Blaby Bowling Club Invests in SISIS Dart to Protect Award-Winning Green
Blaby Bowling Club has strengthened its commitment to maintaining one of Leicestershire's finest bowling greens with the purchase of a SISIS Dart pedestrian aerator, enabling the club to carry out regular precision aeration and further enhance playing conditions for members and visitors alike.
Founded in 1947, with its first clubhouse housed in a converted Leicester tram, Blaby Bowling Club has grown into one of the county's most respected bowls venues. Today, the club boasts more than 80 members, with numbers continuing to rise, and hosts county finals, representative fixtures and training sessions throughout the season.
The club's green is widely regarded as one of the best in Leicestershire, attracting praise from visiting bowlers, county officials and newcomers to the sport.
"When people walk through the gate and see the green for the first time, they're genuinely impressed," said Gary Toward, Chairman. "It's not just how it looks – it plays exactly the way a top-quality bowling green should."
To maintain those high standards, the club has invested in a SISIS Dart, an independently powered vertical-action aerator designed specifically for fine turf sports surfaces including bowling greens, cricket squares, golf courses and tennis courts.
The machine delivers clean, vertical penetration to a maximum depth of 100mm while minimising surface disturbance, making it ideal for use during the playing season. A range of interchangeable tines allows grounds staff to adapt aeration programmes throughout the year to improve drainage, reduce compaction and encourage stronger root growth.
Previously, the club relied on external contractors to carry out aeration work, limiting both the frequency and timing of treatments.
"Having our own machine means we're no longer dependent on contractor availability," explained Brian Hawkins who’s the greenkeeper at the club. "We can now aerate every three to four weeks when conditions require it, helping us maintain consistently high standards throughout the season.The difference the Dart has made has been remarkable. It's significantly reduced compaction, improved water movement down to the rootzone and kept the turf healthier and greener, even through a particularly dry summer."
The SISIS Dart's balanced depth control, easy-lift system and simple operation have also proved valuable for the club's volunteer maintenance team.
"It looks like a substantial machine, but it's surprisingly easy to manoeuvre," said Gary. "When we had the demonstration, I was amazed at how straightforward it was to operate. The controls are simple, changing the tines is easy and it allows us to carry out essential maintenance with minimal disruption to play."
The benefits of regular aeration were evident following recent heavy rainfall, when the green remained playable despite a significant downpour.
"Aeration plays a vital role in improving drainage and maintaining healthy turf," said Brian . "Good root development creates stronger grass growth and a better playing surface. Even after severe rain, our green continues to perform exceptionally well."
Powered by a 4.8hp Honda GX160 engine and featuring a 400mm working width, the SISIS Dart combines professional-grade performance with ease of handling. Its interchangeable tine system enables the club to use fine tines during the season, allowing play to resume immediately after treatment with virtually no impact on the surface.
The investment forms part of Blaby Bowling Club's wider strategy to secure the future of the club and its facilities for generations to come.
"We're continually improving both the clubhouse and the green because we want people to be enjoying bowls at Blaby in 20 or 30 years' time," said Gary Toward, Chair at Blaby bowls club. "This investment is another important step in ensuring that we continue to provide one of the finest bowling environments in the county."
With membership growing, a reputation for excellence and a commitment to continual improvement, Blaby Bowling Club continues to set the standard for bowling greens across Leicestershire.
