Tag Archive for: Former

Former groundsman nears fundraising target

Former groundsman nears fundraising target: Former AFC Bournemouth groundsman Andy Press is closing in on his fundraising goal after completing his challenge walk.

Read the full article from Bournemouth Echo here

Former groundsman nears fundraising target

Former groundsman nears fundraising target

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Otterbine restores fountain to former glory

Otterbine restores fountain to former glory: After the installation of a new Otterbine, the fountain at the centre of Newquay’s Boating Lake has been restored to its former glory, providing a stunning centrepiece for the whole community to enjoy.

Having served the lake for over a decade, the previous Otterbine Giant Fountain was sent by Newquay Council to Pump Supplies, a leading supplier of electric submersible pumps in the UK, for servicing and repairs.

Otterbine restores fountain to former glory

Otterbine restores fountain to former glory

Steve Impett from Pump Supplies explains: “The previous Otterbine Giant Fountain had been in use for such a long time, and had suffered some damage from vandalism, that while we could have made repairs it was more economical to replace the fountain with a new model, particularly due to the loyalty programme available with Otterbine.”

Showcasing Otterbine’s appreciation for both new and loyal customers, when replacing an existing Otterbine system that’s at least five years old, or replacing other manufacturer equipment with an Otterbine, customers can claim a discount of up to 10 percent of the original purchase price. Combined with Otterbine’s comprehensive four-year warranty for Giant Fountains, the decision to replace like-for-like with Otterbine was easily justified to Newquay Council.

“The whole process with Otterbine and its distributor Reesink Turfcare has been great,” says Steve. “We don’t usually supply or repair  fountains at Pump Supplies but in essence it’s still a submersible pump and we wanted to help the customer in whatever way we could. Otterbine and Reesink were very helpful and knowledgeable so really aided us with that, and we had no problems throughout the process, even with the fact that the fountain had to come from the states in the middle of a lockdown, it still made it across the pond with no issues!

“The new fountain has now been safely installed,” continues Steve. “We’ve placed lights inside rather than outside to help protect them from vandals and now the lake has a great fountain centrepiece during the day and a beautiful light show after dark. Another massive bonus is the fountain keeps the water in the lake clean, clear and healthy too.

“It’s been great working with Otterbine and Reesink, and I would hope to see this develop into more of a relationship in the future,” says Steve. “It’s brilliant to have another offering for our customers that we can confidently recommend.”

To find out more about the Otterbine range of aerators and fountains, contact Reesink on 01480 226800, email info@reesinkturfcare.co.uk or visit reesinkturfcare.co.uk

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Tributes For Former Groundsman

Tributes For Former Groundsman: Tributes have been paid to the former head groundsman of Bangor on Dee racecourse after he passed away on Wednesday, July 10 aged 82.

John Malam, who will always be associated with the North Wales course, where he was affectionately known as Mr Bangor on Dee, was from the neighbouring village of Overton on Dee and began working at the track back in 1971.

Tributes For Former Groundsman

The Leader’s horse racing reporter Arthur Shone said Mr Bangor on Dee never really went away after that first day, with the family name still going strong with both his sons now taking care of the track.

He said: “Horseracing was his life and Bangor on Dee racecourse was the centre of his world. In 1980 he was promoted to head groundsman following the retirement of Tom Osborne and continued in this full-time position until he retired in 1997.

In his final year as head groundsman the racecourse was awarded the Neil Wyatt Award for ground staff, an award I know that made him a very proud man and especially of his team, which he always referred to as ‘his lads’.”

Mr Malam was restless in retirement and continued to support his beloved Bangor on Dee racecourse and carried on for many years afterwards as stable manager and running the yard on race days, often in this role he would arrive first thing in the morning to have a coffee with his team.

Arthur Shone added: “I have known John Malam for over four decades as a friend and I always used to enjoy his company, he also used to build the fences at Aintree racecourse and on certain courses between the flags.

“In fact, he shared my passion for point to point racing and was very knowledgeable about the sport he loved, he used to describe the sport as real racing.

