‘Making a difference for everyone’ was the core message running through many of the presentations at a very well attended Amenity Forum conference held at the Pirelli Stadium, Burton on Trent.
The flagship annual conference of the Amenity Forum reminded delegates that without professional maintenance of amenity areas, every UK citizen would be affected.
Those involved in Amenity keep the roads and trains running, the streets and pavements clean, our sports surfaces in top condition and our parks fun and enjoyable places.
Weed, pest and disease control is not a nice to have but essential and important. In his address, John Moverley OBE, Independent Chairman of the Amenity Forum, urged everyone involved to have real pride in what they do and to help communicate to the wider public the important work undertaken – vital for health, safety, our environment and ensuring green spaces are fit for purpose.
The first session of the conference focussed upon policy and innovation. Grant Stark from the Chemicals Regulation Directorate emphasised the change ahead and the need for the sector to stand together. He urged delegates to support the Amenity Forum; demonstrating their commitment to best practice.John Parker from Transport for London focussed upon how amenity maintenance keeps cities running and the scale of the task.
The second session involving five leading experts; turning the focus towards the need to adopt a holistic or integrated approach to amenity management. Andrew Kerr from Surbiton Golf Club was passionate about the need to maintain golf courses at both a high standard for playing and also to maximise environmental benefits. He emphasised the high level of professionalism needed with highly trained staff. David Carey from the Bio Control Trade Association looked at new innovations in such an approach and emphasised the role that bio control can take in a holistic approach to amenity management. Colin Mumford from Bayer sought a preventative approach to weed, pest and disease problems and Professor Alan Gange from the University of London described current research into biological control of the invasive, Himalayan Balsam.
In the afternoon, attention focussed on having pride in what the amenity sector delivers for public benefit. John Ledwidge is a highly regarded Head Groundsman responsible for maintenance and improvement of pitches used by Leicester City FC.Maintaining top quality pitches is a high pressure job and demands a very high degree of professionalism and dedication. He was followed by a thought provoking presentations from Mark De Ath (Headland Amenity) and Peter Corbett (Rigby Taylor) who looked to the future and what weed, pest and disease management might look like.
The conference was rounded up by a presentation from Barrie Hunt (Monsanto) who updated everyone on the current re-approval process for glyphosate, an essential component of almost all amenity management programmes. John Moverley then concluded urging everyone to get behind the current communication campaign seeking to increase everyone’s understanding of the importance of amenity management. It really does keep Britain moving.
The three category winners for the 2017 Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Awards were a,lso announced at the conference. It is the third year of the prestigious Awards, which aim to reward top sprayer operators across the amenity industry, and to share their best practice to enhance standards for all.
The main sponsors of the prestigious Amenity Sprayer Operator of the Year Awards are ICL and Syngenta. Each winner announced at the event received a framed certificate and a trophy from the sponsors, together with the offer of free training awarded by BASIS Registration.
The category winners and runners up were as follows:
Sportsturf category: an especially highly competitive category with just one point separating winner from runner up
- Winner - Chris Phillips who works for Complete Weed Control
- Runner Up – Andy Baker from Ely Golf Club
Landscape & Amenity Knapsack Operations category: a category that attracted a very good number of entries and some difficult judging decisions
- Winner – Nathan Hume who works for SH Goss Ltd.
- Runner Up – Tony Robinson from Southern Horticulture
Landscape & Amenity Mounted Sprayer operations: another category that attracted a very good number of entries and some difficult judging decisions
- Winner – Lee Harrison from Complete Weed Control
- Runner Up – Robert Alexander from JSD Rail
The three category winners have now been invited by ICL and Syngenta to attend as their guests the BTME Event in January when the overall winner will be announced at their evening awards event. The overall winner will receive the Amenity Forum Shield from Forum chairman Professor John Moverley OBE and will have a choice of prize options provided by the sponsors. These are a trip to the USA to attend either the Green Industry & Equipment Expo or the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America Conference or to receive instead £2000 of ICL and Syngenta products.
Speaking about the awards, John Moverley said: “We are extremely grateful to the sponsors of these awards who are members of the Forum and fully supportive of all our objectives. The awards highlight the professionalism that exists in our sector and the high standards achieved. I congratulate all who entered and especially the winners.”
