April 5th
Our first Thursday gathering of the year with three members in attendance - BM, DaM and RD, with a fleeting visit from DoM.
Usual tasks undertaken - green cut, surrounds cut, strimming work done.
Also the pavilion given the Monty treatment with the vacuum cleaner and the patio area at the start de-weeded.
Usual tasks undertaken - green cut, surrounds cut, strimming work done.
Also the pavilion given the Monty treatment with the vacuum cleaner and the patio area at the start de-weeded.
March 29th
In attendance for the final Wednesday SWC before bowling starts - BM, DaM, DoM, MS and RD with another visit from JB.
Finally we managed to scarify the green (once we had recovered the scarifier from the cricket shed), before another cut.
Then BM was able to apply some liquid weed and feed.
Surrounds cut and edged and some strimming carried out.
The green and surrounds are looking good so we wish everyone a successful season.
Finally we managed to scarify the green (once we had recovered the scarifier from the cricket shed), before another cut.
Then BM was able to apply some liquid weed and feed.
Surrounds cut and edged and some strimming carried out.
The green and surrounds are looking good so we wish everyone a successful season.
March 22nd
Persistent, heavy rain greeted the crew this week which lasted throughout the morning.
Consequently, no work was done on the green or surrounds, but that didn't stop the intrepid group from finding work to do.
In attendance - DoM, DaM, MS, BM and RD, with a welcome visit from JB and TT.
Painting was the order of the day, with work continuing on the pavilion makeover. The walls had a second coat of white and the ceiling was also painted.
MS found a tin of red paint and started touching up anything that didn't move until he decided to just do the dado rail.
Electric plugs have been moved to allow extension of the bench opposite the kitchen area.
Next week sees our final Wednesday Summer Wine gathering until the autumn. We'll meet on Thursdays instead.
Consequently, no work was done on the green or surrounds, but that didn't stop the intrepid group from finding work to do.
In attendance - DoM, DaM, MS, BM and RD, with a welcome visit from JB and TT.
Painting was the order of the day, with work continuing on the pavilion makeover. The walls had a second coat of white and the ceiling was also painted.
MS found a tin of red paint and started touching up anything that didn't move until he decided to just do the dado rail.
Electric plugs have been moved to allow extension of the bench opposite the kitchen area.
Next week sees our final Wednesday Summer Wine gathering until the autumn. We'll meet on Thursdays instead.
March 15th
Apologies for the lack of reports lately but that doesn't mean the Summer Wine Club haven't been busy.
Work has continued apace around the green since the last report - green and surrounds cut (twice) and slab laying on the path down to the equipment shed completed.
The pavilion makeover has begun (new paintwork on walls and ceiling) with plans in place to recover the benches with clean-easy fabric (!)
A roll of roofing felt has been acquired in readiness to repair the roof on the gazebo opposite the cottage edge.
The green is now open but will be given more treatment before the season starts. Please bear with us as this necessary work continues.
The early commencement of league games (April 1) means everything has had to be condensed into just a few weeks - phew!
Work has continued apace around the green since the last report - green and surrounds cut (twice) and slab laying on the path down to the equipment shed completed.
The pavilion makeover has begun (new paintwork on walls and ceiling) with plans in place to recover the benches with clean-easy fabric (!)
A roll of roofing felt has been acquired in readiness to repair the roof on the gazebo opposite the cottage edge.
The green is now open but will be given more treatment before the season starts. Please bear with us as this necessary work continues.
The early commencement of league games (April 1) means everything has had to be condensed into just a few weeks - phew!
Jan 18th
Cold, dank. miserable weather greeted four members today - BM, DaM, DoM and RD - and consequently the only work carried on around the green was edging.
More repair work on the truck and three of the four sides painted and the pavilion given a once-over with the vacuum cleaner.
Hopefully next week will be better.
More repair work on the truck and three of the four sides painted and the pavilion given a once-over with the vacuum cleaner.
Hopefully next week will be better.
Jan 11th
The SWC resumed after the festive break with five members in attendance - MS, DaM, DoM, BM and RD.
We arrived this morning to find the tine fairy had turned up yesterday and covered the green with holes - 100 to the square metre, which I make around 144,300 in total - and before anyone says anything, I didn't count every one!
