Educational Establishments
“ “ 42 I PC APRIL/MAY 2017
The seven boarding houses each have fine turf ornamental gardens and
herbaceous borders which need plenty of attention
Formal gardens now come under Craig’s remit
exercise enough for many of the population. Aside from sport, Giggleswick has plenty
of space to keep Craig and the team busy year-round. Merging of the gardening and grounds
staff reflects the need to keep the ‘front of house’ looking as pretty as a picture. “The seven boarding houses each have fine turf ornamental gardens and herbaceous borders which need plenty of attention,” states Craig. “Our woodland also has to be maintained in good order and our tree survey, conducted every three years, gives us an indication of what’s to be done.” A corner of the estate falls within the
Yorkshire Dales National Park and the authority planted some 4,000 trees on the land several years ago. “We helped the volunteers out, providing stakes and other materials, and keep an eye on how the trees are doing.” Giggleswick is blessed with arboricultural
Roses, trees and pristine turf - one image that sums up the groundstaff’s work
diversity and includes rare species among its tree stock. Sturdy specimens of beech, horse chestnut and sycamore populate the grounds. So too does a budding young elm.
After Dutch Elm Disease wiped out so
many trees, the school participated in a national drive to cultivate specimens resistant to the blight. That was in 2010 and the elm in question is doing well, so far showing no signs of infection, Craig is pleased to report. “Matthew [Hodge, the bursar] asks me for an annual report on how it’s doing for him to relay to those managing the scheme,” he notes. “The school likes to help the local
community when it can, including local sports clubs,” explains Craig. “David and I grew up working on cricket clubs near home so, in our spare time, we let them use our machines. They usually run their own mowers, but not the attachments such as fertiliser spreaders, which can be costly for them to buy.” Craig’s turfcare duties don’t end there though. Near neighbour 9-hole Settle Golf Club rents a slice of its land from Giggleswick and the grounds team maintains the course for them. “We’ve looked after it for the last three years,” Craig says. “James and Matthew were
We helped the volunteers out, providing stakes and other materials, and keep an eye on how the trees are doing
There can be fewer finer settings for school cricket
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