New year, new website
Happy new year! I hope some of you managed to enjoy a little quality family time over the festive period.
As we enter 2024, and Storm Henk battering the country with torrential wind and heavy rain, we can only pray that the rainfall slows down to give grassroots surfaces a chance of becoming playable. I have seen so much devastation on social media and more needs to be done to help funding and the maintenance regimes of lower level clubs. In a bid to do just that, Chris Smith, Head of Programmes (Quality Pitches) at the Football Foundation, told us about the launch of the biggest-ever drive to transform the quality of grass pitches across the country (page 48).
Industry expert Mark Hunt also discusses how to future proof your facility against wet weather in his regular column on page 46.
Throughout 2023, huge developments took place for Pitchcare when we set objectives to modernise our brand and improve content engagement. We've loved hearing all your positive feedback about the magazine over the past twelve months and the investment is continuing with key changes to pitchcare.com for 2024. The new website offers a contemporary site for today's turf community and will be launched within the next week!
In this issue, we report on the impact of the EU vote on pesticides for UK turf managers. Last November, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted to reject a proposed regulation on pesticides that could have had a profound impact on the amenity sector both in Europe and the UK. Read the full account from page 8.
We also have great articles from our regular contributors including health and safety top tips from James Matthewman, plus Dr Marie Athorn from the RSPB and The R&A partnership advises how you can make an impact in 2024 in nature conservation.
As well as BTME, there are a number of regional shows on the horizon including The 64th Annual Doe Show; 6-8th February in Maldon, Essex and also the Scots Turf Show on 6th March at Hamilton Park Racecourse.
I look forward to catching up with some of you on my travels!
Kerry
t: 07973 394037
e: kerry.haywood@pitchcare.com