Educational Establishments
facilities the School has to offer. Renovations are made very difficult as a result and very small windows exist ‐ although the commercial lettings are revenue the School cannot turn down.
Several School functions see marquees and the like erected for days and weeks on end and these do cause turf damage that needs recovering for the next academic year. Sometimes frustrating, however a great challenge to get the area back in tip top condition and certainly ensures that you have the plant in the best possible condition before such stresses are put on the surface. They are great events to attend, with the grounds being showcased to their full.
How have changing weather patterns affected what you do?
Laser levelling the new cricket square
The old days of writing out your maintenance programme twelve months in advance are well and truly gone. Anyone managing land and working with the environment needs to be very adaptable as Mother Nature continues to throw surprises our way at every occasion.
We know when and what we would ideally like to give the pitches, landscaping plants etc., but it isn’t always right come the time. We have to prepare the plant as best we can prior to any stresses, whether they be cold, wind, heat or human placed upon the site as a whole. If the plant goes in to such periods in optimum condition, it will have far better recuperative potential to put up with anything thrown its way.
Do you take regular soil samples to ascertain what work is required?
On golf courses, I took samples regularly as the leaching potential was far higher on the sand based construction profiles. At the School, not as often to be honest, as I don’t feel the need.
Loam being spread “ 60 I PC JUNE/JULY 2018
This will be a great addition to the development and we are already starting to get to know the new wicket. It will take time for it to completely bed down and show its full personality!
As we are in the middle of the sports ground development, I do take samples on any sites for new development, like rugby pitches etc. This is primarily due to the fact that some of the land that we a developing is part of a working farm that the School own and we are taking sections back to facilitate the development. Samples are taken to allow us to ensure the profile has what it needs to encourage establishment of new seedlings and, if not, what ameliorates need to be added, if any.
Artificial surfaces - what ongoing maintenance and refurbishment is carried out?
Fortnightly power brushing is carried out on both the sand and water‐based pitches. An application of MMC Pro is applied to help prevent/manage any algae or moss on the surface.
Fortunately, we are very lucky to have the water‐based pitch on high land and no plantings near the playing surface, hence eliminating any shade issues. The sand based pitch, however, is north facing with a mature tree line running along the southerly touchline. One corner of this pitch needs
more management as a result of its aspect; however, the carpet is still in good condition coming up to twenty years in situ. Both pitches are incorporated into daily site inspections also.
Are you working on any special projects at the moment?
As mentioned, we are two years into a massive Sports Ground Development which is being driven by all within the School. The support and enthusiasm from the Principal, Bursar and everyone involved is infectious and is ensuring that, so far, all is going very well. The team have done an amazing job to date and, for that, I am very thankful to them.
On my arrival, the Olympic standard water‐ based hockey pitch was being finished ‐ a truly fantastic surface and, with just hockey markings, it sets the standard going forward. This facility is used throughout the school year and also by a local hockey club; it is important for us that the School gets involved with the local community.
The installation of a bore hole and storage tank next to the pitch allows the School to be self‐sufficient and environmentally friendly as this plays a major part in all our plans. The bore hole pumps water into the storage tank which then is irrigated onto the pitch through six water cannon sprinklers. The water drains through the carpet and, with the high infiltration rates of the chalk, ends back up in the water table from where the borehole will pump it again when next required.
The team then moved on to the construction of a brand new cricket outfield and seven wicket square. The first game was played on the pitch last month and it also marked the first ever girls school cricket match in the School’s history. A great occasion to open the new facility and it was all very well received.
This will be a great addition to the development and we are already starting to get to know the new wicket. It will take time for it to completely bed down and show its full personality!
We are also near completion of a new multi‐ million pound Science, DT & Art Building which is due to open for the next academic year, before which a significant landscaping project will need to be carried out over the summer months. This will need to be in keeping with both the old and new and getting that balance right is vital.
The School are continuing to invest whilst also keeping the tradition and history of the site. These are very exciting times at St. Lawrence and one where the grounds department can leave their legacy on such a wonderful piece of land.
The next stage in the project will see the construction of two new full‐sized rugby pitches and the works roll on from there ... transplanting some woodland to create a Forest School, building of a new facilities compound ... a busy period ahead!
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