[ DnD General Maintenance ] Sat/Sun July 2nd/3rd from 10am

[Dazzler]

Summer volunteer works!

Over the summer, we will be doing maintenance at the DnD as normal, alongside the usual pitch works. We'll have a few weekends where we try and get a few volunteers down to help out around the ground, but will also be doing bits during the week. Myself and Rod will be co-ordinating this work over the summer.

This will mostly consist of rubbing down, painting, weeding etc.. with a few fence repairs etc.. thrown in.

Please look out for dates to be announced here, and on Twitter once we have them planned and scheduled.

As last year there are not too many major bits of work this year, but we have a few cosmetic and minor bits to complete ahead of the new season. We also plan to redo the stepped area around the tunnel to allow disabled access onto the Decking/Hospitality from the ramp by moving the steps down into the tunnel area, with some alterations to drainage as well.

We will provide free BACON sandwiches, and Tea/Coffee/Chilled Water -if you have any other preferences let me know, and we will see what we can do, else bring some of your own refreshments.

The clubhouse should also be finished over the summer - with large screen TV, blinds, and disabled toilet plumbing being finished, as well as a few other bits and pieces. The Bar now has a fully working chilled cellar, with outside cooling now, so we shouldn't have the problems with the beer in warm weather we used to have (which will please Sally and the other bar staff, and save wasted beer). Stella will also soon be on tap - but isn't quite there yet.

• Hospitality Outside Painting/Roof Repairs etc..
  Fence/Shed Painting around Dale's Bar Area
  Fence Repairs/Boundary repairs
  Patio Weeding - scraping
  Jet Washing - we have a jet wash onsite.
  Deck Cleaning/Treating
  Weed Spraying - we have large sprayer 8L and concentrate.
  Drilling - Brackets putting up
  Possibly repainting outside of hospitality/toilet block.

We have most of the materials/paint already etc.. but if you have any extra tools that may be of use, feel free to bring them down, as well as appropriate clothing/footwear of course.

If anyone has any brickwork/paving/concreting skills and is able to help then please let me know directly as per the email below at the bottom.

Also if you cannot make the weekend, but could perhaps come down one afternoon, or early evening - we may be able to arrange something with some of the jobs like fence painting/weeding etc.. again just drop me an email with your contact details,

Contact Info

Please email me at darren AT afcdiamonds.com if you would like to come down, and any preferred time. Preferred time is likely to be Sat 10am for a few hours to complete as many things as we can, and then Sunday if required.

Access to the DnD

On days where we have volunteers down, the Car Park at DnD will be open and available for parking.

[Dazzler]

Hi All,

Work has been progressing on the pitch and around Stadium over the summer, with a few specific jobs being done. We're a little behind due to the wet weather which whilst good for the pitch, is not so good for painting - which is what most of the jobs currently are.

We are currently looking to do the fan maintenance day either Sat July 2nd, or Sunday July 3rd - possibly both, once we know what jobs will be left to do before the first match at the stadium (which this year is WTFC on Sat 16th July). Our first match is the Match versus Peterborough Utd on the 21st July.

At present it is mainly clearing weeds etc post weed treatment, and generally tidying up around the perimeter. Cleaning seats in the Stand, some fence painting etc.. Of course the final list depends on what we get done before then, and the weather on the day.

Keep an eye on here for updates, and we'll leave more info as to what jobs are needed, and if you need to bring anything.

As before free Bacon Rolls, and Water, and Hot Drinks will be available to any volunteers. Any soft-drinks we will get from bar so would need to charge normal for those.

[Dazzler]

With regard to the pitch we have a new part-time Groundsman taking the lead on the pitch this year, as both myself and MarkH have less time available than last year, though we will still be helping out where we can.

At least with all the rain recently, there has been less need to move the sprinklers around the pitch all evening as last few seasons.

[Dazzler]

Hi All,

For now I will confirm we will be open for fans to come and do some general maintenance work at the DnD from 10am on Saturday until Mid-late afternoon, and similar on the Sunday, again starting from 10am, depending on what is left over from the Saturday. Again will update here, so feel free to check.

The pitch is progressing nicely, and repairs are being made to decking and parts of clubhouse ready for some painting.

Main works are likely to be - Weeding/Clearing Grass around fence where it has been weed treated, Jetwashing (cleaning slabs etc..), Painting (Decking/Fences in a few areas/Shed etc..), and also shifting some of the top dressing from the car park to next to Dale's bar.

As stated there will be a free bacon roll for anyone that comes, plus teas/coffee/water. Any soft drinks can be purchased as normal (will get from bar). Or feel free to bring your own snacks etc.. as we will only be doing the Bacon rolls - and of course there are other suppliers close by. [Of course during the season we expect you to get your food from the Burger Monster, as all profits then come into the club!]

[Dazzler]

Anyone welcome to come down from 10am - we have quite a few jobs to be done, including weeding, mowing, jetwashing etc.. some showers due today, so we may skip any painting until tomorrow.

[Dazzler]

Thanks for those that came down yesterday to help during the day. We have more of the same today, so feel free to pop down from 10am onwards.

[Dazzler]

Thanks to everyone that came down to the Dog and Duck over the weekend. Lots of weeding, jetwashing and shifting top-dressing etc.. done. Just under 20 people came down across the weekend. Your help is very much appreciated.


(And I hope you enjoyed the bacon, tomato and black pudding rolls).

We will be at the club the next few days [Monday to Wednesday this week] from 10:30am til mid-late PM as well, for some more weeding etc.. So feel free to drop in if you can. We're also starting some painting as well - probably from Tuesday.

We will probably be around next week (Monday, and Thursday/Friday) as well for any final bits that need doing, but I will update on here.

Who needs sprinklers when you have a British summer.



p.s. Don't tell anyone I put the floodlights on.

[davealbon]

Are the floodlights on in that last picture? It's difficult to tell.

[Dazzler]

Are the floodlights on in that last picture? It's difficult to tell.

That's the good end. Only one lamp missing on the left hand side.

But of course we have old floodlights.....
In 1879 Wellingborough Town became the first club to play under floodlights, when they entertained Bedford at the Bassett's Close, using lights powered by generators either end of the pitch.
Source:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wellingborough_Town_F.C. (so it must be true).

About time we upgraded them. My quick research a while back suggested actually that Sheffield FC played first under Gas Powered floodlights in late 1878. Perhaps as we are in the same league now, we can ask them if we can borrow them.