1st April 2025 – 31st October 2025
Introduction:
Downholland has a very popular, well-maintained park, attracting lots of visitors daily, with something of interest all year round.
We have a large open grassed area, surrounded by an Orchard, a BMX track, Children’s play area, Wildflower Meadow under construction & a Woodland Walk with planting. Spring bulbs are planted in abundance, in the Orchard & pockets around the park.
The Parish Council welcomes bids from experienced contractors who set high standards & pride themselves on the quality of their work & attention to detail.
Separate tenders are invited for the maintenance of the Haskayne playing field and hedges as described in the attached specifications.
Contractors must be able to show evidence of Public Liability insurance, Risk Assessment, Health and Safety policies and be qualified and licensed to use weedkiller.
Tenders by post in a sealed envelope clearly marked TENDER to the clerk, 3 Rawlinson Grove, Southport PR9 9NF or by email to tenders@downhollandpc.org.uk
To be received no later than 5.00 pm Friday 14th March.
Specification obtainable from the:
Clerk to the Council 3 Rawlinson Grove, Southport PR9 9NF.
Please note Standing Order 64 regarding the canvassing of councillors or the Clerk apply to this tender.
| Grass Cutting every 2 weeks From the beginning of April to the end of October | Main field, Children’s Play Area, BMX Track Sides, Play Mounds, grassed areas surrounding Village Hall, Pavilion & Downholland Cross – avoiding bulb planting. The Orchard and Downholland Cross areas to be left until mid-May to avoid flowering bulbs. The standard of grass when cut should be of a good standard. All grass cuttings should be removed and swept off any hard surfaces. Before mowing, all debris should be removed. Where bulbs are planted around the park & at Downholland Cross, they should be allowed to die back & turn yellow before being cut back. |
| Strimming – every 4 weeks. From the beginning of April to the end of October | All boundaries around the outer perimeter of the park, hedge lines, the corner area between the Children’s Play Area & down to the Public Footpath, the verge alongside the public footpath from the canal to School Lane, the verge running along School Lane between the footpath and the boundary with Moorcroft Cottage next to the Village Hall (avoiding Daffodils when in season) & the grassed area at the side & back of the Village Hall which should be mowed/strimmed. All suckers, brambles, nettles & self-sown trees shall be removed from these areas. |
| Spraying – every 8 weeks. April/June/August/October | The path running around the Park, taking care to spray up to and including the edging boards & around/behind benches, the Children’s Play Area, which should be checked for signs of weeds growing around/under Play Equipment & around the edges of the rubberised safety surfaces, the BMX Track, the grassed areas abutting flagged paving & all joints to flagged areas, except the paved area around the Village Hall, which should be cleared of weeds physically. The roadside verge to be sprayed where it reaches the pavement to stop encroachment. |
| Additions – every 2 weeks From the beginning of April to the end of October | Any dead or dangerous tree branches should be reported to the Clerk. This should include any low hanging branches which could cause injury. Suckers should be removed from the base/trunk of trees. For clarity, the Contractor shall meet with the Clerk or their representative every alternate month, so any points of concern can be discussed. Should the Contractor feel, it would be good practice to carry out any ‘one off’ tasks, they should contact the Clerk before proceeding. |