BLEC Rotor Rake puts final touches to Kilmarnock FC pitch renovation

HUGH MURRAY, director of Greentech Sports Turf Contractors, took delivery of a BLEC Rotor Rake to complete a major renovation of Kilmarnock Football Club.

The job involved power-harrowing the pitch to incorporate 100 tonnes of fibresand into the pitch following drainage problems during the season.

“We have a number of BLEC machines,” said Hugh, “and this job was ideal for the Rotor Rake.

“The pitch has been topdressed with sand over the years and the fibresand content diluted. The club felt it was time, after 15 years, to replace the fibresand in the top of the surface.”

The three-metre Rotor Rake was delivered to Kilmarnock by Gary Mumby, managing director of BLEC Global.

“We were delighted Hugh chose one of our machines again and the results on the Kilmarnock pitch are remarkable,” he said.

Other BLEC machines in the Greentech stable include a Laser Grader, a Grading Box Rake, a Sandbander and two Cultipack Seeders.

Greentech used one of their Cultipack Seeders for the final seeding of the Kilmarnock pitch.

One of the features on the BLEC Rotor Rake is the built-in equipment to enable it to be laser-controlled for complete accuracy.

www.blec.co.uk

Source: Oakfield Media

Sundridge Park GC bridges the gap between forestry and greenkeeping

Sundridge Park Golf Club in Kent has as much interest in its trees as in its greens and fairways.

So much so that they have their own forester, Terry Gladwell, who planted some of the 250,000 trees – nearly 50 years ago - from which he built a fabulous new oak bridge over a rebuilt pond.

It’s just one of the many tremendous features of this stunning 36-hole club that boasts nearly 1,200 members – and yet maintains a quiet and unassuming entrance near Bromley down a quiet back lane.

Course manager Paul Rudkin, who has been at the club for 26 years, and his team of 12 greenkeepers, plus forester Terry, have their work cut out maintaining this superb course to very high standards.

Speedcut Contractors carried out the dredging of the pond on the 18th Hole of the West Course last November (which involved temporarily removing 2,000 fish, mainly carp, to another newly-built pond on the East Course).

They also regraded and shaped the area in preparation for the paths and bridge installed by Paul’s own team and lowered and laser-graded the 18th tees, which now have a superb view across the water and beyond.

“Speedcut did a great job,” says Paul. “I have known contracts manager Barry Pace for many years and he and his teams are always very meticulous and down-to-earth in their approach. Their attention to detail is remarkable and the results speak for themselves.”

Barry’s team also laser-graded the tees around the renovated pond, which now have a superb view across the water and beyond. They also aerated greens with their Gwazae deep pressure decompacter.

Part of the club’s major investment has also gone on a new practice area facility just completed, with four members bays, a separate teaching bay and a large enclosed state-of-the-art professional’s room that includes cameras to show players how they are improving.

The new range building was a joint venture between Speedcut Contractors and Mike Copson Associates and the results are proving a very popular asset for the club.

The project also included relevelling and extending the existing grass practice tee with Paul and his team, installation of full 25metre-width Huxley Range mats to the back and improvements to drainage, car parking and access.

One of the most important aspects of Sundridge Park is the care of the 250,000 trees. Members are given tours of the plantation areas and talks on the flora and fauna of the course.

Forester Terry, who gives the talks, has been with the club for nearly 50 years and has seen fairways and greens disappear to make way for tree plantations so that the club can be totally self-sufficient in trees.

The creation of storm shelters from their own harvested timber and the building of the bridge and walkway at the 18th on the West Course are completely down to Terry.

“The trees here are what we are known for,” he says. “They are the most important feature and create a haven for wildlife.”

Trees on the course include oak, ash, cherry, sweet chestnut, horse chestnut, beech, silver birch and young redwood. There are also poplars and fir trees.

SPEEDCUT CONTRACTORS: www.speedcutcontractors.co.uk

Speedcut Contractors are specialists in sportsturf construction, drainage and renovation and have a long record in every type of sporting venue, including rugby,cricket and racecourses – and clients include local authorities, schools and colleges.

