Also in this issue: Paul Jones, Tottenham Hotspur FC
Winter Sports The best of both worlds
Tucked away near the bottom of New Zealand’s South Island is the world’s first permanently-roofed stadium with natural turf, where not a single drop of rain will ever fall on the surface. Pg56
Cock-a-hoop!
Paul Jones and his groundcare team are giving grassroots sport in East London a much-needed helping hand, whilst Tottenham Hotspur use and maintain the facilities at Frenford Clubs for use by the academy sides. Pg62
Albion back home again
Steve Winterburn, Head Groundsman at Brighton & Hove Albion’s new Amex Stadium, explains the reasoning behind his choice of surface. Pg66
Glassboys etch their name in history
Stourbridge FC, hit the headlines this season with their exploits in the FA Cup - progressing through four rounds of qualifying to reach the first round proper and a visit from Sky Sports and the media circus. Pg70
Artificial Surfaces Natural or Artificial?
Why does natural turf remain the‘natural’ choice for football, sports and playing surfaces, when many back the introduction of artificial surfaces? Pg38
Gosforth and back again ...
Rob Stewart visits Gosforth Rugby Union Club, one of the first clubs playing top level rugby on an artificial pitch. As he discovers, the arguments for using the surface appear to outweigh the negatives. Pg44
Who, how, when ... and why?
Nick Harris from Technical Surfaces Ltd analyses the finer points of maintenance, helping you to generate maximum use, performance and revenue from your artificial sports facility. Pg48
Allen Lewis, Llanymynech Golf Club
Technical Backpack Blowers
The groundstaff at Robin Hood Golf Club put a selection of backpack blowers through their paces. Pg110
Are you sitting comfortably?
David Morgan, Product Manager for Ransomes Jacobsen, looks at how continued product development has improved operator safety and comfort. Pg114
Wrong weather, wrong grasses!
Simon Taylor, UK Sales and Marketing for Eurograss BV, discusses the characteristics that make good winter tolerant grasses. Pg118
The anatomy of a golf course
Andy Watson, of Andy Watson Golf Design, looks at what constitutes a green; how it is placed; its size and shape; and technical advancements that have improved the green surface over time. Pg120
I want to tell you a story...
Jimmy Kidd tells us that our soil is a gift that will provide us with the quality of turf that we need, as long as we let the rootzones, micro and macro life farm it as nature intended. Pg124
Avoiding Disputes
The careful use of the most appropriate and explicit wording can contribute to a clear understanding between contractor and client. Pg126
Undoing the myth!
Symbio’s Paul Lowe discusses the soil food web and how to get the best out of your soil by utilising soil biology. Pg128
Equestrian Moore’s the merrier!
With vastly experienced Senior Clerk of the Course, Charlie Moore, at the helm, Uttoxeter Racecourse is in great shape to weather any coming storms. Pg106
News .............................. 4 Artificial Intelligence ...... 36 Not all weather .............. 52 Viewpoint ...................... 74 Tetraploids .................. 130 Permanent Solution? .... 132 Monthly Diaries ............ 134 Training & Education .... 138 Globalising Cricket ...... 140 Seaweed ...................... 142 Winter Playing Quality .. 144 Penn Cricket Club ........ 146 Robin Hood Update ...... 148 Algae issues ................ 150
MANAGING DIRECTOR: David Saltman
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR: John Richards
Telephone: 01952 897 910 Fax:01952 247 369 Email:
editor@pitchcare.com
FEATURES AND EDITORIAL: Laurence Gale Tel: 01902 440 260 Email:
laurence@pitchcare.com
ADVERTISING & PRODUCTION: Peter Britton
Pitchcare Magazine, 3 Kingsbere Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 8RR Tel:01952 898 516 Email:
peter@pitchcare.com
PITCHCARE SHOP: Dan Hughes Tel: 01902 440 258 Email:
dan@pitchcare.com
IT & WEBSITE: Alastair Battrick Tel:01902 440 255 Email:
al@pitchcare.com
MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS: Ellie Parry Email:
ellie@pitchcare.com
ACCOUNTS: Sharon Taylor Tel:01902 440 261 Email:
sharon@pitchcare.com
TRAINING COORDINATOR: Christine Johnson Email:
chris@pitchcare.com Tel:01902 440 263
Pitchcare.com Ltd Allscott Park Allscott Telford
Shropshire TF6 5DY
Tel: 01952 897 910 Fax:01952 247 369 Email:
editor@pitchcare.com
CHRIS JOHNSON Training Coordinator
The Pitchcare Pastry Chef will have been busy over the festive period preparing all sorts of yummy
delights for her family and friends. The absence of any of these treats at the last team meeting was such a serious
oversight, it was noted in the minutes.
SHARON TAYLOR Company Accountant
Sharon came sixth in some national horsey competition at Aintree recently. We know it’s a very commendable achievement, but we struggle to understand all this equine activity, especially as this particular event was at the end of the month when our wages needed paying!
LYN PRICE Accounts Admin
Talking of things equine, there aren’t many donkeys in Shropshire, as most of them lost their hind legs! Yes, our Lyn can talk a bit. When she is not exercising her vocal skills she is issuing statements and chasing payments. We believe her success is clients desperately avoiding ‘that’ phone call.
KIRAN CONTRACTOR Sales Administrator
No longer supporting the best team in Europe is weighing heavy on Kiran, as Rooney and Co flounder around in the Champions League, and their cross city rivals soar ahead in the
Premiership. Not even a surge up the fantasy football league is bringing a smile to his chubby little face.
STUART BURTON Web Designer
Yet another office move for Stu as he departed the Nerd Centre to become part of the marketing team. At least he can now enjoy banter about his mighty reds with other supporters of top flight teams - Arsenal, Manchester United, Spurs ... oh, and Wolves!
DAN BURTON Web Developer
Claims to him being
“fabulously sculpted like a muscle-bound Norse god” were soon scotched, when it was discovered that his ‘El Supremo’ Mexican luchador moniker was found to be false. Having googled to find out what a luchador is, we believe he meant a muscle bound nurse!
No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. Editorial
contributions are published entirely at the editor’s discretion and may be shortened if space is limited. Pitchcare make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the contents but accepts no liability for its consequences. Images are presumed copyright of the author or Pitchcare unless otherwise stated. Pitchcare Magazine is printed by the Gemini Press, Dolphin Way, Shoreham-by- Sea, West Sussex BN43 6NZ
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