Lawn fit for Wembley

That’s the view of Julian Wilde, organiser of the four play outdoor season, which saw over 350 in the audience for the most recent play The Lost World on a warm and sunny Sunday in early July.

“Picnicking on an attractively smooth and dry lawn before the play is an essential part of the open air theatre experience for many,” he said.

“During the winter months volunteers put in a huge amount of effort sweeping away leaves, filling in holes and clearing surrounding brambles, rhododendrons and nettles.

“Their work has made a huge difference and this summer the grass has grown thickly for the first time over the whole of the seating area.

“It looks a picture now, just like Wembley!”

The installation of a field drain by volunteer John Hornyak and his team has transformed an area which was under water following the floods of Boxing Day 2016 and regular cutting by groundsman John Norcross has produced an ideal surface for audience and actors alike.

Sue Lowe, coordinator of volunteers, at the Hall praised the effort and attitudes of her workers.

She said: “Whatever we ask the volunteers to do, they tackle it with a smile.

“The transformation of the theatre lawn is one of the very best examples of how winter work produces spectacular summer fruits.”