PUBLIC PLACES


In summer, we can either have too much grass and need to keep cutting it, or no grass at all which makes the park rather arid. And


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it’s important not to let the grass get too long, as the clippings look untidy and can be a fire hazard


The APF Show is one of the major events which takes place at Ragley Hall


although, to meet environmental health regulations, they have to be off an event site twenty-eight days before it begins.” He admits that it can be a juggling act some years: “In summer, we can either have too much grass and need to keep cutting it, or no grass at all which makes the park rather arid. And it’s important not to let the grass get too long, as the clippings look untidy and can be a fire hazard.” The main grass cutting tool is a Spearhead Multicut 8.2m rotary mower with mulching blades to give a tidy finish, whilst Spearhead toppers are also used where presentation is less crucial.


Head Gardener Mark Morrell and Farm Manager Hamish Stewart


“Correct machine set-up is important, as the parkland is undulating, and scalping is a risk with such a wide mower, yet we need to be able to cut tight,” comments Hamish. “However, we do have the advantage of using GPS autosteer on the tractors to ensure that each pass matches up accurately on the large areas that we cut.”


Timing is another issue, with grass cutting having to be fitted in around busy farming periods, such as lambing and harvest. He adds event traffic is the biggest headache when taking the grounds back after a major event, although the well- established parkland turf is fairly resilient and recovers well from damage. “We appreciated that this year - despite the driest summer on record, it rained during our three busiest events! The sward carries traffic fairly well and the soil doesn’t rut, plus trackway is used for the major events to protect the ground.”


Choice of grasses for renovation is restricted by the estate’s parkland restoration programme which aims to maintain the original character of parkland turf. Permanent underground services installed for major events - water pipes and fibre optic cables - also dictate the nature of renovation equipment.


The drive now winds its way to and away from the front of the Hall…but the dry summer has revealed its original path


108 PC October/November 2018


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