IOG Saltex 2012 – Show Review

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

This year saw a rearrangement of the display areas are the usual top area close by the river could not be used as it had be rather churned up during the 2012 London Olympics boat races.

However, in my opinion, and that of many others, the fact that one directly entered the show when arriving by river taxi which, as per usual, was provided by French Brothers, the new layout of the show is very good indeed.

This view appears not to have been shared by many of the big companies, such as Toro, Husqvarna and Johnsereds, to name but a few, who were conspicuous by their absence and, as far as I understand, due to the fact that they could not have their usual spaces in the top area by the river.

Stihl took a space in the area just from the entrance from the river taxi side and it was, I would think, very well placed there and others would have been equally well served in the other zones.

The weather was glorious which, unfortunately, seems to have kept many groundsmen and -women and contractors away as they were trying to catch up with work that they could not do during this year's wet season, aka the wettest drought in history.

It was good to see an old face in a new dress, so to speak, in that Rolcut has come back to the British market though its original, should we say, parent, company, namely Original Loewe. I am sure that those of us who used to love good ol' Rolcut will be very much pleased with this.

Original Loewe is 100% Made in Germany and is represented in the UK though its sole agent Quality Garden Tools of Virginia Water in Surrey.

As usual the show gave me an opportunity to see new products and catch up with old friends in the industry and also writer colleagues.

Campey and Trimax both had some new exiting grounds- and turf care equipment on show, as did a number of others, and the display of turf care though a century plus of Olympic Games held in Britain gave a great insight in how things have changed over the decades but also how things might end up again if and when we are, finally, running out of cheap oil.

Trimax now has also, which is good news, begun manufacturing in the UK itself and thus the lead time for products should become smaller.

Trimax Striker

Their latest additions to the range, such as the new hydrological flail mowers for the John Deere and other kinds of ride on mowers and the Striker, a rotary mower specifically designed for low powered compact tractors will be most welcome by many users.

The Grass Group presented the latest addition to the Trilo vacuum sweepers, the S3, the little brother to the S4 (seen side by side in the photo), aimed for use with compact tractors of 25HP and above, and also the newest version of the InfiniCut pedestrian mower that can run on battery and either Honda or Kohler engine, and which can be interchanged in a very short space of time.

Another product and service that has to be mentioned especially as going green is now definitely the order of the day is the non-poisonous weed control by WeedingTech called Foamstream. While this is, by no means a cheap system it is superior to all other systems as it is not harmful to the environment, can be applied in almost all weathers and operators require no certification, as no poisonous chemicals are being used.

DJ Turfcare used Saltex 2012 to launch Viano MO Bacter in the smaller 7.5 kg pack designed for the domestic gardener wishing to give his lawn the same treatment as for the large greens on gold courses and bowling greens.

And another range of products that caught my interest almost immediately were Portek's bird scaring devices, and this case the kites, Terror Hawk and Terror Eyes, the Crop Gard and the Hawk Eyes, the latter being rotating globes in two different colors to scare away the birds silently, economically and environmentally friendly. The globes are definitely a must for those of us who have allotment gardens and who grow vegetables at home.

Well, this about wraps it up, except to say that it would appear that visitor numbers were rather down this year, at least on the first day. The second day things looked like they were picking up somewhat. But, as I said before, this is probably down to the fact that this were the first good days in a long time and both councils and contractors had to concentrate on the work in hand rather than a visit to a show, I would guess.

In addition to that, with the economy as it is and reduction in funding for councils, there is also very little money available for new products and machinery and thus visitor number also may have been down to that factor.

© 2012

OFF TO A TEE AT IOG SALTEX

IOG SALTEX HAS THE ANSWERS TO MOLES, MAN-MANAGEMENT AND GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Les Shrubb is not the only greenkeeper who has nightmares about moles. But after visiting last year’s IOG SALTEX show, where he gained an all-important update on the safe handling and use of Talunex tablets, he now sleeps a lot easier!

“Moles – and rabbits – are a constant problem here, particularly during the winter months,” says the Sussex-based Head Greenkeeper of the privately-owned Wellshurst Golf & Country Club.

“But after visiting the Windsor show, the team can now control the pests in-house without the expense of specialist contractors. We have managed to reduce the mole population, for example, but it is an ongoing problem.

