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.

ORGANIC LAWN FERTILISER ELIMINATES MOSS WITHOUT RAKING

DJ TURFCARE has launched a new 7.5 kilo bag for the award-winning MO Bacter – the organic lawn fertiliser that destroys moss by indirect action and eliminates debris by bacterial action, avoiding the need to rake.

It has been trialled on BBC TV’s Beechgrove Garden series in Scotland and has, up till now, only been available in 20 kilo bags.

The new size bag will treat up to 75 square metres, while 20 kilos will treat up to 200 square metres.

“MO Bacter has proved one of our most successful organic lawn products,” says managing director David Jenkins.

The BTME (BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition) award-winning product has received much praise from both professional and amateur gardeners alike.

MO Bacter is an organic slow-release granular fertiliser from Viano of Belgium, which eradicates moss, feeds grass for three months and improves the soil.

Moss dies as a result of excess potassium but leaves no black debris. The dead moss is then digested by the bacteria in MO Bacter (npk: 5-5-20). The product does not stain stonework, patios or paths.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has seen remarkable results in which two inches of moss at one cemetery in Oxfordshire was virtually eliminated in six months, with no need for scarifying to remove debris. And headstones were completely unmarked.

Renowned head groundsman Eddie Seaward tested MO Bacter and said he found it to be “very effective and very efficient.”

The product is harmless to animals and wildlife and will not damage border plants.

“MO Bacter is revolutionising the way moss is treated on grass near stonework,” says David Jenkins.

DJ Turfcare, based in Surrey, is sole UK distributor for Viano products.

*MO Bacter, which is granular, is available for both professional and domestic users.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What is MO Bacter?
MO Bacter is an organic slow-release granular fertiliser based on the NPK formulation 5-5-20 (Nitrogen 5percent Phosphate 5percent and Potassium 20percent). It also contains a natural bacteria (Bacillus sp.).

What does it do?
MO Bacter applies the three essential nutrients to the turf on your lawn and an extra dose of potassium, which moss cannot survive. The moss dies as a result of the secondary action of this potassium overdose, while grass strength is greatly improved.

Within three to four weeks of application, under ideal conditions, you will see the moss go brown. A short time afterwards this dead moss will start to disappear, the bacteria in MO Bacter digesting the dead material.

The slow-release granules will continue to supply nutrients to the grass plants for up to three months, ensuring a healthy lawn that you will be proud of.

How is it applied?
By hand or spreader at the rate of one handful (about 200 grammes) per two square metres. A 20 kilo bag will treat 200 square metres.
It does not matter if it rains afterwards. MO Bacter works best when the soil temperature reaches 10degC so warm damp conditions are ideal.

When is it applied?
MO Bacter can be applied from March through to July for healthy grass and moss elimination but can also be very successful when used in early autumn for acting as a moss control throughout the winter.

How is it stored?
Keep MO Bacter in cool dry conditions, stored in the plastic bag and secured at the top. You can continue to use the product for up to 12 months after the bag has been opened. It should keep well if you ensure the bag is not in damp conditions.

What are the advantages of MO Bacter?
There are five main advantages: MO Bacter is Organic, Slow-release, Does not mark stonework, Does not harm children, animals or plants, Destroys moss while eradicating debris – which means no raking.

Where can I get advice on MO Bacter?
Simply call DJ Turfcare on 01483 200976 and the friendly staff will be pleased to help. They have many years of experience in the turfcare industry and should be able to offer advice on all your lawn problems.

www.djturfcare.co.uk

This press release is presented for your information only.

Full Disclosure Statement: The Parks & Gardens Review received no compensation for any component of this article.

This article is for your information only and the GREEN (LIVING) REVIEW does not (necessarily) approve, endorse or recommend the product, service or company mentioned.

Parks and green spaces given opportunity to contribute to the London 2012 Games legacy

After Love Parks Week Community Games are granted the Inspire mark by the London 2012 Inspire programme

Love Parks Week has been granted the London 2012 Inspire mark which recognises outstanding projects and events helping deliver the Games’ lasting legacy. The London 2012 Inspire programme enables non-commercial organisations across the UK to link their events and projects to the London 2012 Games in an official scope. The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

As a part of the Inspire programme this year Love Parks Week will include the option for event organisers to run London 2012-themed Community Games. These free Community Games are a way of bringing the fun and excitement of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to cities and towns across the UK. These games are to be hosted in parks and green spaces as a part of Love Parks Week 2012 and will allow organisers to use the prestigious Inspire brand.

These Community Games will also promote the lasting environmental and community benefits of our nation’s parks and green spaces. Tess Stackley, Campaign Manager said “Working with the Inspire programme gives us a great platform to highlight how our parks and green spaces can provide everyone with a place for maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle. We envision people who come to these Community Games will return to their parks with their friends, family or on their own to stay active, take up a new sport and get the proven health benefits from spending time outdoors.”

Seb Coe, Chair of the Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “The Inspire programme is ensuring the legacy of the 2012 Games starts now as projects like Love Parks Week are enabling people who work in and enjoy spending time in their parks to make positive changes in their surrounding area.”

In addition to educating the public about the benefits of green spaces for individual health and social development, these Community Games will help to deliver a sustainable Olympic Games by bringing some of the fun and excitement to towns and villages across the UK. Instead of traveling into London to feel as though they are a part of the 2012 Olympics, people will be able to celebrate the build up to the opening ceremony in their local park or green space during Love Parks Week.

Park facts for health:

1. The difference in the weight gained for children living near green and non-green areas was 5.1kg for girls aged 16 years and 5.9kg for boys.

2. Populations exposed to the greenest environments have the lowest levels of health inequality.

3. Children living close to busy roads are more at risk for respiratory illness, including asthma.

4. Access to quality green space decreases a person’s blood pressure, cholesterol and stress, while increasing their ability to face problems and become involved in social activities.

5. Daily gardening reduces the likelihood of developing dementia by 36%.

Love Parks Week is organised by parks charity GreenSpace. GreenSpace is a registered charity which works to improve parks and green spaces by raising awareness, involving communities and creating skilled professionals. For more information: www.green-space.org.uk.