EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS
“Being a multi-sport site has its unique challenges. Apart from hosting sports lettings and cross country events, the two dominant sports for the pupils are, as you would expect, cricket and rugby. “We’re lucky that these two sports take place in different seasons; if they were in the same season then that would make things very interesting.” “I can’t see there being a significant change in priority concerning our key sports. But it would be a mistake to assume that this would never happen. It’s something I have no control over but, if it did happen, then I would like to think that our team would embrace the new challenges.” “We are a big site, but are operating at full capacity, and there’s not much space that isn’t used. Including the nine-hole golf course we’ve got ninety-two acres of recreational area, plus the main school area with all of its intricacies, so there is a lot going on.” “The cricket areas are intensively managed and there is always a desire to improve the five cricket squares. Any gradual improvements here will be built upon year after year: success is gauged when we improve the surface consistency
without sacrificing the other aspects of turf management.”
The topography of the site poses its own particular challenges, with the majority of the sports pitches sitting on a long north-to- south slope. This non-uniform landscape has its pros and cons, and the management techniques employed may differ from those traditionally taught. Steve has learnt how areas react to seasonal changes and extreme weather events, through his own experience, and by consulting his long- serving staff.
In his Assistant Head, Alan Hinton and staff Joseph Wicko, Izabelle Tooley, Claire Hayes, Andre Taylor and Stephen Milbourne, there is a wealth of experience, expertise and enthusiasm to call upon on. These factors are all vital in the smooth running and operation of a site that can present challenges.
That knowledge was crucial during a year that has seen record high and low temperatures, with the impact of one season carrying over to the next. The slope at the RHS proved invaluable during the hotter weather, with the soil structure also assisting. The same couldn’t quite be said during the colder months when new ideas
had to be trialled. An example of this is verti- draining their cricket wickets. Initially, it wasn't possible to do so because the surface was too soft and tender, but this led Steve to discuss possible options with a contractor, and they decided it was worth trying to verti-drain when the next hard frost occurred. It worked, and this approach will be used if required in future years.
“I wouldn't go out and advise other people to do the same thing,” Steve said. “But, for our site, with its unique ground conditions, it was the right solution.” “By sheer quirk of location, what we
haven’t got in terms of flatness we gain in other ways. The field drains very well in some areas better than others. The bottom of the field has lush, verdant growth for most of the year, whereas the top pitches suffer from ground movement and will show up turf weaknesses during dry periods.” “We’re looking towards getting that manageable mechanical programme which we can implement little and often, and any form of regular aeration will be beneficial in the long run. Our Charterhouse slitter does a basic job, but regular verti-draining is the key. In conjunction with aeration practices, I
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PC October/November 2018 51
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