News
Pitchcare launch new management training course
Overview and Guidance for the Management of Grounds Teams course - ideal for town and parish councillors
The new one-day training course, developed by Groundsman Training, is aimed at Town and Parish Councillors, School Bursars, Estate Managers and those who have limited knowledge of the industry, but are responsible for the management of grounds teams.
This summer saw the launch of the innovative course ‘Overview and Guidance for the Management of Grounds Teams’, instructed by Martin Sampson, a highly respected turf professional, with over twenty years’ experience managing and maintaining a wide range of sports playing surfaces.
Martin and Chris Johnson (Training Development Manager at Groundsman Training) wanted to construct a course that increased awareness in those responsible for the management of grounds. Whilst training groundstaff, Martin found that delegates often commented on how they wished that their bosses could join them on the course. “The management sometimes lack a basic understanding of the role of the groundsperson,” he says. “People can sometimes be unaware, and may think that it’s ‘just a piece of grass’, but there is obviously a lot more to it. Staff morale, good communication, looking after money and making the right
In Brief... Parks promise...
The Parks for People programme in England provides grants of between £100,000 and £5million to restore and rejuvenate historic parks and cemeteries.
Organisations can apply for funding for projects that repair heritage features, open new facilities and run volunteering and activity programmes, involving the community in the running of the park. The Heritage Lottery Fund also makes available a significant sum for projects in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
6 I PC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015
decisions are all extremely important.”
At the same time, having had a conversation with a newly appointed Estates Manager at a prestigious public school, Chris found that although he had huge admiration for the results created by his grounds team, he had no knowledge of their day-to-day operations. The situation created was not conducive to a mutually productive working relationship, and Chris decided that a comprehensive insight into the management of grounds teams would be a particularly valuable course to develop.
The course consists of a presentation by Martin, with exercises and handouts covering subjects such as health and safety (including risk assessments), chemicals, sports turf and grounds maintenance, machinery (including daily checks and safety procedures), budgets, staff training and communication.
At a trial day in Ferndown, Dorset the course was well received by Town Councillors, Park Managers, and School Bursars, with the general feeling being that they had no idea how much went into the grounds operations and the responsibilities of those involved, confirming that the course is
Applications for the next round of Parks for People funding are open until 29 February 2016 and the first grants from this new investment will be awarded in June 2016.
Gordon McKillop stepping down
The Sports Turf Research Insitute’s (STRI) Chief Executive, Dr Gordon McKillop, has announced his intention to retire at Easter in 2016.
Gordon has held the position since July 2000 having joined the Institute from, what was then, the Central Science Laboratory (CSL), a DEFRA Agency.
Martin Sampson in full flow at a recent training course
highly appropriate.
Martin Sullivan, the retired Parks Manager of Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council said: “The pilot training day was enjoyable and a great success, ideal for those in the industry who are responsible for providing/managing safe and well maintained sports facilities/recreation grounds. This was achieved on the day, and I look forward to seeing the training course being rolled out and included in Pitchcare’s annual schedule of training courses.”
Sue Hodder, past Town Councillor, Chairman of Recreation and Town Mayor also attended the trial day, and commented that she found it “extremely useful, informative and very well put together. The course was very easily tailored to the individual needs of those participating. A lot of knowledge was gained and passed on by Martin through his vast experience.”
After the successful trial, the course was formally launched on 15th July at Ferndown, hosting six delegates with a variety of roles in
Lane changing ...
Construction work has begun on Spurs new stadium which is set to be ready for the 2018-19 season.
When complete, the stadium capacity will surpass that of Spurs' fierce north London rival Arsenal.
To allow the works to take place, Spurs will have to relocate away from White Hart Lane for one season (2017-18). The club is in talks over a possible move to Wembley Stadium for the year.
Spanning over 130 acres, the development is expected to create around 3,500 jobs and provide the local economy with an annual boost of £293m.
both a council and a school setting. The course again went down extremely well, and Martin was pleased with the response of the attendees after the course; “It was really, really positive. Several of the delegates were enlightened by what they learnt. They really had no idea how much went into grounds maintenance.”
Carol Holmes from West Moors Parish Council commented that the course was; “well presented and organised. Paced to suit the needs of all participants. The time went very quickly and it was a very good course.” Other delegates attending the course admitted how little they knew on the topic, and how relevant and helpful the knowledge was that they took away with them.
Two more dates are already in the calendar for the course. One at Finnimore Pavilion, Alton, on 19th November, and the other on 9th December at the Test Park Sports Ground in Southampton.
For further information please contact Chris Johnson - E:
chris@groundsmantraining.co.uk W:
www.groundsmantraining.co.uk
Castleford Tigers can progress stadium
Castleford Tigers Rugby Football Club’s plans to build a new stadium in Glasshoughton, West Yorkshire, have received final approval.
Wakefield Council had already approved the planning application for the £135m Five Towns Park development, but the sheer size of the project meant any final approval was subject to review by central government.
With the expiry of the judicial review period at the end of September, the plans have now cleared their final hurdle.
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