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Tributes paid to a first-class groundsman

July 6, 2020/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

Tributes paid to a first-class groundsman: Tributes have been paid to Durham Cricket’s former head groundsman, Tom Flintoft, who died on Tuesday, aged 86. Mr Flintoft, who lived in Whitby, spent seven years at Emirates Riverside becoming the club’s first head groundsman in 1991. He was born and brought up in the Whitby area on the family […]

95 years of Fields in Trust

July 3, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Richard McKeever

95 years of Fields in Trust: Through the COVID-19 lockdown we have realised just how valuable local parks and green spaces are to our health and wellbeing and as places to meet loved ones safely. Green space charity Fields in Trust, who are celebrating their 95th anniversary this week, are calling for the revaluing of […]

Tributes paid to a first-class groundsman

July 6, 2020/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

95 years of Fields in Trust

July 3, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Richard McKeever

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Tributes paid to a first-class groundsman

July 6, 2020/in Industry News, News, Press Release/by External Source

Tributes paid to a first-class groundsman: Tributes have been paid to Durham Cricket’s former head groundsman, Tom Flintoft, who died on Tuesday, aged 86.

Mr Flintoft, who lived in Whitby, spent seven years at Emirates Riverside becoming the club’s first head groundsman in 1991.

He was born and brought up in the Whitby area on the family farm, where he helped out until he was called up for National Service.

During his few years in the Army he spent most of his time as a driver in Hong Kong, and was on the last ship through the Suez Canal before it closed.

He returned to North Yorkshire and farming, and was asked to help out at the playing fields in Nunthorpe.

Wife Kath said: “He was always keen to earn a bit of extra money, so he helped out with the playing fields. He was then asked if he could help out at Middlesbrough Cricket Club. He didn’t think he was up to the job, but he gave it a go.”

Mr Flintoft’s reputation as a first-class groundsman spread and he took up the role of head groundsman at Hampshire Cricket Club, winning many awards throughout his career.

He returned to his native North-East and became head groundsman at Durham. Durham Cricket Board Chairman, Bob Jackson said, in a statement on the club’s website: “There is no doubt that Tom Flintoft was one of the most popular recruits that Durham made nearly 30 years ago. His knowledge of many of the cricket clubs from Whitby to Whitburn, the people and grounds around them, proved to be invaluable as Durham had to bring several grounds up to speed for first-class cricket in the initial years.

“This was a big enough job without the incredible responsibility of creating a future test ground at Chester-le-Street. Not only was Tom needed to provide the scientific input to the pitches but all of the groundsmen were desperate to improve their own knowledge and Tom was the source of this. Not only did he support those clubs involved with hosting first-class and second team matches, he found the time to advise numerous club groundsmen.

“Durham is indebted to Tom for his magnificent part in their short history.”

Philip McCormick, head groundsman at the Northern Cricket Union’s main ground Stormont, Northern Ireland, also paid tribute to Mr Flintoft. He said: “Tom used to come over and see our grounds as an advisor. He was never shy about getting his hands dirty and helping where he could. Although he was there to advise, he was always keen to get involved. He was a great man, he wanted to help everyone. He was a rare find.”

When Mr Flintoft retired he moved back to Whitby and lived with wife, Kath, next to the cricket club.

Whitby Cricket Club secretary Pauline Russell said: “Tom spent his life in cricket and when he retired to Whitby he generously gave his time to work on our ground alongside our groundsman. His knowledge and dedication were greatly appreciated.

“Tom was greatly respected across the cricket community and we were grateful he was part of Whitby Cricket Club. He was a lovely man, down to earth and was always happy to help out.”

Mr Flintoft loved to travel and with Kath he enjoyed more than 60 holidays. She said: “One of the highlights was a trip to Kenya, it was a wonderful holiday. We also went to the Canadian Rockies, France, Las Vegas and enjoyed a honeymoon on the Queen Elizabeth sailing from Southampton to New York ,through the Panama Canal and on to San Francisco.”

The couple, who got engaged on Valentine’s Day 2011, were married in September of that year. They had known each other since school.

Friend Barbara Booth said: “Tom was such a friendly person, a real gentleman. He was very caring and we are going to miss him a great deal. There were six of us who go on holiday together and Tom used to call us his harem.”

