Thatchers,
the iconic, fourth-generation cider makers, based at Myrtle Farm in Sandford,
Somerset, have purchased a Spider 1 remote controlled mower from supplying
dealer, Loxston Groundcare.
The new
mower will be used around the ever-expanding cider mill and the adjoining
orchards, to ensure that the premises are maintained to the highest standards.
Commenting
on the new mower Neil Day, Operations Director at Thatchers said: “We were
founded on this site in 1904 and the current Managing Director, Martin
Thatcher, is the fourth generation of the family to head the company.
"Under
Martin’s stewardship the business has grown substantially and with that success
we have had to increase the infrastructure here. Most notably the production
facilities and warehousing. As a rural company with an international profile,
we are considerate about our impact on the environment and keeping the profile
of our buildings as unobtrusive as possible.
“As an
example, to construct our new Jubilee building we excavated down into the
existing ground level, which enabled us to lower the roofline. However, the
result was that we now have grass banks to maintain and so we needed a mower
that could help us do that, so I tasked our Maintenance technician, Ed Young to
review the market.
“Using
the internet, I found various videos of Spider mowers and their tracked
competitors. I discounted the tracked versions as they appeared too aggressive
on the turf and then reviewed the Spider website. I sent an enquiry to Spider’s
UK Sales Manager, Nick Penn and a demo was quickly arranged here at Myrtle
Farm. I was very impressed, as was Neil, and we virtually placed our order ‘on
the spot’.
“We have
many visitors to Myrtle Farm including regular tours and our biennial Open Day,
which has been in our calendar since 1993 and attracts thousands of people each
time. It’s important that we keep the premises in pristine condition all year
round and the Spider is now integral to our grounds maintenance regime.”
