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then scarify fairly aggressively. We then overseed the square using a basic ryegrass which seems to do the job. This year the growth and density of grass has been as good as at any time previously. Last autumn we also spiked the outfield with a tractor trailed solid tine spiker which seems to have had a good effect on the outfield. We also scarify fairly aggressively


before the start of the season, usually a number of times, and also a number of directions, collect the debris with a rotary mower then cut with the cylinder mower to finish.


The square and pitches are cut using a 20” Atco Royale purchased in 2007. This is fitted with a 10 blade cylinder and we finish the wickets with a Suffolk Punch 17”. This season we have also purchased a Mountfield S38 scarifier which is used on a regular basis in preparation of pitches, a task that was previously done by hand raking and brushing. The square is also dragmatted as often as possible.


The outfield is cut using a Mountfield


M Triple unit which is at least fifteen years old. The three acre ground can be cut two ways in about 1¾ hours. During the busiest times the outfield will be cut twice a week (both ways). The club will hopefully be replacing the Mountfield for the 2008 Season!


As such you could say that our square


is organic in construction, because we use no fertilisers or any growth stimulants. I tend to aerate the square on a regular basis and moss seems to stay away. Even though the square is on a slight slope, with the amount of rain we had in June and July (recorded as 13 inches in a 22 day period) even we suffered from a waterlogged square. But, obviously, being on top of a hill the square does drain very well and, even though in one particular week this summer the square was waterlogged on the Thursday lunchtime, the Saturday League game still managed to go ahead ! Until 2003 the club did not possess


running water so, in dry spells, this could be hard work, but somehow we managed. Now we possess a new irrigation system with a new water tank with a pump installed in our pavilion which has improved the water pressure immensely resulting in a pressure of 2.5 to 3 bar which is sufficient to water the square with various sprinkler setups and also to hand water the pitches in wicket preparation. We do not possess wicket covers. Rolling of the square usually starts about the last week of March (weather permitting) with the lightest of the mowers (Suffolk Punch), then progresses to the heavy mower (Atco) followed by the push roller and then, when the correct conditions prevail, the Stothert & Pitt 32R on quick speed then likewise when conditions are suitable the 32R on slow speed (usually totting up 25-35 hours).


Being in a rural area we do sometimes suffer with moles, rabbits etc, but not that much over the last 2-3 years. Once the season is up and running I usually try to prepare as well in advance as possible, most of the time having two wickets in some form of preparation. I start by lightly scarfiying with the Mountfield S38 then mowing with the Atco and then cutting with the Suffolk Punch until there is as little grass as humanely possible. I also hand rake at intervals to lift the grasses and, when cutting the square, never cutting in the same direction every time so as to not create a ‘lean’ in the sward. Every other time I cut across the square as well as in pitch direction. I will usually roll for thirty minutes Monday-Thursday then for forty-five minutes on Friday and then, if needed, thirty minutes on Saturday morning, or if not needed, I use the push roller to give the wicket a ‘finish’.


As many games as possible have to be ‘got’ out of a wicket, but I will usually use the same one, Saturday, Sunday and midweek


Keith Exton, Oakham School Quality time


KEITH EXTON, Grounds Manager, Oakham School, Rutland: What days off? I work ten to twelve hours a day seven days a week 48 weeks of the year. When it comes time to take annual leave it is in November, December or January and I fly away to the sun - the Caribbean, Australia - anywhere that is hot. Total relaxation, refuelling of the batteries, and totally pampering my wife Sue who misses out on so much during the normal summer vacation period that our friends and family enjoy. It would not work for everybody, but it does for us. Work hard, play hard, spend that hard earned cash - you can’t take it with you. On the occassional Sunday I do get off there’s nothing I enjoy more than stoking up the pot belly barbecue and cooking for Spooky (Sue) and myself, along with a good bottle of wine and spending some quality time with her. So that’s me being fetched and carried for all afternoon, slowly geting inebriated, a full stomach, falling asleep on the sun lounger, in the sun obviously, and waking up when all the washing up is done, freezing cold because the sun has gone down! She’s brilliant, and that is quality time, or selfish you may say. I think some might be a little envious, and others will know exactly where I am coming from!


and then a ‘new’ one the following home game if it is Saturday.


I am qualified with the IOG Basic level A and B but it is, without doubt, working with an area of ground over a timespan of twenty two years with no formal training (i.e. got dropped in it so to speak) that has helped me get the quality of ground that we possess now. Playing highlights have been the visit of Wellington CC in 2005 and the then ECB Birmingham Premier League Champions in the ECB National Knockout.


Also one thing that a lot of


groundsman find is that recognition is a bit thin on the ground with regard to their efforts but, this year, I was awarded ‘Volunteer of the Year’ by South Shropshire District Council.


Over the last eighteen months we have also completely redeveloped our pavilion which has cost about £25000 so far, so you would have thought that any chance of new machinery would have been remote to say the least, but with all the work that the members of the Club put in to fund raising with lots of events throughout the year it is still possible. One problem we had was that the development of the pavilion caused us to lose part of the outfield to bury 300 metres of armalite electric cable when the club installed electricity in 2006 But, working on such a facility in the superb surroundings that we possess is just reward in itself, with the Welsh hills one way, the Stiperstones and the Longmynd to view, sitting on the roller ain’t such a bad job.


Having had no formal training myself, the idea of the Pitchcare website and magazine must be a Godsend to people like myself, with all the knowledge provided by the vast pool of experts who are only too happy to provide advice to anyone who needs it.


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