WELCOME TO
Three years and counting
With a bias towards winter sport, forgive me for talking, again, about the high quality of the majority of the pitches that our Groundsmen produce. The winter brought with it a mixed weather bag and plenty of rain, which caused problems for those with a heavy fixture list.
With the advent of portable lighting systems, it is quite easy to see the haves and have nots. I believe that three quarters of the Premiership grounds now use artificial lighting to induce growth all year round and that has proved its worth, the pitches at Aston Villa, Newcastle, Tottenham and Arsenal, amongst others, have looked superb all season. The fact that a near 100% sward of grass can be maintained throughout the dormancy period, under lights, speaks volumes for the future of natural grass.
This issue of the Pitchcare magazine sees the end of our third year in print and I am deeply appreciative of all the contributors who willingly (along with a bit of badgering from our editor) provide good technical and practical articles for inclusion. It is no mean feat producing a 100 plus page magazine for each issue, particularly because 70% of the pages are filled with top quality editorial. Of course, we always welcome more articles so if you would like to see yourself, your club and your experiences in print then please give one of the team a ring or email your article to us at
mail@pitchcare.com.
Most of you will be aware that our new DAVE SALTMAN
Managing Director. Has perfected the art of one handed nappy changing whilst talking on his mobile and operating his lap top. Yes, our Dave has thrown himself headlong into the art of ‘daddyship’ and is now doting over his son ahead of his beloved staff! We don’t feel scorned though - after all most of us are out of nappies!
JOHN RICHARDS
Operations Director. Doing his bit for his global footprint by flying off to Oz again to see his two granddaughters. But not before putting the finishing touches to this magazine and leaving a list of ‘things to do’ as long as his arm. He might be the other side of the world but he’s not called the operations director for nothing -b
of late night calls! beware
LAURENCE (WRITING) GALE
Editor. Gave the gentle folk of Pembrokeshire a rest when, after umpteen years holidaying there, he took his wife and boat to Cornwall recently -h
look website is now up and running. It offers an easier and more navigable framework for members and is completely free to join.
We have already received lots of positive comments on its evolution and we continue to look for ways of improving the site further. The membership sits at well over 31,000 as I type, that’s an awful lot of industry knowledge under one roof!
We put daily news and articles on the site, including working diaries for all grass sports. In total there are now over 5,000 articles, all fully retrievable, using the search function and, in addition to this, the message boards offer around 50,000 postings and replies. If you can’t find an answer to your question from here, post a new message and you’ll generally receive good advice in as little as a few minutes.
We have also made the shop far more prominent. I know (from talking to people) that many didn’t even know that Pitchcare has a large on-line shop. We offer around 3,000 items across materials, machinery and products at very competitive rates.
We are
continually bringing members special offers, and
pitchcare
shopping online has never been easier. If you’re after larger quantities, please ring the sales team for best price.
As you will see from this issue, we are continuing to drive forward with our educational courses. Working with our partners we are able to provide training to one man bands and staff groups alike. Having completed another successful Essential Management Skills, we are now looking to book you on to one of three more courses organised for this autumn. If you manage staff and would like to improve your managerial skills then get yourself on this enjoyable and very reasonably priced 2-day event.
Best wishes to all of you for the coming month.
Managing Director Dave Saltman
PETER BRITTON
Sales & Production. A new computer has tested Peter’s IT skills (he doesn’t have any -A
missed the Severn Bridge junction! The Eden Project was still in one piece when he left but I’m not sure about the sanity of the residents of Newquay!
he probably
left him wondering how anyone learns the intricacies of them, especially when handing out instructions from Delhi to numpties like Peter! It isn’t going to be long before his three year old granddaughter has surpassed his IT talents!
Al) and
ELLIE TAIT
PR and Marketing. Recently shocked us all by informing us that her last hairdressing appointment cost a small fortune. Now, I know she has a lot of hair but, surely, someone is extracting the Michael? There have been various offers from Pitchcare staff to carry out this operation ranging from ‘a fiver’ down to payment in kind!
ALASTAIR BATTRICK
the PC team DAN HUGHES
Web Monkey. With the new website taking shape, Al has been busying himself with all things html - we don’t understand either! And he’d like to keep it that way. Can’t have the menials getting a foothold on the steep IT learning ladder. After all, we might find out just how straightforward it all is, or not as the case may be.
Sales Manager. The finger nails have been bitten to the quick as his beloved Wolves flirt with the Championship play- offs for a second successive season. We won’t know the outcome of their ‘will they -w
they’ season by the time this magzine goes to print. By that time Dan could well be down to his knuckles.
won’t CHRIS JOHNSON
NVQ, LANTRA, ITA, NRoSO, NPTC and HND to name but a few. It’s been an SLC (steep learning curve) getting to grips with all this TIT (turfcare industry terminology) but we think she is doing an MFJ - that’s a mighty fine job to you and me!
Training Coordinator. Chris lives in a world of acronyms -E
EMS,
SHARON TAYLOR
Company Accountant. Having suffered the disappointment of seeing her team, West Browich, lose in the FA Cup semi final to Pompey, Sharon is now pinning her hopes on a return to the Premiership -a
the opportunity to score valuable ‘points’ over Dan. In between doing some ‘accounting’ of course.
and
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