Stroud, England: David Withers, President of Ransomes Jacobsen, has formally unveiled a Blue Plaque to commemorate the vision and achievement of Edwin Budding, the inventor of the lawnmower in 1830.
The plaque is mounted on the wall of the Stroud Brewery, which stands on the site of Budding’s original workshop at the Phoenix Iron Mills at Thrupp, near Stroud in England.
Withers was accompanied by David Hagg, Chief Executive of Stroud District Council.
Also present from the local Stroud community were council officials from Stroud District Council, Stroud’s Museum in the Park and representatives of Thrupp and Brimscombe Parish Council.
Welcoming the guests, Chris Biddle, Publishing Editor of Turf Pro, said that the Blue Plaque had been specially commissioned to mark the 25^th anniversary of Turf Pro’s sister title, Service Dealer magazine.
“We should never forget the debt of gratitude the industry should have for the extraordinary engineering skill of Edwin Budding. His original machine when viewed today is remarkably similar to present day mowers.”
Withers, who had travelled from Jacobsen headquarters in the United States for the event said: “At Ransomes we are proud of our history which dates back to 1789, and our association with Edwin Budding having taken one of the first manufacturing licences in 1830. That mower making tradition continues today Ipswich, none of which would have been possible with Budding.”
Hagg said: “Locally, we like to think that without Stroud, there would be no Wimbledon! Not only did the lawnmower originate here, but the material for the tennis balls are also made locally.”
Ransomes Jacobsen is an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.