Hot Items
The Football League have declared their support of Groundsmen. The results of the Pitchcare survey of Premier and Nationwide League Groundsmen were discussed by the FL's Playing Surfaces Committee, and they have agreed to seek a change in the Laws of the Game to allow markings on the penalty and goal areas. In addition they are writing to all 92 clubs to emphasise the need for them to adhere to any instructions by club Groundsmen regarding 'no go' areas for warming up. The full response from the FL can be viewed in the magazine.

We are very close to discovering the overall winner of the Technical Merit Award and the recipient of the £2,000 main prize. The judges are considering the responses to the topical issues questions received during the 10 months of the competition and an announcement will be made early in the New Year. Tim Fell of the award sponsor, Tillers Turf, will make the presentation to the winner. Congratulations to Mark Chesman from Reading who was drawn as the winner to November's monthly prize draw. Mark has chosen to go Rally Driving.

The Cricket Groundsman of the Year Award final judging has just been completed and the winners will be announced shortly. To nominate your Cricket Groundsman of the Year in 2004 click here.

Trials of an experimental lighting system at the City of Manchester Stadium are almost complete. Early results, as reported by Manchester City's Lee Jackson, are very promising with impressive root growth and grass cover on the areas under the lights. A demonstration day by Norwegian manufacturer, Mobilt Drivhus, is to be held in January. Details will be published on Pitchcare.

The Pitchcare poll offers a new anonymous survey every two weeks. Former surveys have included: In what format would you like to see the Industry trade shows? How much time would you be prepared to set aside for further education? Synthetic surfaces-Should the Industry be doing more to present a case for the advantages of natural turf? To view all the poll results click here.

Currently we are asking members if they would be prepared to pay a small annual subscription to help meet the additional costs of further improving our services. We would like to take on a full time Editor, to improve the quantity of good editorial on the site, offering even more advice, help and information to everyone. For a small annual fee, we can greatly enhance our services to you the member.

BTME 2004
Taking place at Harrogate from 20th to 22nd January, BTME and Clubhouse is Europe's largest indoor turf exhibition. Featuring new products, innovations, top class education and debate, it is a must visit for anyone involved in the world of golf course maintenance. Exhibitor/visitor details and seminar booking forms can be obtained online.

Pitchcare will be operating a Cybercafe for the duration of the exhibition, located in Hall B and providing free internet access to visitors. Please pop in and see us.

Offers

Aeration
Don't be caught out. The hard ground has made aeration almost impossible this year but, with the long overdue change in the weather, it is the ideal opportunity to get on with this important task. It's easy enough if you have your own machinery but, if you don't, Turfcare Contracts might just be the answer.

Machinery for hire supplied with tractor and operator:

• Wiedenmann XP160 deep tine aerator
• Imants Shockwave 1.5m decompactor
• Imants Rotoknife R6

For a free quote, send an email giving your contact details to: turfcare@sportsworldamenity.com

Bootwiper
New square pattern bootwiper. Heavy, robust and durable design including steadying handle for easy bootwiping.

Ideal for the entrances to clubhouses, sports facilities and schools, keeping the inside of buildings clean etc.

List price £89.00
Pitchcare offer price £79.00

Buy NOW

Kombi spray line marker
Kombi spray line marker - described in the latest edition of Horticultural Week as a 'dream of a machine'. The best marker for all ground conditions. Comes with a free knib. On offer to members for £450 plus Vat.

Buy NOW

Bowdry
Probably the world's leading water removal machine. The thick foam roller has a 60 litre holding tank and picks up water, dew, liquid mud or any other floods or spills. Available to Pitchcare members for just £475 plus Vat. Next day delivery if ordered before 2.00pm.

Buy NOW

A 2004 to look forward to

Artificial turf
This debate will inevitably gather pace as UEFA pursue their search for an acceptable surface. Like standing terraces at football grounds, natural turf could soon become a relic of the past. No need for mowers, markers, seeds, fertilisers. Is that the future we want for football and the sports turf industry?

Training and Education
The grounds side of the industry is desperate for a co-ordinated approach to this important issue. Greenkeeping has its house in order with the GTC. Pitchcare will be looking at ways to redress the balance.

Foreign fields
As membership from outside the UK continues to grow, there is the opportunity to learn about sports turf care in different climatic conditions. Via our members and contacts, we will be publishing stories from Groundsmen and Greenkeepers from around the globe.

Pesticides
As legislation increasingly reduces their availability to the industry, do we welcome a shift back to old fashioned turf maintenance techniques or will there be pressure to develop new, less damaging chemicals?

Industry Views
In the short time we have been involved with Pitchcare (less than a month), we have already received nearly two hundred leads and have sold some machinery to a top premiership club.
Andrew Fuller, Director, Lamberhurst Engineering

We used Pitchcare recently to advertise our forthcoming conference. This was our first venture into the world of internet marketing, and we were delighted with the response. It far exceeded our expectations. We even had bookings from as far afield as the USA and the Czech Republic.
Bruce Brockway, Secretary, LDCA

As of 1 January 2004, Tower Chemicals Ltd will be advertising on the Pitchcare website. It is the ONLY way of speaking to 6,000 professionals at their convenience, and understanding the problems they encounter and just as importantly, giving them solutions. My company are delighted to be associated with Pitchcare. The articles and information on the site make it an industry MUST HAVE AND READ.
David Goldstone, Managing Director, Tower Chemicals

Regular Features

Used Machinery
Latest additions to this section include two cricket rollers. To view the rollers, and the complete list of available machinery, click here.

Jobs, jobs, jobs
There are currently 23 jobs on offer in our job section, ranging from lecturing, irrigation, groundsmanship and landscaping, if you are looking for a change of career come and browse the opportunities available click here.

Weather
Dry, wet, fog, frost, what's next? For the best online weather services you can call upon the expertise of John Kettley and British Weather Services. Call 09061 992069 for direct access to a duty forecaster providing up to the minute information for your area. For full range of services, click here.

Conquering Hero Tackles the Slopes
The steep slopes at Granton on Spey Golf Club were no problem for the Allett Conqueror. Kenny Kinnaird, the head Greenkeeper explains:

“This machine has made a tremendous difference to us this year and is probably the best single investment that we have made here at Granton on Spey.

We used to spend 72 hours every week cutting our tee banks by hand and we now cut the whole lot in just 24 hours. I have to say that even after using the machine all this season I am still amazed how steep a bank the Conqueror will handle.

We have tried many different ride on mowers over the years but nothing else would handle the very steep gradients that we have to deal with. “

For more information on the Allett Conqueror and other Allett machinery, please email Allett Mowers or call +44 (0)1241 437740.

Final Word
We'd like to extend a warm thank you to all the suppliers, friends and associates of Pitchare who've sent cards and gifts to us. We are making a donation to charity in respect of your generosity.

On behalf of all the Pitchcare team can I wish you a very happy Christmas and a very enjoyable and prosperous New Year.