the club’s bicentenary year and the most successful since Peter came on board. The visit by Lashings Cricket Club to play a special one-off match drew in record numbers and much-needed revenue to bolster the maintenance budget. “It was the best day since I’ve been here and was a real treat to see veteran players like Richie Richardson and Phil Defreitas, as well as being a great way to raise money.”
Being geographically distanced from other clubs in the county (it is positioned close to the border with Hampshire) has not affected the village club, Peter says, but instead has allowed Midhurst to draw members from a wide catchment area - an opportunity the club started to push a few years ago.
“We realised the potential to draw in a lot of kids interested in cricket from a wide area,” says Peter. “On a Friday night for example, we attract 200 kids for practice sessions, with ages ranging from 6 to 16, whilst also running an academy in the week, hence the need for the pitch to remain consistently in good nick.” With some of the revenue generated over the last twelve years, Peter has been able to make vital purchases to replace
dated machines long past their sell-by date.
“Primarily, I use Allett Regal mowers for the outfield and an Allett C20 to cut the strips. The C20 is a great machine for us as the many different cassettes mean we can use it for a number of jobs. Generally, we use the cutter, brush and groomer, sometimes only brushing to give the turf a break.”
“I will usually gang mow in the early season with our Ransomes trail gangs,” a machine he has found to be well suited to their needs. Peter plans to make further upgrades this winter, stretching his budget as far as it will go without sacrificing quality.
“We really need to update our netting this winter, so that’s our main priority.” On such a tight budget, Peter may be unlikely to satisfy his machinery requirements, yet, as he jokes: “There’s no harm in having a wish list - the SISIS 600 scarifier, a new roller and a trailer- mounted aerator are my top three!” Peter has learned that investing time and quality are crucial elements in keeping a pitch of any standard in top condition, factors he experienced first hand last winter after a less than perfect
TWENTYQuestions
Andy Clarke - appears to have his grandfather’s calmness, and is looking forward to becoming one
Who are you? Andy Clarke, ECB Pitches Advisor for Hertfordshire.
Family status? Married to Rose with three children, Sophie (23), Lewis (21) and Matt (17) ... and I’m about to become a grandad.
Who’s your hero and why? My grandfather, he was such a contented man.
What is your dream holiday? To ride a Harley Davidson across Canada.
What annoys you the most? I generally rise above things - nothing is that important.
What would you change about yourself? To be slightly less good looking!
Who wouldn’t you like to be? Someone whose personal values were tied up in their wealth.
Favourite record, and why? The Shouting End of Life by the Oyster Band. Catch them on tour if you can, they’re brilliant.
Who would you choose to spend a romantic evening with? My wife.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? I’ve never bought a ticket!
If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, what would you be and why? An alto saxaphone, such a lovely sound. Or a Les Paul guitar.
What's the best advice you have ever been given? At the end of your life it all goes back in the box.
What’s your favourite smell? Tar.
What do you do in your spare time? Sleep, drink and be merry.
What's the daftest work related question you have ever been asked? Too many to mention. Most are just plain crazy and show little understanding of the work we do.
What's your favourite piece of kit? My knowledge.
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Bloody nice bloke.
What talent would you like to have? I’d like to be able to walk in a straight line with a mower after lunch!.
What makes you angry? Nothing. As I said earlier, I rise above it all.
What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? Longer beds and longer in them!
programme of overseeding the season before.
“It was simply not good enough,” he declares, “and led to disease developing on the square over the winter.” Plans are underway to rectify the issue, including a thorough programme of square repairs, including cutting, heavy scarifying and aeration. “After the foundations are properly laid, we’ve planned an overseeding programme using BAR Gold from Barenbrug. We’ve used their products for six years, since moving away from Rigby Taylor - a company I believe have priced themselves right out the market. Barenbrug products are well priced and we’ve had nothing but good results from them so far.” Minimal budgets and time constraints aside, Peter is more than happy with his lot, preferring to focus on what he and the club have managed to achieve over the last decade and more. “You forget just how much you’re progressing when in the thick of it. It sometimes needs someone to come in and ask you to dissect you own work to really see how much things have changed. So, thank you Pitchcare, for that.”
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