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How Subaru UK & Ireland is Helping Horatio’s Garden Transform Spinal Recovery

How Subaru UK & Ireland is Helping Horatio’s Garden Transform Spinal Recovery

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How Subaru UK & Ireland is Helping Horatio’s Garden Transform Spinal Recovery: Subaru UK & Ireland has partnered with Horatio’s Garden, the charity which creates and expertly staffs extraordinary gardens at NHS spinal injury rehabilitation centres across the UK.

Through the partnership, Subaru UK & Ireland has donated its award-winning ‘Subaru Cocoon’ show garden, which captivated judges and visitors alike at the most recent RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, for installation at a spinal injury rehabilitation centre at Horatio’s Garden South West at Salisbury District Hospital. The formal announcement coincided with the International Day of Forests, which is celebrated annually to raise awareness about the importance of all types of forests and trees.

Subaru Donates ‘Subaru Cocoon’ Garden to charity

Subaru Donates ‘Subaru Cocoon’ Garden to charity

The garden, originally conceived to draw attention to the crisis faced by the UK’s rapidly shrinking temperate rainforest, has been sensitively adapted and repurposed to provide pleasure and a place of calm and comfort to people with spinal injuries, their families and hospital staff.

Lorraine Bishton, Managing Director at Subaru UK & Ireland, said: “From the outset, the Subaru Cocoon Garden was designed to be more than a one-off show garden; it was meant to spark debate and draw attention to an element of the natural world in need of careful preservation: our rapidly shrinking temperate rainforests. We also wanted it to live on after the show, and now, through our partnership with Horatio’s Garden, it will.

“Horatio’s Garden does extraordinary work providing spaces of genuine sanctuary and healing for people facing life-changing spinal injuries – and the loved ones who support them. Partnering with them and ensuring the garden – and its vital conservation message – would continue to thrive under their custodianship.”

Horatio’s Garden creates and expertly staffs beautiful, vibrant gardens outside the clinical starkness of NHS spinal injury centres. The gardens offer space for reflection and adjustment, privacy and solace, and moments of joy and companionship for everyone who needs them. Evidence consistently shows that access to these gardens improves mental and physical well-being, reduces pain, and supports long-term recovery for people navigating life-changing spinal injuries.

Katie Tait, CEO of Horatio’s Garden said: “A spinal injury can be a devastating blow, with many people facing months of rehabilitation and an increased risk of anxiety and depression. That’s why we are absolutely delighted that this award winning garden is being brought to life within Horatio’s Garden South West and thoughtfully adapted for people using wheelchairs or hospital beds. We are deeply grateful to Subaru for its extraordinary support and for recognising how a calming, immersive space just moments from the hospital ward can make such a transformative difference.”

Background on The Subaru Cocoon Garden

The Subaru Cocoon Garden was conceived to highlight one of the UK’s most pressing, overlooked environmental crises: the near-extinction of Britain’s temperate rainforests. Once spanning 20% of the UK and Ireland, these rich, biodiverse ecosystems have dwindled to less than 1% of their former size. The temperate rainforest is among the most threatened habitats in the UK.
Created by Subaru UK & Ireland in collaboration with the Mike McMahon Studio, the Cocoon Garden evokes the quiet majesty of the rainforest, drawing visitors into a calming environment of texture, shadow and native planting.

Before being installed in its new home, the Subaru Cocoon has been thoughtfully modified to ensure it is fully accessible and welcoming to all those who will benefit from it. Adaptations have been made with the specific needs of Horatio’s Garden patients in mind, including those using wheelchairs or requiring bed access, ensuring that the garden’s restorative qualities can be enjoyed by everyone who visits.

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John Deere dealers commit to strengthening link

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John Deere dealers commit to strengthening link: More John Deere dealers have signed the Armed Forces Covenant in support of service leavers who can resettle into roles within the agriculture and turf industries. 

At a ceremony held at the National Transition Event at Silverstone Circuit, Hunt Forest Group and Ripon Farm Services added their names to the covenant, which had already been adopted by Ben Burgess and Tallis Amos Group, as well as John Deere itself.

John Deere dealers commit to strengthening link

John Deere dealers commit to strengthening link

Signatories pledge to ensure that those who serve, or have served, in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly and should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services.

The move complements John Deere’s Military Hiring Programme, which offers service leavers new career opportunities to work on some of the world’s most advanced machinery used by farmers and turf professionals.

