Educational Establishments
The cricket squares viewed from the top of the chapel
our skin. “We simply couldn't deal with the heavy snow, which was a concern as the school never closes and has to be accessible at all times for students and teachers. The Husqvarna snow plough works brilliantly on all surfaces and the camouflage print creates a bit of a stir when it’s in action,” he continues. Where the budget is concerned, Matt works to a five year plan, giving himself the best opportunity to launch successful bids to the bursar. “We all sit down together in April and work out what needs to be spent and where. It’s a real team effort here, I like to involve everyone in the process,” he adds. “This year, we’re looking to have all six tennis courts repainted and replace the free- standing nets, whilst the biggest spend probably will be a new washdown area, which would allow us to recycle the water we use.” “We’re now researching which brand would be best - it’s a reasonable investment so we have to get it right.” On the turf machinery side, Matt applies similar long-term planning. “If we know roughly what will need replacing in advance, it better prepares the bursar and means we are more likely to be successful with capital bids,” he explains. “This year, we’re hoping to replace the Honda rotary mower and purchase a new salt spreader, in anticipation of another cold and icy winter.”
Four lane cricket nets with the school buildings behind
Matt considers one of their best recent additions to be the Massey Ferguson tractor, which has cut mowing time substantially since its arrival. The increase in sports at the college meant mowing was taking up to a day and a half to complete, Matt tells me. The introduction of the Massey has cut this to half a day, freeing up two-thirds more time to devote to other aspects of the job.
The sports pitches are scattered across the whole 420 acres, with some kept separate for prep school use. There are three ‘zones’ on the site, catering for all senior sports and prep school activities - the focus being cricket and football. Nine Acres (contrary to its name) covers thirteen acres and includes nine pitches - three rugby, five full-size football, one girl’s lacrosse pitch and, at the main part of the school, there are three cricket wickets. North Fields includes one rugby, four mini football, and three rounders squares. Finally, the Upper Field is home to the prep school sports pitches, which include a mini grass wicket, four mini football pitches and a mini rugby pitch. Unlike its Lancing counterpart,
Ardingly College isn’t blessed with the same free-draining soil - quite the opposite in fact, bemoans Matt. The heavy clay and sandstone composition mean the pitches are particularly prone to flooding, due to years of compaction and play without any major renovation works.
Nine Acres runs alongside the River Ouse and, when it breaks its banks, the floodwater often has nowhere else to flow than out on to the pitches, rendering them unplayable. “The water board installed electronically operated gates,” says Matt, “but these often don’t react to high flow. Coupled with this, our antiquated drainage system runs into the river and increases the risk of flooding further!”
96 PC JUNE/JULY 2013 Ardingly’s football pitches
The water supplier is set to change the course of the Ouse soon, Matt explains,
by removing weirs to allow more wildlife to flourish. The knock-on effect of this should be a reduction in the risk of flooding on to college land.
Matt admits that the last twelve months have been one of his most challenging, with frequent flooding causing cancellations and an inability to work on the areas under water to carry out essential tasks. “Once the water percolates through the clay, the sandstone actually makes for free flowing, so vertidraining is crucial for us - a job we have to undertake frequently,” adds Matt. “Compaction is probably our biggest problem though, with the sitting water and silt build-up contributing further. The clay also attracts more worms, tempted by the lime in the ground. For this, we apply plenty of sharp sand as they generally don’t like the coarseness, so tend to steer clear.” The lack of good drainage and flood risk in the winter months contrasts markedly with the picture in spring and summer, where limited irrigation can pose a problem when maintaining their most prized sporting asset - the first team cricket square. “We like to cut at 7mm, roll each
wicket 20 minutes a day, watering at the start of preparation,” reports Matt. “It’s a trick Ian Card (Assistant Head Groundsman) has used since taking on the responsibility of the squares, not because of irrigation but to allow the ball to zip off the surface,” he adds. “We find that leaving it a little longer - at 7mm - prolongs the life of the square, which helps when we have a particularly dry spell.”
The historic character of Ardingly forms a large part of its appeal and the stunning gothic style building offers the ideal setting for academic excellence. Many of the original grounds fixtures also remain on the site and the antiquated water collection systems pose another headache for the team. “Irrigation isn’t great and our reliance on mains water is something we have to
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