removed immediately while remembering that a water sprout can be used to develop a new main trunk if there is severe damage to the old trunk.

Water sprouts are easily pulled off and some people do just that but personally I find that this can cause damage to the tree. Better, in my view, to cut them off close to the tree and treat the wound.

Suckers are much harder to deal with as they are attached at or below ground level and should be removed with as much of the root or basal material as possible.

That, though, is the theory. In practice it is normally not possible to remove the sucker properly as normally people will deal with the issue far too late.

Root suckers do also occur when a tree feels – as strange as that may sound – that it is dying and tries in that way to perpetuate itself.

In most cases root suckers only appear on tress that also would be ideal coppicing material and should the tree that is producing such risers really be in the process of dying it is then a good idea to – if it is a woodland tree – to manage it as a coppice tree.

© 2011

The dog poo fairy does not exist

By Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Parks and Open Spaces are littered with the feces of dogs (those of foxes cannot be helped) and many dog owners are the most irresponsible people that one can encounter.

Owning a dog comes with obligations, and some of them legal, and one of those is that you have to, by law, pick up Fido's doo-doo and dispose off properly in a litter bin.

The fact is that you do NOT have to hunt for a doggie doo bin anymore as any litter bin, in most place, in Britain, now can be used for dog waste. It is no longer, though in my eyes it still is and in all honesty nothing has changed, hazardous waste.

There was a time it was treated as such and it would be incinerated but within the last number of years it has been downgraded to “ordinary” waste again and is disposed off in landfill sites.

So, no excuse not clearing up after your dog and definitely no excuse to – when you have bagged it – to leave it littering the sides of a path in the bag. There is no fairy that will come along picking such bags up and getting rid off them.

Dog feces are a menace and harbor serious health risks and here especially for toddlers and young children, as several incidents in recent years have shown where children have lost the sight in their eyes because of contact with dog waste.

Some parks and open spaces, in summer, in certain places stink like sewers and worse because of heated dog waste laying in the grass and elsewhere. It only takes a little bag and a trip to a litter bin.

Be a responsible dog owner and clean up after your dog and dispose of the waste properly.

© 2011

Woodlands – Book Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro), RFA

Woodlands

by Oliver Rackham

480 pages, hardback, 23.6 x 15.6 x 4.8 cm

Published by Collins as a New edition March 4, 2010)

ISBN: 978-0007315147

‘Trees are wildlife just as deer or primroses are wildlife. Each species has its own agenda and its own interactions with human activities …’

Written by one of Britain’s best-known naturalists, Woodlands offers a fascinating new insight into the trees of the British landscape that have filled us with awe and inspiration throughout the centuries.

Looking at such diverse evidence as the woods used in buildings and ships, and how woodland has been portrayed in pictures and photographs, Rackham traces British woodland through the ages, from the evolution of wildwood, through man’s effect on the landscape, modern forestry and its legacy, and recent conservation efforts and their effects.

In his lively and thoroughly engaging style, Rackham explores woodlands and their history, through names, surveys, mapping and legal documents, archeology, photographs and works of art, thus offering an utterly compelling insight into British woodlands and how they have come to shape a national obsession.

Oliver Rackham has been a great champion for real woods and against the endless postwar conifer plantations – a campaign now largely won. Here he is writing not as a conservationist, but simply to share his prodigious knowledge of woods and trees with the reader.

Rackman, as far as I can ascertain, really knows his subject as regards to woodlands and woodland management and it is refreshing to see and be able to read material such as this.

When the Woodland Trust, however, waffles in their review of the book about restoration of ancient woods and creation of new woods is vital to creating a countryside which is more sympathetic to woodland wildlife, and which delivers benefits to society I would like them to actually show me the “ancient woodlands” that they are referring to.

There are no woodlands in Britain that have never been touched by the hand of man and it is the stupidity of statements such as that that currently may lose us 1,000s of coppice trees in the West Country that are about a millennium old.

Many misguided people have caused working of those woods to stop “ because of the need to restore those to ancient woodlands” not considering the fact that those woodlands had been working coppice woods for the last two thousand years or more.

We must work the woods once again and use them as a renewable resource and not as something just to sit there.

A younger growing tree is more beneficial as carbon sequester too that is an ancient one and with proper renewal such woodlands will reproduce for millenniums to come. Time everyone, and especially the self-proclaimed experts and advocates of the “ancient woodland” began to understand that.

