Suffolk's next generation of greenkeepers are being trained up - with the help of a new collaboration between a college and a commercial mower maker.

Suffolk Rural College at Otley has joined forces with Ransomes Jacobsen in Ipswich to offer trainees some hands-on knowledge.

Ransomes at Martlesham - part of global multi-million dollar group Textron - is thought to be the oldest lawn mower maker in the world and specialises in making a host of high-powered groundcare machines.

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The tie-in started after the turf machinery firm reached out to the college when it was seeking an apprentice to help maintain its three-hole golf course.

After the apprentice was placed, greenkeepers on other golf related apprenticeship courses with the college were invited to the lawnmower headquarters for a tour of the facility.

During the tour, learners got to look around the factory, try out some of the latest electric lawnmower technology - and to play the course.

The two organisations now hope to develop the relationship further.

College apprentice trainer Des Drake said he hoped they would be able to build strong foundations between the two organisations which will "ultimately create more interest in greenkeeping careers".

"This is one of the only turf machinery manufacturer in the country and we are proud to be able to have created this link," he said.

"I’d like to thank Ransomes Jacobsen Ltd for opening up their world to us and showcasing some of the amazing work that they do.”

Ransomes Jacobsen product trainer Rob Hayward said: “We believe it is our job to help increase the talent pool in terms of staff working on golf courses in the UK and abroad.

"The event involving greenkeepers with Suffolk Rural is all about creating an open door policy for the community and for us to help the industry as much as we can.

"In addition to this visit, we have said to the college that they can use our training school and hold meetings here – and the plan is to take on more apprentices in the future.

"Ultimately we want to help each other and we are delighted to have made this connection with the college.

"Long term, it would be great to have an anniversary meeting in 10 years’ time with all the people that we have both supported. I’m sure the room would be filled with hundreds of people.

George Wall, 17, from Stowmarket is an apprentice working at Stowmarket golf course.

"It was great to see all the new equipment and be involved in this partnership," he said.

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