PUBLIC PLACES
The vast number of our sites are open access and, therefore, accessible to the public twenty-four hours a
day. You can just imagine the kind of challenges this poses
to us and reduced manual handling issues.” “At the end of the season, we reinstate the goalmouths and overseed all pitches with three diff erent types of ryegrass. Then, the goals are put back in and we start linemarking with a transfer wheel. Due to the number of pitches we have, this process would usually start four weeks before season kick off , to have any hope of getting an initial mark on all sites, followed by weekly mowing and overmarking.” “We’re currently looking to explore how robotics can help us work more effi ciently. The amount of time a robotic linemarker will save would be incredible; tasks which would take two staff a day and a half to complete, would take the robotic machine two hours. Not only that, but the cost savings on paint would also be enormous and it would greatly improve our resources.”
“We are in a fortunate position that we won’t always have the cheapest machinery, but more so what’s best for each operation. Value has to come into that, but we can take time to research all options and go for what performs across our sites.”
“Five years ago, we did a big exercise to determine what tractors were on the market. This was important to ensure that our carrying capacities are correct at all times, as we are obviously out on public highways a lot.”
Andy added: “Selection of the correct machinery plant is crucial - second only to the correct selection of staff . We’re only as good as the workforce we work alongside and it’s becoming increasingly diffi cult to recruit the right staff , not only in our industry but across many sectors.” “The RHS would argue that more
people are getting into horticulture than ever before, which is brilliant for National Trust sites etc. However, as a grounds maintenance facility, we require a multi-skilled workforce; general grounds, sports fi elds and horticulture skills, right through to emptying bins etc. and there are most defi nitely fewer people with the broad skills of knowledge and expertise coming into the industry.”
Karl continued: “No team members were furloughed throughout the pandemic and they have all been very understanding and helpful to assist wherever they were needed. Right at the beginning, mowing grinded to a halt for a period of six weeks, so the team were even sent out to help with refuse collections. Then, as grass cutting was approved again, we started bringing them back one by one with newly adjusted
Markeaton Park lake PC December/January 2021 59
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