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JCB Christmas toy appeal breaks record

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JCB Christmas toy appeal breaks record: JCB’s third annual Christmas Toy Appeal has delivered a record haul of gifts for distribution to children in Staffordshire and Wrexham.

Kind-hearted employees have donated more than 1,700 presents across all of JCB’s UK plants in Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Wrexham – making it the biggest ever total since the first JCB Christmas Toy Appeal in 2022. The Hubb Foundation now has the mammoth task of wrapping the bulk of the gifts before the charity distributes them to families in Stoke-on-Trent with the help of the NSPCC. In Wrexham, toys donated by employees at JCB Transmissions will be handed to the Salvation Army for local distribution.

JCB Christmas toy appeal breaks record

JCB Christmas toy appeal breaks record

Today Lady Bamford thanked everyone for their contribution to the appeal. She said: “I’d like to say a very big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to donate a gift to the JCB Christmas Toy Appeal. It really will make such a huge difference to every single child who has a present to open this Christmas.”

As the final gifts were delivered to the World HQ yesterday, Lord Bamford was joined by Rupert Chilman, aged five and his sister Alice, two, to officially hand over the presents to the Hubb Foundation and the NSPCC.

NSPCC Strategic Services Manager Rachael Holdcroft said:  “The reality for many children and families is that Christmas isn’t actually a magical time. The donation of these gifts by the JCB  workforce brings a little bit of light into what is otherwise quite a dark time for them and it will make the world of difference.”

Adam Yates, Chief Operating Officer at the Stoke-on-Trent based Hubb Foundation said: “The sheer volume of gifts donated to the JCB Christmas Toy Appeal is an amazing achievement by JCB employees. I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has donated a gift this year.”

The GMB union in Staffordshire donated £1,000 to enable the purchase of toys for the Appeal and in Wrexham the GMB donated a further £650 so gifts could be bought.

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T H WHITE Groundcare Expands Portfolio

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T H WHITE Groundcare Expands Portfolio: Momentum continues to build at T H WHITE Groundcare as the company announces the addition of Toro, a global leader in commercial grounds care equipment, to its product portfolio.

Effective January 2025, T H WHITE Groundcare has been awarded the franchise to sell Toro grounds equipment from Reesink UK, the brand’s UK distributor.

T H WHITE Groundcare Expands Portfolio

T H WHITE Groundcare Expands Portfolio

The partnership will see T H WHITE Groundcare offer ten models from Toro’s renowned range of cylinder, rotary, and flail mowers to customers across Hampshire, Dorset, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire and the borough of Birmingham. Complementing sales of the ‘Grounds’ range of equipment, T H WHITE will provide comprehensive service and parts support for the full Toro product range including ‘Golf’ products within these counties.

Toro is globally recognized for its innovative and reliable lawn care, golf, and landscape maintenance equipment. This partnership aligns with T H WHITE Groundcare’s long-standing mission to support local authorities, sports and recreation venues, private estates, and contractors with top-tier machinery, parts, and aftercare services.

A Strengthened Partnership

Alastair Rowell, Managing Director of Reesink UK, welcomed the collaboration; “This partnership is an excellent addition to our UK dealer network. T H WHITE Groundcare brings great expertise, a proactive approach, and a strong commitment to service excellence. We are delighted to work with such a focused team of ground care specialists.”

T H WHITE’s Divisional Director Adrian Lovegrove shared his enthusiasm for the new partnership; “We are extremely pleased to be working with Toro, a highly respected and desired brand in the industry. This collaboration allows us to further enhance our offering, ensuring we can provide the right machine for every bespoke application. Our excellent staff and carefully selected partners are the cornerstone of our success, and this partnership strengthens our ability to meet the needs of our clients.”

T H WHITE Groundcare’s commitment to delivering exceptional performance and customer service continues to drive its success, and the addition of Toro to its lineup represents a significant milestone in the company’s journey to provide industry-leading ground care solutions.

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Howardson Group Welcomes Tom Worthy

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Howardson Group Welcomes Tom Worthy: The Howardson Group is pleased to announce that Tom Worthy has joined the team as Regional Sales Director. Tom brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted passion for the turf care industry.

