Bowled Over by the Swished Grass
PR 169
25 April 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For anyone who thought that bowling greens just happened - the May bank holiday heralds the start of the bowling season, and an explanation of how to get the grass is in a swish condition - by swishing it!
Work on the Borough’s seven bowling greens on Great Yarmouth seafront and the cliffs at Gorleston is never-ending. As the bowlers stored away their white kit at the end of last September - groundsmen started a regime to ensure top quality playing surfaces for the coming season.
A feat they have accomplished, as according to one seasoned bowler the greens are looking extremely good – the best for years!
For GYB Services, the company that maintains the greens for Great Yarmouth Borough Council, the maintenance programme started in October.
“We had a team of two groundsmen spreading lawn sand to kill moss,” said Operations Manager Bob Allen. “A few days later they were scarifying to get rid of dead moss and any coarse grass.”
After checking if any turf had to be replaced, spiking to allow in air was followed by a top-dressing of loom and sand to bring nutrients to the roots of the grass and to create good drainage.”
Throughout the winter months the greens are cut weekly, and ‘swished’ (brushed) three times a week to get rid of dew which can harbour fungi spores or disease such as red thread.
Cutting and spiking continues and in March a light roller is applied to level the top.
By April the grass is being cut three times a week, a regime that will continue throughout the season to the end of September.
“For anyone who thinks producing a good quality bowling green means a little cutting a few weeks before play starts - is a long way short of the mark,” added Bob.
For Derek Webster, the manager of the annual outdoor bowls tournament Bob’s team have come up trumps.
“All five greens along the seafront are looking extremely good,” he said. “The groundsmen have put a lot of time and effort during the winter months to get them right. I can’t wait for the weekend to see if they play as well as they look.”
The tournament will see if the greens stand the test of time, as for three weeks from August Bank Holiday up to 1,500 bowlers will be taking part in the country’s largest outdoor competition.
For further information call Assistant Operations Manager Peter Holland on 01493 846103, or Operations Manager Bob Allen on 01493 846496.Issued by:
Liz Dann
Press Officer
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
01493 846513