Raising Standards on the Green: Derby West End Bowling Club Hosts October Bowls Seminar
The latest bowls maintenance seminar of the 2026 calendar took place at Derby West End Bowling Club, bringing together greenkeepers, volunteers and club members for a valuable day of practical demonstrations, expert advice and knowledge-sharing.
The event provided an excellent opportunity for attendees to develop their understanding of bowling green maintenance, explore specialist turf care machinery from Dennis and SISIS, and learn practical techniques to take back to their own clubs.
The seminar welcomed Stuart Yarwood, Master Greenkeeper and North West Amenity Technical Manager for DLF Seeds UK, as guest speaker. Stuart delivered an informative session exploring the science behind successful bowling green maintenance, sharing his expertise and explaining the key principles that underpin healthy, resilient and high-quality playing surfaces.
Stuart shared his expertise on the role grass seed selection and grass varieties play in developing a resilient, high-quality playing surface. His presentation explored the science underpinning turf performance, helping attendees understand how factors such as grass growth, plant health, soil conditions and appropriate maintenance practices all contribute to the overall quality of a bowling green.
Practical Demonstrations on the Green
A key highlight was the opportunity to see Dennis and SISIS machinery demonstrated in real-world conditions. Attendees could watch the equipment in action, learn about its applications and ask questions, gaining a better understanding of how specialist machinery can help maintain healthy, consistent and well-presented bowling greens.
A huge thank you goes to Bernie Greenough and his team at Derby West End Bowling Club for allowing us to use their green for the practical demonstrations. Their support and hospitality helped make the event possible, providing the ideal setting for attendees to see maintenance techniques and equipment in action.
Getting to Grips with Mower Maintenance
Another highlight was the mower maintenance workshop delivered by our very own Jason Briggs, which focused on two essential skills for anyone responsible for maintaining fine turf mowing equipment.
Jason demonstrated how to correctly set a cylinder mower to the bottom blade, explaining the importance of achieving the correct adjustment for a clean, consistent cut for disease prevention. He also demonstrated how to backlap a cylinder, helping attendees understand how this maintenance process can restore cutting performance and keep blades in good condition.
These fundamental skills are vital for bowling clubs aiming to achieve a high-quality finish on their greens. Correct mower setup and regular maintenance can improve cutting quality, support surface consistency and help extend the working life of valuable equipment.
The workshop also reinforced the importance of understanding machinery rather than simply operating it. By developing these practical skills, volunteer greenkeepers can carry out routine maintenance with greater confidence and make informed decisions about equipment care.
Supporting Volunteers and Raising Standards
Volunteer greenkeepers are the backbone of many bowling clubs, dedicating their time and effort to maintaining greens and providing the best possible playing conditions for members.
Seminars such as the Derby West End event offer an opportunity to learn from industry specialists, exchange experiences with fellow greenkeepers and discover practical solutions to common maintenance challenges.
By improving knowledge and confidence, clubs can make better use of their machinery, plan maintenance more effectively and work towards delivering consistent playing conditions throughout the season.
Showcasing Dennis and SISIS Machinery
The seminar also highlighted turf maintenance solutions from Dennis and SISIS, demonstrating how specialist machinery can support the ongoing care and improvement of bowling greens.
Seeing the equipment working on an actual playing surface gave attendees the opportunity to appreciate its practical applications and consider which solutions might best suit their own clubs.
Combining machinery demonstrations with technical guidance and open discussion helped bring green maintenance theory to life, ensuring attendees could take away practical knowledge and ideas for future improvements.
Looking Ahead to the Next Seminar
The bowls maintenance seminar at Derby West End Bowling Club was another valuable opportunity to share knowledge, exchange ideas and support those responsible for maintaining bowling greens.
A sincere thank you to Bernie Greenough and his team at Derby West End Bowling Club for their hospitality and for allowing us to use their green. Thanks also to Stuart Yarwood for his excellent presentation on the science behind a bowling green, and to everyone who attended and contributed to the day.
The seminar highlighted the importance of practical learning, sharing expertise and supporting the volunteers and greenkeepers who work hard to maintain quality playing surfaces.
With further seminars planned, there will be more opportunities for clubs and greenkeepers to develop their skills, learn from industry experts and explore best practice in bowling green maintenance.
Interested in attending a future bowls maintenance seminar?