As the weather was dry and warm (well, sunny at least) the green was swept to remove twigs and given its first cut of 2017 with six bin fulls of cuttings being removed.
Surrounds were trimmed and leaves removed from the ditches and areas where they had blown into neat piles. Green has also been fertilised.
We arrived this morning to find the tine fairy had turned up yesterday and covered the green with holes - 100 to the square metre, which I make around 144,300 in total - and before anyone says anything, I didn't count every one!
As the weather was dry and warm (well, sunny at least) the green was swept to remove twigs and given its first cut of 2017 with six bin fulls of cuttings being removed.
Surrounds were trimmed and leaves removed from the ditches and areas where they had blown into neat piles. Green has also been fertilised.
Dec 14th
No work undertaken today during the SWC Christmas party, but copious amounts of sausage rolls, cake, mince pies, brandy cream, and brown milk were consumed.
Water supply to the pavilion was disconnected and the hot water system drained down for the rest of the winter period.
Serious work will recommence when the SWC reconvenes on January 11 next year.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers.
Water supply to the pavilion was disconnected and the hot water system drained down for the rest of the winter period.
Serious work will recommence when the SWC reconvenes on January 11 next year.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our readers.
Dec 7th
Just three members turned out for the final meeting of 2016 - DM, MS and RD (DaM was recovering from a bout of illness).
The green swept clear of leaves - AGAIN - and the gazebo benches given a coat of Fenceguard..
That means all the movable benches have now been treated and just one permanent bench left (it's been too wet to treat so far).
Work also started on treating the fence along the covered area.
No work will be undertaken next week (Dec 14) as we are having our Christmas party.
Anyone who wants to is welcome to attend.
The green swept clear of leaves - AGAIN - and the gazebo benches given a coat of Fenceguard..
That means all the movable benches have now been treated and just one permanent bench left (it's been too wet to treat so far).
Work also started on treating the fence along the covered area.
No work will be undertaken next week (Dec 14) as we are having our Christmas party.
Anyone who wants to is welcome to attend.
Nov 30th
Four hardy souls turned out on a bitterly cold morning - BM, DaM, MS and RD.
Two more benches given a good coat of treatment and part of the back fence (on the raised patio area near the gazebo) also treated.
All the ditches cleared of leaves, though in reality it just creates space for more leaves to fill them up again. Oh well!
More clearance work carried on behind the equipment shed and improvements made to the composting area to help with retention of grass cuttings.
Next week sees our last work party of the year before the SWC Christmas party on Dec 14.
Two more benches given a good coat of treatment and part of the back fence (on the raised patio area near the gazebo) also treated.
All the ditches cleared of leaves, though in reality it just creates space for more leaves to fill them up again. Oh well!
More clearance work carried on behind the equipment shed and improvements made to the composting area to help with retention of grass cuttings.
Next week sees our last work party of the year before the SWC Christmas party on Dec 14.
Nov 23rd
Four members in attendance today - DM, DaM, MS and RD.
More clearance work done on ground behind equipment shed, green swept of leaves and other detritus and work started on painting benches (two completed).
Other benches moved under cover to dry out and equipment shed tidied up.
More clearance work done on ground behind equipment shed, green swept of leaves and other detritus and work started on painting benches (two completed).
Other benches moved under cover to dry out and equipment shed tidied up.
Nov 16th
Five members gathered for the latest SWC get-together on Nov 16 - BM, DaM, DoM, MS and RD.
Finally the fence demolished on our last Saturday home game has been repaired and rebuilt - and very impressive it looks too!
Clearance work on the ground behind the equipment shed continued and part of the drainage ditch at the field edge has been cleared.
Surrounds cut.
Finally the fence demolished on our last Saturday home game has been repaired and rebuilt - and very impressive it looks too!
Clearance work on the ground behind the equipment shed continued and part of the drainage ditch at the field edge has been cleared.
Surrounds cut.
Nov 9th
Five members in attendance today - BM, DaM, DoM, MS and RD.
Painting of fences along the pavilion edge finally completed as well as entrance gate to the green.
Ground clearance work continued and some more rubbish burned.
JB payed a flying visit . . . 'just to make sure we were doing everything properly'.
Painting of fences along the pavilion edge finally completed as well as entrance gate to the green.
