EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS


John Deere fleet


The budget didn’t stretch to banding at the time but it may be time to rethink and check that the drainage is still fit for purpose, he says.


As expected among the education sector, risk aversion and health and safety rank high indoors and out. “We certainly are asked about our safety practices across the grounds and strive to be as organic as possible,” Ben says.


“Best practice is what we aim for - pesticides aren’t applied and we knapsack spray herbicides as sparingly as we can.” “Cooper Pegler and Pullman models work well for us as they are robust and apply treatment liquids accurately and at the correct pressure, especially important when we are maintaining the garden borders around the college buildings.”


Like many a Premiership football squad, rotation is key when accommodating the sprawling fixtures programme. “Meetings with Andy may last up to half an hour or as little as five minutes, depending on the


agenda,” Ben notes. “It’s important to stress the importance of resting pitches during periods of intensive use and rotating them is a key part of our maintenance regime.” Speaking of best practice, Ben has a keen eye on delivering perfection. “I’m pedantic about getting everything right, I suppose in part because I’m so passionate about what I do.”


The heavily tree populated site gives the team a perennial headache, Ben notes. “A never-ending battle to keep the pitches and gardens clear of leaves,” he says. “As the main college building stands opposite Alexandra Park, foliage blows across the grounds, on top of those from trees growing here. Our vacuum suckers ease the task but sometimes you think it’s a thankless one.” Worm casts present another issue. “As the pitches are soil based and we do not apply any pesticides, worms heavily populate the grounds. We don’t mind them as such but the costs of constantly backlapping and sharpening cylinder blades


102 PC February/March 2020


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