Leaving dead wood on the forest floor is doing no one good either. The so-called habitat piles are – in reality – nothing but bad forestry practice and lead to fire ladders, harbor diseases and the decaying wood not just releases the CO2 the tree had stored during its lifetime but also the much more dangerous greenhouse gas of methane.

Much, much better to actually make the wood into something, especially by means of woodland crafts, from the bodger to other users. Even using that wood that cannot be used for crafts and industry as firewood is better than having it rot down out there in the forest.

Far too long have we allowed our woodland workers to die a slow death. It is time that we, once again, supported them and their products and also encouraged new life into the woodlands by bringing in young people to learn the crafts and skills that, in the not too distant future will once again be as needed as they were before the Second World War.

© 2011

IOG Apprenticeship in Groundsmanship

IOG breaks new ground with the launch of groundsmanship apprenticeships

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), the leading membership organization for everyone involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities in the UK, has announced the IOG Apprenticeship in Groundsmanship – a work-based program available to aspiring groundsmen and women.

Providing a choice of options – Apprenticeship Level 2, Advanced Apprenticeship Level 3 and Higher Apprenticeship Level 4 – and routes (ie work-based diploma, foundation learning, GCSE/A Level and employment with training), the programme is targeted at anyone aged from 16 years. The IOG Apprenticeship will take between one and three years, depending on the Level chosen.

Explaining that the new Apprenticeship is the latest in a comprehensive range of affordable education services delivering high quality and accredited qualifications at every level of groundscare Ian Lacy, the IOG’s Head of Professional Services, says the new scheme follows the successful recent launch of the IOG Young Apprenticeship Scheme as a curriculum option for students aged 14 at Harefield Academy, St Albans.

“The IOG Apprenticeship, a work-based (on- and off-job) programme designed around the needs of an employer, leads to nationally recognised qualifications such as diplomas in Groundsmanship and greenkeeping accredited by City & Guilds land-based services,” he says. “The majority of the time is spent in the workplace and supported by a mentor (usually the head groundsman or a fellow member of staff) and the remaining time is delivered by the learning provider, the IOG.

“To support the new scheme, the IOG is offering a ‘one-stop shop’ apprenticeship service which includes screening literacy and numeracy, assessment of occupational skills, advice on learning styles and psychometric testing, plus help with the induction and sign-up and the assessor visit, and ongoing monitoring of progress.

“Apprenticeships are the Government’s primary route to skills and employability, and such a formal springboard for a career in groundscare has been sorely missing – until now.”

This scheme is something that we all in the industry, and especially those that wish to enter this field, have been waiting for for a long time. While it is possible to study groundsmanship at a number of agricultural colleges this is a much better way, as are apprenticeships in general and we need many more, in the parks and gardens field as well as in others.

© 2011

Bulldog Tools Forged Edging Knife – Product Review

Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Bulldog Tools Forged Edging Knife
Ref No. 5680083210
Price: just under £40 incl. VAT
Ash Handle with "T" Grip
Unique Forged Blade
Forged In Britain

This forged edging knife from Bulldog's Clarington Forge in Wigan, England is by far the strongest lawn edging iron I have so far seen and used. It is one that, even in professional use in Parks and Gardens should last for a generation or two rather than just for a couple of seasons.

Yes, the tool not cheap with just under 40 Pounds Sterling but then again the blade is forged exactly in the same way as a quality spade and from the same strength of steel. There is no weld point that can give way under the strain of use and abuse.

The handle is solid Ash with a “T” grip and is, once again, the same kind that would be found at a good strong spade and also, unless really misused, stand up to the rigors of whatever the job throws at it.

This Bulldog Edging Knife of the Premier Range – although the website seems to putting it into the Evergreen Range – is a true professional tool and is most definite the dog's proverbials of all edging irons. I do not think that, unless on purpose and with malice, or by being driven over, this tool can be broken even in the most arduous and most prolonged use.

Talking of use: When using this particular edging tool on curbs and such the back of the blade, the straight part, must be the one meeting the stone of the curb or the concrete slab. That way the turf is cut clean and no excessive amount of soil if pulled up.

Another great tool from Bulldog that I am most happy to endorse as a professional gardener and forester.

