Tag Archive for: Christmas

JCB Christmas toy appeal breaks record

/in , /by

JCB Christmas toy appeal breaks record: JCB’s annual Christmas Toy Appeal is set to deliver a sackful of festive cheer to children in Staffordshire and Wrexham thanks to a record number of gift donations.

The appeal got under way in November with the installation of 14 collections points at JCB plants in Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Wrexham. Today it was revealed that a total of 1,242 gifts had been donated as George Burton, aged five, and brother Henry, aged three, handed over the final two toys for the appeal to JCB Chairman Anthony Bamford in the reception at JCB’s World HQ at Rocester where all the presents are assembled.

JCB Christmas toy appeal breaks record

JCB Christmas toy appeal breaks record

Now the gifts are being handed over to the NSPCC, the Stoke-on-Trent Hubb Foundation and Wrexham-based Yellow and Blue charity, for distribution to children at Christmas. As well as huge support from JCB employees, the GMB Union also donated £1,250 to buy toys, the JCB Academy raised £300 for the purchase of gifts and IT specialists Cap Gemini donated 40 toys.

Lord Bamford said today: “When it comes to supporting a good cause, JCB employees are second to none. Every single one of the gifts donated will make a difference to a child this Christmas and it is heart-warming to see that everyone has given so generously.”

Adam Yates, Chief Operating Officer of the Hubb Foundation, said: “I can’t thank everyone at JCB enough for what they have done. I can say without any doubt that The JCB Christmas Toy Appeal really does make Christmas so much brighter for many hundreds of children in Staffordshire. I saw that for myself last year, which is why we are so grateful for every single gift which is donated.”

Rachael Holdcroft, NSPCC Strategic Service Manager (Together for Childhood, Stoke), said: “It is so heart-warming to see more than 1,200 gifts which have been donated to the JCB Christmas Toy Appeal because I know just what an impact this will have on the children this Christmas. I know that this year has been difficult for so many, so it really is incredible to know that even though times are tough, people still care about children and want to do their bit to ensure that all children receive a gift at Christmastime.”

Employees at JCB’s plants in Rocester, Uttoxeter, Cheadle, Hixon, Foston and Wrexham all took part in the appeal, helping beat last year’s donation total of 1,000 gifts.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Polaris’ all-new Youth offers for Christmas

/in , /by

Polaris’ all-new Youth offers for Christmas: With Christmas fast approaching, Polaris UK announces all-new offers on its Youth lineup with savings of up to almost £1,300 on select models when purchased from an official Polaris dealer, available until 24th December 2023.

Aiming to encourage young riders to take the games outside and discover new adventures in the beautiful countryside, Polaris has given parents even more reason to give the gift of adventure this Christmas with incredible discounts across its Youth side-by-side and ATV models. Customers can get almost £1,300 including VAT off the retail price of a RANGER 150 EFI, and almost £1,000 including VAT off the retail price of its Outlaw 70 EFI, Outlaw 110 EFI and Sportsman 110 EFI Youth ATVs.

Polaris' all-new Youth offers for Christmas

Polaris’ all-new Youth offers for Christmas

Providing the perfect gift for adventurous, adrenaline-seeking kids, Polaris Youth vehicles combine off-road fun with important safety, technology and performance features for parent’s peace of mind. Not only does an off-road vehicle give young riders a reason to get outside, but it is also a gift that will grow with them through the years thanks to adjustable riding options and flexible parent-adjustable speed limiters that can be used to adapt the machine to suit their age, experience and skill. With the entire full-size Polaris Off-Road line-up also available, it’s an activity the whole family can enjoy.

RANGER 150 EFI

For side-by-side performance that kids will love, the RANGER 150 is the industry’s first youth vehicle with smart safety features, making it the ideal vehicle for children to enjoy safely.

The RANGER 150 EFI is ahead of the safety game with Polaris’ all-new Helmet Aware technology which allows parents to pre-set the vehicle’s controls so it won’t start when the helmet beacon is out of range. Not only that, the RANGER 150 also features geofencing capabilities so parents can keep their kids in safe, set parameters whilst riding. From the Ride Command app, parents can control the ride boundaries and set specific speed limits for both inside and outside a geofenced area. Digital speed limiting ensures that kids are riding at the appropriate speed for their age, experience and terrain, and can be easily increased as they grow. The Youth RANGER also features password protection for the engine start, meaning that parents can control when the vehicle is being operated by simply entering a passcode to allow the engine to start.

At 150cc of power with electronic fuel injection, 8” of ground clearance and 22.7kg of storage capacity, the RANGER 150 EFI is ready for a full day of safe riding. Easily operated with automatic PVT transmission (forward/neutral/reverse), plus hydraulic disc brakes on the front and rear and adjustable seats with a tilt steering wheel for the perfect fit. For ultimate safety, every purchase of a RANGER 150 comes with two youth helmets, a safety flag and a training DVD.

Until 24th December, customers can save £1,279.80 on the purchase of a new RANGER 150 EFI, including VAT.

