Breaking Barriers on the Green: Sue Allen is Helping Shape the Future of Greenkeeping at Harperbury Bowls Club

Perfect bowling greens don't happen by accident. They are the result of careful planning, expert maintenance and countless hours of dedication behind the scenes. At Harperbury Bowls Club, that responsibility lies with Green Team Lead Sue Allen, one of the relatively few women leading greenkeeping operations in the bowls industry.

Through her knowledge, practical expertise and passion for turf maintenance, Sue is helping to challenge traditional perceptions of greenkeeping while demonstrating that the profession is open to anyone with the commitment to learn and deliver excellence.

"I coordinate the maintenance of the green, carry out much of the maintenance work myself and oversee everything from fertiliser applications to nutrient programmes," explains Sue. "Our aim is to provide members with the very best bowling surface possible throughout the season."

A Club Built on History

Harperbury Bowls Club has a rich history stretching back more than 70 years. Formed in 1955, it was originally known as Harperbury Hospital Bowls Club, reflecting its location on the grounds of what was once Harperbury Hospital.

The site itself has an important place in local history, having previously been home to a mental hospital, one of several that once served the St Albans area.

When the hospital eventually closed, the bowls club remained and continued operating under its original name because the NHS became the club's landlord. It was only later that the club was able to simplify its identity by dropping "Hospital" from its title and becoming the Harperbury Bowls Club members know today.

The club now has approximately 120 members, including around 80 active bowling members. The remaining associate members are largely husbands, wives and partners who continue to support the club and its activities.

Behind the scenes, maintaining the club's high standards is a dedicated green team of six volunteers.

"The green team consists of six members who carry out all the work," says Sue. "We operate the machinery, spray, weed, apply nutrients and generally look after the playing surface."

The work extends beyond the green itself.

"We also have other members who help maintain the surrounds and the borders around the green. They really enhance the ambience of the club and make it a lovely place for everyone to enjoy."

Trusted Machinery That Delivers Every Season

Central to Harperbury's maintenance programme are two Dennis machines that have become indispensable to the club: the versatile Dennis FT510 and the dedicated Dennis Razor cylinder mowers.

Standing alongside the machines, Sue explains just how much they have contributed over the years.

"Our Dennis FT510 is probably around 15 to 20 years old now and she's worked very hard over the years," she says. "We previously had an older mower that we eventually traded in for the Dennis Razor because we were so pleased with how the FT510 had performed. We wanted a dedicated straight cutting mower, so choosing another Dennis machine was an easy decision."

That decision has proved to be the right one. "The Dennis brand has been the best choice for us."

One Machine, Multiple Essential Tasks

Throughout the bowling and growing season, the Dennis FT510 is one of the busiest machines at Harperbury. "We use the FT510 every week," Sue explains. "It's mainly used on Mondays throughout both the working season and the bowling season."

Its interchangeable cassette system allows the team to carry out several essential maintenance operations using one power unit.

"We use the sorrel roller cassette for aeration, which helps keep air moving through the soil profile and supports healthy turf." Every other week, the machine is fitted with the verticutting cassette.

"We verticut every fortnight to control thatch, which is always important. Removing thatch helps keep the bowling surface level and prevents lumps and bumps from developing." At the end of the playing season, the machine takes on another important role. "We fit the scarifier cassette to help carry out our autumn renovation work and prepare the green for the winter months."

The club also owns the cutting cassette for the FT510. "We use that purely for winter cutting, allowing us to reserve the Razor for the important summer work throughout the bowling season- mainly so we can just grab the FT out of then shed with the cassettes in."

Creating the Perfect Playing Surface

Sue explains that every maintenance operation has one objective: creating consistent playing conditions.

"Verticutting removes thatch from the green, allowing bowls to travel more smoothly and more quickly across the surface. Without regular removal of thatch, performance quickly declines. If you don't remove the thatch and lateral growth, your bowls are going to run slower and you won't get a true line across your rinks. That's why using the different cassettes is so important. They all play their part in producing the best-performing green possible."

Simple, Safe and Easy to Operate

Having spent many years operating Dennis equipment, Sue particularly values its simplicity and ease of use.

"It's a very easy machine to work with. It has a brake handle, so if you release your hand from the control cable the machine immediately stops. That's a perfect safety mechanism."

She also praises its manoeuvrability. "It's light to use, easy to turn and simply does the job perfectly." The mowing pattern also contributes to surface quality. "We cut the green in different directions, including vertically and diagonally, to produce an even, consistent finish across the entire playing surface."

The Dennis Razor Delivers Consistency

Alongside the FT510, the Dennis Razor is used throughout the main bowling season as the club's dedicated cutting mower.

"The Razor is used three times every week throughout the bowling season."

Although it is slightly heavier than the FT510, Sue says it remains extremely easy to operate. "It's slightly heavier than the FT510, but it's still very manoeuvrable." Unlike the FT510, the Razor has a single purpose. "It's purely for cutting and doesn't have interchangeable cassettes."

The machine also features user-friendly controls and important safety features. "It has the same excellent safety mechanisms, and it's very easy to adjust the cutting height."

The cutting programme begins towards the end of April. "We start at an 8mm height of cut before gradually reducing it to 5mm, which is where we are during the main part of the season."

While some clubs choose to mow lower, Harperbury has found the ideal balance. "Some greens prefer to go lower, but we've found that cutting too low can put the turf under stress, especially in different weather conditions. Five millimetres gives us exactly the balance we're looking for between green speed, presentation and turf health."

Tried, Trusted and Recommended

Having relied on Dennis machinery for many years, Sue has complete confidence in the equipment. "Our FT510 has worked incredibly hard over the years and that's why, when we needed another machine, we stayed with Dennis."

Today, both machines form the backbone of Harperbury's maintenance programme. "If anyone is looking to purchase machinery for maintaining a bowling green—whether it's for cutting or carrying out the various maintenance jobs—I don't think Harperbury would look anywhere else."

"They're tried and trusted machines. We'll continue to use them and we'd certainly recommend that anyone looking for reliable green maintenance equipment should take a serious look at Dennis."

Paving the Way for Others

While Sue is passionate about producing outstanding playing surfaces, her influence extends beyond turf maintenance.

As one of the relatively few female greenkeepers working within bowls, she is helping to demonstrate that expertise, dedication and attention to detail are what define a successful greenkeeper—not gender.

Her leadership at Harperbury Bowls Club is helping to inspire others to consider careers and volunteer roles in greenkeeping, while proving that the future of turf management is becoming increasingly diverse.

With decades of club history behind her, a dedicated volunteer team alongside her and trusted Dennis machinery supporting every stage of maintenance, Sue Allen continues to ensure Harperbury Bowls Club's green remains in outstanding condition—setting an example both on and off the green.

Find out more about the Dennis Razor
Find out more about the Dennis Razor Ultra with fitted groomer
Find out more about the Dennis FT