EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS


I love the job and applying the range of machinery and equipment across St Bede’s’ grounds, and preparing different playing surfaces


on the walkbehinds we used when City were prohibitive once they had moved to their Academy, so we sold them.” “Over the years, we have pushed for more sand-based playing surfaces but that’s still work in progress with the college.” What does make life a breeze for the team is their Major TDR2000 triple rotary gang mower. “Our 5m earlier model was fine for several years but it became clear we had to invest in a larger one,


although the maintenance on it was minimal,” Ben explains, “so we bought the 6m version, which really saves us stacks of mowing time.”


The balance of sporting provision across St Bede’s six playing areas has shifted over the years and seasonally, with junior grassed areas doubling as tennis courts in summer. Five years ago, two rugby pitches began hosting football as the fixtures programme demanded. Lately though, one


of them has reverted back to rugby. “Because the soil-based pitches can become heavy going if the cut height is too low, we tend to keep football at 28-35mm, and around 45mm for rugby,” Ben explains. And like the rest of the team, he is eagerly awaiting the return of cricket as Mike Park’s sporting vision materialises. “The two junior pitch foundations are waiting to be brought back to life and as we have plenty of experience with cricket


   





 


   


  PC February/March 2020 103


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