Livingstone Cricket Club Bowled Over By Romans

Cricketers playing at the Dresselrigg ground in West Lothian, Scotland no longer have to pack their wellies before taking to the field thanks to a revolutionary drainage system that can trace its roots back to the Roman occupation of Britain.

Aquadyne drainage panels, installed at the Livingston Cricket Club ground five years ago, have been designed to match a ground drying system found on a Yorkshire farm that was put down by the Romans.

Aqyadyne’s James Arrowsmith explains: “The farmer and researchers from Newcastle University identified that the Romans had laid blackthorne briars in a trench and, to this day, it removes excess water by a wick and open cavity system.  The water trickles down along the surfaces of the ancient briars without ever becoming clogged by sand and stones.

“It was this discovery that led to the creation of Aquadyne.  It is produced from any plastic – shopping bags and bread trays to flower pots and silage wrappers - and different types of plastic can be mixed together.   The Aqyadyne panels sit just a couple of inches below the surface and the water trickles down through the cavities and, just like the Roman prototype, it never becomes clogged with sand or stone.”

Jim Wilson, the head groundsman at Livingston Cricket Club, heard about the product and decided to use it to drain the outfield at the Dresselrigg ground.

“It was simple to install.  We used 3000 linear metres.  Work was completed in May and by the end of the season there was no evidence where it had taken place.   Since it has been in place the ground has been transformed.  Regardless of what the weather throws at us, our ground dries out quickly, without surface cracking.  Now if it rains on Friday it is likely that we can play on Saturday.  Previously the ground would have remained waterlogged for two or three days.  We are absolutely delighted with the result – in fact the ground has continued to improve over the five years Aquadyne has been place.”

The environment also benefits from this product because panels are made from 100% post and used recycled plastic which means that up to two tonnes of greenhouse gases are saved for every 200 Aquadyne panels produced.

Soccer and rugby pitches have also benefited from this unique drainage system and it is used extensively in golf clubs in the UK and the United States.

Individual panels measure 220mm x 45mm x 1 metre and have a proven flow rate of 18,000 millimetres of water per hour.  It can be installed without massive interference to the playing surface of sports pitches.

For further information and sales enquiries please telephone 01453 733625, or visit www.aquadyne.co.uk or email info@aquadyne.co.uk