Also in this issue: Tony Steadman, Danes Hill School
School Report Great Danes - and Pepsi!
Danes Hill School are adding twelve acres of new sports facilities to their site, a project that Head Groundsman, Tony Steadman, says shows the ongoing commitment to sports provision and the work of his team. Pg70
The perfect balance...
Running a thriving independent school, set amidst some 880 acres of protected National Trust parkland, brings a unique set of challenges. Pg76
Welcome to Harrogate Year!
Kevin Whorley, Head Groundsman at Ashville College in Harrogate, talks about a year in the life of the groundcare team, ambulances, Freddie and more. Pg80
Technical Turf War!
Throughout the turf based leisure industry, a new war is breaking out - and the enemy is the invasive and destructive parasitic root-nematode. Pg32
Not as daft as a brush...
Karl Parry, Head Greenkeeper at Denbigh Golf Club, had the idea for a fairway brush attachment whilst working on Bermuda grass fairways. Pg110
What have we got here?
James Grundy, Head Greenkeeper at Reaseheath College, is carrying out trials to determine the merits of two totally different programmes to improve the quality of the greens. Pg112
Peter Norton, Ebbsfleet United Winter Sports
Squaring up in the Blue Square
Neville Johnson visited an unusual club in football’s lower reaches, with an unusual income stream and a very unusual groundsman! Pg44
Pink and Sky Blues
John Ledwidge recalls the day he became Head Groundsman at ‘his’ club, Coventry City. Pg52
Murrayfield of Dreams
From Head Greenkeeper to College Lecturer to Head Groundsman and, finally, Facilities Manager, John Litster talks about developments at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. Pg58
Equestrian Arising from the flood!
Racehorse trainers have been voting with their feet and sending the highest number of runners in summer jumping to Worcester Racecourse. Pg84
Cricket Big man, big responsibility!
An interview with ICC Chief Pitch Inspector, Andy Atkinson ahead of the World Cup. Pg64
Turned out nice!
Part two of Frank Fielding’s report on the turning of the square at Old Trafford. Pg68
Cottage Industry .................. 48 Driving Force ...................... 108 Training .............................. 118 Frank Newberry ................ 120 So many failures .............. 122 What’s in the shed? .......... 124 Lab analysis ...................... 126 The grass is greener ........ 128 Thatch attack .................... 130 Wake up to dormice ........ 132 Are you prepared? ............ 134 I don’t believe it! ................ 136
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Pitchcare.com Ltd Units 2&3 Allscott Telford Shropshire TF6 5DY
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Training Coordinator
The bad weather caused the postponement of the December team meeting, an event that usually allows Chris to hone her pastry skills - beautifully presented on doilies, of course. So, the sausage rolls and mince pies will have been consigned to the freezer until January. At least, that’s what we hope!
CHRIS JOHNSON Company Accountant
winter into the warm, comfort zone of the office, Sharon has donned the thermals and been competing in the national equestrian championships at Aintree, where her
horse came fourth in its class. Hi ho Silver, away!
Whilst the rest of the team have nestled themselves for the
SHARON TAYLOR
JULIE ROBINSON Sales Administrator
Has more holidays than Judith Chalmers! Our intrepid Julie has been off, once again, on her travels; this time a pre-Christmas trip to some festive markets in Germany. Our request for her to start the new year
sadly, declined. What a spoilsport!
wearing lederhosen were politely, and
KIRAN CONTRACTOR Sales Administrator
wearing gloves though, as order processing was proving a tad tricky!
weather last month, Kiran started wearing a snood in the office; emulating his former hero, and current villain, Carlos Tevez. Not sure if he is also wearing tights! We had to stop him
During the bad
STUART BURTON Web Designer
Our online design wizard has been picking up prizes for his creations - most recently $100 for a 3D model on the theme of creating a horror scene - a zombie dog in a street standing over a bloodied body. He’d previously, won a competition with the theme of a sports
cartoon character, and another for a villain.
Accounts Admin
horses for that matter! Lyn is not the quietest soul in the office, but her propensity for good humour, plus good coffee making skills, make her an office favourite, and her vocal dexterity
tolerable, but, whisper it quietly!
Could talk the hind legs of a donkey - and one of Sharon’s
LYN PRICE
No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. Editorial
contributions are published entirely at the editor’s discretion and may be shortened if space is limited. Pitchcare make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the contents but accepts no liability for its consequences. Images are presumed copyright of the author or Pitchcare unless otherwise stated. Pitchcare Magazine is printed by the Gemini Press, Dolphin Way, Shoreham-by- Sea, West Sussex BN43 6NZ
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