Members of the armed forces have been identified as ideal candidates to bring their unique skill sets and experience to technician roles within UK and Ireland dealerships.

Those who enrol in the programme are given free, tailored training and are supported to fill vacancies within the dealership network.

“We are passionate about finding a way to give back to those who have served our country,” says Allan Cochran, John Deere Branch Training Manager.

“The armed forces produce people who are highly skilled, motivated and extremely competent, and many already have the engineering skills needed to become qualified technicians.

“It’s the perfect fit for John Deere – we are able to play our part in supporting those resettling following careers in the armed forces while also attracting a different pool of people into the business.”

Interested service members and ex-service members can learn more and fill out a contact card by visiting www.deere.com/JDMHP.

After making contact, they will be put in touch with an individual from the John Deere network who has resettled following a career in the armed forces to discuss all potential options.

Ripon Farm Services 

“We are incredibly proud to support people transitioning from military service into new careers with us,” says Phil Gregg, Director of Ripon Farm Services. “Service leaders bring exceptional skills, dedication, and technical expertise that align perfectly with the needs of our industry, and our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant reflects our belief that they deserve clear, meaningful pathways into civilian employment.

“We look forward to supporting them build successful careers with us and through the John Deere Military Hiring Programme.”

Hunt Forest Group 

“It was a privilege to represent Hunt Forest Group on the John Deere UK stand at the recent military hiring event at Silverstone,” says Nick Hill, Group Service Manager at Hunt Forest Group. “Meeting so many talented service personnel was a highlight and gave us a great opportunity to showcase our business and the career pathways available through the John Deere Military Hiring Programme.

“We were especially encouraged by the strong interest in technician roles from individuals bringing exceptional experience and technical discipline from their military careers.”

Tallis Amos Group

“After signing the Armed Forces Covenant more than a year ago, Tallis Amos Group continues to reap the benefits of offering resettlement pathways to service leavers who are often ready-made for our business,” says Guy Bunting, Recruitment Coordinator at Tallis Amos Group. “We are proud to offer opportunities to service leavers that include training and development further aiding their transition into civilian life.”

Ben Burgess

“Signing the Armed Forces Covenant reflects our core values as a business,” says Ben Turner, Managing Director at Ben Burgess. “We’re proud to support those who serve and have served, and we’re fortunate to have veterans already working across Ben Burgess whose skills and experience make a real difference every day.”

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Honda’s new Miimo robot mowers about to hit the market

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Honda’s new Miimo robot mowers about to hit the market: Susan Lindsay reports on Honda’s latest robot mower launch from its facility in Germany.

I’m off to Germany again and this time my destination is the Honda academy in Frankfurt. Having landed at the airport I am whisked along the autobahn. The German autobahn is a federally controlled highway system with no mandatory speed limit. We reach over 150mph and before you can say “Mercedes”, we are at our destination for the day’s events.

Honda’s new Miimo robot mowers about to hit the market

Honda’s new Miimo robot mowers about to hit the market

The Honda academy was built in 2009, amid the global recession. Honda were clear-thinking and freethinking enough to push on with this development when other companies were shrinking in fear of what the future looked like in the light of the financial crisis at that time.

The academy offers product training including new models, systems, maintenance, repairs and diagnosis. Non-technical elements also take place with communication, leadership and management training.

There is a dynamic area of 10,000m2 tarmac of 280m length and a training area for motorcycles and ATVs.

Press gathered from the UK, Italy, France and beyond, all eager to see the new Honda wireless robotic mower, the Miimo range.

The new wireless models Miimo 1500i and Miimo 2200i will eliminate the need for physical boundary wires. The user can map mowing zones and adjust areas to allow for evolving layouts.

The models have antenna-free network RTK systems, combining a high-performance RTK GNSS chip with 4G cloud connectivity.

The app interface is easy to use and allows you to draw a mowing area to fit your cutting needs. Honda’s car parking sensors work to ensure that obstacles are avoided with care, and the model can harmonise with the customers living/ working space.

Honda’s new Miimo robot mowers about to hit the market

Honda’s new Miimo robot mowers about to hit the market

With the massive rise in technology improvement and developments, Honda aims to minimise the feeling of overwhelm that the customer might experience and develop models in a timely fashion to stay in line with current needs and wants.

The autonomous and intelligent mower has capacity for high runability on uneven ground and slopes. The team is working on bringing out new additions in 2027 with all-wheel drive to ensure exceptional slope handling performance and outstanding agility on steep lawns.

