Summer Sports - Cricket
The pavilion is 113 years old and was extensively refurbished in 2011
pleased with the results over most of the outfield, but we continue to have issues during the summer on the rugby pitch. We are only open six months a year as a
standalone cricket club and, with a 113 year old pavilion to upkeep, we have to work hard to ensure ground funds are available each year. In 2011, we were awarded £50,000 from Sport England towards a complete rebuild to the rear of the pavilion and the installation of new, twin bay artificial nets. The total project cost £58K, with the balance coming through our own fund raising efforts. We are extremely fortunate to have the support of Sport England and funding allocation. In 2014, we had our artificial wicket on
the edge of the square replaced as our existing surface had seen better days. However, it is quite clear that we now need to embark on a regular maintenance schedule for all of our three artificial surfaces, and I will be looking into what this involves over the close season. Again, we will need to build this in to our schedule of works and present annual costs to committee for review. In 2013, Sport England awarded us
£37,000 towards the extension of our square. Consultancy, Total Turf Solutions, is managing the project and selection process. They appointed contractors Woodward Turf Care to carry out the works. The grant was provided to create six new tracks using K- Pitch dressing, together with a twelve month maintenance agreement. Woodward is responsible for constructing the new area and maintaining it through to, and including, autumn 2015 renovations. During the summer of 2015, we will irrigate and cut the new area under instruction.
Previously, we had been using some
tracks prepared on indigenous soil that were really not up to scratch. The grant will upgrade our facility to a twelve track square, which will not only, in time, provide increased senior wickets, but enable us to dedicate grass wickets for junior matches, rather than they play on artificial. The youngsters really love playing on grass and, although there is an additional cost to that, we should do all we can to increase availability. The construction of the new area was completed in September 2014 and germination rates have been good. The six new tracks will be available for play in the summer of 2016. We are currently obtaining quotes for the
west side of our outfield to be Koro’d in autumn 2015, and looking at also having the saddles removed from our existing square. Saddle removal I see as key, and it was a shame we did not have the funds to have this done whilst having the new square installed. An additional long term plan is to start constructing new grass training wickets, but we need to concentrate fundraising efforts towards this and assess the maintenance costs. Hopefully, the support and learning can
continue, be passed on to new enthusiasts and we provide a playing facility the club and town can be proud of. Whether it is a cricket captain, treasurer, fund raiser or secretary, no club should underestimate the value of the volunteer, not least the availability, skill and importance the groundsman may place on existence alone.
Seven bags of K-Pitch loam per strip are used in renovations
What’s in the shed? Allett Buffalo 27” Allett Buffalo 20” Hayter 56 Greensmaster 20" Autoguide Autoroller Junior roller Hayter LT324 triple mower Jacobsen 1672T triple mower Sarp SLM5360HXA-PRO rotary mower Pedestrian linemarker Everris SR2000 rotary fertiliser spreader Sarel Spiking Roller SISIS Hand Dragbrush SISIS Trulute SISIS Combirake Bowdry water remover Ryobi Strimmers
We purchase second hand from local dealers mainly, unless we obtain grants.
We use a local mower company to service our square mowers and have recently had our Hayter triple serviced and cylinders sharpened by Redtech Machinery.
The Autoroller has made a significant difference to track preparation. Before, we had a very old, split rear wheel roller which was a nightmare to use, if even moderately damp, as it left ridges all down the track. We were awarded a £10K grant towards the new roller through Sport England’s Investment Award Programme.
My wish list would include a verticutter and a Sisis Autorake; I’ll have to have a word with the chairman!
... under the management of Total Turf Solutions
... and will be available for play in 2016 PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2015 I 77
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