“I try to go IOG SALTEX at least every other year – last year we all went, and it was my greenkeepers’ first ever visit - because in addition to timely updates on things like pest control, it’s a great place to keep on top of developments across the industry. For example, I like to keep abreast of the latest machinery and its capabilities – though equipment funding is always a problem - and IOG SALTEX is the ideal venue for that.”

Having been involved in grass and sports surfaces since he left school, 48-year-old Les is responsible for the maintenance and management of a driving range, and various soft and hard landscaping in addition to the 18-hole course which, being built on Wealden clay and former farmland, creates its own problems in terms of drainage.

“In the early years – Les has been at the club since1992 – this was a major headache,” he says, “but we are on top of it now after lots of spiking and the installation of open ditches and paths, for instance. The course is a ‘grass factory’ and whenever we have a wet Spring, we have trouble getting the mowers out.”

With four greenkepeepers (reduced to two during the winter months), inter-personal/management skills is a key attribute complementing Les’ raft of training and education accreditations that include NVQ Level 3 supervisory and management, and a range of health and safety courses as well as IOG golf course and turf management training.

In addition to regular communication with his club members and committee concerning course maintenance routines, he also obviously handles any man-management issues with his team of greenkeepers.

“This is another very good reason for attending events like IOG SALTEX,” he says. “There’s so much advice on offer there concerning every aspect of the job that anyone involved in grounds care can’t fail to learn something on every visit.”

Obviously, many greenkeepers and groundmen and -women can but benefit from a visit to IOG SALTEX and to have a closer look at, say, mole control, for which golf course, park, and such does not suffer from moles, and heavily.

Rabbits are another such issue but the latter can, if necessary and feasible, dealt with by hunting, even with air guns, and netting, as they also can be a source on income being sold as meat.

Register NOW at www.iogsaltex.co.uk to receive your FREE entry badge and information about IOG SALTEX, or call the Ticket Hotline on 0845 272 8782 for FREE tickets, but hurry, the show is in less that 2 weeks.

IOG SALTEX 2009 is being held on 8-10 September 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.

Organized 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 organization 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

© 2009
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IOG SALTEX SALES SUCCESSES OUTSHINE RECESSIONARY DOOM AND GLOOM

Enthusiastic IOG SALTEX exhibitors have kicked off 2009 with reports of show sales successes that help brighten the current economic doom and gloom.

For example, according to Lynda Green, operations director at Terrain Aeration – which used the show as the launchpad for its new Remote Terralift machine alongside specialist Airforce Terralift equipment - the response by show visitors has already meant the new machine has been involved in the contracts won at IOG SALTEX for work at bowling greens, croquet lawns, football clubs and golf courses as well as local government.

In addition, she says, the company’s ‘show order book’ also included Airblaster work at private estates.

D J Turfcare also used the show to launch a series of new products, including the Turfcare - an American machine that de-thatches and overseeds (or fertilises) in one compact unit.

Ideal for contractors and groundsmen, the fact that Turfcare can be fitted with blades to verti-cut and covers a 22 inch wide swathe in a single pass certainly appealed to visitors to the Windsor showground – and none more so than the team from lawn care specialist, The Lawn Doctor.

“We are often called on to do some serious scarifying and overseeding,” says the company’s Gareth Case. “We had been looking for a machine that does both jobs – then we saw the Turfsaver.”

Since buying the machine, immediately after the show, the company has used it to scarify and overseed a cricket square, croquet lawns, a tennis court and a golf green – as well as domestic lawns.

Importantly, because this machine is capable of combining several tasks, it is the perfect example of how grounds care professionals can use IOG SALTEX to source equipment that is not only fit for purpose but also capable of generating added bottom line benefits.
Walkover Sprayers, a company that has been steadily rebuilding its UK customer base, says IOG SALTEX provided it with a number of opportunities from overseas visitors. Says director Paul Ace: “We have created new sales and distributor agreements in the USA, France, Belgium and Greece – and we are now in negotiations with interested parties from Italy, Germany, Bulgaria, Romania, Norway and Australia.”

IOG SALTEX organisers, the Institute of Groundsmanship, says plans are in place to make this year’s show (8-10 September at Windsor Racecourse, Berks) even bigger and better – with a number of special feature areas, including: The Intermediate Final of the World Skills UK Landscape Gardening Competition; AEA Live Machinery Demo Arena, Sports Turf Skills Village, Children's Play feature, The World of Arboriculture,
Sports Equipment Zone, plus Free seminar programmes.

IOG SALTEX 2009 will be held on 8-10 September 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.

