IOG conference tackles grounds management issues

By Mike Beardall

THIS YEAR'S annual conference of the IOG (Institute of Groundsmanship) at Leicester Hilton Hotel (April 12 -14) covers a wide range of issues reflecting the diverse nature of grounds management.

Among the issues tackled will be the reduction in availability of pesticides under new EU legislation, managing water resources and IOG-funded research into electrokinetic processes in the management of sports turf conducted by the University of Newcastle.

The keynote address will be by David Payne, director of investment for Sport England.

Other issues tackled will be grass seed quality, artificial surfaces, multi-sport grounds and facility management (by James Mead of Millfield School) and the new national stadium at Wembley, explained by Noel Jeffs, the director of operations.

On the third day of the conference (Monday April 14) there is a strong local authority input with a focus on Best Value and contractors, composting waste and managing a local authority pitch improvement project.

Among the visits planned are a study tour to Leicester City FC Walkers Stadium and Leicester Tigers Stadium plus a visit to Loughborough University and the new ECB National Cricket Academy.

ECB CRICKET GROUNDSMEN'S SEMINAR

Tuesday April 15 sees a major focus on national cricket strategy at the Leicester Hilton Hotel with updates from Bruce Cruise, ECB national facilities development manager.

Alan Lewis, ECB pitch advisor, looks at the use of organic matter on pitches and David Warner, also an ECB advisor, looks at microbial activity "under the stumps" while Alex Vickers of Cranfield University looks at reasons for pitches cracking up.

Chris Wood, the senior ECB pitch consultant, examines technological innovations for better pitch maintenance.

A question and answer session will be chaired by David Winn, IOG training and education manager.

Guest speaker is Ian Gould, the ECB First Class Umpire, who takes a look at life from the umpire's perspective.

Full Conference details:

FRIDAY 11 APRIL

2100 Informal Quiz

SATURDAY 12 APRIL

0915 Welcome

Alex R Millar - National Chairman

0920 Keynote Address

David Payne - Director of Investment

Sport England

0950 "Electrokinetic Processes for the management of sports turf - the first presentation of the results from research sponsored by the IOG 2000 Fund"

Dr John Lamont-Black - Senior Research Associate

University of Newcastle

1030 Coffee

1100 "No more pesticides? Facing up to the real life practical issues from the professional groundsman/greenkeeper's point of view"

Dave Walden NDT - Golf Course Superintendant

Thorpe Wood Golf Course

1140 "Water use - yet more important new legislation that will have a direct effect on the way you manage your facility. You need to know!"

Dr Steve Tuckwell -Consultant

Water Research Advisory Service

1220 End of Morning Session

1230 Lunch

1350 "Making life easier for yourself - now there's a software system that's been specifically designed for grounds managers, by grounds managers"

Dave Cartner - Director

MCPC Systems

1430 End of session

1500 The Institute of Groundsmanship - 2003 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

1930 Reception

2000 GALA DINNER

Followed by Cabaret

Dress: Lounge Suits

SUNDAY 13 APRIL

0930 "Grass Seed Quality - are you actually getting what you think? Try asking the right questions!"

David Rhodes- Consultant

Sports Surface Management

1010 "How much do you really know about the rapidly changing world of artificial surfaces? Get yourself up to date!".

Mike Abbott - Consultant

M J Abbott Associates

1050 Coffee

1120 "Multi sport grounds and facility management at the highest level - meeting the expectations of a top public school"

James Mead - Grounds Manager

Millfield School

1200 "Now the talking is all over and it's actually getting under way! - the new National Stadium project explained."

Noel Jeffs - Operations Director

Wembley National Stadium

1240 End of session

1300 Lunch

1415 Study Tour - Visits to (i) Leicester City FC Walkers Stadium

(ii) Leicester Tigers RFU Club

1930 Dinner

2100 Entertainment

Hosted by - Amenity Technology

MONDAY 14 APRIL

0915 "High quality turf management - different problems, different places, but the same dedication to professional results."

Jean Pierre Nelson - Horticultural Manager

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

0950 "CCT, Best Value, contractors, in-house operations? The Special Report - results of a major national survey into what's actually happening in local authority grounds maintenance today"

Cliff Davis- Coleman - Managing Director

CDC Publishing

1030 Coffee

1100 "Is it really a viable option? - the use of composted waste as a proven alternative in sportsturf and amenity applications in the USA"

Ron Alexander - Consultant

Enviros Associates

1140 "You've been granted the money - but now it's all down to you! Managing a pitch improvement project."

Martin Jenkins - Parks and Countryside Officer

Stockton Borough Council

1220 Close of Session

1230 Lunch

1345 Study Tour - Visit to Loughborough University and ECB Cricket Academy

Mark Freeman - Grounds Manager

1715 Arrive back at Hilton Hotel (approximate time)

Close of IOG Conference

ECB

CRICKET GROUNDSMANSHIP

SEMINAR 2003

Tuesday 15 April 2003

0930 Registration & Coffee

Introduction

David Winn - IOG Training & Education Manager

1000 "From the Umpire's End"

Ian Gould - ECB First Class Umpire

1030 "An update on (i) Current ECB Pitch Development Strategy

(ii) The Pitch Advisors Scheme

(iii) Sources of Funding for Pitch Improvements

Bruce Cruse - ECB National Facilities Development Manager

1115 "The Wonders of Organic Matter……..!"

Alan Lewis NDT - ECB Pitch Advisor

1150 "Microbial Activity under the Stumps"

David Warner NDT - ECB Pitch Advisor

1230 View Trade Supplier Displays

1300 Lunch

1400 "My Pitch is Cracking Up……!"

Alex Vickers - Cranfield University

1440 "Making the Job Easier - Technological Innovations for Pitch Maintenance"

Chris Wood - ECB Pitch Consultant

1500 Question and Answer Session

Chairman - David Winn

The speakers will form the panel

1600 Tea & Departure

BOOKING DETAILS: Please ring Charlotte Lambert on 01908 312511 or e-mail iog@iog.org