Ground clearance work continued and some more rubbish burned.
JB payed a flying visit . . . 'just to make sure we were doing everything properly'.
Nov 2nd
With DaM attending a hospital appointment and DoM acting as his taxi service, the Summer Wine Club was down to three members this week - BM, a back-from-holiday MS and RD.
Once again the weather was fine though a little chilly.
Fence painting continued - and the end is now in sight with just the corner panels and the gates at the entrance to the green to complete.
Then we can start on the benches!
Green surrounds trimmed and an attempt, though not too successful, to clear leaves off the green. We're all praying for a bit of wind to do the job for us.
Once again the weather was fine though a little chilly.
Fence painting continued - and the end is now in sight with just the corner panels and the gates at the entrance to the green to complete.
Then we can start on the benches!
Green surrounds trimmed and an attempt, though not too successful, to clear leaves off the green. We're all praying for a bit of wind to do the job for us.
Oct 26th
With MS away on holiday (again!) four 'regulars' gathered for the usual Wednesday morning work party - BM, DaM, DoM and RD.
Mammoth task of fence painting continued, and slabbed area swept clear of leaves - again.
Job of chopping through tap routes under path down to equipment shed with mini-digger completed by James B and RF and ground reinstated. (Slabs won't be relaid until next spring to allow ground to settle).
Green solid tined, over-seeded and top-dressed ready for the winter (thanks Paul).
Area behind equipment shed was party cleared last week and much of the old timber removed from the ditches last winter was burned.
This process will need to be repeated to get rid of the rest of the rubbish.
Mammoth task of fence painting continued, and slabbed area swept clear of leaves - again.
Job of chopping through tap routes under path down to equipment shed with mini-digger completed by James B and RF and ground reinstated. (Slabs won't be relaid until next spring to allow ground to settle).
Green solid tined, over-seeded and top-dressed ready for the winter (thanks Paul).
Area behind equipment shed was party cleared last week and much of the old timber removed from the ditches last winter was burned.
This process will need to be repeated to get rid of the rest of the rubbish.
Oct 13th
With the Summer Wine crew back on winter schedule, four 'regulars' - MS, Da M, BM and RD - ably supported by Do M, were in attendance and maintenance/repairs are well under way.
Following the collapse of the fence after the last Saturday game (during TT's birthday celebration), new posts are now concreted in and the panels given new treatment ready for re-erection.
Plans are in place to dig a trench (slabs already lifted) to cut tree roots which are causing bare patches along the pavilion edge.
The hedges have received their winter trim and leaves/detritus swept from the green (this process will have to be repeated regularly until the trees have shed all their leaves).
Following the collapse of the fence after the last Saturday game (during TT's birthday celebration), new posts are now concreted in and the panels given new treatment ready for re-erection.
Plans are in place to dig a trench (slabs already lifted) to cut tree roots which are causing bare patches along the pavilion edge.
The hedges have received their winter trim and leaves/detritus swept from the green (this process will have to be repeated regularly until the trees have shed all their leaves).
Apr 21st
Back up to full summer strength this week with three 'members' in attendance - DM, BM and RD.
Usual tasks undertaken - surrounds and edges cut (and strimmed), and green cut.
Frames manufactured for drain covers in the bottom ditch.
Usual tasks undertaken - surrounds and edges cut (and strimmed), and green cut.
Frames manufactured for drain covers in the bottom ditch.
Apr 13th
Just two of us this week - BM and RD (DM was attending a funeral and MS on holiday - again!!!!!).
Anyway, green cut and surrounds and edges trimmed.
Power cable to the shed was tidied up and more anti-bird measures installed in the equipment edge gazebo.
Brian's work on the tubs seems to be paying dividends with plants sprouting already.
Anyway, green cut and surrounds and edges trimmed.
Power cable to the shed was tidied up and more anti-bird measures installed in the equipment edge gazebo.
Brian's work on the tubs seems to be paying dividends with plants sprouting already.
Apr 5th
Just 3 members in attendance this week - DM, BM and RD.
MS was on holiday and JB was on his bike.
Surrounds too wet to be cut so BM started work on the pots which grace the surrounds during the summer.
DM set to sweeping and vacuuming the pavilion and RD gave the green the once-over with the mower, removing four bins-full of cuttings.
