Etesia keeps Higher Wiscombe beautiful

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Etesia keeps Higher Wiscombe beautiful: A new Etesia Attila 98X ride-on brushcutter is helping the luxurious Higher Wiscombe farm and holiday cottages live up to its glowing reputation.

Higher Wiscombe is a 52-acre farm with a cluster of four exceptional holiday cottages in its centre. It is located in the heart of the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is close to the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and the South West Coast Path.

Etesia keeps Higher Wiscombe beautiful

Etesia keeps Higher Wiscombe beautiful

Alistair and Lorna Handyside are the owners of Higher Wiscombe and they work tirelessly to maintain their award-winning five-star gold cottages. The land and green spaces are equally as important as the accommodation, and no stone is left unturned when it comes to maintaining them.

“In order to make the setting as beautiful as possible, we mow approximately 4 to 6 acres each week, which is about 16 hours of mowing,” said Alistair.

Alistair has recently purchased a new Etesia Attila 98X ride-on brushcutter and his decision to purchase it was based on the success of his previous mower, which also happened to be an Etesia.

“We bought a third hand Etesia sixteen years ago and it’s always been so reliable,” said Alistair. “It was mainly due to it being so good that I wanted to keep with Etesia and the Attila 98X absolutely appealed for the amount of work that we have to do every week.”

Etesia’s Attila 98X ride-on brushcutter is reliable, efficient, comfortable, and safe. The output, combined with 4-wheel-drive and performance makes it ideal for some of the toughest jobs.

The 98X has a 98cm cutting width for more efficient working while eight cutting heights are available between 50mm to 120mm, with one transport position, which is easily adjusted with a centralised lever.

It can be used on slopes up to 30% and its strengthened structure welded tubular chassis offers its operators a better driving position. Furthermore, the electric start offers a high comfort level, rack and pinion steering, plus hydrostatic drive. Special attention has also been paid to sound and vibration levels to reduce them to a very low level – making it ideal for public areas.

Alistair explained how he uses the Attila 98X.

“There are three types of mowing we carry out. One is the paths around the edges of the field, so that our guests can easily see the perimeter and take their dogs for a walk. The second areas are the pasture which we try and keep tidy. The third area is all about brush clearance, which we do twice a year. We’ll go in and make sure the brush hasn’t intruded into the field boundaries or we’ll use it to clear an area for some replanting.

“The best bit about this piece of kit is its reliability,” continued Alistair. “I’m saying that from someone who’s had an Etesia for 16 years and never had a problem.

“There are also three standout features on this model, two of which are brand new to me. One is the pedal at the front which means you can keep both hands on the wheel. When you’re doing a long run it is so much more comfortable. The second one is the slope meter, which is a very simple piece of kit, but is a really good warning device and not being electronic it will never go wrong. The third feature I like is the easily adjusted cutting height. I like the fact that you can do it as you’re going along. If, for example, you are coming to a bit of particularly high grass, you can simply lift it a bit so that you can cut that and then reverse over it and do it again afterwards.

“The Etesia 98X is a first-class piece of kit and we would recommend it to anybody who’s got similar kind of high mixed usage as we do.”

Alistair purchased his new Etesia 98X through Andrew Symons and was quick to praise the support he has received from the Etesia dealer.

“I’ve had a fantastic service from the team there,” he said. “They’re going to come and collect it when it needs servicing, and I can’t fault the support we’ve had from them at all.”

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.etesia.co.uk.

For more news, reviews and insightful views, you can follow Etesia UK on Twitter @EtesiaUK and like the company’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/EtesiaUK. You can also view the latest Etesia videos by visiting www.youtube.com/EtesiaUK.

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Sharon Morris retires after 43 years at Mansfield Sand

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Sharon Morris retires after 43 years at Mansfield Sand: After 43 years of working for Mansfield Sand, the ever-popular Sharon Morris is retiring.

Sharon originally trained to be an accountant before working for Mansfield Sand. She started as a credit controller for the company and worked her way through the accounts department in various roles before eventually becoming the office manager. Sharon didn’t stop there, however.

Sharon Morris retires after 43 years at Mansfield Sand

Sharon Morris retires after 43 years at Mansfield Sand

“I had so many different positions to start with because I wanted to learn absolutely everything about the business,” she said. “At some point I was offered the opportunity to get out on the road and the rest is history. I had so many years of doing figures and sitting in front of a computer so going out on the road and being involved in sales was something I was really interested in. It was a bit of a lightbulb moment.”

