Testimonials from 2009/10

Roger Wicks, Boreham, Essex.

I realised that I had a problem when I wanted to overhaul my 1950`s dennis lawnmower because I was reluctant to entrust it to anyone (however reputable) who did not have the experience, knowledge and expertise that is needed to work on vintage machinery. I was therefore relieved to discover Mr Gregory and The Old Lawnmower Company. He made a superb job of the overhaul at a reasonable price and I have no hesitation in recommending him.



Bernard Smith, West Byfleet, Surrey.
www.surreygardens.co.uk

I bought a reconditioned Mark 4 Ransomes Marquis 20" cylinder mower from The Old Lawnmower Company to use on my lawns as I wanted to get a better finish than I can from my petrol rotary. I am delighted with it and it was exactly the one in the photo on their website and very nicely reconditioned.

On the day of purchase they gave me excellent instructions and a demonstration before I took it away. I received by email the operating instructions later in the day. Although I had a small problem they sorted it out in the best possible way. I judge every company on what they do when things go wrong, not when they go right and they were superb.

Although it is an hour away from me I shall certainly take the mower back to them when it needs its annual service. They are really nice people and I would not hesitate in recommending their services to all my friends.






































Rory Passey, Honfleur, Normandy.

I bought three lawnmowers from Mr. Gregory and his son in April 2010. Each mower was in an excellent state of repair and condition upon collection, I was carefully instructed and my vehicle was loaded with utmost care. The whole experience took about an hour and a half and the results have given me the very greatest satisfaction, in the event that you are interested in the art of English lawn engineering this in undoubtedly the place for you.

It is most important to add that, whilst Mr. Gregory senior is a most worthy negotiator, the experience of dealing with decent individuals who love the machines and the countryside is one of those things that any Englishman would savour. I am entirely happy to recommend this professional (and perhaps slightly eccentric) enterprise to all.



Anthony Bowles, Castle Douglas.

I am very pleased with my reconditioned Ransomes 24 mower supplied by your company; it cuts my SW Scotland grass far better than a modern cylinder mower purchased three years ago and is a delight to use. I am looking forward to many years service from this machine.



Juliette Raine, Loughton, Essex.

Just a quick line to say thank you so much for helping me choose exactly the right 'Old Lawnmower' for what was three rather scrappy pieces of lawn! You can see how much they've been improved with just a little tender loving care and the help of my 'new' trusty Ransomes Ajax! Wonderful to find such a special showroom, based in the middle of a beautiful meadow and with such great service and advice, thanks again.

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Ray Woodward, East Yorkshire.

As a teenager, I would mow my dad’s paddock with his Allen Scythe. The paddock was pretty rough, the three acres had been “landed” and mowing was not easy. However, the scythe always started, it had big wheels, a hefty four stroke grunt, cut through pretty much anything and was totally reliable. Forty years on, standing on the south facing slope of my own tiny piece of Italy, I contemplated the rough meadow, the steep, uneven slope and the rows of olive trees that had to be negotiated. Then, I knew exactly what I needed to get the job done. The local Italians have an abundance of machines that loosely resemble the Allen Scythe but are rarely for sale. When they do come on the market they command an astronomical price. I put my idea on the back burner.

Back home in England I scanned Ebay for a bargain. Allen Scythes are there, of course. They are in all states of disrepair. Many are beautifully painted but have magneto problems or just won’t start. Some claim to be in first class order but haven’t started this season and so on. I kept 'Googling' Allen Scythes and then I happened upon The Old Lawnmower Company. Ivor, the proprietor, and his son John had a sound machine which they were about to restore. They kept me informed as work progressed and then invited me down to Hertfordshire for a test run. The machine I saw in Ivor’s paddock was a dead-ringer for the one that had tugged my arms out of their sockets forty years previously. It has the same punchy start, fierce clutch and shoulder-wrenching drive but it’s the cat’s whiskers.

Thanks to Ivor’s care and attention to detail, he helped me ship a tip-top Scythe out to Italy by courier. The restored machine runs like a top, works like a horse and is the envy of my Italian neighbours who gaze on it in awe. Whatever your grass cutting needs, Ivor is an excellent engineer. He has a wonderful collection of restored vintage mowers, fit for a variety of purposes. He is an honest, personable bloke and a pleasure with whom to do business.



Peter Venables, Isle of Man.

When the large roller on my approx. 50 year old Webb 24 mower collapsed I thought the only solution was to leave it at the local amenity site, however a search on the internet came up with your firm The Old Lawnmower Co. On contacting you, to my delight you not only had a comprehensive list of spares but also were unstinting in advice and help. Due to my location you not only emailed but phoned personally to advise on assembly. I can't praise you highly enough for your help and speedy efficiency.