OUTLAW 70 EFI / OUTLAW 110 EFI

Delivering industry-leading safety features and benefits that are designed to grow with young riders, the Outlaw 70 EFI provides reliability you can trust for the next generation. The child-friendly ATV is equipped with advanced safety features for parents’ peace of mind, delivering convenient and reliable single-lever disc brakes, an enclosed engine, a parent-adjustable speed limiter to fit the rider’s age and skill level, and an industry-exclusive safety kit with a Polaris youth helmet, safety tether, training DVD and whip flag.

The upgraded 70cc engine and new ergonomic design are specifically sized for a wider age range for riders aged 6 and up, enabling young riders to enjoy the machine for longer. The Outlaw 70 also comes with electronic fuel injection (EFI) offering improved cold starts and LED lighting for improved visibility. All-new accessories include front-and-rear bumpers, a storage bag, a windshield and a decal kit that allows kids to customize the machine and make it their own.

The Outlaw is also available in a larger engine size – the Outlaw 110 EFI – to provide the next step up for the next generation. Featuring a reliable 112cc 4-stroke engine with electronic fuel injection, the Outlaw 110 EFI is aimed at riders aged 10 and up.

Until 24th December, customers can save £959.80 on the purchase of a new Outlaw 70 EFI, including VAT, as well as saving £999.80 on the purchase of a new Outlaw 110 EFI, including VAT.

SPORTSMAN 110 EFI

The Youth version of Polaris’ bestselling Sportsman ATV; the Sportsman 110 EFI features a reliable 112cc 4-stroke engine ideal for riders aged 10 and up, and boasts the same legendary handling prowess as its adult equivalent. Packed with youth-centred safety features that come as standard, like a speed limiting adjuster, safety flag, daytime running lights, a safety tether, a Polaris youth helmet as well as a training DVD led by Polaris certified trainers, the Sportsman 110 EFI is the ideal machines for kids looking for a comfortable ride and effortless handling whilst out on a big adventure.

Until 24th December, customers can save £999.80 on the purchase of a new Sportsman 110 EFI, including VAT.

Forget video games this Christmas; nature is our playground!

Find your local Polaris dealers on the Polaris Britain website here.

For more information on this offer, please contact your local dealer. Read the full terms and conditions here.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Perennial launches Christmas appeal

/in , /by

Perennial launches Christmas appeal: In the lead up to Christmas, Perennial, the charity helping people in horticulture, is launching an urgent appeal in response to the worst cost of living crisis seen in a generation. People in horticulture are on some of the lowest incomes in the UK and the impact of the crisis is being felt across the industry as we approach the festive period.  

The charity is calling for donations to support its services and prevent people in horticulture from struggling emotionally and financially this season and beyond.

Perennial launches Christmas appeal

Perennial launches Christmas appeal

The pressures of Christmas combined with the strain of increased energy bills, interest rates and food costs are cause for concern. Circumstances will worsen still when winter hits and freezing temperatures slow the pace of work, leaving people with less money.

In anticipation of higher calls to its helpline and demand for its services this winter, Peter Newman, Perennial’s Chief Executive says:

“After two years of pandemic and lockdowns, we emerged into 2022 only to encounter massive increases in energy costs along with hikes in interest rates and food costs. In the horticulture sector, where many are not well paid, people are under strain and we can see the evidence of this by the number of people contacting our helpline. We’re hearing from people on tight budgets, who are facing more than just a squeeze on their income. These are real people experiencing real difficulty. Worryingly, the worst is yet to come this winter when we must switch on our central heating, or not, as the case may be for some. Every year I am heartened by the generosity of our supporters. Please donate if you can.”

When a Hampshire-based landscaper called Perennial for help, its team at was able to talk through the situation and provide advice. He was struggling with significant business and personal debt and had suffered a mental health crisis. He says: “Perennial was there for me in my hour of need and may well have saved my life. It sounds dramatic, but their calm guidance at a time when my life was in turmoil massively helped me. I’m in a far better place now both financially and mentally. There’s a macho thing that you have to get on with it, but sometimes you just can’t, and you’ve got to share the load. I hope that my story will help others.”

This story echoes the lives of thousands of others who are also struggling.

You can help people in horticulture this season by making a donation online at justgiving.com/perennialchristmas2022

People in horticulture can call Perennial for support and advice on 0800 093 8543 or visit perennial.org.uk.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Christmas all year round with Pellenc

/in , /by

Christmas all year round with Pellenc: The battery-powered Pellenc Prunion pruning shears have proved to be instrumental in helping one of the UK’s largest Christmas tree growers.

Tayside Forestry has been producing Christmas trees in the heart of the Angus countryside in Scotland for nearly 60 years. The company produces approximately 80,000 Christmas trees each year on 500 acres of prime land and its clients include large retail businesses, wholesalers and garden centres. It also sells directly to the public from the farm throughout December, turning its farm shed into a Christmas tree forest and light show.

