EDUCATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS
G
raham describes his first few months in the role as interesting. “The challenges the pandemic put on myself and the team, whilst each dealing with our own worries regarding the larger issues at play, will affect the mental health of a lot of people for a long time to come. Also, not being able to buy pasta and toilet roll was just a nightmare!” “During the first lockdown, we staggered breaks and the team was split so that we were able to complete a variety of jobs that would normally have been put out to contractors. We were able to keep on top of the essential works during this time, although jobs such as powerwashing, painting and fencing had to be left. Coming out the other side, we are optimistic about future projects including bore hole installation and, hopefully, some more
all-weather cricket nets.” “I really enjoy projects and try to do as much in-house as possible. From relaying entire cricket squares, to big drainage works. I think that, with good advice and some detailed planning, plus lots of team discussion, there is not much at Blundell’s that we are not capable of. It’s always good to have something a bit different to get your teeth into on the large site.” The school has 120 acres in total; 45 acres of sports turf which comprises nine cricket squares, thirteen rugby, six mini rugby, four football and four small football pitches, one 400m track, a 200m track and four sets of cricket nets). 35 acres of woodland/parkland and 40 acres of gardens and buildings completes the site. During the cricket term the maintenance regimes are generally; “Outfields are cut at 16mm for main cricket areas with the
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Blundell’s School is a co-educational day and boarding independent school in Tiverton, Devon. It was founded in 1604 (under the will of Peter Blundell) - one of the richest men in England at the time - and moved to its present site on the outskirts of the town in 1882. Grounds Manager Graham Cox has been looking after the site for the past eighteen months and spoke to Kerry Haywood about taking on a role during the pandemic
I believe that Blundell’s is a great example of the levels that grounds teams can produce, when supported fully by your management team. This, aligned with a highly competent and well-motivated team, means that the future here at Blundell’s is very bright
PC August/September 2021
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