Upon leaving school Tom joined the John Deere Turf Tech Apprenticeship, a three-year programme in land-based service engineering focusing on horticultural machinery, followed by a fourth-year diploma.

Howardson Group Welcomes Tom Worthy

Howardson Group Welcomes Tom Worthy

His commitment and skill were quickly recognised, leading to a pivotal opportunity to begin his career as a Service Technician. In this role, he was tasked with setting up a commercial workshop, before advancing to After-Sales Manager.

Tom’s career then took a new direction as a Commercial Manager for a French electronics manufacturer, where he developed his commercial acumen. This role laid the foundation for his subsequent position at Timberwolf, where he spent four years, first as UK Sales Manager and then as Export Manager, overseeing global sales and expanding market reach.

Reflecting on his new chapter at the Howardson Group, Tom says, “From leaving school and studying fine turf equipment through my apprenticeship, it feels like coming home. I’m excited to work with the best in the business, especially with brands like Dennis, SISIS and Hunter Grinders, which are market leaders in professional turf care machinery.”

As Regional Sales Director, Tom’s role centres on ensuring consistent and exceptional customer experiences worldwide. “My job is to support and develop our routes to market outside the UK. I want to ensure that a customer buying our equipment in Vietnam, for example, has the same experience as a customer purchasing from a local dealer in Derby,” Tom explains. This involves building infrastructure, training dealers, and fostering direct relationships with key clients. “We need to make sure our dealers have all the tools, training, and knowledge they need to provide unparalleled customer service.”

Tom has also been struck by the significant investments the Howardson Group has made to lay strong foundations for growth. “I didn’t quite realise the scale of investment in the business to give it structure and set it up for future success. It’s inspiring and motivates me to contribute to pushing the company to the next level,” he says.

For Tom, exceptional customer service is at the heart of Howardson Group’s operations. “Customer service is 100% at the core of what we do. We want every interaction to be memorable so that when customers are in the market, we’re the first brand they look to,” Tom states. He underlines that the company’s dedication to innovation ensures there’s no reason for customers to look elsewhere.

Tom is also impressed by the company’s rich history and the loyalty of its employees. “Many staff members have been with the business for over 30 years. Their experience, knowledge, and relationships with customers are unparalleled. I’ve seen firsthand how these relationships go beyond transactions; customers are not just numbers—they are friends,” Tom adds.

Looking ahead, Tom’s vision is to expand global market coverage and deepen customer connections in every territory. “Success for me means having increased visibility and strong relationships within key market segments, especially in regions where we’re less known,” he explains. “Attending and hosting educational events and exhibitions to showcase who we are and what we stand for is also vital.”

Outside of work, Tom enjoys spending quality time with his young family, friends, and participating in various sports.

The Howardson Group is excited to welcome Tom Worthy as he leads the charge in expanding the company’s global reach, upholding their legacy of excellence, and forging lasting relationships with customers worldwide.

For further information visit www.howardsongroup.com

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December lawn tips from The Lawn Association

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December lawn tips from The Lawn Association: It’s hard to believe that we are only three weeks away from Christmas.  After a wet and quite warm autumn, the weather seems to be chilling and feeling more as it should do as we prepare for the festive season.  But that doesn’t mean we should stop thinking about our lawns! 

The experts from The Lawn Association have plenty of tips for keeping your winter sea of green in tip-top condition, and ready for any visits from Father Christmas this December!

December lawn tips from The Lawn Association

December lawn tips from The Lawn Association

Sustainable lawn care is all about harmonising with the natural cycles, which means this should be a year-round commitment. So, with that in mind, the tips below will help your lawn over the winter period and prepare it for future seasons too!

Preventing the encroachment of the disease Grinch

Regularly clearing your lawn of leaves, twigs, and other debris is essential in preventing disease from taking root. This is not just a one-time task, try making it part of your routine to go outside and gather any organic material that has fallen onto your grass.

Still Time to Mow…Ho…Ho

Additionally, continue to mow if conditions allow. A light trim with the mower blade set high is all you need. This practice not only keeps your grass healthy by avoiding wet, overgrown foliage that breeds disease but also ensures a beautiful lawn to admire while enjoying your Christmas dinner!

