is a worldwide brand of AGCO.
WELCOME TO pitchcare 2012 - and all it might bring - or not! IS it just me, or will the Olympics come and go, creating nothing more than a few ripples in the annual calendar of sport? I don’t want <strong>to</strong> rubbish the event, but I just can’t get excited about its imminent arrival. I know that I should, and I’m sure I will tune in <strong>to</strong> see the highlights of a close run 1500m final or a new world record javelin throw, but you can, by and large, keep the rest. I’ve tried <strong>to</strong> put my finger on the lack of enthusiasm; not just my own, but so many others. In the last couple of weeks on various radio channels and TV, I’ve heard presenters say as much about the lack of excitement. I think, for me, the football has never been taken seriously and I just switch off from the whole event. I must admit <strong>to</strong> enjoying Winter Olympics so much more. Let’s hope, despite my reservations, that the event proves <strong>to</strong> be a huge success, leaving a legacy of great sporting facilities for generations <strong>to</strong> come. As the country falls in<strong>to</strong> a ‘double-dip’ recession, you could have been forgiven for thinking that, actually, the economy was reasonably buoyant, judging by this year’s BTME at Harrogate. The general feeling was positive and, certainly, two of the three days seemed <strong>to</strong> be reminiscent of days gone by as you slowly edged along the walkways due <strong>to</strong> the sheer weight of people in front of you. It was good <strong>to</strong> see and, at face value, appeared <strong>to</strong> be a step in the right direction. In perspective, the numbers were up, certainly on the previous two years, but probably still fall far short of the numbers three or more years ago. The condensed nature of the halls made the show look busier but, a key talking point was the decision <strong>to</strong> put John Deere, Ransomes Jacobsen and Toro under the same hall roof. For the discerning cus<strong>to</strong>mer, the opportunity <strong>to</strong> view ‘the big 3s’ equipment side by side was great, but for creating a better flow of well distributed footfall through the halls, perhaps that decision may be reviewed next time? The arguments surrounding the installations of synthetic turf in<strong>to</strong> stadium sport continue. The money men (Chairmen) think they are making the right decision, usually based on the salesmen’s spin of low, ongoing maintenance cost and vastly increased income from many more hours of sport. It’s unfortunate, at the moment, that they don’t get the balanced argument of high replacement costs, particularly if little maintenance is being carried out, as well as the difficulty of attracting sufficient extra sport and corporate events in any way, shape or form <strong>to</strong> make it pay in the first place. The first professional Rugby League game was played a few weeks ago on a new synthetic surface, Widnes played Wakefield. There was much discussion after the game on the TV, and in the papers, focused on the damage <strong>to</strong> the players’ knees. It seems there are interesting times ahead then, and the future will very much depend on there being a resolute and strong argument coming from the natural turf lobby. At Harrogate, someone likened me <strong>to</strong> King Canute, trying <strong>to</strong> turn the tide of inevitability. The fact is that in America, where synthetics have been at the forefront of mainstream sport, many stadiums are reverting back <strong>to</strong> a natural surface. Why, because of the many documented cases and published papers on injuries, diseases and the safety of children using artificial surfaces? The current tide is incoming, and will peak. Yet, with a united voice, it will recede <strong>to</strong> a point where we see natural grass remain as the preferred choice in stadiums. Cheers Dave Saltman Say that again! “Even though I still detest slow greens, if they are true and firm they are still preferable <strong>to</strong> quick, bumpy ones” Greg Evans, Ealing Golf Club “There is no point designing a good course if it isn’t well built, and there is no point building a good course if it isn’t well maintained” Donald Steel, GTC “It’s about the money <strong>to</strong> be made, at the expense of whatever happens <strong>to</strong> get in the way of that” Matt Frost, Football Pitch Consultant “It is important <strong>to</strong> check that you have sufficient cover within your insurance policy should an accident take place on your artificial pitch” Nick Harris, Technical Surfaces “It is no good just moaning about the lack of respect and understanding our industry seems <strong>to</strong> suffer from, we have <strong>to</strong> try and do as much as possible <strong>to</strong> change this” Barry Glynn, East Molesey Cricket Club “The words ‘gas oil’ or ‘red diesel’ in themselves are generic terms that mean nothing and everything at the same time” Neil Ryding, FAST “It is only the untrained who think they are good interviewers. The trained ones know their limitations!” Frank Newberry, Training Consultant “I got very close <strong>to</strong> walking out of the industry because I was very disillusioned with it. Instead of getting involved, I became marginalised and disillusioned” Eddie Seaward, All England Club
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natural pitches artificial pitches
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one area? Clubs are then likely to
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also of the RFU and a number of ins
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“Artificial rugby pitches must be
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Rootzone top-up The concept for a N
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Winter Sports With Southampton flyi
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Winter Sports Professional lights s
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Winter Sports “Our most worrying
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Winter Sports 68 PC FEBRUARY/MARCH
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Winter Sports ViewPoint Our anonymo
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Summer Sports - Bowls Expectations
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Summer Sports - Bowls Rainbird irri
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Summer Sports - Bowls When it comes
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Summer Sports - Bowls “Consistenc
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Summer Sports - Cricket “No, I’
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Summer Sports - Cricket trimming of
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Summer Sports - Cricket SMITH famil
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Schools & Colleges After thirty yea
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Schools & Colleges One of Chris Edw
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Schools & Colleges Ransomes 305 a g
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Schools & Colleges Neville Johnson
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Schools & Colleges Head Groundsman
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Schools & Colleges Joe Cooper’s l
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Schools & Colleges Look through any
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Equestrian Craig Williamson “This
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Equestrian The home straight from t
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Technical Seed germination is one o
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Technical Trees represent an import
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Technical Giant Polypore heaviness
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Technical Normally carried out unde
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Technical Choosing the right sand c
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Technical which is determined by th
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Technical In this final article in
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Technical “In order to tie the go
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Technical “The words ‘gas oil
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Technical MONTHLY Diaries I STILL s
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Technical Aeration and sweeping Aer
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2. The “threat” scenario If the
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Alongside our General Sports Turf M
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one I had not predicted, but I stil
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“There are many different covers
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come of it. They’d look at it and
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since day one. Barry is, essentiall
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Gravel banding is a secondary drain
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Ideal for use around tree bases Jap
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present a key challenge. “Typical
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Quote me happy “... they are comi