Sports Minister still confident of Green Games in 2012
Minister says that everyone involved is trying very hard to make 2012 the most environmentally friendly Games possible
A LONG-TERM hosepipe ban will not hamper the London Olympic team’s efforts to make the 2012 Games a carbon neutral event, Sports Minister Richard Caborn has argued. Fears that not enough trees or turf
would be able to be planted close to stadia were dismissed as the Minister spoke in the lead-up to the Games at a recent Olympic roadshow in the North- west.
“I am aware of the hosepipe ban and the implications that this could have on laying turf and planting trees if it were to continue but everyone involved is trying very hard to make sure this is the most environmentally friendly Games possible,” he said. “A hosepipe ban would present
difficulties but there are seven railways around the park and we aim to have the best public transport infrastructure
imaginable to massively reduce carbon emissions.” With London in the grip of a hosepipe ban that has been in place for over a year now, the Minister stressed that although the planting process was a major part of development, their green targets could be achieved through other means, should the ban be in place in 2012. “We are already upgrading a lot of the canals and plans are under way to make sure this is a waste neutral games,” he added.
His comments are likely to disappoint
many horticulturists who are hoping that the Olympics are a showcase for UK horticulture with trees, shrubs and turf helping to deliver a carbon-neutral Games.
Critics may also view his comments as an indication that the London
Best of Both
NATURAL turf or synthetic? Both have their place and, to prove the point, seven companies are jointly sponsoring Seminar/Demonstration Days in the South East of England, offering an opportunity to talk to the experts and learn the secrets of creating and maintaining quality playing surfaces - whether natural turf or synthetic. The keynote speakers can both be relied upon for interesting, thought- provoking presentations:
Martyn Jones was Head of Turf Science at Myerscough College for over twenty years and has been a respected speaker in more than twenty countries. He is currently secretary of the British Turf and Landscape Irrigation Association, Education Coordinator for the European Institute of Golf Course Architects, part-time lecturer at Cranfield University, President of the Preston Branch of the Institute of Groundsmanship, and Founder Trustee
organisers are willing to compromise their vision of the original London 2012 bid, which chose to focus on five key sustainable themes: a low carbon Games, sustainable transport, zero waste, conservation of biodiversity and a sustainable legacy. Previously, the Sydney Olympics of 2000 was accused of ‘green washing’ by environmentalists for not living up to its original green billing. The 2000 Australian Olympic bid
promised to deliver the greenest summer Olympics ever, only to be later condemned after the Greenpeace commissioned architects, that helped put the bid together, were discarded.
Worlds seminars Seven leading companies sponsor Seminar and Demonstration days
of the National Turfgrass Foundation.
David Rhodes has twenty years experience in the sports surfacing industry, specialising in both natural and synthetic turf. Amongst many qualifications he has an MSc from Reading University, and 10 years practical experience. He currently runs two successful consultancies from offices in Preston and Dorset.
The programme also includes: Choosing the Right Grass Cultivars & Mixtures; Turfgrass Nutrition; The Causes and Management of Hydrophobic Soils; Balanced Management - The Cost Effective Solution; Artificial Turf - Another Option. Working demonstrations of the newest techniques in the mechanical maintenance of natural and synthetic turf surfaces will be presented by SISIS Equipment and TYM Tractors.
Venues:
19th September, Radley College, Abingdon, Oxon.
20th September, St.Albans School, Herts.
21st September, HSBC Sports & Social Club, Beckenham, Kent. The day is free of charge with lunch
provided. Tickets from Lynn Hilton
publicity@sisis.com or phone 01625 503030.
“Best of Both Worlds” is a recognised BASIS/NRoSo/CPD Seminar with BASIS points awarded for attendance.
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