“I have so many happy memories of the man, one was at the now defunct Flagg Moor racecourse out in the wilds in the Peak District that used to have one meeting a year on Easter Tuesday, a racecourse that used to hold a members race over stone walls, with a spare change of clothes mandatory due to the adverse weather changes at the track.

“I arrived early at the meeting and met up with John who was about to walk the course in glorious sunshine, so I dug out my wellingtons and joined him half way around it rained of biblical proportions, when we got to the last hundred yards there was hail stones followed by a snow blizzard.

“John turned around to me said, “This is what point to point racing is all about” – I remember having to get my car towed off the racecourse at the end of the meeting, happy times.

“He will be sadly missed by his many friends in racing, which I was happy to be counted as one of them.”

The Malam family tradition continued when his eldest son Andrew became head groundsman at Bangor on Dee when his father retired in 1997, a position he still holds today and in 1991, Andrew’s brother Brian started as assistant groundsman to his brother and remains part of the team to this day.

Lifelong friend and racecourse manager Jeannie Chantler said: “His hard work and dedication are his legacy. Thank you, John, from all at Bangor on Dee racecourse.”

Click here to read the original article

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Manager’s Tribute To Former Groundsman

Manager’s Tribute To Former Groundsman: Southend United manager Chris Powell has paid tribute to Sid Broomfield, the man who helped to build Roots Hall.

Broomfield passed away earlier this week, aged 94.

Manager's Tribute To Former Groundsman

And Powell insisted the club’s former groundsman would forever be a massive part of the club’s history.

“You don’t get too many people like Sid at a club,” said the Shrimpers chief, who first met Broomfield in the early 1990s.

“I knew him from my days as a player and since coming back as manager too.

“This is a man who built the ground.

“We talk about moving ground and pastures new and it’s something which needs to happen.

“But sometimes we forget about where we are, who we are and who has been involved in that.

“Sid’s a man we saw regularly and he’s part of the reason we’re at Roots Hall.

“He’s a massive part of our past and a massive part of our history.

“He will be sorely missed by all of us because when you talk about Southend he was someone who definitely bleeds blue.

“Rest in peace Sid.”

And Shrimpers legend Kevin Maher has also paid tribute to Broomfield.

“Sid’s a true legend of the club and a lovely man too,” said the former Blues skipper.

“Condolences to his family and friends.”

Click here to read the original article

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Former Shrewsbury Town groundsman passes away

Former Shrewsbury Town groundsman and Shropshire cricketer Brian Perry passes away: Former Shrewsbury Town groundsman and Shropshire cricketer Brian Perry has died at the age of 74.

Perry was the groundsman at Gay Meadow for 26 years before the club moved to their new stadium at Oteley Road.

Former Shrewsbury Town groundsman passes away

But before that he enjoyed great success with the county’s cricket side and was part of Shropshire’s Minor Counties title-winning squad in 1973.

The fast-medium bowler claimed the wicket of Ian Botham in a Natwest Trophy match against Somerset at Wellington in 1983.

And he claimed another prized scalp 12 months later as he dismissed Geoff Boycott in Shropshire’s victory over Yorkshire at St Georges in the same competition.

But many will remember him from his time at Shrewsbury, where he often battled the elements brought on by the Gay Meadow’s proximity to the River Severn.

Town chairman Roland Wycherley led the tributes, saying: “Our thoughts and condolences go out to Brian’s family and friends at this sad time.

“Brian was a big part of Shrewsbury Town’s history and a familiar face at the Gay Meadow for many years.

“The conditions at the Gay Meadow meant the pitch was a challenge, but Brian’s hard work and dedication meant that games would go ahead despite those challenges.

 “He continued to work on match day at the new stadium and he will be greatly missed.”

Perry played his club cricket at Wem for many years and clubs around the county have expressed their sympathy.

Bridgnorth CC tweeted: “Such sad news to hear of Brian’s passing. A great character & fantastic cricketer. #Legend.”

Whitchurch CC tweeted: “Such sad news hearing that legend Brian Perry passing away. Our thoughts are with his family & friends @WemCricketClub. Such a top man.”

Click here to read the original article

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