During the close season period there has been a wide range of maintenance and improvement activities carried out at the Dog & Duck, many of which were undertaken by AFC Rushden & Diamonds volunteers.
As well as working on the pitch after it took such a battering with the exceptionally inclement weather, other work has been going on to ensure the Dog & Duck retains its ground grading, as well as general tidying up and preparation for next season.
There is still some concreting work to be done on Friday afternoon.
Pitch Work
There has been extensive work carried out on the pitch, to scarify, verti drain and seed it, along with the associated mowing and spreading of fertiliser. Special attention is being paid to the goalmouth areas. Some areas of the pitch have been returfed. In recent days it has been scarified and all the dead thatch removed, and some final work is planned in the goalmouth areas before the pitch is cut, prior to the lines being marked ahead of the first games next week (WTFC play Histon on Thursday 18/7 before AFC R&D v Brackley on Saturday 20/7).
Concrete Work
A concrete base is being laid for the new turnstiles in the next week, and anybody who can help with this, or to help moving some of the concrete around to the main stand, where it is needed to make repairs, will be welcome. Repairs are also being made to the path at the Embankment end of the ground, after the extra traffic it faced last season.
The main concrete base digging work has been done using a digger, and the shuttering work has also been done in preparation for the concrete delivery.
The concrete for the base is due to arrive at 2pm on Friday 12th July. Anybody who can help with spreading or moving the concrete to the far end of the pitch will be welcome from just before that time. If you can help with the concreting work it is advisable to bring old clothing/boots etc.. as it can get messy.
Cleaning Work
Various facilities at the ground have been cleaned, with the Peter De Banke Terrace having been jetwashed – the picture opposite is a snapshot of when the cleaning process was half-way across.
Fitting of a Players’ Tunnel
The fitting of a retractable players’ tunnel has been completed. Further pictures of the work that has been completed due to the efforts of Diamonds’ volunteers are at the bottom of this page.
Club Office
The Club Office is adjacent to the Club Shop. Having been used as a storage area last season, it has been cleared out and fitted with Office equipment that has been kindly donated.
Painting
Painting work has been done by Diamonds and WTFC volunteers, with the Doughboys focussed on interior improvements, and the Diamonds helpers working on areas including the hospitality area and pitch-side barriers. There is still a bit of painting to do around the laundry/cleaning cupboard, which will be addressed either on Friday 12th or over the following few days.
Patio Area
The patio area between the bar and the pitch has been improved, with Wellingborough Town volunteers putting in an extra level of steps.
General Ground Maintenance
Volunteer effort is has worked on the electrics at the ground, as well as extensive work on mowing, weeding and strimming.
Volunteering Opportunities
If you are able to help next weekend, the contacts are Bob Osborne and Darren Bolland. For those who would like to help in other volunteer activities there are a number of areas where additional support is required during the 2013-14 season – for details see here.
