November 2025

Glendale welcomed Tom Saunters, Sussex FA Facilities &  Investment Officer, for PitchPower Training at Tim Farmer Recreation Ground, Haywards Heath, this month. 

First up for the on site training were Steve White  (pictured centre)  from Glendale Mid Sussex  Grounds Maintenance Team and Marley Brooks (right), Glendale Mid Sussex Fine  Turf  Lead.

Glendale maintain 79 Football and Rugby turf pitches throughout the Mid Sussex District Council Estate.

Tom ran through pitch inspections, measuring soil quality, grass and root growth and general playing surfaces of the three pitches. This information, with photographs, is then transferred to an app. The inspection is then submitted to an expert Groundskeeper from the GMA. Following a review, a bespoke report  includes advice and recommendations on pitch maintenance and equipment.

The FA can offer funding to clubs under their 'Get Your Pitch Match Fit' initiative. Funding is tapered against the quality of the pitches over a period of several years.

Glendale are already advanced in the process with major investment of earthquaking, verti-draining and weed control across the winter sport domain. 

For more information:

https://www.sussexfa.com/news/2021/dec/01/grass-pitch-maintenance-fund

https://footballfoundation.org.uk/pitchpower 

Glendale supported The Sussex Bonfire Season this year at Lindfield, Burgess Hill, Ashurst Wood, East Grinstead and Copthorne. There is a twist to the plot in Sussex where there are 35 or so Official Societies and Village & Private Bonfires and Firework displays throughout the County, September to November.

The Societies focus and celebrate with colourful Processions, of which other Societies are invited, the failure of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605, hence the Bonfire and the 'Guy' Fawkes and the burning at the stake of 17 Protestant Martyrs at Lewes during an uprising against Queen Mary between 1555 and 1557. The Martyrs are represented with 17 burning crosses at the Procession while torches and burning metal drums represent the condemned Gunpowder Plotters being taken to  execution through London's streets. Bonfires were lit for the first time on 5th November 1605, now celebrated with fireworks annually.

Societies' Bonfire Boys are recognised by their hooped jumpers and white trousers. they can be seen around Sussex, all year, fundraising for their big event.

Lewes and Lindfield Bonfires are held on 5th November and attract jointly 70,000 visitors. This year's Lindfield Procession was led by Keiron Thompson driving a  Glendale tractor (see header).

'Remember, Remember the 5th of November'. Glendale certainly will as Keiron and his tractor have already been invited back  for a repeat performance at the 2026 celebrations. Also, Steve Weeding from Glendale's Horticulture Team, is  Chairman of the Burgess Hill Bonfire Society, preserving this tradition of 'Wunt be Druv' (County motto for 'we will not be pushed around') very close to all Sussex Folk.