5 minutes with... Brian Wilson

In the first of our '5 Minutes with...' interviews, we spoke to Brian Wilson who is the greenkeeper at Horley Bowls Club in Surrey. Brian recently won the Community Club Champion of the Year award at the 2021 Reigate & Banstead Sports Awards, and with a small team of fellow volunteers looks after the bowls green.

How long have you been a greenkeeper, and did you do it before Horley BC?

Having retired from a life in Retailing in 2013, after a couple of years I felt I needed to take on the task of Volunteer Greenkeeper at Horley, (With support from the outgoing Greenkeeper Graham). Since then myself and a very small team of volunteers have been looking after our most important asset.

What’s your experience been like working with John Noyce and Collier Turf Care as a whole?

John Noyce the Collier Technical advisor has been supporting our Club for many years, but as a totally new “Greenkeeper” his advice and experience (and patience) has been invaluable to myself and the team.

The relationship that we have built up with John is very much one of a partnership working together to give us the best possible bowling surface we can create.

John has always made himself available and the service from him and Colliers has been 1st Class.

Do you get many comments from other clubs about the green?

The gradual improvements we have been able to make to our green has not gone unnoticed, so much so that in 2017/2018 we were asked to host the Surrey Area and County Quarter and Semi Final events, as well as hosting Inter-county Matches.

A real tribute to the Club’s members welcoming approach, as well as our excellent facilities.

Brian Wilson was speaking to Collier Turf Care

Pictures: Horley Bowls Green in summer