Source: Oakfield Media

INDUSTRY BODIES LINE UP FOR IOG SALTEX

This year’s IOG SALTEX show (September 4-6, Windsor) is gearing up to be THE meeting, debating and networking venue for not only practising grounds and open space management professionals but also for some of the country’s leading industry bodies and sports governing bodies.

As well as an ever-expanding list of exhibitors that will display and demonstrate the myriad of products and services considered essential to every aspect of open space management, a host of associations will be present at the Windsor Racecourse showground, including:

[] FIFA, football’s international governing body, will be staging a meeting

[] BALI will be holding its AGM

[] The BAGMA Village show feature will represent members (UK dealers) from the British Agricultural & Garden Machinery Association – plus showcase a number of education/training organisations
[] The Contractors Forum will be hosting a networking lunch

[] BIGGA will be programming a full day of golf-centric educational presentations

[] Lantra will be holding a day-long series of meetings/discussions

[] There will be a major update on current pesticides law, and

[] Water management - best practice will be debated by an authoritative panel comprising representatives from the ‘industry co-operative’ that includes the Horticultural Trades Association, the Association of Professional Landscapers, the Turfgrass Growers Association, the Landscape Institute, the RHS and the Society of Garden Designers.

“Coupled with a number of exciting visitor features, there’s certainly something for everyone at this year’s IOG SALTEX,” commented Sales Director Clare Johnson.

IOG SALTEX 2012 (www.iogsaltex.co.uk) will be held on September 4-6 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.

About IOG SALTEX

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

IOG SALTEX APPOINTS BRINTEX FOR SALES AND MARKETING

IOG SALTEX, Europe’s leading show for the open space profession, has appointed independent exhibition organiser Brintex to manage the sales and marketing of IOG SALTEX from the 2013 event, with Jon Gibson as Event Director.

PHOTO CAPTION: Jon Gibson, the new Event Director for IOG SALTEX

“IOG SALTEX enjoys an undisputed leading position in the groundscare and open space marketplace,” says Jon. “One of my missions will be to not only reinforce but also capitalise on the considerable importance and influence of this ever-expanding industry.

“At the same time, we will continue to ensure that IOG SALTEX offers value-for-money to exhibitors and remains the not-to-be-missed annual showcase of emerging developments and techniques that impact visitors from across the complete spectrum.”

Current IOG SALTEX Sales Director Clare Johnson and her team at Pilot Navigation are continuing to handle this year’s event (Windsor, September 4-6) as well as their involvement with this year’s IOG Industry Awards and Sports Turf Conference (York Racecourse, December).

The development, which has been arrived at by mutual consent, will allow Pilot to concentrate on events that it wholly-owns or is evolving via partnerships.

Brintex has almost 50 years' experience in organising trade fairs and exhibitions, and Managing Director Malcolm Taylor says: “I have visited IOG SALTEX on many occasions over the last 20 years as it is an outstanding event for the groundscare, outdoor leisure and amenity sectors, and I am delighted that Brintex is now being given the opportunity to work with the IOG to develop the event further.”

Event Director Jon Gibson worked on IOG SALTEX from 1994 to 1999, when he oversaw a period of significant growth in both exhibitor and visitor numbers. Since then he has gone on to acquire vast experience in the events business both in the UK and overseas, and in a wide range of business sectors.

Commenting, IOG Chief Executive Geoff Webb states: “I thank Clare and her team for seven years’ dedicated service during a period of difficult market conditions – the Pilot team has certainly helped keep IOG SALTEX as a major event while many other trade shows have floundered.

“I wish her well with her new plans and I now look forward to a similarly successful relationship with Brintex, one of the UK’s largest independent exhibition organisers, and to the continued success of IOG SALTEX, the industry’s flagship event.”

IOG SALTEX 2012 (www.iogsaltex.co.uk) will be held on September 4-6 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.

