Aspen Fuel provides environmentally-friendly power

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Aspen Fuel provides environmentally-friendly power: One of the country’s leading treework, grounds and estate contractors has praised the role of Aspen Fuel in powering their environmentally-friendly maintenance operation.

Based on the outskirts of Cardiff, TR33 is utilising Aspen alkylate petrol in all of their 2-stroke equipment, playing its part in a wider ‘green’ strategy and helping the firm to win a number of commercial groundcare tenders.

Aspen Fuel provides environmentally-friendly power

Aspen Fuel provides environmentally-friendly power

Undertaking all elements of tree surgery, grounds and estate management, TR33 are proud to work for a number of local governments, housing associations, retail and park managers within a 90-minute radius of their base in Michaelston Y Fedw. Neil Davies has been one of TR33’s Managers for the last four years and oversees a team of over 50 operatives. “Whether you call it humility, respect or admiration for nature or being ‘green’ or environmentally aware, TR33’s ethos right from the outset 20 years ago is to work in harmony with our surroundings” says Neil.

“Our use of Aspen Fuel pre-dates me, but the reasons we continue to use it for all of our two-stroke equipment remains the same –this being the benefits it brings to the environment and the health of our operators.”

Free from ethanol and many of the hazardous hydrocarbons found in traditional unleaded petrol, Aspen alkylate petrol burns cleaner. Its use, compared with pump fuel, reduces ground-level ozone – which can negatively affect plant growth and reduce carbon uptake – by up to 40%. Together with keeping engine components healthier for longer, using Aspen also all but eliminates the smell and knock-on health implications of prolonged exposure to the haze omitted from petrol-powered equipment.

“Ultimately we’re nothing without our staff so putting their welfare front and centre is incredibly important to us.” He continues, “The Aspen 2 is delivered in barrels supplied by Forest Park & Garden to our yard and arrives pre-mixed which avoids us having to police how the 2-stroke oil and petrol is being mixed, further improving health and safety and giving us fantastic consistency for our chainsaws, hedge cutters, leaf blowers and other 2-stroke equipment.”

When it comes to commercial tenders, Neil explains that it’s important for TR33 to demonstrate that they are practicing what they preach. “Explaining that we use Aspen Fuel is another way for us to demonstrate our environmental credentials. This has undoubtedly played its part in securing some of our big commercial contracts over the years.”

He adds, “People will be aware there is a cost implication for using an alternative fuel such as Aspen, but for us that is more than offset by the knowledge that our team can go about their business in a way which is not detrimental to their health. It’s something appreciated by the operators, our customers and, increasingly, by the market as a whole.”

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His Majesty The King gets glimpse of the future

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His Majesty The King gets glimpse of the future: His Majesty The King was today given a glimpse into the future of JCB hydrogen power as he toured  the company’s World Headquarters as part of its 80th birthday celebrations.

As JCB prepares to mark the historic milestone, the company is developing an internal combustion engine which is powered by hydrogen, a zero-carbon fuel of the future.

His Majesty The King gets glimpse of the future

His Majesty The King gets glimpse of the future

Today His Majesty was given an insight into JCB’s hydrogen technology by Chairman Anthony Bamford during a tour of the company’s Innovation Centre at Rocester, where he was shown one of the first JCB diggers to be powered by hydrogen – and how the machine can be refuelled simply and efficiently in a matter of minutes.

The visit also helped to mark another milestone for JCB – the production of the one millionth JCB backhoe loader digger, an invention which replaced men with shovels, pickaxes and hods and mechanised the labour-intensive process of digging holes and earthmoving around the world.

Lord Bamford said: “It is a real honour for us all that that The King has visited JCB to help us celebrate 80 years in business. It was also a great pleasure to show The King the progress we are making with hydrogen powered machines. Today was an occasion that will live long in the memories of everyone who was present.”

The King was welcomed on arrival by Lord and Lady Bamford, George Bamford and JCB CEO Graeme Macdonald before going on a tour of the backhoe loader production line where he helped fit a wheel to a JCB digger.

On a tour of the production line, His Majesty met apprentices Matthew Walker-Stack, 19, of Rugeley, Freddie McCool, 19, of Lichfield, and Eleanor Pitt, of Derby, who is only the second ever female welding apprentice to join the company.

