Keynote
disillusioned, not thinking that I could change it”
getting the MBE, without doubt. It has to be at the top. Being appointed here at Wimbledon was also another big moment in my life, and that was in 1990. I was appointed Head Groundsman Designate which, incidentally, is what Neil is doing now.
The MBE was a total surprise, just not something I was expecting. I received the letter, and it was my wife who recognised that it was from the Prime Minister’s office. I didn’t, it was a brown envelope and I thought it was probably from the Inland Revenue! It was a wonderful feeling. On the day, the Queen presented me with the medal, and she was absolutely phenomenal. Obviously, there are people reminding her of who I was, but immediately she was asking me questions about the job as if she knew what it was all about. It was a very special day, and one I will always remember.
It was also nice meeting so many other people, in particular an elderly lady in her seventies who had done a lot of charity work. She was getting an MBE at the same time and she was absolutely incredible, a very bright spark.
Pitchcare - How has the sports turf industry changed during your time at Wimbledon?
Eddie - I think the industry has changed an awful lot. It has changed from the individual’s point of view, conditions are a lot better now for staff, in general terms. I think they get better paid and better recognition, and deservedly so. From the actual grounds point of view, there have been impressive developments in machinery and plant breeding. I think everything has moved forward; for example we are getting plaudits for the major improvements in
football pitches, they’re far better than they used to be. The science has moved forward. I remember when I first came to Wimbledon, there was a lot of Poa on the courts, but now there is very little. It is not a criticism of those who worked here before me, but it’s a fact that modern techniques have helped us treat and eradicate a lot of the Poa, and that has made a big difference to the playing facilities.
Pitchcare - What additional pressures are put on your work by being in the media spotlight?
Eddie - You have to be constantly on guard. Even when you give talks to groundsmen, you still don’t know who may be there in the audience at the time, so you’re very careful what you say and how you say it.
I have to say, however, that I have a very FEBRUARY/MARCH 2012 PC 11
very disillusioned with it. Instead of getting involved, I became marginalised and
industry because I was
“I got very close to walking out of the
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148