Pitchcare at Saltex
Pitchcare's latest report on Saltex 2001
Total attendances topped 15,000 after the third successive day of sunshine at the IOG`s Saltex Exhibition at Windsor. Again Pitchcare received an excellent response on the stand, with visitors from all sectors of the industry.
Groundsmen, in particular, were enthusiastic about the thought of sharing and discussing problems on-line. Free advice, especially from the experts, is always welcome!
Despite being in an area away from the mainstream flow of visitors, more than 3,000 of the inivitative Pitchcare newspapers were distributed.
All in all it was a very promising debut by the Industry`s newest company.
Award Presentations at Saltex 2001
Pitchcare attended the award presentations at Saltex, when the winners were announced for the following categories:
There were joint winners for the Landscape and Amenity Buyer Awards for the Best New Landscape Product:
Darthuizer UK for their Smart Screen, the panels supplied in a range of plant species and fully grown.
Sheltons (Sportsturf) Drainage Solutions for their Trenchman 150 - Trench Cutter.
Winner of the Landscape and Amenity Buyer Award for the Best New Sportsturf Product:
Waste 2 Water Europe for their Waste 2 Water Biological Re-cycling Wash-off System.
The Horticultural Week Award for the Best Marketing Initiative went to:
Aventis Environmental Science for their Technical Manual CD Rom and Website.
Pitchcare would like to take the opportunity to congratulate all of the winners for their awards.
NEWS RELEASE from the IOG
Peter McCallion has won the coveted IOG Football Groundsman of the Year title.
His First Division Preston North End pitch had already received a Nationwide trophy earlier in the year after STRI judging.
Peter has been at Preston North End for 27 years after completing a course in groundsmanship at Lancashire College of Agriculture, he also holds a City and Guilds in Sportsturf Management and an IOG National Practical Certificate.
"I am delighted, honoured and very surprised at receiving this award" said Peter who lives less than half a mile from the ground with his wife Margaret. They have two children and four grandchildren.
Three years ago Peter received the Sir Tom Finney award for services to Preston North End and earlier this year he received the Nationwide pitch trophy from Club Chaiman Brian Gray, in front of a capacity crowd just before a match against Watford, which Preston won 3-2. "That was a double celebration" said Peter.
Other top pitch winners were, former holder of the IOG title Alan Ferguson of Ipswich Town (Premiership), Jim Gardner of Wycombe Wanderers (Division Two) and Mark Harrison of Hull City (Division Three).
IOG judging was carried out by Alex Millar and Carl Pass
Pitchcare would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Peter and his colleagues on their achievements.
Peter McCallion - The IOG's Football Groundsman of the Year.
Top tips on the pitch at Preston North End.
Peter has one assistant, Richard Eastham, helping him at Preston North End.
The pitch at Preston has a fibresand rootzone over a stone base, sand over the stone and grid system drainage. This is the third season using fibresand and last season was the first year after promotion to the first Division.
The grass seed mix is a ryegrass blend , which has been oversown over a Barenbrug mix.
"We need the ryegrass in this part of the country because of the light and cold" says Peter. "Root development is the most important issue for us, as is the light".
Translucent Panels have been put in the South Stand and they are now considering doing the same in the West Stand.
Irrigation is supplied by a sprinkler system and three bayonet points down the centre, hidden by turf during matches. They also use flex-hose with fixed-90 heads for mobile irrigation.