The King spoke to Richard Williams, of Stramshall, near Uttoxeter, General Manager of the Backhoe Loader Business Unit, who has worked at JCB for 38 years. He followed in his father Brian’s footsteps, who completed 33 years’ service as a JCB Production Foreman. Also introduced to The King were Richard’s wife Sarah, who has worked for JCB for almost 35 years and his son Josh, a paint plant operative and his daughter Kaitlan, who works in Production Support.

The visit concluded in the main reception of JCB’s World HQ where The King was shown the one millionth JCB backhoe loader digger which recently rolled off the company’s Rocester production line.

His Majesty was greeted by warm applause from more than 60 guests in the reception, who included members of two families who have a combined service to JCB approaching 1,000 years. Bill Boot first clocked on at JCB in 1949 and 27 members of his family have gone on to work at the company and nine current Boot family employees, including Bill’s great-grandson Leigh, were there to welcome The King today. Ken Harrison, now aged 100, one of the last surviving members of the 1953 team which produced the first JCB backhoe loaders was also in attendance with family members. Ken and his relatives have amassed more than 350 years’ service to JCB.

Also among the guests in the main reception were long-serving and retired employees and former JCB Academy students, including Rhys Bradbury, 29, of Derby. As a 15-year-old student Rhys had reported on the official opening of the Academy by the then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall for the school’s newsletter.

Rhys, who is now JCB’s Regional Sales  Manager for Central Europe, Austria and Switzerland, said: “It was fantastic to be involved in today’s visit and a great start to JCB’s 80th anniversary year.”

Also there was JCB-sponsored athlete Adam Burgess sporting his Olympic silver medal, which he secured in Paris last year in the slalom canoe event.

His Majesty unveiled a plaque to mark his visit and as he stepped outside to leave, he was met by the cheers of thousands of flag-waving World HQ JCB employees who lined the route of his departure.

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York Racecourse looks to the future with GroundTech

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York Racecourse looks to the future with GroundTech: The award-winning grounds team at York Racecourse have gained two new recruits, in the form of an Echo TM-1050 and Echo TM-2050 robotic mower from GroundTech.

In the few shorts weeks since their delivery, the pair have been well received by Head Groundsman Adrian Kay as well as visitors to site who have commented that the enclosures and other perimeter areas have never presented better at this time of year.

York Racecourse looks to the future with GroundTech

York Racecourse looks to the future with GroundTech

With a busy race season from May to October, and a calendar compromising of weddings and corporate functions, the maintenance is a year-round operation for Adrian and his team of seven. Like many in the sector, York Racecourse have found recruitment to be a challenge, particularly since the pandemic. They’ve decided to turn to technology to provide a helping hand. “We recognise that people don’t want to be working 60-70 hours per week, or at unsociable hours, much of which was attributable to the time it takes to mow our expanses of lawn. By investing in this pair of robotic mowers, I can redeploy my skilled team to other maintenance tasks, ensuring we can maintain presentation levels” Adrian explains.

Following advice from Echo’s Sam Daybell, they opted for the Echo TM-1050 and TM-2050. “We worked really well together, assessing the size and specification of the prospective areas to find the right fit. The TM-1050 is primarily used on our premium grass car parking areas, and the TM-2050 on the enclosures, parade rings and a number of medium and high spec lawns.”

“We’re already benefiting from all the well-documented advantages that robotics brings – mowing through the night and at weekends, in all manner of weather conditions.” Adrian continues, “It’s also meant that we’ve been able to retain presentation over a difficult, wet winter with the light footprint of the robots. This has not gone unnoticed by visitors to the course.”

“Considering the wider benefits, it means less need to turn to our petrol or diesel mowers which is a big plus from an environmental sustainability standpoint. In 2023 we launched ‘Green Knavesmire 300’ demonstrating our commitment to reaching Net Zero by 2040, with these new editions from GroundTech playing their part in this wider goal.”

Together with the expert support from the team at GroundTech and Echo, Adrian is enjoying exploring the full functionality of the software, allowing him to monitor the robots 24/7. “I’m not sure I should admit this in print, but I find I’m on the app at four in the morning, making sure everything is going according to plan!” he laughs. “But it is very useful, being able to see things like the battery life etc. Every day we’re taking the opportunity to learn more about them and really bed them into our routine before the season kicks off in May.”

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Origin Amenity Solutions Appoints Richard Walton

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Origin Amenity Solutions Appoints Richard Walton: Origin Amenity Solutions (OAS), a leading provider of innovative products and services for turf management in the sports and amenity sectors, is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Walton as its new Managing Director.