Source: Wildish Communications Ltd
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PREMIER LEAGUE GROUNDSMEN KEEP UP TO DATE WITH SYNGENTA TURF MANAGEMENT RESEARCH

The Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) recently collaborated with turf management specialist Syngenta over a recent fact-finding visit by Premier League groundsmen to the Syngenta Turf Research facility at Stein in Switzerland.

With 30 or so groundsmen in attendance – drawn from the Premiership as well as clubs such as Reading and Derby, and including grounds managers of the clubs’ main stadia and academy playing surfaces – the two-day trip provided exclusive insights into the company’s $850 million research and development programme, in addition to face-to-face discussions with officials from the Professional Footballers’ Association and the Premier League.

Chaired by IOG chief executive Geoff Webb, the first day’s programme enabled open discussions about the implications to the playing surface by such activities as warm-up periods.

On the second day, delegates toured the impressive facilities at Stein where Syngenta Turf Researcher Dr Eva Haensel explained that it can take over 10 years and cost around £100 million to create a new turf management product. She also highlighted how “it is crucial that each new innovation brings a significant advantage for groundsmen”.

She continued: “We rely on the direct feedback from groundsmen to ensure we are focusing on the development of products that are especially relevant to the issues being faced, as well as providing practical advice and techniques to ensure they can be used as effectively as possible.”

The research facility has been instrumental in developing the use of Primo MAXX on sports turf surfaces, as well as new turf fungicides planned for UK launch in 2009.

Darren Baldwin, grounds manager at Tottenham Hotspur FC, praised the Syngenta team for its hospitality and professionalism, and thanked the IOG’s Head of Sales & Marketing, Kevin Duffill, for such an appropriate programme of events.

“Being able to get so many Premier League grounds professionals together was an achievement in itself,” he said, “and we all found it really useful to exchange opinions and to present those views to the footballing authorities.

“In addition, of course, the visit to the research centre was a real eye opener – the level of Syngenta R & D is quite amazing, and it was really helpful for us to understand what goes into the development and testing of chemicals, for example, before they reach the market.”
Syngenta Turf Manager, Simon Elsworth, added: “We hope that having seen the investment and commitment that goes into developing products, visitors will have full confidence and assurance in the performance of Syngenta products on the pitch.”

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

Source: Wildish Communications Ltd
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IOG SALTEX SUPPORTS PERENNIAL HORTICULTURE CHARITY

Perennial - Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Society is being supported at this year’s IOG SALTEX show, with collection boxes located around the showground dedicated to the national charity for those who work or have worked in horticulture. Perennial provides help, advice and support people from the grounds care industry, arborists and other horticultural trades, when they are experiencing need or difficulties.

Debbie Lyne, the charity’s Director of Marketing and Fundraising, said: “We’re delighted to have been chosen as the IOG SALTEX Charity of the Year for 2008. Perennial is not yet that well known among grounds care staff and others who attend and exhibit at IOG SALTEX, and we’re extremely grateful to everyone at the IOG for providing us with this opportunity to raise our profile among its membership and with other visitors to the show.”

Perennial’s stand will be situated in the Training and Development Hub, opposite the South Entrance.

For more information on Perennial and its services, visit www.perennial.org.uk.

Source: Wildish Communications Ltd

IOG SALTEX HELPS COUNCIL TEAM REDUCE THE HARD WORK OF LEISURE SERVICES

With responsibility for 309 hectares of major urban and country parks, 65 play areas and numerous small areas of open space, the Leisure Services department of Swale Borough Council faces a major challenge to maintain and improve the region’s green landscape.

Located on the North Kent coast between London and Dover, the council provides a host of services to residents in Sittingbourne, Sheppey, Faversham and the surrounding parish areas.

Its leisure team of seven people includes 36-year-old Alan Marolia, the borough’s Parks and Children’s Play Officer, who has worked for the council for the past nine years.

Responsible for a £1.2 million annual grounds maintenance budget as well as other significant amounts to spend on play area maintenance, including major lottery funding, his role is multi-faceted.

“We effectively see our responsibilities as covering pretty much any area that is green - that includes allotments, playgrounds, roadside verges and cemeteries as well as parks and gardens, recreation grounds and playing fields. Across the borough we need to ensure the broad range of public green space is maintained to the highest standard.”

For Alan Marolia, a key part of that delivery is an annual ‘catch-up’ visit to IOG SALTEX, an event he has been attending since his student days.