Tony Williams, Buckland, Herts.

My father gave me the Atco as a birthday present about 20 years ago, so it had great sentimental value. I was delighted that Ivor was able to restore it. It runs like new - I am very happy with the friendly service provided by The Old Lawnmower Company.























































David Burnikell, Kent.

You will be glad to know that after a full year of use I remain very pleased with the Marquis. It invariably starts first pull, runs sweetly, cuts cleanly (none of the brown ends you get with a rotary) and leaves stripes to please the most demanding grounds man. The engine’s friendly putter-putter always makes me smile and although the machine may be old it is a constant pleasure to use. Thank you for introducing me to it.



Yvonne Maybury, Middlesex.

I just wanted to say how 'over the moon' I am with the Ransomes Ajax. It is fantastic to use and I am so pleased to have one again. Thank you for your very friendly and conscientious service - it was great to find someone so enthusiastic about these 'old' machines. I hope your business continues to flourish and I have highly recommended you to my friends who have shown interest in having a mower like mine. Many thanks again for a great service.



G. Fielding, Stockport, Cheshire.

Simply a line to thank you for your superb service for what was a relatively small order. I have now fitted the new rollers and the aged Whippet is back to full health. Best wishes to yourself and the firm in the future.



Per Hultgren, Saxtorp, Sweden.

I forgot to enclose a photo of my croquet lawn after having been mown with the Marquis. Here you can see the excellent results.





































T. Cox, Barton le Clay, Bedfordshire.

Webb Witch rollers received. Difference to mower is amazing. New rollers are almost twice the size as the originals which were 30 years plus old. I thought that I was getting past it to push a hand mower. Not any more! I can now mow by hand for many years to come. Many thanks. Regards, Tim Cox ( rejuvenated pensioner).



Maggie Love, Worcester.

The Commodore grassbox arrived today and it matches the old girl perfectly. Looks like they have always been together. A million thanks and Happy Easter to you both. P.S It was a pleasure to do business with you.



Charlie Stoddart, Chairman, Broomhall Cricket Club, Charlestown.

I wanted to write to you following our acquisition recently of the Ransomes Auto Certes mower from you that we use for our cricket square here at Charlestown in Fife.

As you know, our old mower gave up the ghost and we were at a loss what to do; the prospect of paying over £3000 for a new mower was impossible to contemplate and the opportunity to purchase a quality machine from The Old Lawnmower Company at a fraction of the cost and with a full guarantee was too good to believe. Not only have we acquired an excellent piece of equipment but we have had superb support from you and your team throughout the process and that is a great comfort to us, especially when we are 400 miles away. To know that help is a phone call away and that parts can be supplied as well is of enormous benefit.

Our club is grateful to you and if there is any future requirements for cricket cutting equipment then I am certain that the first call will be to you.





































Steve Nash, Head Groundsman, Datchworth Cricket Club.

I came across The Old Lawnmower Company whilst surfing the internet looking for a replacement grassbox for our 1970s Ransomes Marquis 20 inch cylinder mower. Not only was Ivor able to supply and deliver a second-hand one in very good condition and at a fraction of the price of a new one but he was also able to give me excellent advice regarding the purchase of another mower.

Our cricket club already had 2 Ransomes 20 inch mowers (a Marquis and an Auto Certes) which have given excellent service over many years. One is used for maintaining our cricket square and the other for preparing the actual pitches. We have recently developed a second ground and I wanted to purchase a larger mower to cut both the two squares, leaving the existing mowers for pitch preparation only. Ivor was able to supply a reconditioned Ransomes Matador 24 inch (the Marquis’ big brother) in excellent condition and at a very reasonable price. He was also able to restore and modify an old Atco roller seat I had so that it fitted the Matador, making my job of cutting the 2 squares so much easier.

I have been very pleased with the pre-sales advice, the quality and value for money of the equipment, and the after sales service (one minor problem with the drive chain was fixed immediately and at no cost) and I am sure we will be using The Old Lawnmower Company again.



Bill Nicholson, Derby.

The lawn was just about dry enough for a cut so I tried it out. It worked perfectly! Thank you for your assistance in providing the new cylinder and bottom blade for my Webb 14.



Philip A., Hampshire.

It was a pleasure meeting you and your son today and thank you for delivering the Allen Scythe and I hope you had an easy return journey. The Scythe is brilliant and needless to say, I have already cut some long grass and reeds at the bottom of the garden - it cuts very well. ... I have now fitted the Deflector Plate and Carburettor to the Suffolk Super Punch and it runs really well and ticks-over perfectly.







































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