About IOG SALTEX

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

IOG SALTEX – THE ONE-STOP OPEN AIR SHOWCASE FOR NEW PRODUCTS AND MANAGEMENT IDEAS

The usefulness of IOG SALTEX as the ‘one-stop shop’ for all turf and open space management matters and as a showcase for new ideas and products – plus the event’s unrivalled ability to enable equipment to be demonstrated outdoors - continue to dominate the reasons why industry decision-makers make their annual pilgrimage to the Windsor show (this year, September 4-6).

According to independent research, 88 per cent of visitors to last year’s IOG SALTEX said it was important to see equipment working in a ‘real life’ environment. And more than half (59 per cent) said the show was the one event where they could see everything they need in one place at the same time, while 58 per cent go looking for new products and ideas to improve their routines.

In addition, the visitor research (by Vivid Interface) also reveals that 34 per cent of the 9,267 visitors to last year’s show went to IOG SALTEX to source new or alternative suppliers.

[] These latest findings complement the earlier research results that showed how IOG SALTEX attracts buyers and decision-makers - 72 per cent of visitors to last year’s show had responsibility for specifying products and services.

IOG SALTEX 2012 (www.iogsaltex.co.uk) will be held on September 4-6 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.

About IOG SALTEX

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

IT’S FACT: IOG SALTEX VISITORS HAVE REAL BUYING POWER!

IOG SALTEX continues to attract influential buyers and decision-makers from the turf and open space management industry, with nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) of the 9,267 visitors to last year’s show having responsibility for specifying products and services.

Indeed, 32 per cent of visitors were from organisations that spend up to £50,000 a year on products and services, 19 per cent from firms that spend between £50K and half a million pounds a year, and over 13 per cent had budgets above £500,000.

In addition, the independent research by Vivid Interface also states that 81 per cent of visitors with purchasing power said IOG SALTEX influenced their decision to find a new product/supplier or to place an order that they would not have placed if they had not visited the event at Windsor.

The research also showed that, in an average month, 37 per cent of visitors involved in purchasing do not see any non-supplier sales representatives and 12 per cent see only one, while 38 per cent were likely to ask for a quote while at the show.

IOG SALTEX 2012 (www.iogsaltex.co.uk) will be held on September 4-6 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

Alert over moth pest in London and Berkshire

People in west and south London, and Pangbourne in Berkshire, are being cautioned not to touch the oak processionary caterpillars which are now emerging in oak trees in these areas.

They are also advised to keep children, pets and livestock away from the caterpillars and their nests, and to report any sightings.

The caterpillars develop into the oak processionary moth (OPM), a recent arrival in Britain and a forestry pest and potential health hazard. They damage oak trees by feeding on the leaves, in some cases leaving the trees severely defoliated and vulnerable to other threats.

The caterpillars have thousands of tiny toxic hairs which, on contact, can cause itchy skin rashes in people and animals. Eye and throat irritation have also been reported symptoms. They pose the most risk to health during May and June when the caterpillars are in the final stages of development before becoming a moth. The hairs can be blown on the wind and left in the silken, web-like nests which the caterpillars build in oak trees

Forestry, health and local authorities are working to contain an outbreak of the moth in several London boroughs, and to eradicate a small outbreak in Pangbourne, near Reading in West Berkshire.

Alison Field, South East England and London Area Director for the Forestry Commission, said the public could help, although she urged people not to touch the caterpillars or their nests.

“We welcome reports of caterpillars or their nests from the public or others, such as gardeners and tree surgeons, who are out and about in areas with oak trees,” she said.

“However, the public should not try to remove the caterpillars or nests themselves. This task needs to be carefully timed to be most effective, and is best done by specially trained and equipped operators.”

Dr Brian McCloskey, director of the Health Protection Agency in London, endorsed this advice for public health reasons, saying:

“We strongly advise people not to touch or approach the caterpillars or their nests because of the health risks caused by the toxin-containing hairs. Pets can also be affected and should be kept away as well.

“Anyone who experiences an itchy or painful skin rash or a sore throat and irritated eyes after being near oak trees in these areas should consult their GP or NHS Direct.