OAS is now part of the newly formed Living Landscapes division within Origin Enterprises PLC. The creation of Origin Living Landscapes reinforces the Group’s commitment to the sports, landscape, and environmental markets to address the growing demand for sustainable and environmental product solutions.

Origin Amenity Solutions Appoints Richard Walton

Origin Amenity Solutions Appoints Richard Walton

Richard brings over 27 years of experience in commercial leadership roles within the amenity and landscaping industry. Before joining Origin, he held senior positions at Scotts Professional, Everris, and ICL, where he demonstrated a strong track record of driving business growth, strategy development, and acquisition initiatives. Since joining Origin in July 2023 as Commercial Officer for the Sports and Landscapes sectors, Richard has made significant contributions, identifying areas for strategic improvement and implementing initiatives that have delivered measurable value. Richard will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the strategic direction of OAS.

Chris Clark, who previously held the role of MD with OAS, will continue as head of Origin’s Amenity division, currently comprising eight individual businesses. The Amenity division has been divided into two sub-divisions of Sports and Landscapes; Clive Whinnett has been appointed as Managing Director of the Sport division. This restructuring will increase focus on establishing and growing the Origin Living Landscapes brand as the leading solutions provider for the sports, landscape, and environmental sectors.

Chris comments: “Richard’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for Origin Amenity Solutions. His extensive industry expertise, passion for innovation, and proven leadership capabilities make him the ideal person to lead OAS. I am confident that he will build on our successes and drive continued excellence in service delivery for our customers.”

Richard Walton added: “I am honoured to take on this role and lead Origin Amenity Solutions at such an exciting time. OAS has an outstanding reputation for delivering future-ready products, services, and advice, and I look forward to working with the talented team to build on this legacy and achieve new levels of success.”

This appointment reflects Origin’s continued commitment to strengthening its leadership team and advancing its strategic objectives within the sports and landscaping sectors. With Richard at the helm, OAS is poised for sustained growth and innovation.

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Spellbrook Manufacturer Receives Royal Warrant

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Spellbrook Manufacturer Receives Royal Warrant: Hayter, a name synonymous with British lawnmower excellence for over 75 years, has been awarded the Royal Warrant by appointment to His Majesty the King, as manufactures of horticultural machinery – one of the most prestigious awards in the country.

This honour, held until 2030, reaffirms Hayter’s unwavering commitment to quality and innovation, from its historic petrol mowers to the cutting-edge battery-powered Harrier® range.

Spellbrook Manufacturer Receives Royal Warrant

Spellbrook Manufacturer Receives Royal Warrant

Craig Hoare, Hayter’s Sales & Marketing Manager, had this to say about the Royal Warrant:

“We feel honoured to be given this Royal Warrant on behalf of His Majesty the King. As a British business that has manufactured products from the same factory site in Spellbrook since 1946, our dedication to British engineered products, consumers and professionals has never wavered. We will continue to innovate within the grounds care industry, pushing standards well into the future.”

Hayter’s story began in 1946, when the company’s founder, Douglas Hayter, conceptualised the iconic Hayter rotary lawnmower after seeing a 100-year-old horse-drawn rotary mower in the London Science Museum.

Returning home to Spellbrook, Hayter made his first rotary mower with a collection of spare pieces, a dustbin lid and a two-stroke engine – the rest is history.

Hayter’s association with royal recognition dates back to 1960, when the company was first awarded the prestigious Royal Warrant by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Since then, Hayter has continuously maintained this honour, a testament to the enduring quality, innovation, and craftsmanship of its professional and residential battery and petrol mowers.

Now, in 2025, Hayter proudly holds the Royal Warrant under His Majesty King Charles III, marking a new chapter in this long-standing tradition. This distinction reaffirms Hayter’s unwavering commitment to excellence and ensures the company’s place in the Royal Household until 2030.

All in all, this means Hayter will have held the warrant concurrently for 70 years – no small feat for a business of any size.

Hayter is once again setting new industry standards with their innovative battery range of mowers, with their latest Harrier® 56 60V mower using a dual battery system that enables two batteries to share the workload simultaneously, lowering battery temperature and mitigating charge loss.

Craig also commented:

“We’ve not once stopped pushing our mowers to new heights, iterating on loved designs to meet the growing needs of landscaping and gardening professionals across the country. There is no greater honour than supplying the finest mowers to the Royal Estate, and we cannot wait for His Majesty’s gardeners to experience the fantastic improvements we have made.”

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