“My background even before joining the council has always been in horticulture, working in commercial nurseries, garden centres and landscaping, so IOG SALTEX has always been important to me. The only difference today is that when exhibitors see my name badge they are slightly more willing to talk to me than when I visited as a student - but I’ve got a long memory,” he jokes.

Last year he returned to the show with several leisure services colleagues. “Windsor is only an hour away so we go up on the opening morning and make a real day of it. It’s good for teambuilding and we all have our own areas of specialism so between us we can cover large sections of the show.”

With specific responsibility for grounds maintenance and play, he finds that the show assembles everyone and everything he needs. “I find it incredibly beneficial because not only do I check out the very latest in plant, equipment, chemicals and even legislation, I also get the opportunity to catch up with people whose help and advice is invaluable.

“It’s not just salesmen that you meet on the stands but managing directors, area managers, other client officers and basically like-minded people who share a professional interest in all things horticultural.”

For him, another most important aspect is the ability to ‘see, touch and feel’ equipment, something that no amount of web surfing or reading of product literature can achieve.

“If you’re buying a new car you want to test drive it rather than just order off a catalogue picture. It’s the same with new play equipment. If I’m spending £20k-£30k, I want to actually see how it looks and performs before I invest.”

Swale Borough Council has, in fact, purchased from an IOG SALTEX exhibitor new sets of play equipment that have been incorporated into urban play area schemes.

Although the council’s leisure services team goes to the show with some specific ideas on who and what it needs to see, Alan Marolia is also a firm believer in having a good browse round and discovering stands that might not have been on the original target list.

“While I’m disciplined in terms of identifying what I definitely need to see at the show, I would always recommend having a look at some of the less obvious exhibitors. There are always new, interesting and different products and services to see and, with the best interests of our council residents in mind, that’s why it’s so important my team goes to the show every year.”

Spource: Wildish Communications Ltd

DONAL KEARNEY APPOINTED IOG REGIONAL ADVISOR FOR IRELAND

After 12 months as the Institute of Groundsmanship’s (IOG) part-time Education & Development Officer, Ireland, Donal Kearney has now been appointed full-time IOG Regional Adviser, Ireland.

The move is another progressive step in the IOG’s Challenging Perceptions strategy and it complements the recent appointment of Ian Mather Brewster as Regional Advisor for the North. Both are new full-time positions created by the IOG.

As IOG Regional Advisor, Donal’s role as the ‘man on the ground’ for local IOG branches will also involve continual improvement to the current IOG education and training arrangements throughout Ireland.

Accredited with an MSc in Sports Surface Technology, a BSc in Turf Science & Golf Course Management and a Diploma of Sportsturf Management, Donal will also handle the IOG’s research and development programmes, as well as technical issues, liaising closely with the IOG’s Head of Professional Services, Ian Lacy.

Donal brings to the role an extensive background of golf course construction and maintenance, and turfgrass expertise. His job roles in the sports turf sectors began at apprentice level right up to management on some of the finest golf courses in Ireland, the UK and in the USA. His ‘hands-on’ practical experience complements his technical knowledge gained at university, most recently at a Department of Justice rehabilitation project in Dublin with the PACE organisation as Horticultural Instructor.

A keen sportsman and supporter of the G. A. A. – particularly Gaelic football and hurling – Donal says of his new role: “When I was appointed in 2007 as Education & Development Officer, I said then that Ireland’s grounds care professionals are very progressive and there is enormous potential for even further advancement in the industry.

“One year on and nothing has changed! These are very exciting times for the IOG especially in Ireland as it continually implements the developments outlined in its Challenging Perceptions strategy to improve both the professionalism and wider recognition of the industry.”

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

Source: Wildish PR
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IOG SALTEX PITCH CONSTRUCTION DEMONSTRATIONS TAKE LESSONS FROM THE ROMANS!

A fascinating daily programme of ground stabilisation techniques for synthetic sports surfaces is being staged in the Pitch Construction Area at IOG SALTEX (Windsor, 2-4 September) by Smith Construction, a pioneer in applying the process in the sports surfacing industry.

Originally established in a basic form during Roman times, the technique now is a civil engineering discipline based on proven formula and widely used for large scale civil engineering projects like aircraft runways, highways, quays and railways.

The ground stabilisation process being demonstrated for the first time at IOG SALTEX will show the successive build stages of an all-weather pitch, beginning with soft and muddy ground and progressing through the stabilisation sequence using stone, tarmac and rubber shock pad and, finally, various synthetic grass sports surfaces.

