The black sooty substance on the grass at Court Meadow is a primitive fungus that is actually beneficial. It creeps along leaf blades eating dead organic matter, bacteria and even other moulds. It is a kind of slime mould and it is better left undisturbed . It is not damaging to the turf and it is not harmful to people or pets. It should get washed off during the next rainfall which depending on your feelings is sadly or gladly due at the end of this week.