Thanks to GaNTIP, Cumberland FA and club volunteers, Keswick FC’s grounds are now in excellent condition
KESWICK FC FLOODS REVISITED With the help of GaNTIP and Cumberland FA, Keswick FC’s grounds bounced back from devastation
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n the night of 5 December 2015, Keswick suffered some of the worst flooding in living memory, and Fitz Park, the home of Keswick Football club, was one of the places hit hardest. My initial visit took place as the Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme (GaNTIP)’s regional pitch advisor (RPA) under the instruction from the Cumberland FA, with a representative of the club and Cumberland FA present. A full assessment of the flood damage was undertaken,
A sports contractor was brought in to clear up the pitch after the �oods
14 THE GROUNDSMAN October 2019
and photographs helped to capture the destruction for others to see. There were stones, gravel and hundreds of tonnes of silt. In places it was quite deep and covered the vast majority of both the first team and junior pitches. Some ground maintenance machinery was also damaged.
CLEAN-UP EFFORTS
The club volunteers worked many days to remove the debris from the pitches. This was difficult because the main pitch was flooded a further three times over the next
By Ian Mather-Brewster National account manager – cricket
few weeks. The RPA and the County FA, with Sport England/Football Foundation flood funding that was available at the time, advised and supported the club to arrange a sports turf contractor to clean up the main pitch and carry out a full renovation. This work was carried out in early summer 2016. The junior pitches were cleared and then renovated during the rest of the summer. Since the flooding took place, along with the County FA, I have visited the site regularly. When pitch inspections were arranged in the area, we would visit the club just to check that everything was OK. This is a clear indication of how working in a programme with the County FA is making a difference and is giving continued support in the most difficult of circumstances. An official follow-up visit was arranged and carried out in early August 2019. The pitches were in very good condition and the club volunteers continue to work hard. Support from the RPA network and County FA is now in place and the club has a point of contact for any concerns regarding the playing surface.
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