The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, home of Kent CCC,  is perhaps one of the most iconic county grounds in the country writes Godfreys md Peter Bateman.  With the spires of Canterbury Cathedral in the background reaching heavenward and the new Lime tree at cow corner, the Spitfire Ground was preparing itself for a televised T20 Blast against local rivals, the Essex Eagles on a quintessentially British summer’s day.

So on this warm early summer’s day, Godfreys were delighted to host 20 groundsmen, both Men of Kent and Kentish Men from clubs and schools around the county, to a presentation and demonstration of Allett fine turf mowers.

Leigh Bowers, Allett’s passionate and knowledgeable Sales Director started the afternoon with a very informative presentation on their range and also how to get the best results out of the equipment.  Topics covered were cuts per meter (always 248 cpm with a ten bladed Allett!), grooming, brushing, adjustments, lateral grass and much more.

This was followed by 25 of us stepping out onto the square on match day with the complete range of Allett mowers, and watching Leigh set up these mowers ready to prepare a wicket.  Now, not many county groundsmen would let a gaggle of outsiders on to hallowed turf, especially with Sky’s HD camera’s covering all angles.  So a huge thank you to Simon Williamson, head groundsman, at The Spitfire Ground for entrusting us with such a valuable piece of turf. 

Cutting a strip is one thing, but as we watched Leigh demonstrate how to cut, groom, cut, verti-cut, cut, brush, cut and then let us try, this holy city of Canterbury must have produced another great man of faith in Simon Williamson!

The results of the day were akin to a miracle with the new disciples of Allett aghast and dumbstruck by the material removed from this first class wicket. 

As we basked in the warm summer’s sun, feet planted in cricketing holy ground, we could have been excused for feeling relaxed and pleased with how the day had gone.  So when the first team came out to warm up and cricket balls started whizzing over the protective nets like doodlebugs towards the square, we decided to head for the shelters.   The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, was living up to its name.  The bombardment continued late into the evening as the dogfight between the Kent Spitfires and Essex Eagles took place, but this time we were all in the safety of the stands.

Thank you Leigh Bowers, Allett’s Ace, and to Canterbury Cricket Club for setting up a very informative and enjoyable day at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence for Godfreys and our customers.

Peter Bateman
Godfreys