Friend Dougie Raine, chairman of Sport Mulgrave, said: “Tom was an amazing man. He was always there to lend a hand. We will miss him very much.”

Mr Flintoft, who was one of ten siblings, leaves four sons, Nigel, Mark, Neville, Craig, from his first wife Mary.

A private celebration of Mr Flintoft’s life will be held at Kirkleatham Crematorium on July 9. The hearse will leave from Whitby Cricket Club at 9.45am and donations are being made to St Catherine’s Hospice.

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95 years of Fields in Trust

July 3, 2020/in News, Press Release/by Richard McKeever

95 years of Fields in Trust: Through the COVID-19 lockdown we have realised just how valuable local parks and green spaces are to our health and wellbeing and as places to meet loved ones safely.

Green space charity Fields in Trust, who are celebrating their 95^th anniversary this week, are calling for the revaluing of parks and green spaces to take account of what they contribute to communities – not just what they cost to maintain.

95 years of Fields in Trust

As the UK was rebuilding after World War I and a devastating influenza pandemic, the future King George VI convened the inaugural meeting of Fields in Trust (then known as the National Playing Fields Association) at London’s Royal Albert Hall on 8th July 1925. Since then, the charity has legally protected 2,852 parks and green spaces in perpetuity – ensuring they are available for play, sport or relaxation. However local green spaces remain at risk of loss to building development despite their health, wellbeing and community benefits.

The publication in May of Fields in Trust’s Green Space Index revealed that across Great Britain 2.7 million people already live more than a ten-minute walk from a public park and a further 170,000 people could be in the same position in the next five years as population increases. Earlier research from Fields in Trust, valued the physical health and mental wellbeing benefits for communities at more than £34 billion each year, They found regular users of parks have fewer visits to their GP resulting in a saving to the NHS alone of £111 million pa; the equivalent of 3,500 nurses salaries.^[1]

Fields in Trust are each calling on the Government to ensure the protection and provision of parks and green spaces for community wellbeing.

Helen Griffiths, Chief Executive of Fields in Trust, said:

“Parks and green spaces play a vital role in people’s health and wellbeing, and these benefits have been shown even more starkly during the really difficult times our country has faced in recent months. Our local parks and green spaces have been crucial during the crisis and, just as they did 95 years ago, they will have a significant part to play in our recovery.

“Yet our research shows that over 2.7 million people don’t have a park within a short walk of home and this number is forecast to grow over the coming years. This doesn’t have to be the case and that’s why we’re calling for a national strategy to recognise their value by ensuring access to parks and green spaces is guaranteed both now and in the future in areas where they are most needed.”

The Green Space Index – Fields in Trust’s barometer of publicly accessible park and green space provision and distribution – found that, as a region, London has the lowest amount of green space per person, with just 18.96 square metres for each person. Figures recently released by the Office of National Statistics found that Londoners are also the least likely to have access to a garden.

In addition, the Green Space Index also ranks Britain’s regions and nations against a minimum standard of park and green space provision (data sheet attached). London, Yorkshire, and the North East fall well below the minimum score. Scotland continues provide more provision per person than both England and Wales. It is also likely that any future loss of parks and green spaces will disproportionately impact disadvantaged and underrepresented communities who ascribe a greater value to local parks and green spaces than average in the Fields in Trust research study.

The Green Space Index is an annual report from the charity Fields in Trust which analyses provision of park and green spaces. The report was first produced in 2019, and this year is the Index’s second edition. People can find out more about the green space provision close to home by using the interactive web apps on the Fields in Trust website.

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.

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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)

Tributes paid to a first-class groundsman

95 years of Fields in Trust

Tributes paid to a first-class groundsman

95 years of Fields in Trust

Full Sized Blog Element (Big Preview Pic)

Tributes paid to a first-class groundsman

Tributes paid to a first-class groundsman: Tributes have been paid to Durham Cricket’s former head groundsman, Tom Flintoft, who died on Tuesday, aged 86.

95 years of Fields in Trust

95 years of Fields in Trust: Through the COVID-19 lockdown we have realised just how valuable local parks and green spaces are to our health and wellbeing and as places to meet loved ones safely.

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