Paul said, "Reading your editorial this morning got me thinking about how much the look of parks could be improved by edging the beds and borders. As a result of budget cuts, it has been all-but abandoned. It is seen as a time-consuming, labour-intensive job but can actually be very quick provided you have the right machine.

"Over the last few years, I have heard more than one facilities management company say that it's actually still in their brief, but the budget doesn't allow time for it, so everyone turns a blind eye. Consequently, the edges look scruffy and in many cases the soil has completely filled the gullies so that there really isn't an edge at all.

"In such situations, a small, lightweight edging machine isn't the best tool for the job. They are good at maintaining established edges/gullies, but you need a much heavier machine in order to cut a new edge."

Limited Offer for Local Authorities

Paul continued, "In order to start getting edging back on the agenda, we are prepared to offer the loan of a TurfTeq edging machine that can quickly re-establish edges and gullies."

The machine will be made available, for a limited time, to Local Authorities or their sub-contractors with responsibility for maintaining at least one public park. The offer is made subject to certain conditions, the main ones of which are:

• Maximum period of loan is two full working days*. Addition time must be paid for at our standard rental rates
• We will deliver the machine free of charge to an address within 50 miles of RG26 3PY. Additional mileage at £1/mile for the round trip
• Each User will be expected to make a nominal £25 contribution to blade wear
• User needs to insure the machine against loss and damage for the duration of the loan (and subsequent hire if appropriate)
• Machine will be delivered with a full tank of fuel and needs to be returned with a full tank

*Newbury Town Council borrowed a machine recently and accomplished all their edging work in just one day.

Councils or Facilities Companies interested in taking advantage of this offer should contact GroundsCare Products on Tel: 0118 981 1313 or email turfteq@groundscare-products.co.uk.