THE MOST
BEAUTIFUL GROUND
THE WORMSLEY CRICKET PITCH IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS ‘THE MOST
BEAUTIFUL GROUND IN BRITAIN’.
The Wormsley cricket pitch in
Buckinghamshire is often referred
to as ‘the most beautiful ground
in Britain’. When Mick Jagger
introduced Sir Paul Getty to cricket,
the millionaire philanthropist formed
such an affection for the sport he
had a replica of The Oval built on
the grounds of his estate. The pitch
was completed in 1992 and the first
match played there was attended by
Her Majesty The Queen Mother, the
then Prime Minister John Major, Sir
Michael Caine and cricket legends
Denis Compton and Brian Johnston.
What is now known as ‘Sir Paul Getty’s
Ground’, Wormsley has in recent years
played host to England Women’s test
matches against Australia and India.
Cricket Manager and former head
groundsman for the Wormsley
estate, Simon Tremlin heads the
team responsible for maintaining the
ground. With such a reputation to live
up to he’s naturally very selective
about the machinery he uses and a
requirement for a scarifier and seeder
led him to official GKB dealers RT
Machinery near Aylesbury.
“We do a lot of contracting work as
well as looking after Wormsley,” says
Simon “and it’s important to know the
machines we use are sturdy enough to
meet our needs. Last year we did forty-
two cricket squares as well as rugby
and football pitches.” RT Machinery
arranged with GKB Machines’ Tom
Shinkins for demonstrations of
GKB’s VStrong and Combiseeder at
Wormsley. “We wanted a scarifier
that collects as well and the VStrong
showed us it’s ideal for that, leaving a
tidy finish and saving time, especially
in damp conditions.” Simon adds.
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Landscape & Urban Design Issue 34 2018
The VStrong follows in the tradition seed application at various rates
of GKB’s Combinator and employs to suit different seed mixes, with
generically developed 3mm carbide drag brushes to incorporate seed
scarifying blades attached to the and topdressing for minimal surface
rotor using their Quick-Lock system. disruption.
An operating depth of 5cm is easily
attained without missing any areas.
The operating speed of up to 12km/h
is a real benefit for the professional
contractor, with fast removal of thatch
and weed with the ability to collect at
the same time.
“We’ve gone with the GKB machines
for the way they perform and they
are robust enough to withstand the
punishment of contracting work,”
says Simon, “and we have plenty of
that ahead as well as maintaining Sir
Paul Getty’s Ground.” GKB machines
The GKB Combiseeder can be used can be seen at work in an open day at
for overseeding and initial seeding RT Machinery, Nether Winchendon
and features two spiked rollers that near Aylesbury on the 5th September
open up the soil for the seed to then 2018 and local demonstrations can be
be spread accurately across the arranged.
full width, in and around the holes.
Creating over 1500 holes per m²
the Combiseeder provides accurate
www.gkbmachines.com 07495 883617