Educational Establishments
Installing the new cricket nets system ...
line manager.” “Currently, the school is undertaking some large building projects, so senior management has to ensure that costs are controlled. This system ensures that, if something is needed it can be budgeted for, ensuring that high standards across the whole school are maintained.” “I will work closely with my line manager, the Director of Sport, and various heads of sports departments to ensure I have met their needs as well as my own when submitting my budget requests,” he confirms.
Ongoing staff training is important to Neil. He, himself, has completed City and Guilds in Greenkeeping and Sports Turf Management, holds NVQ 3 and 4,
... eleven bays in total
PA1, 2 and 6, and recently completed a Foundation Degree from Myerscough College whilst, during last year, the whole department undertook refresher training on chemical application. “It just brought everyone up to date on recent legislation, and proved a very good refresher for everyone,” he says. “Two staff members also undertook a tractor operation course at Merrist Wood in June last year. We also have all staff qualified to NVQ 2, PA1, 6, and my deputy is qualified in the use of chainsaws.”
On a site in the heart of London,
environmental issues remain a high priority. “We do not have an environmental policy in place as such,
Renovation methods at St Paul’s Winter Pitches
- Height of cut is maintained at 40mm for rugby then reduced to 25mm for football.
- Aeration consists of verti-draining in September and October, then use of the Aero Quick at regular intervals throughout the term, we aim to aerate again at Easter, but is weather dependent.
- Weed control is carried out by contractors, and normally done in May and August, weather dependent.
- We won’t necessarily treat for worms on the outfields unless the casts become a real problem, a) due to the cost, and b) they are beneficial to the soil harmony.
- Disease does not get treated, again due to cost, but also the intention is to keep the turf in the optimum health through good cultural practices, thereby reducing the chances of disease outbreak.
- The winter pitches are fed with Headland Xtend 15:2:20 in mid-late October, then again with Xtend 22:2:8 in late March and again in July (if the weather is conducive). If it is felt they need a perk up in the depths of winter we may apply a soluble Fe, but this is
86 PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014 very much a decision made at the time.
- Scarifying of the winter pitches is something we are looking to include in the next year or two, the pitches do not have any excess thatch build up simply due to the extensive use they receive, but it would help reduce some of the larger crowns of rye grass that can appear.
- Topdressing of the pitches is something that has serious cost implications. Current prices of suitable topdressing at c£35 per tonne, plus the quantities involved - 11 pitches x 60 tonnes = 660 tonnes @ £35 per tonne = £23,100 + application!! - makes topdressing all but the worst areas prohibitive. This is something we may look to start budgeting towards in the next year or two, but there has to be a common sense approach.
The School is undertaking extensive building works at the moment. £77million has been set aside for the essential works, a brand new science block was opened in January 2013, a new drama theatre is due to open in 2014, and the general teaching building is due to be demolished once accurate phasing and planning works are finalised, so I need to be sensible and sensitive to other school requirements.
Square solid tined prior to scarifying Cricket - Playing season
- Height of cut on the squares is maintained at 15mm.
- Squares are verticut every two weeks with our Greensking. This gets across the squares quickly, and reduces the amount of verticutting required during wicket preparation.
- Pitch preparation consists of 10-14 days, depending on ground conditions, and involves light scarification using our Dennis FT scarifier. Height of cut is gradually reduced to 5mm, and the pitch is power brushed as needed. I have found the power brush just helps clean the surface of any moss or algae that may be present, especially considering the wet winters we have been experiencing
but do have a landscape management plan which is part of the overall site strategy. We are just in the process of installing loggeries around the site as part of this plan. We also have one of the longest river frontages in London, which is a perfect route for lots of animals,” explains Neil. “We are still finishing off our tow path
renovation, which has been ongoing for about four years now. The total length of the path is close to 350m and is 2.5m wide. To date, approximately 400 tonnes of hardcore has been moved, levelled off and compacted to provide a firm, usable surface for both cyclists and pedestrians. Prior to this the path was wood chip, which became a bog when it got wet!”
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