Also in this issue:
News .............................. 4 New Diseases Alert .......... 6
Jonathan Calderwood, Aston Villa FC
Winter Sports Light bulb moment
Our editor talks to the Aston Villa Grounds Manager, Jonathan Calderwood, about pitch preparation at a top Premiership football club. Pg66
From Coldplay to Fairplay
Pitchcare talks to Coventry City Grounds Manager, John Ledwidge, about the challenges of preparing a pitch which will be judged by millions across the globe during London 2012. Pg72
Are the Lions about to roar?
Our editor catches up with an old adversary, and also discovers that the Rugby Lions grounds are in ‘pretty' good hands in the shape of Sue Lacey, one of just a handful of women at the ‘coal face’ of the turfcare industry. Pg78
The saviour of the Football League?
The Football League’s decision to formally discuss a proposed re-introduction of artificial surfaces has caused quite a stir. Technical Surfaces’ Nick Harris puts the case for the defence. Pg82
Equestrian All weather - a racing cert?
All weather racing is one of the success stories of the equestrian industry, bringing new fans to the sport and keeping the coffers full when winter bites. But, like synthetic turf used in other sports, the surfaces require expert maintenance, as Jane Carley finds out at Kempton Park. Pg96
Musselburgh flexes its muscle!
A small racecourse with an even smaller grounds team stole the show at the Neil Wyatt Racecourse Groundstaff Awards, taking the dual purpose track prize. Jane Carley finds out how the crew at Musselburgh Racecourse, led by Clerk of the Course Harriet Graham, make it work. Pg102
Technical Why aerate?
It’s been eight years since our last in-depth look at aeration techniques and, in that time, there have been a number of technical advances, new theories and new machines that have had a significant impact. Pg106
On the slopes!
Can technology help you mow slopes safely? Richard Comely, Director of Marketing and Product Management at Ransomes Jacobsen, looks at the technology that allows operators to mow slopes and banks in safety. Pg114
There is life in dead wood
Often overlooked in favour of the more cute and cuddly members of British wildlife, invertebrates are a key element in the functioning of the living planet and, some may say, equally as charismatic. Faye Midmore, Field Ecologist at Peak Ecology, explains more. Pg118
Do you listen when your turf
cries for help? There is some very interesting technology, currently being trialed in the ag industry, that will have a huge impact on how turfcare professionals detect pests and disease. Pg122
Peter Marron
Summer Sports Is there life after Old Trafford?
After dedicating thirty years of his life to the home of Lancashire cricket, Pete Marron left Old Trafford three years ago for pastures new. Pg40
Rain man!
A Yorkshireman, who settled in Kent for cricket reasons (not too many of them!), but Peter Robinson did just that. Amongst several areas of vigorous involvement he has in the game in the county, he has made his village club a pioneer in matters ‘green’. Pg46
What to do to avoid constipation
Bill Clutterbuck finally gives into relentless badgering, and pens his first article for Pitchcare. Here, he talks about the interrelationship between the various cultural practices carried out on the cricket square during the season and beyond. Pg50
Caribbean Calypso
Tom James reports from the home of West Indian cricket in the UK, where he finds the club chairman, Harwood Williams, in philosophical mood, following the loss of important sponsorship. Pg52
Consistency, Colour and Care...
Twenty-three year old Patrick Hulbert has been an international bowls player and representative for England. Here, he discusses what a professional bowls player expects from the green. Pg58
Training & Education Follow the Leader
What makes a good manager? That’s a question you may have often heard, and the answer depends on many issues. Andrew Wight, Head of Work Based Learning for Land Based Industries at Oaklands College, gives some personal views on leadership skills. Pg138
Training ........................ 134 Frank Newberry .......... 136 Organic Fertilisers ........ 140 A Growing Problem ...... 142 Shane’s World .............. 144
Turf Tip .......................... 79 Viewpoint ...................... 88 Monthly Diaries ............ 130
Cover for Profit .............. 56 Pride & Passion ................62
Sports Turf Drainage - technical talk
What size? At what depth? What trench width and trench spacing? Some would say ‘the bigger the better’, others would say ‘not so’. Is there a right way? David Shelton of Shelton Sportsturf Drainage Solutions LLP, offers his take on the optimum pipe size for sports turf drainage. Pg124
Going Dutch on Weed Control!
A review of weed control management practices in Holland indicates how methods are likely to change in the UK over the next few years, driven by European legislation and, rather than re-invent the wheel, the United Kingdom can learn many useful lessons from the SWEEP initiative. Pg126
Monitoring - a useful tool,
poorly employed Words can lose their value and impact through both misuse and over-use, and monitoring may be such a word. The word monitoring is derived from Latin and means ‘to warn, counsel, advise, prompt or remind’. Pg128
Grass Side Up .............. 152
Bradshaw’s Guide ........ 146 Castletown GC.............. 148 Shrewsbury Town FC .... 150
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