The ‘natural’ in Natural Weed Spray No. 1 wins back contract for CWC
The environmental credentials of Headland’s first natural non-selective herbicide played a big part in regaining a major estate housing contract for Complete Weed Control (South Wales).
The fact that Natural Weed Spray No. 1 will kill both moss and weeds, added to CWC’s excellent record with Swansea City Council, also helped in winning back the work.
“We first had a contract to spray housing estates for Swansea City Council four or five years ago,” said Alan Abel of CWC (South Wales).
“We did moss control with dichlorophen and weed control with glyphosate and we did a good job – everyone was happy with the result. But we lost the work to another contractor over a very small amount of money – that contractor has since let the council down and the place is back to the way it was.”
Two personnel from Swansea City Council attended one of CWC’s summer Weed-IT road shows and Alan’s presentation about Natural Weed Spray No. 1 obviously impressed them.
“The fact that we can kill weeds and moss at the same time helped us to produce a competitive quote but the environmental advantages of the product certainly played an important part in winning the work,” said Alan.
Based on concentrated acetic acid, Natural weed Spray No.1 controls a wide range of weeds, grasses and mosses on hard surfaces. It is fast acting – weeds die one to two days after treatment – and it can be used all year round. Because it doesn’t use translocation to kill plants it is also safer to use around trees and shrubs.
“We are regarding this as a pilot scheme and I will be reporting back to everyone on the results at the conference in November,” added Alan.
Worms’ mustard aversion stems infestation at stadium
When Wales plays England in the RBS Six Nations rugby tournament in a few weeks’ time, the hallowed turf at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium will show no evidence of a recent pitch invasion.
Back in 2008, with autumn internationals looming, it was discovered that the playing surface was being damaged by a particularly nasty type of nematode worm. Something had to be done and Complete Weed Control (South Wales) was the company to do it.
“They think these particular root-knot nematodes were brought in when the pitch was re-laid with turf from Holland in September, ready for the International matches,” said Nick Rawlings, who is manager of Alan Abel’s team.
“The pitch was deteriorating and no-one knew why.”
CWC (South Wales) consulted experts at the Sports Turf Research Institute who took samples and discovered a massive infestation of nematodes.
Most nematodes are beneficial to the soil and to plant life and some are actively encouraged to control harmful insects. But they aren’t all good guys – and those at the Millennium Stadium were definitely baddies.
“With several high profile matches coming up something had to be done because the pitch needed to look good for the TV cameras,” said Nick.
Mark De Ath at Headland Amenity helped CWC draw up a programme of treatments. The old turf was ripped up and mustard bran – an application of oil followed by a pungent powder – was applied, followed by further applications for the next ten days to discourage the nematodes from breeding in the newly laid pitch.
Nick and his colleagues are used to working closely with stadium ground staff to keep the playing surface in good heart despite a hectic schedule of matches, pop concerts and events such as show jumping, speedway and truck racing. To make such diversity possible, the turf is laid on 7,600 pallets which are removed when top pop acts such as Oasis and Take That perform in Cardiff.
A pitch will usually be replaced – at a cost of £160,000 – every four to five months. The latest, laid in January, should last until May, nematodes permitting.
Real blaze used to test new fire marshals
A fire safety updating day for franchisees and staff in the South West proved interesting, thought-provoking and informative. Best of all, everyone had a go at putting out real fires!
Kevin Ponting and Richard Curnock of CWC (North Wessex) set up the event on 27 February at The Gables Hotel in Falfield, Gloucestershire and 13 people attended.
In the morning session, CWC’s Health and Safety advisor, Jonathan Stockley, reminded everyone of the benefits of managing health and safety well and then focussed on the company’s policy on fire safety, risk assessment and emergency procedures. Devising a sensible vehicle fire emergency procedure provoked a good deal of debate.
The afternoon session was in the capable hands of Steve Wiltshire, a former fire fighter who now runs his own consultancy and training business, Bristol Fire. Steve took participants through hazard spotting, risk assessment and checking premises with fire safety in mind. He talked about the benefits of devising an emergency plan and carrying out weekly fire checks, and defined the role of a fire marshal.
A practical fire-fighting session rounded off the day. Everyone who took part has now received a Fire Marshal training course certificate, which lasts for one year.
