Regions & Branches

Bristol Branch

Forthcoming events for the Branch:

Bristol Branch Educational Events 2008/09

              The programme is sponsored by David Carvey of Rigby Taylor. www.rigbytaylor.com

January 9th 2009           AGM                                                                                         Coombe Dingle

February 9th 2009         Visit to Bath Rec                                                                    Bath Rec

March 9th 2009              Visit to Gloucsester Cricket Ground                                 Gloc Cricket Ground              

Start time will be 7.00pm unless otherwise stated. For further details or venue location please contact the Branch Secretary, John Connell on 01453 548058 or classic@netcomuk.co.uk

The committee would like to encourage and welcome new members to attend these informal but informative meetings where an exchange of views between like minded professionals and amateurs takes place. There is a nominal charge of £2 for non members.

Post Branch events and reviews;

BRANCH MEETING REVIEWS

BRANCH TOUR OF THE MEMORIAL STADIUM

Our January visit was to the Memorial Stadium, Bristol, home of Bristol Rugby Club and Bristol Rovers FC. I am a great admirer of Peter Prior, the head groundsman, who has one of the most difficult jobs in the industry. Peter gave us a good insight into the hard work that goes on to keep the pitch playable and the trials and tribulations of the ‘changeover’. The posts are down even before the players leave the field and often a further seven busy hours follow when the pitch has to be re-marked, all the advertising boards taken down and replaced with others and the pitch repaired and prepared for the next session. We were privileged to look behind the scenes at this time because very shortly all this will change, as the Memorial Stadium Company have recently got planning permission to re-develop the whole site, including a new Desso pitch.

Peter had arranged refreshments and we were well supported by 25 members and friends, some of whom had missed the visit to Bristol City’s ground – but what a contrast! To end the evening, Dave Carvey of Rigby Taylor gave a short talk on the work that he has done with Peter in preparing a programme of maintenance which has been so important for the quality of the playing surface. Rigby Taylor have, in fact, worked in perfect partnership, tailoring the costs to the budget and the groundsman’s requirements with, as we observed, excellent results. We can all learn from this experience.

Mike Taylor

BRANCH TOUR OF ASHTON GATE

On a cold evening in December, 15 members and friends gathered at Bristol City FC’s Ashton Gate stadium where Craig Richardson had kindly offered to give us a tour of the ground and other facilities.

We started with tea, coffee and biscuits and then sat round a large table for the monthly quiz with our genial question master, John Dimery. We were particularly pleased to greet some new faces – groundstaff from Millfield School who had come along with Colin. The congenial surroundings must have been good for the brains, as we did quite well with the questions.

Then it was off round the various rooms – tea room, restaurants, members’ lounge and boardroom, with a passing glance at the trophies and framed shirts around the walls. There were lots of photographs of old-time City players to bring back memories and we even saw quite a few views of Mike Lillington’s old battered roller, which is apparently still doing a good job!

Out onto the hallowed turf (yes, we were actually allowed to walk on it) which was in excellent condition for the time of the year and more questions and answers with the groundstaff, then finally we proceeded back into the rooms where the hard work is done – the laundry, offices, gym and dressing rooms. Finally we were led into the huge exhibition hall under the Dolman Stand, which has recently been refurbished and can be hired for exhibitions and seminars.

People seemed reluctant to leave (who says men can’t talk?) but eventually with more thanks to Craig and his team, we wended our way home.

Chris Lillington

BRISTOL BRANCH DINNER

On December 1 we held a very successful Christmas gala dinner when over 50 people enjoyed good food and company and thanks are due to Peter Hudson and Bristol University for their continued support and organisation. Thanks also to Andy Grey and Dave Carvey for their efforts

The after-dinner speaker was Richard Hill, Head Coach at Bristol Rugby Club, who gave us a fascinating insight into his unusual methods of training both on and off the pitch. We shall certainly look at those rugby players in a different light in the future!

A grand draw with some excellent prizes was very well organised by Rita Grey and her colleagues and everyone went home happy after an excellent evening of conviviality.

Chris Lillington

Owl Watch:  a rather intriguing title for a recent branch meeting. Were members and friends in for an evening of gazing into the dusk at darkening trees or to be indoors with tame birds doing head zooming flights across the room?

As it was, Chris Sperring from the Hawk and Owl Trust brought along one delightful barn owl that sat patiently and, in the main, very alert to what was going on. Chris outlined the necessity for the right environment and how we can help to maintain conditions that suit our birds of prey. She (the owl that is), having often heard the fascinating facts and anecdotes before, did nod off occasionally, but the audience didn’t.

Did you know that, unlike a duck, a barn owl’s feathers are not waterproof? An owl can be in dire trouble following a few days of heavy rain as with wet feathers the bird will be unable to hunt.

Following persistent questions and a mass of interesting facts and fascinating anecdotes, Chris was warmly thanked for a most absorbing and informative talk enhanced by his charming feathered companion.

Rita Gray

Dispelling the Myths of Soil Analysis and Nutrient Levels

On the 16th of October IOG Bristol branch held the first of a two part presentation by Neil McKenzie and David Garvey of Rigby Taylor on soil fertility and the benefits of soil analysis.

How soil texture and pH affect nutrient availability were the first topics to be discussed during the evening followed by some of the benefits of soil sampling:

 Confidence- seeing the benefits from previous treatments

• Assess- Can define the chemical and physical properties of a soil
• Understand- How cultural practices improve soil fertility
• Planning- Allows for the opportunity to make long-term fertiliser programs

This was followed by a comprehensive guide as to how to undertake soil sampling and details of the easy to understand service provided by Rigby Taylor.

Part two of the presentation was held at IOG Bristol branch on 13th November and presented once again by Neil and David with the emphasis on fertiliser programs, the different types of fertilisers available (dependant on nutrient status) and turfgrass growth rates throughout the year.

A spreadsheet was introduced highlighting the Rigby Taylor product range and a demonstration on its accessibility (on their website) and ease of use. Finally a fascinating video was broadcast showing how fertiliser was made, thus rounding up two fascinating and informative presentations.

Bristol branch wishes to thank Neil and David for their time and trouble.

Colin Ashman