Magazine: Articles by Laurence Gale MSc

A baptism of snow!
5 days ago - Football - Laurence Gale MSc - Issue 29 - Feb / Mar 2010
For many football club groundsmen the period between Christmas and the New Year is usually a busy time, with a glut of fixtures to accommodate at a time when their pitches are most vulnerable due to the poor weather and low light levels. This winter has been even more challenging.

Jabber from the hut
3 weeks ago - Cricket - Laurence Gale MSc - Issue 28 - Dec / Jan 2010
Alan Hamilton, Guernsey Cricket Board’s Head Groundsman, steps out of his hut to talk about cricket on the island. It speaks volumes about a community that a groundsman’s hut is an integral part of it, but that is Guernsey cricket.

It's a jungle out there!
3 weeks ago - Best of the Rest - Laurence Gale MSc - Issue 28 - Dec / Jan 2010
When a press release titled “Specialist turf for zoo” landed in our editor’s email inbox he was off on a ‘wild animal chase’, before you could say “boo to a zebra” to find out more.

Alive and Kicking ...
4 weeks ago - Rugby - Laurence Gale MSc - Issue 28 - Dec / Jan 2010
The transformation of West Park Leeds rugby ground has been a huge success and ensured that amateur rugby in this part of Yorkshire has a vibrant future

Ménage à trois!
15th Feb 2010 - Golf - Laurence Gale MSc - Issue 28 - Dec / Jan 2010
A new greens chairman, a dedicated course manager and a forward thinking chairman are recession busting at Moor Allerton Golf Club. Laurence Gale MSc finds out more

A Drop of Claret
6th Feb 2010 - Football - Laurence Gale MSc - Issue 28 - Dec / Jan 2010
As a life long Burnley fan, the club’s head groundsman, Paul Bradshaw, has landed his dream job. The club’s return to the top flight looks like adding to his workload, but it’s a challenge he is looking forward to.

No Real Debate!
26th Jan 2010 - Harrogate Week - Laurence Gale MSc - 3 comments
Many who attended the 2mm 'short cut' debate at Harrogate last week were left disappointed at the lack of actual debate. Did BIGGA get the format right?

The Hole Story!
23rd Jan 2010 - Rugby - Laurence Gale MSc - Issue 28 - Dec / Jan 2010
Laurence Gale MSc digs the 4001st hole in Blackburn, Lancashire in an effort to try and determine what was causing a bare patch on the town’s rugby pitch

Scarlets Fever!
21st Jan 2010 - Rugby - Laurence Gale MSc - Issue 28 - Dec / Jan 2010
Our editor calls in to see Dean Gilasbey, Head Groundsman at the Parc y Scarlets stadium, and finds that he has a touch of Scarlets Fever. It's nothing that data collection and new technologies won't cure!

The Science of Compliance
20th Jan 2010 - Best of the Rest - Laurence Gale MSc - Issue 28 - Dec / Jan 2010
Pitchcare visit the Bayer Crop Science headquarters in Germany to discover how products are brought to market. Report by Laurence Gale MSc