WET WEATHER DOMINATES THE CONVERSATION

TurfPro editor Laurence Gale writes . . .

Last Tuesday I attended a machinery demo day organised by Iain Courage of Fleet Line Markers LTD at The Pavilion Moor Lane, Birmingham, a sports ground belonging to Birmingham City University. 
 
With over 100 people listed as attending and with 20 plus companies exhibiting at the demo day, I was looking forward to seeing a plethora of demonstrations and catching up with many of the exhibitors.

However, no one could have expected the weather to be so awful, with strong biting cold winds and torrential rain, which unfortunately prevented many of the attendees making the most of the event.

Many including me, arrived to a nice warm cup of tea or coffee and a hot breakfast bap and waited for the storm to abate, before venturing out to see the wealth of machinery on display.  

On show was vast range of equipment and machinery from the likes of Dennis, Campey, STIHL, Allett, Fleet, EGO, Etesia/ Pellenc, Trimax  Iseki and Overton to name a few. I took the opportunity to talk to a number of exhibitors and attendees. 

I spoke to Guy Overton about his popular Mean Green battery powered machines which are proving to be a popular choice with local authorities and schools. The mowers can run for seven hours on one full charge and are quiet when in use.  

I also spoke to Gareth Fowler-Simons of Lakeside Grounds Maintenance who owns and runs his successful midlands contracting company. He said the recent bout of wet weather was certainly affecting many contractors and delaying much of the planned end of season works.

I also bumped into Ian Collington from Etesia who had brought with him a range of Pellenc battery powered equipment. Ian has been with Etesia for over 20 years and still enjoys his job travelling around the country demonstrating machinery. He, like many I spoke to at the event, were talking about the relentless wet weather we have been having and how it was affecting their work. 

All the exhibitors must be commended on their commitment to supporting events like this. I am sure if the weather had been kind it would have been a successful day for all involved.