Equestrian “
Frost and snow, alongside the cold north-easterly winds, can be an issue. Although winters have been milder recently, we abandoned two meetings in January 2017 due to snow and ice
An old topdresser body has been converted into a repairs trailer, with an extra pair of wheels helping to roll the turf as it is infilled
alongside the cold north‐easterly winds, can be an issue. Although winters have been milder recently, we abandoned two meetings in January 2017 due to snow and ice.”
The free‐draining ground means that irrigation is essential, and Fakenham has a 22.5 million gallon extraction licence for its borehole.
“We can irrigate from 1st March to 31st October, and there are five race meetings in that period,” explains Matthew. “But we always have to be aware of the limits on the amount of water available.”
Two reels operate rain guns ‐ booms would be unsuitable in the windy conditions ‐ with sprinklers on the bends. “I’m looking to add another reel so that we have the three sharper bends covered. We can put on a lot of water in a short space of time, as late as the evening before racing if necessary. It’s not a matter of ‘little and often’ here due to the restrictions on volume.”
“
The ring main has recently been updated, and a generator repositioned away from the course buildings after a mains electricity update.
“The generator has replaced an old Leyland bus engine which powered the borehole pump and will give us the power to pump to three reels,” comments David. “It will be more reliable so that Matthew can operate the irrigation system from his phone for overnight watering without worrying about it breaking down! The new system should be able to put on 5cm of water in twenty‐four hours rather than the thirty‐six hours that it takes now.”
Drainage has been upgraded in recent years to address the few wet areas, with new land drains and sand slits on the bend into the back straight, followed by more land drains on the rolling land before the home turn.
With just the one mile round circuit at their disposal, wear to the bends requires constant management and repair.
“We source pre‐graded, clean soil from Banks Amenity, which is similar to the local soil and pay close attention to the quality of repairs,” comments David. “Rather than using contractor gangs, we employ local retired men who divide their time between us and working on shoots. They take a lot of pride in the repairs and we only work in optimum weather conditions.”
Before infilling, damaged areas are lightly rolled with a ring roller. Up to thirty tonnes of topsoil is dispensed from a trailer adapted to Matthew’s design.
“It’s an old topdresser body, so it has two additional wheels between the axle which help to roll in the soil, combining two jobs in one,” he explains. ‘It can take three days to put the course back, but it’s important to do it right.”
A break of four and a half months in the summer allows time for the track to recover and for more intensive renovations. “We mow down to 5cm and then remove the clippings with a hired‐in Trilo, before
We can irrigate from 1st March to 31st October, and there are five race meetings in that period. But we always have to be aware of the limits on the amount of water available
Rail movements are key to presenting fresh ground and allowing damaged turf to recover. A petrol driven post driver makes light work of replacing the posts
90 I PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2018
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