Regions & Branches

Northants/Milton Keynes Branch

Forthcoming events for the Branch:

Please contact Jason for information on your branch events in 2007 07738 015868

Previous Events in 2006;

Mk/Northants Christmas Knees-Up 2006

Monday the 4th of December will be etched into the memory of the staff of The White Hart in the village of Sherington. 26 reprobates and Alex, (just for men), Kilbey, descended on the public house for the annual Christmas blow out. Well done to Peter Pratt and Chris Hawkes on arriving at the correct venue in the correct county this year!!! A sumptuous meal of a perfectly roasted rib of beef went down a barnstormer with the biggest mince pie this side of Daventry to follow. The raffle was another huge success this year, which is more than can be said for the prizes. By and large everyone had a rip-roaring time with the exception of Mr R D Bryceypants, who had live updates of the Man City-Sheffield Utd spectacular goalless bore draw beamed in. This reflects in his expression in the group photo.

The only grumble being aimed at the IOG ’s sizing policy on their t-shirts, it looks like we needed XXXXL!!

MK & Northants visit to Inturf

Nine members of the Northants/Milton Keynes branch travelled to Marston near Grantham to visit the grass production facilities managed by Inturf. 

The group assembled at the Olde Barn Hotel Marston and were welcomed by the Joint Managing Director Alex Edwards who gave a presentation assisted by Steve Bailey. Alex spoke about the history of the company which was founded by his father in quite a small way and now had 1200 acres in the two production area's in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.  The presentation also covered the types of grass grown, the use of fibreturf, transport & distribution network, sowing & mowing techniques and the general running of the business which employs around forty people.

After a buffet lunch the group were taken on a tour of the farms to see the modern cutting machinery at work and were impressed by the quality of the turf being produced.  Several areas were being grown for well known golf clubs and premiership football grounds.

Most grasses develop over a twelve month period from sowing to cutting.  The cutting machinery requires one man and the tractor mounted machine cuts the turf, roles it up, stacks it on palettes and drops it off the back ready to be loaded onto delivery vehicles.

The largest of the sets of gang mowers have been purpose mounted into three sets for the mowing of such large area's of grass.

This area of Lincolnshire is well suited to the production of turf with it's very sandy rootzone.

It was a most fascinating and informative visit and after thanking Alex & Steve for their time and assistance we made our way back home.

Thanks to Jeremy Lucas & Secretary Jason Deveraux for making the arrangements

Milton Keynes / Northants Golf / Hack Day

On Wednesday 18th October, 18 members & special guests took to Wavendon Golf Club keen to put into practise some of the shots they had watched at the Ryder Cup.  

After a coffee the scene was set, pleasantries (and obscenities) were exchanged on the first tee and in turn we hacked away. Four hours later we returned, tired, thirsty and hungry to exchange stories of good shots, bad shots, cheating and mis calculation by some.  

A meal and a pint later it was the moment of truth as the winners and losers were announced, Mike Franklin (the only one who knew how to score Stapleford) declared Richard Bryce top cheat, whoops i mean the winner!!!  (A fine display after a few years in the golfing wlderness).

Matthew Adam's 122 was felt by all to be the most honest score of the day, he only wished he could have got that at the cricket match. Tony Clarke who at 70+ kept us all entertained with his stories of the 'good ole days' at Woughton, well into the evening.  

Many thanks to everyone who turned out and made it a very enjoyable and memorable event.

Summer's Cricket Report

On a hot sunny day, the branch cricket team took on Earls Barton to try and avenge last years defeat. Tight bowling from Jeremy Lucas & Dave Skeet pinned down the opposition. Then came Alex '  just for men '  Kilbey who sent stumps flying, & Jonny Hawes with a C& B. Alan Smith kept it tight as did Leigh Siddon who chipped in with two more wickets. Matthew ' yorker ' Adams entertained with two 'stunning' overs. The visitors finished on 234 for 4.  

Many thanks to Michelle who laid on a feast. I think the oppositions over indulgence in the sweet pastries helped our cause as they sometimes looked sluggish in the field.  

Into bat went David Siddon & Rob ' the ringer '  Williams who whacked the ball to all parts of the ground. The required total looked easy until Rob fained injury ( to make a game of it ). Then the wickets started to tumble until Dave Skeet & Leigh Siddon steadied the ship. With two runs needed the branch chairman was sent in, looking very nervy !!!. But the job was soon done & we won, finishing on 235 for 7.  

Special thanks to Alec ' Dickie Bird ' Millar, Peter Pratt our scorer Richard Bryce for his free time in preparing the pitch & our huge following who supported or abused us