Mowing the ‘Green of the day’ (last revised 2019)
Mowing the ‘Green of the day’ (last revised 2019)
Volunteer club members set aside one early morning per week (Mon – Sat), during our summer open season, to help us mow our bowling greens.
Volunteer club members set aside one early morning per week (Mon – Sat), during our summer open season, to help us mow our bowling greens.
Anyone who volunteers will initially be partnered with a more experienced member until they have gained enough ‘know-how’.
Anyone who volunteers will initially be partnered with a more experienced member until they have gained enough ‘know-how’.
We usually start at 07.00hrs so that with one ‘green of the day’ to mow, we will be finished before bowlers turn up to bowl at 10.00. If the weather is, or soon will be, raining we do not mow. It may however be decided to go ahead in very light drizzle conditions.
We usually start at 07.00hrs so that with one ‘green of the day’ to mow, we will be finished before bowlers turn up to bowl at 10.00. If the weather is, or soon will be, raining we do not mow. It may however be decided to go ahead in very light drizzle conditions.
The green of the day is found from the notice board near the gent’s toilet, or from the calendar spreadsheet when you gain access.
The green of the day is found from the notice board near the gent’s toilet, or from the calendar spreadsheet when you gain access.
If the grass is wet with dew, we dew brush the green first (about 15 minutes work).
If the grass is wet with dew, we dew brush the green first (about 15 minutes work).
The equipment shed is opened using keys that will be given to volunteers and the mower brought out. Fuel should be checked and topped up before taking the mower onto the green.
The equipment shed is opened using keys that will be given to volunteers and the mower brought out. Fuel should be checked and topped up before taking the mower onto the green.
The large pneumatic wheels are removed, then the mower is run down a temporary ramp onto the green.
The large pneumatic wheels are removed, then the mower is run down a temporary ramp onto the green.
Mowing during the summer season is done on the diagonal (alternating direction each morning it is cut) so that the lay of the grass does not affect the run of bowls. The full green usually takes around one and a half hours, so with cleaning etc. we allow at least two hours total.
Mowing during the summer season is done on the diagonal (alternating direction each morning it is cut) so that the lay of the grass does not affect the run of bowls. The full green usually takes around one and a half hours, so with cleaning etc. we allow at least two hours total.
When two volunteers are present, then the edges of the lawn may also be trimmed and the ditches vacuumed while the mowing is underway.
When two volunteers are present, then the edges of the lawn may also be trimmed and the ditches vacuumed while the mowing is underway.
When the mower is pulled up the ramp, off the green, the pneumatic wheels are refitted and the mower is taken to near the gent’s locker room for hosing down. The fuel is checked and topped up for tomorrows volunteers before putting it away in the shed. The calendar is updated and everywhere locked up again.
When the mower is pulled up the ramp, off the green, the pneumatic wheels are refitted and the mower is taken to near the gent’s locker room for hosing down. The fuel is checked and topped up for tomorrows volunteers before putting it away in the shed. The calendar is updated and everywhere locked up again.
The weight of the mower necessitates reasonably large people ( 10 stone or above) who can use their own body weight to move the mower around when turning on the green or pulling it back up the ramps. While this certainly does not preclude many women, we do not think that smaller women will cope, however we would love to be proved wrong.
The weight of the mower necessitates reasonably large people ( 10 stone or above) who can use their own body weight to move the mower around when turning on the green or pulling it back up the ramps. While this certainly does not preclude many women, we do not think that smaller women will cope, however we would love to be proved wrong.
There is a whole lot of detail missing from this outline summary but you will be coached so please do volunteer if you feel able.
There is a whole lot of detail missing from this outline summary but you will be coached so please do volunteer if you feel able.
Contact Eric Devonport if you would like to give it a try.
Contact Eric Devonport if you would like to give it a try.