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and further the sterling reputation the pub gained under George and his wife, Sue. Perhaps most significant among the changes under his stewardship have been to the bowls arena itself, a shining - some claim matchless - example of a highly professionally run facility in what is essentially the back garden of a pub. Even in a summer of extremes such as this one, the quality of the surface seems hard to fault. The immaculately manicured surface is maintained to the highest possible standard and is set off by thickly planted vines, hedges and roses surrounding the green, punctuated by commemorative seating, including a specially made memorial arbour bench dedicated to a former member of the bowls society and made use of regularly by visiting couples. Simon, who was the architect of the changes, including the decision to replace the old brick walls surrounding the green, is not a man to stand still or to stay rooted in the past. Perimeter advertising is springing up as local professionals such as estate agents, solicitors and property letting and management agents recognise the business benefits of aligning themselves


his summer scarification in August removed no less than twenty dustbins-full of thatch.


The soil is


naturally very sandy, a characteristic, which, with the pebble layer, accounts for the exceptionally good drainage the green enjoys. Bill drops the blade height of his Ransomes Auto Certes mower during the year, knowing that the chewings fescue can cope with close cropping. “This grass quickly recovers from short cutting,” he states matter of factly, adding, just as bluntly, that he is working and must


PLEASE!


with such a popular haunt. The heavy schedule of bowling five nights a week from April to October, including floodlit play, even late into the night in summer, has failed to take its toll on the green, largely due to the care and attention lavished on it by the expert hands of former professional cricketer, Bill Arrowsmith, who keeps the turf in perfect playing condition. Despite the torrential summer downpours, play was only occasionally interrupted, Bill explains: “This is one of the best draining greens in the county. Even after it has been flooded, the water disappears within an hour.” The reason soon becomes clear. Although part time, Bill is decidedly no amateur and brings to the maintenance task a level of professionalism and expertise one would expect from a former Head Groundsman of Liverpool College. Now 75, Bill has have been maintaining the Nursery’s green for eighteen years and his dedication is applauded by all. “The green was laid during the First


World War over part of the football pitch that was the home of Stockport County. The foundations of the green are


probably those of the football pitch, namely a layer of fine pebbles about two feet below the green surface” “I topdress with a sandy silt in March, about a fortnight before the season starts, then scarify every quarter,” he continues. “But we’ve had a dreadful year and thatch can build up if the weather makes it unsuitable for scarifying. The green can feel like an Axminster carpet underfoot - it feels so soft.” Incredibly,


return to his duties. A professional indeed.


Looking from the pavilion across to the pub


The Auto Certes is still going strong after twenty years, albeit with modifications. A new aluminium collection box replaced the original iron one and, two years ago, a Honda engine was fitted. Recent milder winters means regular cutting to prevent the turf knotting, usually monthly, with blades set slightly higher.


He has nearly completed autumn


renovations including overseeding with a Sisis adapted scarifier that allows seed to drop into 0.5in deep channels in the turf.


A tenanted pub is nothing without a supportive brewery and Manchester based Hyde’s is proving to be just that. Hyde’s is still owned and managed as a family business, no mean feat in an age when most traditional breweries have been swallowed up by the giants of the industry.


Hyde’s is keen to maintain their historic estate, which includes the Nursery Inn. “The North has a long tradition of crown green bowling” a Hyde’s spokesman confirmed. “We are keen to maintain this sporting heritage in pubs such as the Nursery Inn - it creates such a thriving community focus.”


Many crown green followers believe the game must be allowed to survive and thrive, if for no other reason than it presents a greater challenge than its lawn green counterpart, they maintain. The crown green game has always been


associated more with pubs and taverns than lawn green bowls and, although it fails to command the same scale of popularity as flat green, pockets persist within its home base in the North. The running of the bowls green is partly funded by the brewery, which Simon says allocates a modest sum to the club each year. The supportive relationship between the pub and the brewery undoubtedly fosters a healthy customer base, he believes, but no single factor can account for the pub’s huge success, which hit an all-time high earlier this millennium when the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) awarded it the accolade of ‘Pub of the Year’ in 2001. The quality of service, beautifully kept


beer, fine home-cooked cuisine and thriving community spirit all add to the pub’s fearsome pedigree. The jewel in the crown though must be the


pub’s immaculate bowls facility,


enjoyed by so many for so long and now finding popularity among a younger generation.


Landlord Simon Wetton


Bill Arrowsmith


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