Dennis and SISIS, in association with Croquet England, recently hosted a highly informative Croquet Lawn/Court Maintenance One-Day Seminar at the Bristol Croquet Club.
The event attracted croquet enthusiasts and lawn care professionals eager to enhance their knowledge and skills in maintaining croquet lawns to the highest standards.
The day began with registrations and refreshments, followed by an introduction and welcome from Robert Jack of Dennis and SISIS. Robert emphasised the importance of thorough lawn maintenance and the value of the seminar’s hands-on approach.
Stuart Yarwood from DLF led the first session by focusing on evaluating and preparing croquet lawns. Participants gained insights into understanding the lawn’s condition beneath the surface. This presentation particularly struck a chord with attendee Martin Pollard, who said, "We really enjoyed the day and learned a lot from it, with the key takeaway for us being that we are not doing enough analysis of what’s underneath the surface."
Following a refreshment break, Robert Jack discussed how to get the best performance from your mower. This session covered the intricacies of mower maintenance and operation. Attendee Simon Clay commented, "The whole day was really helpful from the initial lectures on lawn management to the practical session on lawnmower maintenance – it was a revelation."
After a complimentary lunch, attendees moved to the lawn for practical demonstrations. These demonstrations covered essential lawn care techniques, including aeration, scarification, brushing, and mowing. The hands-on nature of this session allowed participants to see the equipment in action and understand its application. Attendee Tim Martin said, "Whilst I knew a bit about grass cutting, aeration and treatments, the day brought the whole thing together and also filled many gaps!"
Stuart then presented on End of Season Renovation of a Croquet/Lawn Court, providing tips and strategies for maintaining lawn quality and health during the off-season. This session emphasised the importance of seasonal care to ensure year-round playability and lawn longevity.
The day concluded with a ‘Turf Clinic’—a Q&A session where attendees could ask specific questions and receive expert advice from the presenters. This interactive session offered tailored solutions and clarified any remaining doubts. Martin Pollard said, "The instructors knew their stuff and were excellent."
The seminar was a resounding success, with participants leaving with a wealth of knowledge and practical tips to implement in their lawn maintenance routines. Dennis and SISIS, in collaboration with Croquet England, look forward to hosting more such events in the future to continue supporting the croquet community and promoting excellence in lawn care.
