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Deep aeration cures waterlogging

February 2, 2021/in News, Press Release/by Tony Hawkins

Deep aeration cures waterlogging: Stratford Town Football Club moved in the 2007/8 season to Knights Lane Ground, Tiddington where they built a new stadium and pitch. The summer of 2007 had seen large areas of flooding and when work began in the July heavy machinery moved straight in, crushing and compacting the ground during construction. […]

Kubota appoints Henry Bredin

February 2, 2021/in News, Press Release/by Jane Carley

Kubota appoints Henry Bredin: Kubota (UK) Ltd has appointed Henry Bredin in a newly created role as general manager to head-up its recently formed Tractor Business Unit (TBU). With responsibility for Kubota’s agricultural and ground care sectors, Henry brings with him a wealth of commercial experience. For the last nine years he has been both […]

Deep aeration cures waterlogging

February 2, 2021/in News, Press Release/by Tony Hawkins

Kubota appoints Henry Bredin

February 2, 2021/in News, Press Release/by Jane Carley

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Deep aeration cures waterlogging

February 2, 2021/in News, Press Release/by Tony Hawkins

Deep aeration cures waterlogging: Stratford Town Football Club moved in the 2007/8 season to Knights Lane Ground, Tiddington where they built a new stadium and pitch. The summer of 2007 had seen large areas of flooding and when work began in the July heavy machinery moved straight in, crushing and compacting the ground during construction. It created a problem that would not go away until the end of 2020.

“The pitch has never properly drained.” Says Club Director, Mark Bickley. “The club has spent many thousands of pounds treating the top of the pitch, which does let water through but two areas around the 18-yard box flooded badly enough to stop play, especially when the water table was up. Several schemes were done over the years, at some expense, but none solved the problem and over the last two seasons with excessive winter rainfall the problem escalated.”

Deep aeration cures waterlogging

The groundsmen kept to a regime of slitting, aerating, Verti-Draining, scarifying and top dressing, says Mark, and in August and September the pitch looked like Wembley. But as soon as the heavier rains came the problem was back. What was odd was the junior pitch, which is only two hundred yards away, had very little done to it and the drainage was fine. Similarly, the nearby golf course had no drainage problems. A Robin Dagger was brought in for two hours of drilling and backfilling and the fact this helped for a period led to suspicions about what was going on deeper under the surface. Even a week after rain the pitch remained soggy and they relied on the wind to dry it. Two of wettest winters in a row prompted the investment in a tarpaulin to cover 125 sq m. of the worst affected areas.

“It takes six people to put out and is a problem in high winds, having to be weighed down, causing more compaction.” Says Mark. “We ran a test with a boat post hammer, the sort of thing they use on the river moorings in Stratford-upon-Avon and managed to drive it down 18 inches. It was like concrete. I talked it over with an ex Villa Park Head Groundsman and he suggested bringing in Terrain Aeration, the deep aeration specialists. In October 2020 they did a test at the back of the ground with their Terralift machine. It took just fifteen seconds for their JCB road breaker probe to go down to a metre. Moving onto the pitch it took at least a minute to drive through to the same depth.”

The Terralift went on to treat the worst affected parts of the pitch, two strips about forty metres long. The hammer is used because the ground is usually so compact at depth it is needed to break through. Once the probe reaches one metre deep compressed air up to a maximum of 20Bar/280psi is released to fracture and fissure the soil. The Terralift is the only machine using such necessary high pressure. The probe is withdrawn, and the process repeated at two-metre centre spacings on a staggered grid. This means each shot interconnects. On the tail end of the blast, dried seaweed is injected which sticks to the fissure and expands and contracts with the soil’s moisture content, allowing drainage and aeration. The probe holes are backfilled with Lytag aggregate.

“We were able to play games immediately, up to the second lockdown due to Covid-19. Over Christmas there were storms and heavy rains, but the result is unbelievable after so many years. We would certainly have been able to play the local Derby with Banbury on Boxing Day if the league hadn’t been suspended.” Says Marks “This was money well spent and we will have Terrain Aeration back as soon as possible to treat the rest of the pitch. If anyone is having drainage problems on their pitch, I would recommend they do the same.”

Terrain Aeration 01449 673783 www.terrainaeration.co.uk

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Kubota appoints Henry Bredin

February 2, 2021/in News, Press Release/by Jane Carley

Kubota appoints Henry Bredin: Kubota (UK) Ltd has appointed Henry Bredin in a newly created role as general manager to head-up its recently formed Tractor Business Unit (TBU).

With responsibility for Kubota’s agricultural and ground care sectors, Henry brings with him a wealth of commercial experience. For the last nine years he has been both account director and commercial manager with two high profile fresh produce businesses, following several years working with agricultural and ground care machinery manufacturers.

Kubota appoints Henry Bredin

The development of a general manager’s role is part of the business’ expansion plans, and releases managing director David Hart to allow him to focus on his secondary role as vice president of business transformation within the broader European market sectors.

“Having worked among both the consumer and manufacturing aspects of industry, I am looking forward to bringing my experiences to this new role, and to support further development of the Kubota dealer network,” says Henry Bredin. “This is an exciting period of expansion for Kubota in the UK.”

“This new role will further strengthen Kubota’s commitment to our dealers and customers in the agricultural and ground care sectors,” explains David Hart. “With a focus on sales, marketing and dealer development, Henry’s role is one that will be instrumental in continuing to grow our core business activities.”

Since graduating from Harper Adams University with a degree in agricultural engineering, Henry has since earned a diploma in professional consulting, and recently achieved an MBA – both through the University of East Anglia. Away from work, his interests include skiing, rugby, golf and motorsports, while an element of volunteering sees him contribute to the management of Oundle Town U11 cricket teams.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Half Sized Blog Element (Single Author Style)

Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Deep aeration cures waterlogging

Kubota appoints Henry Bredin

Deep aeration cures waterlogging

Kubota appoints Henry Bredin

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Deep aeration cures waterlogging

Kubota appoints Henry Bredin

Kubota appoints Henry Bredin: Kubota (UK) Ltd has appointed Henry Bredin in a newly created role as general manager to head-up its recently formed Tractor Business Unit (TBU).

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