Christmas all year round with Pellenc

Christmas all year round with Pellenc

Adam Robinson is the Farm Manager for Tayside Forestry and oversees the growing and the selling of the Christmas trees. He explained how the centrepiece of every home during the festive period takes a lot of hard work and dedication.

“Nordmann Fir and Fraser Fir are the main crops that we grow, and we have about 1.1 million trees in the ground,” he said. “We will normally take the trees out of the field in their seventh year, but we have to carefully nurture them along the way.

“During the process we let them grow and develop their root system and once they have got to a certain height (approximately thigh level) we will continue shaping the tree to make sure they have that beautiful Christmas tree shape.

“In particular, we carry out bottom handling on the trees,” continued Adam. “The purpose of this is to keep the bottom ten inches of the tree clear of branches so that people can get the Christmas trees into the stands. This is where the Pellenc Prunion comes in.”

The Prunion pruning shears are ideal for growers looking for the most powerful, lightest and most innovative tool on the market. Its grip fits any hand, and its large cutting diameter makes it incredibly comfortable to use. The numerous innovations of this pruning shear make it indispensable for professionals seeking either freedom of movement with the 150P pocket or the possibility to alternate tools with the 250 battery, which allows users to connect two Pellenc tools simultaneously.

Tayside Forestry purchased five Prunions with the 250 batteries from Pellenc distributor Agrovista Amenity and Adam revealed that they have made a huge difference to operations.

“Previously we used to have an air compressor and a lot of hose to do this job, but it was costly and took a very long time – we needed a solution,” he said. “Now, with the Pellenc Prunions we are so much more agile – you don’t have to have an air hose cable following you round or an air compressor.

“The team moves more freely and simply walk around the trees – the job is now completed in a much quicker time. One of the main reasons for purchasing the Prunion is because many of our fields are located on steep hills and it can get to where all the other equipment just cannot.

“There are quite a few settings and operating modes which is really handy. For example, if you are in a field with big branches at the bottom of the tree, you can adjust the settings to open the shears wider; and you can be sensitive on the trigger or aggressive depending on the task. It is a very precise tool.”

Adam estimates that last year the five Pellenc pruning shears were used for somewhere between 167 and 189 hours, and never once did the battery power fail the Tayside Forestry team.

Christmas all year round with Pellenc

Christmas all year round with Pellenc

“The team can be out in the field cutting with them constantly from 7am-5pm,” continued Adam. “Not one set has ever run out of battery on us – you could easily get two days’ work out of them.

“Originally, they were just purchased for bottom handling, but we have found a lot of other uses for them like clearing old fields, bottom handling very old trees, they can be used alongside marking trees, collecting branches and making Christmas wreaths.”

After working hard throughout the year, Adam sent the Prunions for an annual service at the expert Pelllenc technical centre in Edinburgh.

“I was very impressed with the service and it was all part of the warranty agreement,” he said. “I simply dropped them off locally to Agrovista Amenity and all five Prunions were back within a couple of weeks with new blades and in excellent condition ready to be put to work again.

“I’ve used electrics for quite a number of years for pruning and these are the best set I’ve ever come across,” Adam continued. “They are practical, easy to use, cost effective and function very well. They have proved to be an exceptionally good purchase.”

Pellenc products are exclusively distributed in the UK by Etesia UK.

For further information, please contact Etesia UK on 01295 680120 or visit www.pellencuk.com

You can also follow Pellenc on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @PellencUK for much more news, reviews and insightful views.

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.

Merry Christmas from Turf Matters

/in , /by

Merry Christmas from Turf Matters: Rarely will a new year be treated with such gusto as 2021. I will certainly not be alone in wishing Good Riddance to 2020, although I am well aware of the fact that the advent of the new year doesn’t wipe the Covid slate clean.

It will be with us for most of the year but at least the vaccines mean that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and dreams of normality are not as fanciful as they were a few months ago.

Merry Christmas from Turf Matters

Merry Christmas from Turf Matters

I’m proud to be associated with an industry sector which has provided so many key workers, and that fact demonstrates just how important the work done in this industry is to the fabric of society as a whole.

Can you just imagine what would have been facing us when we came out of that first long lockdown if no-one had attended to the green spaces – cut the grass and managed the trees? Jungle comes to mind.

And, when we came out of lockdown, what gave us that little bit of hope? Golf courses being open and top class sport returning to our televisions. One of my memories of lockdown was how Saturday afternoons were just the same as every other after. No Jeff Stelling and his posse of television watching pundits!

When that changed, and we had golf, cricket, rugby and horse racing back on the television, it felt right, even given the lack of crowds and galleries.

That couldn’t have happened without dedicated groundsmen and greenkeepers moving back from ticking over mode to full blown, high octane turf management.

Thank you!

Now please enjoy a responsible, socially distanced festive holiday and join me in waving good-bye to 2020.

Scott MacCallum

Editor

For the latest industry news visit turfmatters.co.uk/news

Get all of the big headlines, pictures, opinions and videos on stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for fun, fresh and engaging content.

You can also find us on Facebook for more of your must-see news, features, videos and pictures from Turf Matters.