Also in this issue:
News .............................. 4 Comment ...................... 10 Common Sense .............. 54
Nick Blake, Henfield Cricket Club Summer Sports
The Merchant of Old Trafford A year after reporting on the Emirates Old Trafford’s major renovation works, Tom James catches up with Grounds Manager Matt Merchant once more to see what’s changed in twelve months. Pg82
In the Cradle of Cricket
Tom James soaks up some cricketing heritage in the West Sussex village of Henfield, one of the game’s earliest adopters, with a history stretching back to the early 1700s. Pg88
A marquee’d improvement!
Keith Exton, Head Groundsman at the SWALEC Stadium, explains the processes he used to get outdoor wickets ready for net practice during the second coldest March since records began. Pg94
Matters Arising
Our editor meets two groundsmen plying their trade in a traditional hotbed of cricket - the Lancashire Leagues - and finds that both are putting their years of experience to good use as their respective clubs look to improve the facilities, both on and off the field of play. Pg98
Public Places Soft capping our heritage...
In the latest in our series of articles on English Heritage sites, our editor visits Hailes Abbey to see the important work being undertaken to preserve one of the most important Christian site in the country. Pg106
Civil service with a smile!
Martin Saunders is the sole groundsman at Cheltenham Civil Service Sports Club where he has been battling with the inclement weather. In summer, he says, the pitches are amongst the best in the region! Pg110
Equestrian A park pitch fit for a Queen
Polo is often called the sport of kings. It must be the oldest of turf pursuits, created by the Persians in around 5000 BC. Neville Johnson went to the Guards Polo Club to talk to the man in charge of the grounds at Smith’s Lawn. Pg114
Water matters for Taunton
After the wettest winter on record, a new irrigation system takes pride of place at Taunton Racecourse! But it will help deliver that essential good ground for valuable spring fixtures. Pg118
Jason Booth, Leeds Carnegie Winter Sports Cash Back!
For a life-long Hatters fan - not that, at twenty- three years old, he’s up for a long service medal just yet - being offered Stockport County’s Head Groundsman role was one that Liam Cash could simply not turn down. Pg68
Rhinos are on the charge...
Leeds Rugby Club is a rare breed. It is a club that continues to grow and invest, and yet has no debts. Rugby, as well as the surrounding community, is definitely at the heart of the club. Pg72
Giving grass a Sporting chance!
Carlos Venegas visits the Esatadio José Alvalade, home of Sporting Lisbon FC, to discover how the groundstaff, and the grass, cope with extremes of temperature. Pg78
Technical And so, the journey begins...
Ransomes Jacobsen continue their series with a look at the initial phases of a mower’s production process as it begins the journey through the manufacturing process. Pg126
Running a Workshop
James Wilkinson, Workshop Manager at the Buckinghamshire Golf Club, gives an insight into the life of a workshop technician and its importance to the success of maintaining a successful fleet. Pg130
Proactive Pest Management
The management of pests in sports turf can be labour intensive, disruptive to end users and maintenance teams and, not to be forgotten in these times of austerity, highly expensive. Pg132
Artificial Surfaces
Will this be a game changer? Saracens have made history this year, becoming the first professional rugby union club to install a synthetic pitch for competitive fixtures. What does this mean for the game as a whole? Pg56
Industry Movers and Scrapers
Mansfield Sand will be vacating their current quarry for pastures new in 2015. Mark Robinson, the company’s Sports Surface Manager, takes our editor on a whistle stop tour. Pg122
Growing Pains .............. 150 Turf Side Up ................ 152
Not such a potty idea .. 146 Turf Tip ........................ 148
Frank Newberry .......... 140 The Good Life .............. 142 Hold on to water .......... 144
Allscott CC .................. 104 Training ........................ 136 Myerscough College .... 138
For the record ................ 62 Grasscutter .................... 67 Priory Engagement ...... 102
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156