Whilst the sports pitches cannot be used due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, our Grounds Sports Team have continued to take this opportunity to carry out improvement works at our Topsham Sports Ground.
This week they have reinstated the overgrown footpath that runs along the side of the 1st team rugby pitch, by digging out the overgrown grass and levelling it off; reinstating it back to a standard not seen for many years.
Before – overgrown footpath
After – reinstated footpath
Whilst the sports pitches cannot be used due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, our Grounds Sports Team have taken this opportunity to add extra drainage in some of the wet areas at the Topsham Sports Ground.
This is a great initiative by the team and should really help improve our sports pitches so that they are in tip top condition when they can be used again.
Our Grounds Sports Team based at Topsham Sports Ground have been busy making bird boxes and bat boxes from spare wooden palettes. These have been put up around the grounds in time for the bird nesting season and the excess ones will be sold at our plant sales.
Bird and bat boxes upcycled from wooden pallets
If that wasn’t impressive enough, the Grounds Sports Team have also created a bug hotel upcycled from a tree that fell during the recent storms.
Bug hotel upcycled from a fallen tree
What fantastic sustainability initiatives, well done to all our creative Grounds Sports Team.
We have just finished grass cutting at Duckes Meadow Sports Ground using some new equipment and are happy with these results!
Grounds and Sports staff have commenced a programme of pitch improvements at the Duckes Meadow Sports Ground.
This site has difficult access over a tight bridge that crosses the River Exe, limiting access for heavy equipment.
They have trialled a treatment involving recycling the alluvial sandy clay loam on the site and contravating/overseeding a rugby pitch. The fertile soil has germinated in 10-14 days and we hope that an even weather pattern (warm and wet) will help the pitch establish well.
If successful, this technique may be used on more of the 16 sports pitches to improve the quality of the playing surface for the increasing number of students who compete in sports at Duckes Meadow.
Although our Grounds staff have a range of skills, the effects of Storm Angus have got the better of them. Our sports pitches at Duckes Meadow have suffered the effects of the River Exe breaking banks and flooding the sports pitches. A real challenge for our Groundsmen!
Our Assistant Grounds Manager Mark, who is based at Duckes Meadow sports ground sent in the picture of Duckes looking moody and misty.
