Tribute Paid To Long-Serving Rugby Groundsman
Robotic memorial
Two STIGA robotic mowers helping to maintain the pitches at Keresley RFC in Coventry have been named Shakey 2.0 and Shakey 3.0 in tribute to the club’s long-serving groundsman, Keith “Shakey” Shakespear, who died in June in his 80s.
Keith spent more than 49 years looking after the club’s grounds, with the club feeling that the arrival of the machines was a particularly fitting way to honour his contribution. The naming was agreed with the blessing of his family.
The mowers now maintain two of the club’s four pitches, saving the volunteer grounds team an estimated five hours of work each week.
The time saved allows the team to concentrate on other maintenance tasks, including hedge trimming, strimming, seeding and fertiliser application. Volunteers have also reported improvements in grass quality, while players and coaches have praised the condition of the main playing surfaces.
The installation forms part of STIGA’s multi-year partnership with England Rugby, which aims to support clubs and volunteers responsible for maintaining grassroots rugby facilities.
The team at Keresley say the machines are helping ease the workload for the volunteers while ensuring that the legacy of a groundsman who devoted nearly half a century to the club is remembered.
