Bob Carder, head groundsman at Stamford School and his team, receive a Cricket World and Turf Matters Groundcare Award at Lord's Cricket Ground

A school groundsman and his team have received a national award for the quality cricket pitches they produce.

Bob Carder, head groundsman at Stamford School, and his team received a Cricket World and Turf Matters Groundcare Award at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on September 23.

The 56-year-old from Colsterworth, said: “It’s an award for our pitches, outfield, how it all looks and the machinery we use.

“The school are happy and the principal is happy.

“We were nominated by four people but they wouldn’t tell us who they were.

“The judges just turned up one day at our shed to have a look - I thought it was someone going to rob us!

“We were honoured and it was great to go to Lord’s, sit in a box for Middlesex versus Derbyshire but it rained all day!

“It’s brilliant to be recognised like that and was such a good day.

“It was great to be with all the other groundsmen at Lord’s.

“Without these guys, you would not be playing cricket on Saturdays.”

Bob, who has worked at Stamford School for 15 years, manages a team of five but is looking for a sixth.

The Groundcare award judges remarked: “Bob and his team do an outstanding job on a very limited budget.

“The dedication and attention to detail Bob sets are extremely high professional standards.

“The cricket square and outfields are pristine and are mesmerising to look at.

“It’s groundsmanship taken back to basics and the basics done well.”

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