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BLOG 5 - Bird Cam
Last Updated: 27/08/2014 09:54:38
Please click the link below to access our live bird cam:
http://airtime.bromsgrove-school.co.uk/player/birdcamjs.htm
BLOG 4 - A new delivery for the Grounds Department
Last Updated: 26/02/2014 10:56:22
On Monday 14th October 2013, a new tractor and verti-drain was delivered to the Grounds Department.
The School has always used contractors to do the verti-draining in the past, so owning our own machine gives the option to carry out this vital grounds care task when the conditions are right and as regular as we desire.
The new tractor is more powerful (with 42hp) than anything we have used in the past, meaning we will be able to carry out tasks in-house. It will also prove useful during the winter months as the tractor is also equipped with a loader bucket which can also be changed into a snow plough.
Richard Hare
BLOG 3 - Bromsgrove School Wildlife
Last Updated: 26/02/2014 10:55:07
The School is situated in the heart of Bromsgrove and it is an oasis for wildlife. It’s hard to imagine that we are only five minutes walk away from the town centre and surrounded by busy roads and houses.
We have a wide range of British mammals such as Foxes, Squirrels (but not the red variety) Rabbits and occasional visits from Badgers. The wide range of birds that we see is really our best claim to fame.
Not many people know that there are six ponds around the Senior School and one at Prep School, all but one of these ponds is shallow and encourages pond life such as Frogs, Toads and Newts.
The pond behind the library has over three hundred fish in it. There are Koi Carp, Ghost Carp and various varieties of Gold Fish. They have to be fed every day and the pond has to be kept clear of any debris such as leaves and branches to ensure a safe living environment for the fish.
Around the pond area is a birdwatchers dream - over the last few years we have seen many British birds such as Kingfishers, Mallards, Herons, Wagtails and even recently a Moorhen, of which I have no idea how it got there or where it came from. We often see Goldcrest Nuthatch and many other types of Finches, along with various Tits, Hedge Sparrows and other smaller birds and various members of the crow family.
We have invested in bird boxes and feeding stations around the School. In 2011 we had a pair of Sparrow Hawks nest and watched as two young were reared by their mother - this was a very special time for the birdwatchers of the School.
The gardening team often come in to School early in the morning to see what the local Sparrow Hawks have had to eat the previous evening! The School also has resident Buzzards which can sometimes be seen sitting on the rugby posts or hovering above the fields and local Gulls which appear on our sports fields after heavy rain eating the worms.
Our team of five very keen gardeners ensure that wildlife is encouraged around School. There is a saying in wildlife circles that mess is best, allowing any branches to rot thus encouraging insects to live on the rotting wood. Insects are at the bottom of the food chain, which birds and mammals will feed off.
The School is heavily involved with the local council in trying to encourage water voles into the town’s streams with some success. Thankfully the local moles are leaving us alone for the time being to the relief of our grounds staff!
I am more than happy to discuss the wildlife around the School with anyone who is interested – I look forward to speaking to you.
I hope this small report on the School’s wildlife has given you an idea about what we see around our great school and it grounds.
Trevor Sayers
BLOG 2 - Grounds and Gardens at Bromsgrove School
Last Updated: 26/02/2014 10:58:16
Bromsgrove School employs five full-time grounds staff and two apprentice groundsmen, five gardeners and one apprentice gardener. We also have a dedicated member of staff who looks after the grounds at the Pre-Prep School. All of the grounds staff and gardeners are highly qualified and they are provided with on-going training, something which the School takes great pride in.
The grounds team are responsible for all the large grass areas around the School which includes the Prep and Senior sports pitches, Gordon Green, Routh Green, the Parade Ground and Chapel Green. They also take care of the two Astro pitches and tarmac courts on the Senior and Prep School sites. The Ryland Centre also comes under the remit of the grounds department.
The gardeners take great pride in their work, each having their own areas to look after across all of the gardens and small grass areas on the three campuses. Maintenance is also required at the majority of staff housing around the School sites. Their work changes from season to season.
The School has over 1200 trees and miles of hedges to look after. Some of this work is contracted to Nigel Morgan because of the specialist equipment which is required to perform these tasks. The School works closely with all on-site contractors.
Bromsgrove takes great pride in the fact that it never closes due to bad weather and the grounds team all pull together to clear roads and pathways, making it possible for students and staff to enter a safe working environment.
BLOG 1 - Meet the Gardening Team
Last Updated: 26/02/2014 10:53:47
The Gardening Team
The gardening team at Bromsgrove School look after all of the gardens and small lawn areas around all the three School sites. The gardeners bring their own set of knowledge and experiences to the job and take great pride in the work that they do. The gardeners all have their own areas but will help in other areas when and as required.
Meet the Team:
Steven Taylor started working at Bromsgrove straight from school in 1971. Steven has had various positions within this time but he now works in the gardening team looking after the areas around Routh hall, the estates yard, the Dining Hall, Science laboratories, the Tuck shop and the North Gate. Steve also goes to Pre-Prep to help out when needed.
Trevor Sayers started working for the School in 2001, firstly with the catering department and latterly as one of the gardeners for the past ten years. During this time he has passed his Level Two Horticulture qualification, something which the School takes great pride in. Trevor’s areas include the Old Chapel, the front of the Administration building, the Headmaster’s Study, the internal quad, the library area, Kyteless, the Memorial chapel and the science laboratories.
Trevor Graham joined us in 2007. Trevor has vast experience within the horticulture industry, where he did his apprenticeship many years ago at Dudley Council. Trevor’s areas include the South car park, around the Gatehouse, Mary Windsor House, Oakley House, Elmshurst House, Walters House and the Sports Centre. Trevor also takes great pride in looking after the Headmaster’s garden.
Ashley Cook joined the team in 2010. Ashley had previously worked for the NEC for eighteen years where he gained various qualifications in horticulture. Ashley’s areas include Lyttelton, Lupton, Thomas Cookes, Hazldene, Humanities, Wendron- Gordon House and the annexe. On Fridays, Ashley goes to Pre-Prep where he undertakes planting with the pupils.
Jeremy Hall has worked for the School since 2012. Jeremy joined Bromsgrove after working for the National Trust for many years. Jeremy’s areas include all of the gardens around the Preparatory School, many of the staff houses on Conway Road, the Health Centre, Honeysuckle House, the International Centre and Page House.
John Roberson started working at Bromsgrove in 1997 as a caretaker and later transferred to the Pre-Preparatory school when it opened in 1999. Since then he has undertaken the caretaking role and also looked after the grounds and gardens at Pre-Prep.
The latest member to join the team is
Luke Harper who commenced a two-year apprenticeship in October 2013. Luke attends Pershore College on day release and is undertaking the Level Two Horticulture qualification.
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