Sharon’s professionalism and personality quickly shone through in her new role. In fact, she grew her first account into a million-pound-plus customer. She admits that it wasn’t easy and at her first show, BTME Harrogate, she went with colleagues who told her to basically forge her own way and get to know people which she did by visiting every stand at the show and introducing herself. In reflecting on the advice Sharon believes that it was probably the best she ever received.

After that it was a case of visiting all the reps and customers, giving them the confidence that Mansfield Sand was the company they needed to deal with. It was all about getting to know people and going to shows was a golden opportunity.

Throughout her career Sharon specialised in sports turf and most of her customers were based at football and golf clubs. As a huge sports fan there couldn’t have been a better job.

“It gave me a special tingle whenever I went into those wonderful stadiums and golf clubs that I would see on television all the time. I felt so privileged and never once took it for granted. One of my proudest moments was when we started dealing with Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC via a contractor. They were two clubs that had been a goal of mine to work with for many years, so it felt like a huge personal achievement when the clubs and the contractors’ showed faith in myself and Mansfield Sand.”

Sharon admits that the prospect of retirement is daunting, but she is looking forward to the next chapter. As a Nottingham Forest FC season ticket holder since the age of 9, she is planning on watching more games and she revealed that her and her partner will become members of Nottinghamshire Cricket Club. She will also be taking more holidays abroad and she is looking forward to being able to attend concerts and theatre shows during the week without the worry of having to set the morning alarm clock. Her 91-year-old mum will also be getting a lot more of Sharon’s attention.

Although Sharon will have plenty of activities throughout retirement to keep her busy, she will always hold a special place in her heart for her former customers and colleagues.

“It has certainly been a very unique job and I’m proud of the career I’ve had,” she said.  “No one knew me at first, but now wherever I go everyone makes me feel so incredibly welcome.

“Special thanks must go to Mansfield Sand Company and everyone I have worked with over the years, all who have contributed to making my 43 years so enjoyable.”

For more information visit www.mansfield-sand.co.uk

You can also follow the company on Twitter – @MansfieldSand and Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldSandSportSurfaces/

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Makita launches outdoor adventure range

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Makita launches outdoor adventure range: Leading power tool manufacturer Makita UK, is giving users the power to go anywhere with its new Outdoor Adventure range. Featuring a distinctive olive green colour, the limited edition products are powered by Makita’s 18V LXT batteries, providing users with a complete system of cordless equipment to use at work, at home and the outdoors.

The new Outdoor Adventure products are part of Makita’s expanding 18V LXT System, and offer the same features, performance, and versatility that is synonymous with the cordless technology giant’s portfolio.

Makita launches outdoor adventure range

Makita launches outdoor adventure range

Ideal for leisure activities such as camping, fishing, hiking, or even a simple picnic in the park, the line-up includes cooler/warmer boxes, an inflator and blower, as well as flashlights, fans, audio equipment, a kettle, coffee maker and more. There are even combi drills available in the new olive green livery for those who want something a little different.

Makita UK’s Marketing Manager, Kevin Brannigan, expects the limited edition range to be a big hit for a wide range of users as people spend more time outside.

“We have launched several limited and special edition products over the years, and they always sell out fast,” said Kevin. “Whether you’re already a Makita user or new to the family, the Outdoor Adventure range provides new options of cordless power and performance for leisure activities, with each product utilising our world renowned LXT technology.”

Makita’s LXT System is the world’s largest compatible cordless tool system powered by 18V slide-style batteries. Makita’s purpose-built motors, battery technology, and enhanced communications work together to deliver unmatched power, speed, and run times. The system encompasses over 300 products that are trusted by trade and industry professionals in every sector.

Kevin concluded, “This new olive green range, which has been inspired by the environment and manufactured as a limited production run, will make an iconic statement in your kit bag and provide ultimate flexibility and mobility when enjoying the outdoors or at work.”

Makita’s Outdoor Adventure products are available as body only, or in kit format with battery and charger, depending on the type of product. To find out more about Makita’s limited edition range, visit www.makitauk.com/outdoor-adventure.

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