Schools & Colleges
Ransomes 305 a godsend
required to keep pupils and members of the public safe when entering the campus.” “All the groundstaff now attend yearly Health & Safety training sessions, but I still say to them, ‘just use your common sense, if you think it’s wrong, then don’t do it!’”
And what about advances in machinery and equipment? “There’s been loads,” says Eric. “The Ransomes 305 has been a godsend, for example, but if I had to choose one, then it would be the laser line marker, with its tank of ready-mixed paint. When I look back and recollect unloading eighty bags of whiting powder, mixing it up in a wheelbarrow or drum, and pushing it around the campus, today’s staff ask me “was that for real?!” I ask Eric what he intends to do when he retires. “I haven’t a clue at the
Victorian pavilion overlooks the main cricket square
moment, I'm still to talk to the school about it. Whether I can do part time, or even if they want me to stay on. With pensions losing money all the time, I might be forced to stay on!” I had to have three operations in 2008/9/10 and I was advised not to do any major manual work. So the school kindly asked if I would only do office work and delegate more, which I was extremely grateful for. I do go around the local football and cricket clubs and advise on certain aspects of their grounds. But, when I tell them how much the work is going to cost, they look at me a bit non-plussed! Chris Edwards is happy to quote the
recent successes of the school; “Of course, people are more important than buildings, and brilliant teachers should be able to run a good school in a pig sty,
TWENTYQuestions
Eric Burford - his romantic night out could lead to a lengthy spell in the Tower of London!
Who are you? Eric Burford - Head Groundsman at Bromsgrove School.
Family status? Married with three children -two sons (37, 36), a daughter (34), six grandchildren (18, 16,11, 8, 5 and 3).
Who’s your hero and why? Ian Botham - always had a will to win.
What is your dream holiday? To lie on a Spanish beach watching the grandchildren enjoying themselves.
What annoys you the most? Queue jumpers!
What would you change about yourself? To be six foot five instead of five foot five!
Who wouldn’t you like to be? A referee - to have abuse constantly must surely affect your home life!
Favourite record, and why? Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel. I loved the sound of the sixties. Music today is okay, but I can’t understand some of the songs that are written today - I must be getting old!
Who would you choose to spend a romantic evening with? I need to think about this - the wife might read this article! Kate Middleton, she’s so natural.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Make sure my three children’s mortgages were paid off.
If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, what would you be and why? I’m not into music - Asked someone, “do you know anything about music?“, “why?” he replied - “well the leg of my piano’s fell off!”
What’s the best advice you have ever been given? Always have the ability to see the obvious, and, if you’re honest, you’ll always be poor!
What's your favourite smell? Lavender.
What do you do in your spare time? Go to watch my grandchildren play football, and I’m also partial to horseracing.
What’s the daftest work related question you have ever been asked? When Complete Weed Control had sprayed all the grounds, I was asked what are the white bits of foam on the fields. I said the weed man had been in. She replied; well he hasn't pulled many weeds up!
What’s your favourite piece of kit? Must be the Ransomes 305, a godsend in the summer.
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Funny, but serious.
What talent would you like to have? To have been good enough to be a professional footballer or cricketer.
What makes you angry? - People who moan about our National Health Service.
What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? To change old peoples care home bills, not to take it out of their savings, homes etc. To find some way that they could live the rest of their lives with dignity and not have to worry about where next month’s monies come from!
but mercifully it’s a point we don’t have to prove at Bromsgrove.”
“Knock all these wonderful buildings down and the essence remains: we are committed to nurturing moral young people who make a difference for the better. Also, as the constituency’s largest employer, we have a duty to community. We never forget that. Unashamedly, we expect all staff and pupils to set sky high aspirations in and out of the classroom.” Eric Burford and his team certainly help foster those aspirations. Pitchcare would like to wish Eric all the best for the future.
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