News In Brief...
State of Nature 2016
The State of Nature 2016 report reveals that over half (56%) of UK species assessed have declined since 1970. Of the three taxonomic groups assessed - vertebrates, invertebrates and plants - a higher proportion of invertebrates are declining than other taxonomic groups, with 59% having declined since 1970.
Average species abundance or occupancy (a measure similar to abundance for species too tricky to count) has fallen by 16% since 1970.
A PDF version of the report is availabe to download here -
https://www.rspb.org.uk/whatw edo/projects/details/363867- the-state-of-nature-report
Bayer buys Monsanto for $66bn
GERMAN chemicals giant Bayer has confirmed its record- breaking $66bn takeover of GM seeds business Monsanto - a deal that would create the world’s biggest seeds and pesticides company.
The offer, a record cash takeover, values Monsanto shares at $128 and will create a company worth $66bn (£50bn).
As well as farm products, Bayer also sells healthcare products including Alka-Seltzer.
RFU’s £50m artificial pitch rollout
Aylesbury, Preston and Weston- super-Mare are the first towns to benefit from floodlit artificial pitches under the Rugby Football Union's (RFU) four-year development plan.
To create a “legacy” following the 2015 Rugby World Cup, the governing body is investing £50m to create 100 artificial grass pitches across England.
Of the 100, 60 will be built on rugby club sites to be used by host clubs, other local clubs, schools and community groups, whilst a further 40 will be earmarked for community sites with a guaranteed number of hours dedicated to rugby use.
10 I PC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2016 Testing times for 3G
FIFA and World Rugby testing for 3G pitches overhauled
With 3G surfaces under almost constant scrutiny, the need for manufacturers to comply with the latest regulation and legislation continues to grow in importance. So, when it comes to football and rugby, what are the latest criteria for artificial grass pitches to conform to and what benefits does this hold for players at all levels?
Around this time last year, FIFA announced their intentions to overhaul the testing requirements for 3G pitches. The plans were drawn up with the aim of improving the quality of facilities available to players.
The overhaul was based around fundamental changes to the way artificial grass pitches are tested, from increasing the size of the product sample analysed, to extending the length of time the sample is analysed for. It also included a full redesign of the testing equipment itself to provide a more realistic simulation of the day to day demands placed on turf.
This was combined with the introduction of a number of comprehensive testing categories, which would examine a pitch’s performance with regards to heat, sunlight and infill splash. The result is an altogether more stringent and realistic testing process that is hoped will ensure that every new pitch will perform as well ‘in the field’ as it does in laboratory
Labosport’s LISPORT XL
conditions - at each stage of its life cycle.
But FIFA is, of course, not the only sporting body to hold a vested interest in the surface on which its game is played; World Rugby has followed suit with changes to Regulation 22, the minimum standard for artificial playing surfaces used for rugby.
Using the same improved testing machine, the LISPORT XL™ will enable World Rugby to replicate the life cycle of a field more realistically than ever before. This will subject each accredited rugby turf product to new, increased levels of testing to ensure all pitches provide a safe facility that is tailored to the needs of player development at all levels.
As with football, rugby product samples will be extensively analysed prior to installation, and field testing will be carried out within three months of a pitch being installed. If approved, the pitch will then be certified as meeting World Rugby’s Artificial Rugby Turf Performance Specification, and therefore
optimised to the unique demands placed on it by the sport.
The updates have also included changes to the Head Impact Criteria (HIC), in order to ensure that every pitch conforms to the highest levels of safety for players.
So how will this affect the schools, clubs and communities looking to ensure they have the best artificial grass pitch for their needs? Those with existing artificial football or rugby pitches needn’t worry, as any previously installed surface will be re-tested against the relevant FIFA Handbook or World Rugby Regulation 22 criteria in place at the time of the pitch installation.
Anybody looking to invest in a new pitch will likely be choosing from a narrower range of surfaces in the short term as test houses work through the re-testing of products to fit the new standards. All of these will, however, comply with the very highest set of standards - ensuring suitability and performance for the duration of the surface’s life cycle.
Green light for £60m resort
Northern Ireland to get new golf resort as two separate applications look to regenerate the area around Hillsborough Castle
A £60m golf resort has been given the go-ahead in Northern Ireland just days after plans for a £16m visitor centre were also given approval.
The plans include the development of a championship standard parkland golf course, a luxury hotel and holiday apartments in Hillsborough.
Once complete, it is thought that the complex will employ between 150 to 400 people.
Alongside the development of a visitor centre at Hillsborough Castle, the area will begin to draw in tourists.
Permission was granted for new visitor and estate facilities, whilst the Walled Garden will be restored, along with a section of the grounds known as the Lost Garden, which had become overgrown and difficult to access, will also be returned to its former glory.
The project will be led by Historic Royal Palaces, the charity responsible for the Tower of London, Hampton Court Palace, the Banqueting House, Kensington Palace and Kew Palace. It’s expected the organisation will receive £5m for its work in Hillsborough.
Democratic Unionist Party councillor, Nathan Anderson, said the applications were coincidental but were well-matched. “It’s an area where we recognise there needs to be more focus on tourism. Despite the fact we have so much to offer, its something which is overlooked in the area. More hotels are desperately needed in the area,” he said.
“The two developments will help each other in that people who want to visit the Royal Palace will need somewhere to stay and people who want to come to the area to play golf might also want to visit Hillsborough Castle.”
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