December/ January 2022 A new year and new challenges
BIGGA postpones BTME to March 2022 in light of latest coronavirus wave consider contingency courses of action for our flagship event, BTME. We know all sides of the industry are keen for the show to take place and after due consideration of all options the BIGGA National Board of Management, working closely with BIGGA’s team of staff, has taken the decision to postpone BTME until March 2022. “It is heartening to see the success of the booster vaccination programme, but we are committed to running a safe show for all attendees and with all the information available to us, we do not believe this would be possible in January 2022.
The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) has made the decision to postpone its major exhibition and trade show, the BIGGA Turf Management Exhibition (BTME), which was due to take place in January 2022. Taking into consideration the uncertainty regarding the rapid
spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the National Board of Management of the association convened on the evening of Thursday 16 December and made the unanimous decision to delay the exhibition and associated education programme, Continue to Learn, which are held at the Harrogate Convention Centre in North Yorkshire.
The new dates for BTME 2022 will be Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 March 2022, with Continue to Learn taking place from Sunday 20 to Wednesday 23 March 2022. BIGGA CEO Jim Croxton said: “The uncertainty regarding the Omicron wave of coronavirus has led us to engage in consultation with key stakeholders and
“This decision has not been taken lightly and has involved an incredible amount of logistical organisation to make a postponement possible. I am grateful to all of the key stakeholders that make BTME possible for their rapid responses to our decision, which has enabled us to confirm the postponement. “Our thanks go to those who have supported BIGGA in this decision and we are excited to be hosting
the full BTME and Continue to Learn experience in March 2022.” Attendees who have signed up for the show will automatically be registered for the new dates. Continue to Learn bookings will also be carried over and BIGGA will be in contact with everyone who has booked a place on the education programme in the coming days to discuss arrangements further. BIGGA acknowledges that this postponement will present challenges to many exhibitors and visitors to BTME and the team is committed to assisting all those who need support to transfer their commitments.
Sport England’s role as a statutory consultee on planning
applications means work to protect playing fields is a key part of its remit. Across the period of April 2019-March 2020, 94% of all concluded planning applications involving a playing field resulted in the protection, or
improvement of, facilities. As part of planning processes, councils are required to refer cases to Sport England when any proposed development would affect or lead to the loss of a sports playing field. Sport England objects to all applications unless the
developer can prove it’ll improve or protect community sports provision. Head of planning, Nick Evans, said: “The figures…once again highlight Sport England’s commitment to protecting and enhancing playing fields
A growing spark of innovation Pages 17-18
The BIGGA National Board of Management is the elected body of BIGGA members from across the country whose voluntary role is to provide strategic direction and ratify key decisions on behalf of the association. They are supported by a network of volunteers at all levels of BIGGA and the core BIGGA staff team. BIGGA
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Commitment to protecting playing fields New figures show Sport England has protected more than 1,000 playing fields across the year to April 2020 as it continues its ongoing mission to get the nation more active.
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which help people get active. Whether used by children for a kick around or by adults out for a walk or run, playing fields play a crucial role in helping people of all ages and abilities to get active.” Sport England
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