Next week we revert to the summer setting of Thursdays.
MS was on holiday and JB was on his bike.
Surrounds too wet to be cut so BM started work on the pots which grace the surrounds during the summer.
DM set to sweeping and vacuuming the pavilion and RD gave the green the once-over with the mower, removing four bins-full of cuttings.
Next week we revert to the summer setting of Thursdays.
Mar 30th
An increase in manpower for the latest meeting - JB, BM, DM and RD.
Green scarified again (plenty of petrol this time) and cut on the lower setting of 6mm.
Edges trimmed, surrounds cut and a bit of strimming done.
Next week willl be our last Wednesday get-together before we revert to our usual Thursdays for the summer.
Mar 23rd
Just 3 swc members on duty today - BM, JB and RD.
DM was away on a jolly and MS was (we were led to believe) feeling a bit under the weather. The surrounds were given their usual trim and the patio fence between the gazebo and pavilion was painted, along with part of the fence near the equipment shed and the seat in the bus stop along the equipment shed edge. The green was given its pre-season weekly trim and the slitter was fired up to clear some of the thatch out of the green. Unfortunately this job was only partly done as we ran out of petrol (!) |
Mar 16th
The crew arrived this morning to find the new fence completed . . . and a good job has been made too.
JB, MS and RD set to with brushes and painted all six panels in a lovely dark oak colour - marvellous - while DM removed the winter grime from the pavilion windows. BM tackled his usual job (surrounds) and RD gave the green a trim, removing three bins of cuttings. |
Mar 10th
The SWC gathered on Thursday this week after Wednesday's washout. In attendance DM, BM and RD.
Resizing of the fence panels was finally finished (6 in total) and word is that the new fence on the raised patio area will be completed some time next week.
The pavilion ditch was cleaned out, meaning all ditches are now ready for the rubber pellets as soon as they arrive.
Work was started on tidying up the paved areas and this will continue next week.
Resizing of the fence panels was finally finished (6 in total) and word is that the new fence on the raised patio area will be completed some time next week.
The pavilion ditch was cleaned out, meaning all ditches are now ready for the rubber pellets as soon as they arrive.
Work was started on tidying up the paved areas and this will continue next week.
Mar 2nd
A return to the SWC for RD after four weeks away on holiday, and a rude awakening it was, too.
The day started as usual with Bovril but then wind, snow, sleet and driving rain soaked everything, even under cover, and prevented any work being carried out.
Still the tea and brown milk went down well.
Here's hoping next week will be much better.
The day started as usual with Bovril but then wind, snow, sleet and driving rain soaked everything, even under cover, and prevented any work being carried out.
Still the tea and brown milk went down well.
Here's hoping next week will be much better.
Feb 10th
Green cut and edging completed - Well done boys
Jan 20th
Three down, one to go . . . ditches, that is.
All new boards and cross-bracing is now in place on the pavilion ditch, cottage (start) ditch and equipment shed ditch, with just the top field ditch to complete. Then the mammoth task will be complete and we can get on with the miriad of other tasks. In attendance - DM, BM, MS, JB and RD. |
Jan 13th
Week 2 of the new year and six - yes six - members turned out, BM, DMx2, MS, JB and RD.
The weather again was kind, chilly but sunny and the grass seems, finally, to have stopped growing.
Work continued with cross-bracing the new boards on the pavilion ditch and top ditch and another fence panel got the DM treatment.
The weather again was kind, chilly but sunny and the grass seems, finally, to have stopped growing.
Work continued with cross-bracing the new boards on the pavilion ditch and top ditch and another fence panel got the DM treatment.
Jan 6th
The Summer Wine Club reconvened after their festive break with four regulars in attendance - DM, BM, MS and RD, and a flying visit from Club Captain JB.
MS and RD continued work on the new ditch boards (equipment shed ditch) while BM cleared the other ditches of debris and DM carried on fence panel repairs.
The grass is continuing to grow in the warm weather but we couln't do any cutting as the ground was much too wet.
MS and RD continued work on the new ditch boards (equipment shed ditch) while BM cleared the other ditches of debris and DM carried on fence panel repairs.
The grass is continuing to grow in the warm weather but we couln't do any cutting as the ground was much too wet.