There’s a phone box near the summit with a number for the Samaritans inside
“We start lifting the edges of the green and renewing the guttering this week (1 February). The work has to be completed by 31 March, our year-end.” “The pre-season preparations will soon be in full swing - brushing and drag- matting precedes mowing, “which we’ll be starting by March: a height of between10 and 16mm is our specification to the maintenance contractors.” Gareth speaks to St John’s regularly on maintenance matters - he’ll be addressing the issue of the moss shortly, no doubt - but he takes the opportunity to lay out Eastbourne’s commitment to green policy. “We’ll be applying fungicides and lawn sand to control the moss but good management of the green should inhibit growth anyway. That’s why meeting the club regularly is so important - so that we can nip problems in the bud. As a council we use the greenest methods possible and use as few chemicals as we can.”
The use of chemicals is much in the mind of the industry currently, after the EU delayed an outright ban on their application to sportsgrounds and amenity areas. Wyevale are free to sub- contract spraying to a specialist
contractor, Gareth points out, who adds that it is up to the contractors how they deliver the council’s outputs. Moving to later in the year, scarification of the green is undertaken in the autumn, “but is not always 100% effective. We use a rotor- rake, scarifying in four directions to remove thatch and encourage turf growth. Hollow tining to 100mm follows, with solid tining conducted every other year to relieve compaction.” However, the chalky substrate on which
the green is laid gives almost instant drainage, adds Tony. “We can starting playing literally 15 minutes after a thunderstorm - the drainage is so rapid.” Gareth continues: “Slit tining to 75mm in two passes is completed as and when required, then we’ll lay two tonnes of topdressing.”
Given the commitment to the green’s
upkeep from club, council and contractor, the quality of playing surface is in safe hands.
Nearby though is the ever-present
reminder of the fate that might befall the facility - one that they have no power to control. “There used to be a picturesque house
just to one side of the park,” says Tony, “but half of it fell into the sea about 15 or 20 years ago. It’s just an enclosed area now - a sort of secret garden where no- one goes.”
No doubt, the area commands an atmosphere all its own - remote, yes, forlorn, yes, but, at the same time, St John’s (Meads) Bowls Club imbues it with a special community spirit that belies the more sinister reputation of Beachy Head. Who knows, perhaps a game of bowls might prove just the remedy for despairing souls contemplating the final suicidal leap from the cliff top? Tony laughs, then quickly falls into
reflective mood - “Beachy Head is a macabre place,” he notes sombrely. “There’s a phone box near the summit with a number for the Samaritans inside.” St John’s is, nevertheless, perfectly positioned to perform what would be a lifesaving service in a period when the constant threat to its own mortality is always so clearly evident.
What are you like?
Peter Mark Craig, Head Groundsman at the Hurlingham Club in London, would, apparently, like to have his ivories tinkled!
What is your dream holiday? Sightseeing in New Zealand and/or watching a space shuttle launch.
What annoys you the most? Arrogance.
What would you change about yourself? My pot belly.
Who wouldn't you like to be? Grounds Manager at Wembley Stadium (well not for £35,000 a year!!).
Favourite record, and why? Seamonsters, my favourite album by my favourite band The Wedding Present.
Who are you? Peter Mark Craig, Grounds Manager at The Hurlingham Club.
Status (married, single, children etc.)? Amicably separated with two boys Samuel 10 and Oliver 6.
Who's your hero and why? My wife for putting up with me for 14 years!!
Who would you choose to spend a romantic evening with? Agnetha Fältskog , (the blonde out of Abba).
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Tell no one; buy a chicken madras from my local Indian restaurant, wash it down with a bottle of
Barolo and have the best night’s sleep of my life.
If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, what would you be? A piano.
What's the best advice you have ever been given? Be yourself (advice which I am still trying to follow).
What's your favourite smell? Chicken Madras.
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Fair, honest and friendly.
What talent would you like to have? To be able to dance.
What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? To make it compulsory for children to do Physical Education throughout their schooling.
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