Successful Surrey Groundsman Conference

The Surrey Cricket Groundsmans Association held their annual conference at the Brit Oval. Yet again over 60 guests were in attendance surely making the Surrey group one of the best supported in the country.

Chris Bullen our founder gave a report on the Associations activities throughout the year with the main achievements being the continued success of the 'Roadshows' held at Caterham and Guildford.

These offer the opportunity to see practical tasks being carried out on well maintained cricket facilities. These roadshows are always well supported by companies such as Sherriff Amenity, Stuart Canvas Products, Sisis and Tysons Wickets.

The Groundsmans mentoring scheme is an example to all with 3 'keen students' passing through last Summer. Our thanks go to Bill Clutterbuck and Guildford CC for their continued help with this scheme.

More clubs are now making use of the scarifiers and the top dresser held by the SCGA. These are supported by our excellent team of advisors. Some squares are now getting 'that all important end of season renovation' that had been missing in years past.

Paul Taylor ......welcomed us all to the Brit Oval and was followed by an update by Tim Nicholls on ECB funding. The last 5 or so years has seen many clubs transformed with ECB funding (and others) for New Clubhouses down to ground equipment. Long may it continue.

We thank our guest speakers: Olien Glas Teo (Seaweed Products); Dr James Walsh (Managing Outfields); Derek Underwood (Non Turf Pitches); Martin Ford & John Dodwell (PQS) on an interesting and varied set of presentations. We look forward to hearing from Robert Jack (Dennis Mowers) who is already booked for next year.

Our sincere thanks go to Bill Gordon who once again allowed the group to venture out onto the square and outfield and was on hand to answer the many varied questions asked. This opportunity is a big thrill to us bread and butter groundsman given the rare chance to stand in the middle of a test arena.