© 2010

BLEC ‘OPTIMISTIC’ AS 2011 STARTS WELL WITH SHOW SALES AND EXPORTS

GARY MUMBY, managing director of BLEC, reports optimism for the year ahead with sales of four machines at BTME, Harrogate, and an increase in exports.

“Harrogate was a good show for us with sales of four machines including the Rotorake, Turfmaker Seeder and Laser Grader,” said Gary, prior to leaving for America and the GCSAA show in February.

“Exports account for 60 per cent of our business and the current exchange rate is proving excellent for us, taking us into new territories including Eastern Europe.

“We rely on shows like BTME and IOG SALTEX for exposure. They are very important to us and can reach an international audience. Our equipment is particularly aimed at contractors and we are always pleased to see them on our stands.

“The American show is important because it does attract a massive audience from across the States and the rest of the world.”

Gary, who launched BLEC (now BLEC GLOBAL) in 1986 with wife Sue, was previously a landscaper who realised he could design and manufacture specialist machines for the grounds care industry.

Their factory near Peterborough employs around 25 people and the machinery is all British manufactured.

At Harrogate they launched the new BLEC MULTIVATOR, with a quick hook-up rear attachment system which turns the Multivator into a multi-use machine carrying out a wide range of tasks achieved with only one drive unit.

Decompacting, soil recycling and topdressing all in one pass, the Multivator has quick hook-on rear attachments, an easy change blade system and heavy duty reversible drive system.

Other options available offer a verticutter with elevator removal, stone burier, stone picker, soil screener and turf lifter with side elevator removal.

There are five models available in different widths – three for mid-range tractors and two heavy duty for higher HP tractors. All units are equipped with overload cam clutch and the heavy duty models also feature long-life side gear drive with forward and reverse rotation.

The heavy duty units also feature a heavy duty gearbox with four shafts to give two-speed drive and reverse rotation – mounted on a swivel base for easy drive change. On the heavy duty models a PTO shaft drive is fitted for rear attachments and an extreme duty overload clutch (pre-set).

Other popular BLEC machines include the Disc Seeder and Multispike Seeder.

www.blec.co.uk

Source: Oakfield Media

This press release is presented without editing for your information only.

Full Disclosure Statement: The GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW received no compensation for any component of this article.

IOG Apprenticeship in Groundsmanship

IOG breaks new ground with the launch of groundsmanship apprenticeships

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), the leading membership organization for everyone involved in the management of sports pitches, landscape and amenity facilities in the UK, has announced the IOG Apprenticeship in Groundsmanship – a work-based program available to aspiring groundsmen and women.

Providing a choice of options – Apprenticeship Level 2, Advanced Apprenticeship Level 3 and Higher Apprenticeship Level 4 – and routes (ie work-based diploma, foundation learning, GCSE/A Level and employment with training), the programme is targeted at anyone aged from 16 years. The IOG Apprenticeship will take between one and three years, depending on the Level chosen.

Explaining that the new Apprenticeship is the latest in a comprehensive range of affordable education services delivering high quality and accredited qualifications at every level of groundscare Ian Lacy, the IOG’s Head of Professional Services, says the new scheme follows the successful recent launch of the IOG Young Apprenticeship Scheme as a curriculum option for students aged 14 at Harefield Academy, St Albans.

“The IOG Apprenticeship, a work-based (on- and off-job) programme designed around the needs of an employer, leads to nationally recognised qualifications such as diplomas in Groundsmanship and greenkeeping accredited by City & Guilds land-based services,” he says. “The majority of the time is spent in the workplace and supported by a mentor (usually the head groundsman or a fellow member of staff) and the remaining time is delivered by the learning provider, the IOG.

“To support the new scheme, the IOG is offering a ‘one-stop shop’ apprenticeship service which includes screening literacy and numeracy, assessment of occupational skills, advice on learning styles and psychometric testing, plus help with the induction and sign-up and the assessor visit, and ongoing monitoring of progress.

“Apprenticeships are the Government’s primary route to skills and employability, and such a formal springboard for a career in groundscare has been sorely missing – until now.”

This scheme is something that we all in the industry, and especially those that wish to enter this field, have been waiting for for a long time. While it is possible to study groundsmanship at a number of agricultural colleges this is a much better way, as are apprenticeships in general and we need many more, in the parks and gardens field as well as in others.

© 2011