“We have issued advice to local GPs and other health professionals to help them identify when patients have been affected by the caterpillars and to advise them on appropriate treatment.

Anyone having oak trees pruned or felled in the affected areas must contact the Forestry Commission’s Plant Health Service beforehand on plant.health@forestry.gsi.gov.ukor 0131 314 6414 for advice about safe removal of the material.

• Sighting reports - can be sent to the local council (see the Questions & Answers document at www.forestry.gov.uk/oakprocessionarymoth for contact details) or to the Forestry Commission’s Forest Research agency at christine.tilbury@forestry.gsi.gov.uk; 01420 22255.
• Health advice - Anyone who is worried by an intensely itchy or painful skin rash, sore throat and irritated eyes, and who might have been near oak trees harbouring OPM, should consult their GP or call NHS Direct on 0845 4647. Health information is also available from www.hpa.org.uk. Anyone concerned about their pets should contact their vet.
• Pest control - A list of local pest control operators qualified to deal with OPM is available from the Forestry Commission on 0131 314 6414 / plant.health@forestry.gsi.gov.uk, or the local Council. (See the Questions and Answers document available from www.forestry.gov.uk/oakprocessionarymoth for Council contact details).
  Further information is available from www.forestry.gov.uk/oakprocessionarymoth.

1. Sighting reports should include a precise description of the location. An Ordnance Survey grid reference is ideal, otherwise an accurate postal address with the full postcode, and/or a clear description of the tree's exact position, is helpful. Digital photographs may also be sent to aid identification.
2. The Forestry Commission hopes that the Pangbourne outbreak, which is still small, can be eradicated. However, it has not proved possible to eradicate the London outbreak, first detected in Ealing and Richmond in 2006. The objective there is to slow or prevent its spread, and keep its population as low as possible.
3. The London outbreak area is divided into two zones – the core outbreak area comprising Brent, Ealing, Hounslow, Richmond Upon Thames and Hammersmith & Fulham Boroughs; and a 10-kilometre (6-mile) ‘buffer’ zone around the core area, taking in areas of Barnet, Harrow, Hillingdon, Camden, Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Merton, Kingston Upon Thames, Sutton, Croydon and Elmbridge, Epsom and Ewell, Southwark, City of London, Islington, Haringey and Spelthorn. Forestry Commission inspectors are surveying the buffer zone for infestations. They will serve statutory Plant Health Notices on the owners of any infested trees in the buffer zone, and in the core zone where they threaten to spread into the buffer zone, requiring them to have the infestations removed. Management of infestations in the core zone is primarily the responsibility of local authorities and tree owners.
4. The best times to tackle the pest are in the spring, with insecticide after the caterpillars have hatched, and in the summer by removing the distinctive white, silken nests where they congregate and pupate into adult moths.
5. OPM (Thaumetopoea processionea) gets its name from the caterpillars' habit of moving about in nose-to-tail processions. A native of southern Europe, it most likely entered Britain as previously laid eggs on young oak trees imported from Europe for planting here.
6. Nests are always dangerous to approach because of the presence of the caterpillars’ toxic hairs. The peak danger period for human health is from mid-May to late July.
7. The caterpillars pupate in their nests in late June and early July and emerge as moths between one and four weeks later. The moths lay their eggs in oak trees in July and August, and the eggs hatch caterpillars the following spring. The caterpillars feed in groups, and at other times congregate in communal nests made of matted, white silk webbing - typically about the size of a tennis ball.
8. The caterpillars do not necessarily kill trees - they usually recover - but they would add another unwelcome stress to Britain's oak trees, which in some areas are already suffering from other stresses such as drought and acute oak decline.
9. A native of southern Europe, OPM has become established as far north as The Netherlands over the past 20 years.
10. The species will attack other broadleaved trees such as hornbeam, hazel, beech, sweet chestnut and birch, but usually only where they are close to severely defoliated oaks where its preferred food of oak leaves is limited.

Source: Forestry Commission, UK.