According to Smith Construction’s project development manager Jeanette Munton: “Being the only company offering this stabilising technique as well as traditional build methods, we know IOG SALTEX is the ideal venue to demonstrate the capabilities of a cost-effective process that reduces environmental impact and provides excellent results all year round, even on poor ground.

“With visitors from across the open space spectrum – including decision-makers responsible for all types of sporting venues and surfaces - the demonstrations will undoubtedly appeal to the show’s wide-ranging audience.”

Register NOW at www.iogsaltex.co.uk to receive your FREE entry badge and information about IOG SALTEX, or call the Ticket Hotline for FREE tickets on 0844 557 2724.

IOG SALTEX 2008 will be held on 2-4 September 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.

Source: Wildish PR
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AEA MACHINERY DEMONSTRATIONS HELP IOG SALTEX COME ALIVE!

NEWS RELEASE

An exclusive series of daily demonstrations of machinery and equipment from AEA member companies combines with the Ernest Doe Specialist Dealer Centre (featuring Acacia Groundcare Rental) to create the new AEA Live Machinery feature area at this year’s IOG SALTEX open space management show on 2-4 September at Windsor Racecourse.

Showcasing a wide range of machinery, the programme of demonstrations organised by the AEA (Agricultural Engineers Association) will include:

• Amazone’s Profihopper scarifier/mower
• Bomford Turner’s Golfmaster Buzzard 8 mower;
• Charterhouse’s Vertidrain aerator;
• The Countax Bear Cut chipper;
• Ernest Doe – EP Barrus’ UTV Plus tractor and outfront mower (plus equipment from Wiedenmann, and IPU’s Ferris 5100 and Dual drive 36 inch mowers);
• Martin Lishman’s ML Promidi Spray skid and ML Pro tractor-mounted midi spray
• McCormick’s CT 28 compact tractor;
• New Holland’s Boomer compact tractor (featuring Supersteer); and
• Reco’s zero turn mowers.
  

In addition, the AEA Live Machinery Demonstration Area will also incorporate the Ernest Doe Specialist Dealer Centre, featuring Acacia Groundcare Rental, where a wide range of machinery and kit will be on show to illustrate Ernest Doe’s activities and expertise. The area will also include parts and service workshops.

Register NOW at www.iogsaltex.co.uk to receive your FREE entry badge and information about IOG SALTEX, or call the Ticket Hotline for FREE tickets on 0844 557 2724.

IOG SALTEX 2008 will be held on 2-4 September 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.

Source: Wildish PR
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IOG SALTEX HELPS RACECOURSE GROUNDSMAN MAINTAIN HIS WINNING STREAK

The going’s been good for Richard Bradley, head groundsman at Great Yarmouth Racecourse, since he switched sports after starting his career at the local golf club. He got the seven-year itch while watching the horse racing from neighbouring Great Yarmouth & Caister Golf Club, where he served his apprenticeship. “The grass looked greener on the other side,” he laughs.

Seven years later, he shows no sign of succumbing to the same urge to move on and loves his role at the racecourse, including his annual pilgrimage to IOG SALTEX at Windsor.

This year will be his sixth visit on the trot and he relishes the chance to view the latest innovations in the grounds care sector. “I like to keep up to date with technological developments - in machinery, grass and fertilisers,” he says.

He has a thirst for knowledge, too: during his stretch at the golf club, he undertook three years of formal education at college. Keeping on the learning curve is important to him, he says – which is another good reason for making the long trip to Windsor: it’s usually a minimum of a three-hour drive each way but well worth the effort.

Last year’s launch of the show’s Skills Village proved irresistible, he reflects, but he has one regret: “The seminars are great if you have time to go to them, but there just isn’t enough time if you only attend the show for a single day, as I do.”

His approach is to cherry-pick his way round the event, swapping information with fellow groundsmen – “it’s great to meet up with people who work in sports turf as well as on racecourses” - and making use of the knowledge of the exhibitors. He is usually accompanied by the racecourse’s Clerk of the Course and other members of staff. “For the more junior members, the show is definitely very educational and there’s plenty to learn,” he says.

Richard Bradley oversees three other groundstaff and as part of what is a varied programme of work together they are responsible for maintaining the racing surface in prime condition, as well as the overall preparation and presentation of the site and surroundings.

