“The best thing about working here is the sheer beauty of the place”


Steve Curley, Grounds Manager, Stowe School


he secured a position as Head Greenkeeper having achieved his City & Guilds in Horticulture, grades I and II and his PA levels 1, 2 and 4. After twelve months, he made the move to Manchester Grammar School as Assistant Head Groundsman to broaden his experience in the management of sports facilities.


A year into Steve’s tenancy at Manchester Grammar, and with the retirement of his predecessor, he was promoted to the role of Head Groundsman; a position he held for a further nine years. His time here stood him in excellent stead for his eventual move to Stowe School where, in 1993, he took up the reins as Grounds Manager.


Rising to the challenge


Managing Stowe School’s gardens and sports facilities certainly keeps Steve and his team, which includes four other groundsmen, five gardeners and a dedicated greenkeeper, busy all year round. Whilst demands may alter seasonally, the one consistent challenge is to work maintenance around the school’s busy sporting timetable; both academic and competitive. Not only does the school use the facilities on a daily basis, but 2nd Division Northampton Town FC use the football pitches for practice three times a week and Northamptonshire County Cricket Club regularly plays first class matches on the school’s cricket pitches during the season. Steve says:


“In any single week we cut each of the pitches two or three times, depending on growth, and all pitches are marked out twice a week. These tasks need to be fitted around the school sports timetable. In addition to being in use for practice and lessons every day, the pitches host competitive matches on Wednesday afternoons - typically five rugby matches, two lacrosse matches, four hockey games and a cross country running competition - as well as a busy weekend competition schedule. My team of groundsmen also supports the greenkeeper in the maintenance of rough, semi and fairways on the nine-hole golf course, allowing him to focus his attention on the greens,” says Steve.


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