Seasonal Soil Care

Hollow tine aeration is a highly effective method for enhancing your lawn’s health and it is the easiest and most rewarding option for maintaining a beautiful domestic lawn. Don’t hesitate to give your lawn this Christmas gift to keep it vibrant and healthy.

Service And Repairs from STIGA 

December is a great time of year to get your mower blades and other garden tools sharpened. It is also a good idea to check if you need any other batteries, accessories or spare parts for your garden products leading up to the spring season.  These can all be found on the STIGA website, as can the dealers who will be able to service your mower or tools.

Keep Off the Naughty List Next Year

How? By starting to plan ahead in December for the year ahead. Look back on your lawn program and determine what has worked and what hasn’t, and make some notes on what you need to do to improve things next year. You’ll find this a great motivation during the next two months as you wait patiently for spring to return.  The Lawn Association have launched a new Record Keeping Manual to help you along the way!

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Green-tech’s Contributes to Grantham Relief Road Landscaping

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Green-tech’s Contributes to Grantham Relief Road Landscaping: Grantham Relief Road is a pivotal infrastructure project led by Lincolnshire County Council in collaboration with South Kesteven District Council, Homes England, and the Greater Lincolnshire LEP.

With aims to improve the town’s infrastructure and boost its growth. Dobson’s, a family-run landscape contractor is entrusted with working alongside the Main Contractor, Galliford Try, and Green-tech to deliver the substantial landscaping package which is due for completion in 2025.

Green-tech's Contributes to Grantham Relief Road Landscaping

Green-tech’s Contributes to Grantham Relief Road Landscaping

The large-scale infrastructure scheme is a new 3km distribution road and is a crucial component for the development of the town of Grantham. The route provides direct access to an employment site on the A1 which is forecast to generate over 370 jobs in the area. Opening up additional employment land along the new route will further increase the ability of the area to attract new business investment, offering employment sites with good transport links and a growing population that can provide local labour for new and growing companies.

The project aims and benefits are to:

  • Reduce congestion, disruption, and traffic delays.
  • Create a safer, more attractive and accessible town centre.
  • Provide opportunities for growth.
  • Reduce carbon emissions and noise pollution.

Green-tech is a leading landscape supplier renowned for its commitment to sustainability and innovation. With three decades of experience and a comprehensive range of products, Green-tech empowers contractors and developers to create environmentally responsible landscapes that thrive for generations to come. Renowned as the largest supplier in the UK of tree planting material and sundries, Green-tech’s products are trusted by professionals across the UK for their quality, reliability, and biodegradable options.

The landscaping project includes 247,000m2 hydroseeding, planting of 17,000 woodland and shrub mix, 26,000 Native Hedge mix, and the installation of 4500 Ornamental Plants. Dobsons is providing 24 months of aftercare maintenance which includes grass cutting, weed control, and replacement planting.

Green-tech supplied all sundries including mulch mats, compost, mulch, and tree guards for this project which will aid plant survival, promote healthy growth and optimal soil health, along with enhanced moisture retention – all vital for the success of the landscaping project.

Lauren Dobson, Commercial Director at Dobson’s, praised Green-tech’s seamless collaboration and high-quality service, highlighting their pivotal role in upholding Dobson’s reputation for flexibility and quality workmanship. “Our companies have a great history together and these relationships have been nurtured and passed down through generations. Green-tech offers a service that is hard to beat. They work seamlessly with us on projects such as Grantham Relief Road where project delays occur. They help us offer our clients the flexibility and quality workmanship that our reputation has been built on.”

The Grantham Relief Road landscaping project stands as a testament to the synergistic partnership between Dobson’s and Green-tech. By harnessing innovative landscaping solutions and sustainable practices, they have transformed the town’s infrastructure and paved the way for a greener, more prosperous future. Green-tech’s unwavering commitment to excellence and sustainability continues to set the benchmark for landscape suppliers across the UK, reaffirming their position as industry leaders in sustainable landscaping solutions.

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