Honda promise to service all customer categories, minimise burden and eliminate operating hassle. Their prediction that customers are going to want to spend less time cutting, remains to be seen. While smart technology has its advantages, is there really anything that can replace the human ability to achieve a high, fine tuft result?

I once worked at a world class golf course where for one summer, they cut a tartan pattern into the surrounding lawns within the five-star hotel grounds. Now, while this may be a niche market, can a robotic mower achieve the same results? Having worked alongside the greenkeepers maintaining this design, they would say “let them do it!”.

Some of the key features and functions of the Miimo models include multiple mowing patterns, including a chess-board style layout. So, maybe tartan isn’t as far off as I might have first thought. With high waterproof performance, the new models meet IPX5 standards and maintain high cutting performance in wet conditions.

This is a good thing for the Scottish market also!

Since the original Miimo launch in 2012, over 170’000 units have been sold and 99% were sold to the Europe market. The revenue last year was 144 billion Euros and Shin Yasui, General manager of power products says, “Honda’s robotic lawn mower business is a key pillar for future growth”.

Products will be manufactured at Honda’s dedicated facility in France. This facility celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. It is Honda’s largest production site for engine-powered lawn mowers and supplies Europe as well as Global markets.

The Miimo series is a commitment to Honda’s global vision for creating carbon neutrality by 2050 and contributing to a more sustainable future.

The Miimo wireless models will be available in Europe from spring 2026.

Obituary: Mick Hunt

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Obituary: Mick Hunt: The cricketing world is mourning a true titan of the turf industry following the passing of Mick Hunt, the legendary former Head Groundsman at Lord’s. For nearly half a century, Mick wasn’t just a staff member; he was the heartbeat of the Home of Cricket.

Joining the groundstaff in 1969, Mick dedicated 49 years of his life to the hallowed sward of NW8. By the time he retired in 2018, he had become as much a fixture of the ground as the Pavilion itself. Known for his technical mastery of the pitch and his trademark “permanent smile,” Mick was a beloved figure among MCC Members, colleagues, and the international players who relied on his expertise.

An obituary to Mick Hunt

An obituary to Mick Hunt

Few individuals can claim such an indelible connection to the history of Lord’s. From the changing face of the game to decades of historic Test matches, Mick saw it all from the best seat in the house. His passion for the craft and his warmth as a person left a mark that time will not erase.

We offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends. Lord’s feels a little quieter today, but Mick’s legacy lives on in every blade of grass.

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ESTC to Clarify Infill Standards in Free Webinar

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ESTC to Clarify Infill Standards in Free Webinar: EMEA Synthetic Turf Council (ESTC) is inviting all stakeholders involved in the design, installation, and management of synthetic turf systems to attend a free webinar clarifying newly introduced infill standards.

Infill Under the Microscope: A Guide to EN 15330-5, is set to take place on 6 March, 12:00pm UTC, and will offer a concise, expert‑led overview to help the industry adapt to the new EN 15330‑5 standard. The hour-long webinar is open to both ESTC members and the general public, and can be registered for here.

ESTC to Clarify Infill Standards in Free Webinar

ESTC to Clarify Infill Standards in Free Webinar

EN 15330-5, which came into effect in October 2025, is the new European standard that defines the specification requirements for infill materials used in synthetic turf systems. The standard sets minimum performance and durability requirements, specifies physical and chemical properties that manufacturers must declare, and defines how all of this must be measured.

The webinar will open with an introduction from Stefan Diderich, Director General/CEO of ESTC, and Ângelo Castro, Chair of ESTC’s Infill Group, offering some background on the new legislation and why it has been introduced.

Lee Guerriero, Pitch and Technology Specialist at UEFA, will then discuss the importance of infill quality for both performance and safety, before Alastair Cox, Technical Director of ESTC, will outline what the standard is and what it means in practice.

Craig Melrose, Laboratory Manager at Sports Labs, will also provide an update on how testing procedures will evolve under EN 15330-5, before the session will be opened up to the floor for any questions from attendees.

Stefan Diderich, Director General/CEO of ESTC: “Whether you are a manufacturer, designer, installer, or manager of synthetic turf, our latest webinar will be essential viewing for anybody looking to understand the complexities of this latest standard.

“Understanding how EN 15330-5 will affect every step of the supply chain – from specification and procurement through to maintenance and performance – will be critical to its success, so I encourage all stakeholders to register and come prepared with any questions they may have.”

Register for the webinar here.

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