EXCLUSIVE Behind the scenes at Operation Wimbledon: Moss plucked from the paths, 12,000 petunias planted, 66,000 balls and 2.5m strawberries prepared
When Mail Sport arrives at the All England Club for a glimpse behind the scenes of final Wimbledon preparations, staff are traversing the pathways with brushes and pointy-ended sticks.
Their task? To remove moss or weeds from the gaps between the paving stones — a perfect example of the obsessive attention to detail that goes into Britain's favourite sporting event.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
31 minutes ago
- BBC News
Gloucestershire's inclusive cycling charity expands due to demand
A charity running inclusive cycling sessions for people with disabilities has expanded to accommodate its "growing community" of Beyond Grass (GBG) Bikes, run six weekly sessions throughout Gloucestershire, using adapted bicycles which cater to riders' various needs. With 2,000 people taking part in the last three months, they have extended their programme to include the track at the Prince of Wales Stadium in and events officer Will Alonso said that for many people, the sessions are their "only way of getting active", as adaptable bikes can cost up to £20,000. "Our main goal is to get everyone cycling," Mr Alonso said. "We will very rarely turn someone away, and if we have to, we will do our best to make sure next time they turn up they can cycle." The charity has "a growing fleet" of more than 50 adapted bikes with different features - such as a side-by-side bike to enable participants to pedal while their carers brake and steer. 'Beautiful' inclusivity Sally Clark, a support worker at Oakley Adult Day Centre, described the sessions as "beautiful". "I've never come to this session before but it's absolutely amazing, the bikes are wonderfully adapted. "The fitness aspect alongside community spirit and having a bit of a laugh, it's fantastic." Mr Alonso said as the sessions have progressed, club members have "turned into more of a community", offering advice and recommendations for other accessible pastimes."Some people will come along, cycle three laps, and are so happy to sit and talk with people like themselves," he said."You see little communities forming within our wider community of cyclists, which all get together to help each other."It's definitely one of the perks of the job. We see the best version of every one of our participants."
BBC News
31 minutes ago
- BBC News
Biddulph veteran thanks hospital after competing in Invictus Games
A veteran who competed in the Invictus Games has presented hospital staff with his kit to thank them for helping him realise his long-held Shenton, who served in the British Army for 25 years, fractured his neck and skull when he fell off his bike while training in August 52-year-old, from Biddulph, Staffordshire, was treated at Royal Stoke University Hospital and staff guided him through an eight-month rehabilitation than five years after his accident, Mr Shenton was selected to represent Team UK in the Invictus Games, competing in Nordic Skiing and indoor rowing at the 2025 event in Canada. Four months after the contest, he returned to the hospital during Armed Forces Week and presented staff with a display case containing the kit he competed Shenton said he would not have been able to take part in the event – a dream of his since leaving the army - without the help of the "incredible" people who treated him. "I really wanted to make the donation to say thank you for all the work they have done because they quite literally saved my life," he said."Having been in the rehab gyms at Royal Stoke, and being at that low point having the collar on my neck and almost learning how to walk again, I thought this [the display] might inspire somebody to keep going."Mr Shenton served in Bosnia, Kosovo, Northern Ireland and Afghanistan before he was medically discharged from the army due to suffering with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He first applied to be on Team UK in the in 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney but he was rejected. Mr Shenton had two more unsuccessful applications before he was finally chosen for the 2025 competition, following his came 19th in Nordic Skiing and achieved a personal best in the indoor rowing during February's Parkinson, a senior therapy technical instructor who was involved in Mr Shenton's care, said seeing his progress made her job "all the better"."You come to work every day wanting this sort of thing to happen but often never see the end of the journey," she said. "To see how well Rob is [doing] is so rewarding." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
32 minutes ago
- BBC News
Armed Forces Day: Free travel for Greater Manchester's military
Military personnel, veterans and cadets can travel for free across a region's bus and tram network this weekend to celebrate Armed Forces Manchester's Bee Network is offering free travel on its bus and tram services on Saturday and Sunday to those who serve, or have served their Vaughan from Transport for Greater Manchester said the Armed Forces community made an "invaluable contribution to our society" and the move was about "showing our appreciation"Armed Forces Day is an annual event which honours the people who serve, or who have served, their country. Mr Vaughan said: "It's a special weekend and one we're proud to get behind as part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant - a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly."Free travel will be permitted on all Bee Network bus and tram services on Saturday and Sunday for:Members of the regular and reserve services carrying their MOD90 cardVeterans who carry their veterans' badge or veterans' rail cardCadets travelling in uniform Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
