Richard Bray

Birstwith Tennis Club

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:16:09 +0000

Birstwith Tennis Club has used the services of Richard Bray for a number of years. We have always found his workmanship to be of the best quality and he makes every effort to give a first class service. Price is, of course, most important to us and we have always found him to be very competitive.
Sir James Aykroyd – Chairman Birstwith Tennis Club

Are you a SAPCA member?

admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:39:40 +0000

No I am not, and I refuse to be involved with this organisation.
It is unfortunate that some Clubs have to contact either the LTA or Sport England for the financial help with their courts, who in turn stipulate SAPCA member firms to carry out the work.
SAPCA is basically a quango of multi-million pound turnover firms, who in the majority all sub contract their work out to non-SAPCA members (like myself) to do the work for them.
I suppose in an indirect way, maybe I AM a SAPCA member, but without knowing it?
I have also seen work done by some of these SAPCA member firms, which has enforced my decision not to be a member – I am happy to point you in the right direction for you to see for yourselves.

How do we know you will carry out a good job?

admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:37:35 +0000

I have been in the business of tennis courts for 15 years now, and all the work is carried out by myself personally. I have full order books every year, and it is always myself that customers ask back to further look after their courts years later.

I also have testimonials to the quality of my work which you can find here: testimonials

The fencing around my court has seen better years, can you fix it?

admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:36:48 +0000

Alas, this is one section of Tennis courts I cannot do anymore – I am terrified of heights, and at my age, my knees won’t take the weight of carrying the rolls of fencing anymore – sorry!!

I can however put you in contact with a very good firm who can carry this out.

Are there any of your courts I can see first before we decide?

admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:35:27 +0000

I would be totally delighted for you to look at any of the courts I have looked after. If you are a new Club Secretary, I can send you a list of those Club’s nearest to you. If you are a private court owner, then I will ask permission from the nearest private court owners for you to see their courts also. All my courts become personal to me.

How do I look after my court after it has been painted, and how long will the paint last?

admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:34:02 +0000

Subject to the use of proper footwear, no overhanging trees, and the court kept clear of leaves, the painted surface will last 6 years or more. Overhanging branches MUST be cut back, as they drip sap, and also shade the painted surface causing it to be permanently damp – not good for the paint!! Moss will also become prevalent in these areas. In these particular areas the paint will last only approximately 3 to 4 years. This is where the binder – mentioned in my court maintenance section helps greatly.

Applying moss killer twice a year, and constant removal of leaves will keep your court going strong.

An example of how over hanging trees can damage a court and every courts enemy – Moss!

Where can I get hold of the good moss killer you talk about?

admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:31:38 +0000

Send me an email, and I will point you in the right direction – don’t worry, I am not an Agent for them, nor do I get commission – for that matter, I don’t even get any discount either!! It is just that I shall be researching new products this winter, and may find something else. At the moment, the moss killer I use has to be applied by a professional with the necessary NVQ PA06A pesticide qualifications.

Can I clean my court with a turbo lance powerwasher jet?

admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 11:24:32 +0000

No. The jet is too powerful for the very sensitive open textured tennis court surface. If you do have to use one (in desperation only), make sure it is held vertically. When a court is rolled when laid, there is a downward force. If you blast water at it sideways, it will lift the grains of macadam out. Try using a normal lance that comes with the machine –it will be hard work though!!

Nets

admin — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 11:05:25 +0000

Please do not leave the nets taut after play. There is a tremendous strain put onto the concrete plinths holding the posts. If the nets are constantly left fully up, the posts will lean inwards which moves the concrete, which moves the tarmac. A repaired post hole never makes the court look the same again until it needs re-surfacing again. Remember it is your court that is at stake.

How should a court be painted?

admin — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 11:02:41 +0000

Paint sprayers have their own technique to paint a court. However, it is imperative they cross-hatch the court with the two coats. This means they spray one way, then spray 90 degrees the next and final coat.

If the court is sprayed only in one direction for both coats, it will mean that the tarmac will not have been evenly covered. The paint will not last the duration, and bare patches will occur. this is very noticeable when the court is pressure washed!

So if possible, have someone around to check that the painter is using the correct method. If not, tell them and demand they cross-hatch the second coat. It is very rare that the paint needs to be thinned down – the manufacturers have already done this, and further thinning will only decrease the micron thickness of paint on your court.

The sprayer should also place boards or other material to stop overspray onto the netting surrounding the court.

The mark of a good sprayer is to also spray the inside of the lids on the post sockets. They are always face down when being sprayed, but the underneath is permanently on display when the posts are installed -is yours painted inside, or has it still red oxide paint on it?