PUBLIC PLACES


One of the aims with GEL is to hopefully be able to go out and find work with schools and other sports clubs once we have all the kit we need and get some people trained up


” One of Ealing’s new Major TDR mowers - brought in to multi-task


so they are trying to set-up a course, and we're hoping to upskill everyone on the team.”


“There are courses out there, but they are very specific, so it might be to maintain a bowling green or cut a wicket, and they are quite short courses as well, about a week- long, so it’s more of a refresher. We really want to cover the whole spectrum of sports and horticulture at one time. It would be nice to get back to the old style apprenticeship where you did all your shrubs, grass cutting and maintenance, sports maintenance, and trees all in one apprenticeship. But whether we get back to that, I don’t know because everything has become so specialised.” Seven months in, GEL’s short-term objectives are being met inside and outside of the company. Working reactively without constant time pressure is paying off, and the benefits of working that way will become more evident as time goes on. But, not ones to settle with the progress they’ve made, both John and Brad are


It’s a bit more ownership for the guys as well. If they feel like they own their round or that bit of work, then suddenly so and so over the road has heard about our cricket renovations and they’ve asked us to do theirs next year


”


Those of a certain vintage will remember Nicky Hopkins, a session musician who toured extensively with the Rolling Stones until his untimely death in 1994. He also worked with The Beatles (both collectively and solo) as well as The Who, Rod Stewart, Elton John and many more


94 PC April/May 2021


already looking two or three steps ahead to what GEL can offer going forward. “One of the aims with GEL is to hopefully be able to go out and find work with schools and other sports clubs once we have all the kit we need and get some people trained up,” Brad explains. “We had quite a few schools, but we lost the bigger ones that have more sports pitches over the years because we weren't able to deliver the service they wanted, but hopefully, we will be getting there shortly.” John continues: “It’s trying to find little bits of work as GEL to create extra funding for us rather than trying to go to Brad for everything all the time. But hopefully, the ultimate is to take the schools back on and maybe even go outside the borough into other boroughs where they struggle as well.” “We have been getting contractors in to do end of season football renovations, but it would be good if we could do our own and then say we’ve got the scope to go into Hounslow to do some of their pitches. It’s a


bit more ownership for the guys as well. If they feel like they own their round or that bit of work, then suddenly so and so over the road has heard about our cricket renovations and they’ve asked us to do theirs next year.” “I don't think we will get to a place where we are happy, because I think you always want to improve. The place to be is one hundred percent of your staff are skilled. You’re never going to do that because you're always going to have a turnover of staff, but if we can get back to seventy percent or higher, then that will be going in the right direction.”


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