Spreading and consolidating sand
Re-introducing native topsoil as base layer
Spreading and tracking in native topsoil
Removing lumps and rubble from native topsoil
Constructing the square
The cricket square was constructed over eight days at the end of September 2009. I drew up a schedule of works, and materials and machinery were ordered/booked during August. A local JCB contractor (who I’ve used
before at the school) was booked in as well. I have shown the actual timeline of events which, as it turned out, was very tight!
Apart from the JCB contractor, all labour was volunteer (mainly cricket club members, but with some villagers helping out) and, therefore, free. There was a real community spirit amongst all those who helped out and, despite it being very hard work with long hours, it
Schedule of works Dimensions: 23.2 x 24.4m (566.08m2
).
Existing land drains: 600mm deep, 15m spacings, 80mm diameter.
Gravel: Sherriff Amenity: 6mm gravel - £24.00/tonne + VAT (100 tonnes) = £2760.00 - ordered 20/08/09 for delivery Thursday 17th September/Friday 18th September.
Sand: Sherriff Amenity: AFS50 sand - £27.50/tonne + VAT (40 tonnes) = £1265.00 - ordered 20/08/09 for delivery Friday 18th September.
Loam: Surrey Loams Ltd: Rigid lorry delivery: £88 + VAT per cubic metre delivered. GOSTD 125 loam 75 cubic metres @ £101.20 = £7590.00 - ordered 19/08/09 for delivery Monday 21st and Tuesday 22nd September.
Drainage pipe: 80mm diameter pipe, 100 metres coil = £75.40 + VAT = £86.71. Carriage @ £15 + VAT = £17.25 - ordered 02/09/09. Delivered 04/09/09. 80mm connectors x2 @ £3.75 each + VAT = £8.63 - ordered 02/09/09. Delivered 04/09/09.
Seed: Advanta MM50 (square) - 2x20kg bags @ £108.60 = £217.20
60
Checking levels
was great fun and a huge level of satisfaction and achievement was felt by all.
The gravel and sand were tested for bridging capabilities, permeability and uniformity, and the existing native top soil for compatibility with the imported GOSTD 125 cricket loam from Surrey Loams Ltd.
Having never built a cricket square
before, it was quiet stressful as the amount of money involved was significant - and it wasn’t my money! I was also worrying about the weather and if everything would go to plan. It certainly paid dividends to consult with people who have had experience of constructing squares before and using
Advanta MM25 (outfield) -1x20kg bag @ £100.32 = £100.32. Ordered 19/08/09. Delivered 24/08/09.
Fertiliser: Pre-seeding fertiliser Evolution 6:9:6 - 1x25kg bag @ £24.62 + VAT = £28.31. Ordered 19/08/09. Delivered 03/09/09.
Hire: Wacker plate (Eagle Plant) = £20 + £24 delivery & collection + VAT = £50.60*. Booked 19/08/09 for hire Friday 18th September.
*Hire of second, smaller wacker plate = £18 + £12 delivery + VAT = £34.50
Ground guards (x33) = £473 inc. delivery & collection + VAT = £543.95. Booked 04/09/09 for delivery Wednesday 16th September.
JCB + operator: (Philip Palfrey) @ £20 per hour + VAT (£23/hr) = £1104.00* (see below). Booked 19/08/09 for 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22 September (for 48 hours work over 6 days).
Laser level (Philip Palfrey) - included in above costing
*Actual hours = 58.5 including 6 hours on Wednesday 23rd Sept. Actual cost = £1645.50 inc. Includes last minute dumper truck hire.
Tracking in the GOSTD 125 cricket loam
the internet for additional advice. It didn’t go exactly as planned as I felt
there was too much guesswork for my liking during construction. But, overall, I was satisfied with the end product, as were the cricket club, and we came in just under budget.
I did feel that we came up a little short on the final levels, as the square isn’t as proud from the surrounding outfield level as I would have liked. However, with the budget available, it was never going to be the best, or most accurate construction project. It does show though what can be achieved on a tight budget, without all the proper machinery using inexperienced, volunteer labour!
Transportation of tractor, seeder, scarifier and topdresser (Lee Holmes) = no cost. Booked 04/09/09 (to North Curry Friday 18th September, 8am, returning Wednesday 23rd September, 12pm).
Borrow:
Kubota tractor/loader (all Taunton School) *£21.20 to refuel tractor Variseeder Sisis scarifier Fertiliser spreader Shovels x2 Metal dragmat
Measuring wheel, 100m tape measure, string line, pegs, aerosol paint Aluminium ladder on ropes (from home)
Purchase:
Orange fencing (for 100 metres) 04/09/09. Metal stakes x20 04/09/09. Chelwood rakes x6 28/08/09. Shovels x2 04/09/09. Tarpaulins (enough to cover 40 tonnes of material, base and top) 10x4mx4. 04/09/09.
Total cost: £386.85
Labour: All voluntary. Organise volunteers two weeks before start date.
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