Bedford School’s cricket facilities have undergone a significant transformation following the installation of a fully automated Hunter irrigation system, supplied by KAR UK and installed by JK Irrigation. The upgrade has not only boosted efficiency but also future-proofed the grounds for continued development over the next decade. 

At the heart of the new system is the Hunter ACC2 controller, complete with an internet module that gives Head Groundsman George Mills and his team full remote access. Each grounds team member is responsible for a different area, and thanks to the Centralus platform, they can now manage their irrigation schedules from their phones, no matter where they are. 

“We’ve got all the grounds team set up with their own logins,” George explained. “Chris, my deputy, manages the first team square, Glenn looks after the second team square, Anthony does the grass nets, and I focus on the smaller third team square. That bit of ownership means everyone really takes pride in their area – and yes, there’s a bit of healthy competition too!” 

The system features Hunter G-800 TTS valve-in-head sprinklers around the main cricket squares and Hunter I-25 sprinklers for the smaller areas. Two 25,000-litre tanks water storage tanks and a Lowara pump system, controlled via an integrated unit, ensure powerful and consistent pressure – around seven bar – which is a dramatic improvement on the school’s previous setup. 

“Our mains pressure was poor – barely one bar,” George said. “Before, we were moving a single sprinkler eight to ten times just to get coverage. Now we can water the first team square in 15 to 20 minutes at night when it’s more efficient and better for the plant.” 

Two thousand metres of pipework now runs beneath the surface, installed by JK Irrigation with help from the in-house team for reinstatement works. The installation also includes 13 strategically placed water boxes across the site, all configured to accommodate future system expansion. 

“We’ve designed this with the long term in mind,” George added. “We’re hoping to add a fourth cricket square soon, and we’ve already got the infrastructure in place to irrigate it. We’re also planning a full renovation of the first-team rugby pitch, and the irrigation will go in first so we can reseed quickly and maintain momentum.” 

The system has already proven invaluable during periods of dry weather. The team can now reliably water in granular fertilisers – even in hot conditions – and maintain the feeding schedule without compromising on turf health. 

“We’re applying a granular every month,” George said. “Being able to water it in properly means we’re seeing better uptake and performance. It’s a huge advantage, particularly in seasons like this where rainfall can’t be relied on.” 

Beyond the immediate benefits, George sees the project as an investment in both the grounds and the people who manage them. 

“Everything we’ve done – the system, the infrastructure, the way it’s all been set up – is about improving the site for the next 10 years and more.” 

With strong support from the school, a dedicated team, and a robust irrigation system in place, Bedford School is perfectly positioned to deliver top-quality playing surfaces well into the future. 

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