“The most demanding aspect of my work is the hectic racing schedule. Throughout the racing season, meetings are scheduled close together including two/three day meetings, which means there is a tight turnaround to ensure the racing surface and site are up to scratch and ready. The workload is heavy and demanding.”

It is to improve the methods used in managing the racecourse that he says is the prime reason for attending IOG SALTEX. As the show is held during a break in the racing calendar, the timing is “just right”, he adds.

“The event showcases developments in the industry that will make our lives easier and allow us to do our jobs better. Last year, for example, I went with the specific hope of finding a new batwing mower to replace the front-mounted vortex and blower powered by a 75 HP tractor that I currently use. I found what I wanted but, unfortunately, budget restrictions have so far prevented me from ordering it.”

The chance to press the flesh with industry suppliers is also important to him. “It’s an ongoing thing: I’m always looking for ways to save money without compromising the quality of the racing surface. I’ll look at the grass seed, soil, sand and fertiliser at the trade stands. IOG SALTEX is cracking for those.”

• IOG SALTEX 2008 will be held on 2-4 September 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.

IOG SALTEX’S NEW SHOW FEATURES KEEP PACE WITH THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE

With new and exciting dedicated landscape equipment product displays and demonstration areas, as well as the annual World Skills UK Landscape Gardening final plus daily presentations on the impact of the new National Highways Sector Scheme 18 legislation, landscape professionals have plenty of reasons to visit this year’s IOG SALTEX open space management show (2-4 September, Windsor).

New this year for IOG SALTEX – and specifically designed to appeal to landscape contractors of every size – are:

• The AEA Live Machinery Demonstration Area;
• The Ernest Doe Specialist Dealer Centre, featuring Acacia Hire; and
• The Landscape Village – featuring hard and soft landscaping and plants, and a host of dedicated exhibitors.

The daily programme in the AEA (Agricultural Equipment Association) Live Machinery Demonstration Arena will feature machinery from AEA member companies including Amazone, Bomford Turner, Charterhouse, Countax, EP Barrus, Ernest Doe, FGM Claymore, Martin Lishman, New Holland, McCormick, Reco, plus many more.

With equipment on view and in action, visitors will have the opportunity to question suppliers face-to-face about machine capabilities – and costs!

Visit www.iogsaltex.co.uk for the programme.

In addition to running demonstrations in the Live Machinery Arena, Ernest Doe will also be displaying a wide range of machinery and kit in the Ernest Doe Specialist Dealer Centre to illustrate all aspects of its business and to demonstrate the full scope of its expertise.

After-sales support is a ‘must-have’ for every user, so the company will also be offering invaluable parts and service workshops. Again, visit www.iogsaltex.co.uk for full details.

With Doosan and Terex, in particular, supplying compact equipment ideal for landscaping, the nearby Landscape Village will feature a host of companies displaying products targeted at the landscape profession. For example:

• B&Q
• Buildbase
• Geosynthetic Technology
• Hedgemaster
• Iron Stop
• Kongskilde
• Mainstream Irrigation
• Postpullers
• Premier Trees
• RMB Craftscapes
• Thornton Sports
• Village Gardens
• Wave Seven Marine

Meanwhile, as well as working on behalf of UK Skills by organising the annual World Skills UK Landscape Gardening final, in the racecourse Grandstand BALI will also be playing a key role in the show’s education programme by organising daily presentations on the new National Highways Sector Scheme 18 ‘for quality management in highway works’ legislation.

The new regulations will impact everyone involved in providing services relating to the environment and landscape, so for landscape professionals, in particular, this will be an unmissable opportunity to gain up-to-date and pertinent advice and help from the experts on such a critical issue.

Register NOW at www.iogsaltex.co.uk to receive your FREE entry badge and information about IOG SALTEX, or call the Ticket Hotline for FREE tickets on 0844 557 2724.

• IOG SALTEX 2008 will be held on 2-4 September 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.

‘MINI STONEHENGE’ BRINGS NATURAL PLAY UP-TO-DATE AT IOG SALTEX

In addition to launching a number of new and exciting play products, the display being mounted by Russell Leisure at this year’s IOG SALTEX open space management exhibition (Windsor, 2-4 September) will grab visitors’ attention for another major reason – the staging of a ‘mini Stonehenge’ display of stone circles will be an outstanding focal point at the show.

