Best Kept Green 2026

Judging for best kept green takes place on Thursday 30/7/26 @ 6:00pm.

We are currently getting the green ready to enter the Best Kept Green 2026, this involves , the state of the green , the outer areas and facilities. Previous winners for Telford area include Trench and Edgmond. Mitie are aware that we are entering the competition. If you have plants or time (for watering and weeding) or green fingers, please help. This could be a great achievement for the club. We may even have some vegatables?? Cake anyone😁. Big Thanks to Sharon, Paul, Brandon, Loretta, Robin and others for starting this, Volunteers are more than welcome .

Please see results from judging last week and the report from the judge attached.

Club  Charlton

Grass Cover 4

Thatch 8

Disease 8

Running Surface 6

Weed Control 8

Root Structure 7

Moss 9

Density 4

Surrounds 6

Total 60

Final Position - 13th 

We hope to revisit the green in next year's competition and see an improvement.

SHROPSHIRE CROWN GREEN BOWLING ASSOCIATION

2026 Green of the Year Competition

Judges' Feedback ; Greenkeeping Notes

Charlton Bowling Club

Inspection Date: Thursday 30 July 2026

Firstly... thank you

Thank you for welcoming the judging panel to Charlton.

Like every club we visited this summer, you've had to manage through one of the hottest

and driest growing seasons on record. This year's judging was therefore about much more

than simply how green the grass looked. We were looking at sensible management, good

decision making and how well each green had coped with exceptionally difficult conditions.

It was a pleasure to visit your club, and one thing became obvious very quickly. Charlton is

much more than just a bowling green. It's a well-used community facility, looked after by

people who genuinely care.

What we saw

The first thing we'd like to say is thank you.

We understand that maintaining a bowling green with limited budgets and contracted

maintenance isn't always easy. Despite those challenges, it's clear that everyone involved is

doing everything possible to keep the green available for the community to enjoy.

That commitment deserves recognising.

One thing that also stood out was the quality of the surface where the fine grasses were still

present. Even after such a difficult summer, those areas continued to provide a good

bowling surface.

It shows the potential that's already there.

A few observations from the judging panel

The biggest opportunity for improvement is achieving greater consistency across the whole

green.

We noticed that some of the repaired areas stood out quite clearly because perennial

ryegrass had been used. Ryegrass establishes quickly, but it rarely matches the colour,

texture or playing characteristics of a traditional bowling green.

Given time, we'd encourage repairing these areas using quality fine fescue and browntop

bent mixtures instead.

We also felt the irrigation could be made more even across the green. Better moisture

distribution, together with improved aeration, will gradually help create a more consistent

surface.

The important thing to remember is that this green doesn't need rebuilding.

It simply needs supporting.

Our recommendations for this autumn

This autumn is about helping the green recover, not starting again.

The first priority is getting the soil accepting water again.

Where dry patch has developed, we'd recommend using a curative wetting agent such as

Aqueduct®, or a similar professional product, before overseeding. Even if budgets don't

always allow a full programme, treating the worst affected areas can make a significant

difference.

Once moisture has returned, lightly remove the dry leaf left behind by the drought before

overseeding with a quality bowling green mixture containing around 80% fine fescues and

20% browntop bent.

We'd avoid using perennial ryegrass for future repairs wherever possible. Although it

establishes quickly, it rarely blends into an established bowling green and often becomes

more noticeable over time.

Gentle work carried out at the right time will always achieve more than heavy renovation.

Looking ahead to winter and spring

One of the biggest lessons from this summer is that grass roots need air just as much as

they need water.

Rather than relying on one major renovation each autumn, we'd encourage regular aeration

throughout the year where conditions allow. If possible, arranging for the green to be Verti-

Drained once the soil has rewetted over winter would bring real long-term benefits by

improving rooting depth and helping water move more freely through the profile.

As we discussed during our visit:

A deep root system beats a poor irrigation system.

Healthy roots are the best defence against future dry summers.

One point worth remembering is that crane flies are usually active during late August and

September. We'd avoid very aggressive aeration during this period, as fresh holes can

encourage egg laying and increase leatherjacket activity the following spring. A measured

approach is usually the wiser option.

Looking ahead to spring, we'd encourage building the surface gradually with light

applications of topdressing during late February, late March and April. Around one tonne

per application will steadily improve smoothness and playing quality without overwhelming

the recovering grass.

Keep nutrition sensible and maintain a realistic mowing height, generally no lower than

around 5 mm during periods of stress.

Good bowling greens aren't built in a weekend. They're built through hundreds of small,

sensible decisions made throughout the year.

Further learning

If you only read one bowling green guide this winter, we'd thoroughly recommend All About

Bowls.

It's free, written in plain English and packed with practical advice for volunteer

greenkeepers. Many of the ideas in this report are explained in much greater detail and

could help support future decisions, whatever your budget.

You can read the free digital edition here:

https://strigroup.com/all-about-bowls/

It's well worth a read over the winter with a cup of tea.

One final thought...

Charlton may not have the biggest budget, but it has something just as important.

It has people who care.

That shines through as soon as you arrive.

Our advice is simply to keep building steadily, improve the fundamentals where budgets

allow and never underestimate the value of the bowling green you provide for your local

community.

Looking after a bowling green is hard work, and most of it is carried out by volunteers giving

up their own time for the benefit of others. During our visit we saw a genuine community

spirit, and we'd like to thank everyone involved for everything you do for your club.

Keep enjoying your green.

Keep learning.

Keep doing the simple jobs well.

We hope these observations are helpful as you plan your autumn and winter work. Most

importantly, keep taking pride in what you've built. Charlton is a valued community asset,

and with continued patience and sensible management, the green will continue to improve

year after year.

With our sincere thanks and best wishes,

Phil Scott

Chairman

Shropshire Crown Green Bowling Association

Alison Pickering

Dennis & SISIS

Stuart Yarwood MG

Master Greenkeeper

Regional Technical Manager – DLF Seeds

 May 26 ,Outside tap fitted in the cage.