Featuring several pieces of specially carved Cornish glacial granite some being more than three metres high – similar material to that used in the ancient megalith in Wiltshire – the stones will be adapted towards natural play through intelligent landscaping and incorporating motion and carved designs within the pieces.

The innovative exhibit at IOG SALTEX is the brainchild of Dominic Ropner of Time Circles, a company that is partnering Russell Leisure to help expand the latter’s natural play portfolio.

According to Russell Leisure’s Alasdair Wellwood, the co-operation with Time Circles is “the perfect fit for a company with an ever-expanding range of natural play products that are landscape- and architecturally-friendly”.

He says: “Our IOG SALTEX display should prove an amazing attraction among the play exhibits – not only because of the mini Stonehenge and our other natural play products on show, but also because we are introducing the new and innovative Cosmo Rope range, new roundabouts and see-saws .”

These, he says, will complement the examples on show from the company’s existing range of playground equipment, ballcourts and skate ramps, for example, designed for children between three and 14 years.

“We’re convinced that our partnership agreement with Dominic Roper’s Time Circles gives us an unrivalled competitive edge in the natural play market, an area that is proving increasingly popular for us in a year which sees the Government’s £225 million Children’s Plan play investment programme underway.”

Time Circles’ natural play exhibits will also be available at IOG SALTEX’s Landscape Village – this year a much-expanded area dedicated to the needs of the landscaping professional and which will include home improvement and garden centre giant, B&Q, that will be showcasing its landscaping and ever-increasing trade offer.

• IOG SALTEX 2008 will be held on 2-4 September 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.

ROYAL APPOINTMENT AFTER WINDSOR DEBUT AT IOG SALTEX

A Japanese knotweed infestation at Royal Mid-Surrey (RMS) Golf Club has been treated using a pioneering new stem injection system from Cheshire-based Japanese Knotweed Control after the two organisations met at last year’s IOG SALTEX exhibition at Windsor.

Set in Royal Parkland at Richmond-upon-Thames and adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, the golf course’s location meant that traditional chemical spraying of the knotweed was not an environmentally acceptable option.

Reviewing alternative treatment methods whilst attending the IOG SALTEX exhibition, golf club general manager, Marc Newey and course manager, Gavin Kinsella were impressed with Japanese Knotweed Control and in particular its new stem injection system.

The stem injection method enables localised treatment specific only to those weeds that need removing and has been used on two large problem areas on the RMS course. Knotweed was becoming increasingly prevalent on a car park area that borders the edge of the 18th fairway, as well as on proposed new teeing ground at the 9th.

A completely new environmental approach, the stem injection system works by delivering a measured dose of herbicide into the centre of the plant rather than just to the surface. This means it targets only the plants injected and there is no environmental risk of spray drift, run-off or contamination of watercourses and other sensitive vegetation.

Within a couple of weeks of meeting at the show, Japanese Knotweed Control had visited the golf course, surveyed the extent of the problem and made recommendations. A cost-effective solution with minimum disruption to the course and all risk factors taken into consideration was agreed before work began.

The golf club’s response was indicative of the enormous interest shown in the new stem injection system at IOG SALTEX. Japanese Knotweed Control’s stand attracted visitors from a large number of local authorities as well as groundsmen from some of the country’s leading public parks, stately homes and even a premiership football club, fully justifying the company’s debut attendance at the show.

“Given the huge scale of the event we were delighted with the number of visitors that said they’d specifically sought us out to discuss their Japanese knotweed problems,” said joint managing director, David Layland.

“Not only did we actually secure sales of the new stem injection system on the stand but we generated some excellent new business leads from organisations and groundsmen interested in us carrying out treatment programmes at affected sites.”

One of those, Royal Mid-Surrey’s Gavin Kinsella confirmed: “Japanese Knotweed Control offered a first class service, impressing us with the efficiency and accuracy of its stem injection system. We were able to see immediate results as the knotweed began to die back and the main benefit has been that no other vegetation or animal life on the course has been affected by the treatment.

“The team are professional, personable and highly knowledgeable about the treatment required. Following IOG SALTEX it was able to quickly and efficiently overcome a knotweed problem which, if left untreated, could have escalated into a major costly issue,” he said.

• IOG SALTEX 2008 will be held on 2-4 September 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.

DIARY DATE

IOG SALTEX 2008

2-4 September at Windsor Racecourse, Berksshire.

IOG SALTEX is Europe’s only exhibition focusing on 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.

Visit www.iogsaltex.co.uk for more details or call 020 7955 3987.