Passed down three generations, Pete Goddard’s rare blue Flymo took its place in the museum alongside King Charles, Brian May, and Nicholas Parsons’ former mowers.
The mower surfaced after a nationwide search for the UK’s oldest Flymo to celebrate 60 years since the iconic hover mower was invented. Goddard’s Flymo was originally bought in the 1960s by his father-in-law and lovingly maintained across three generations – and still works today.
The 79-year-old retired Highway Maintenance Operative, from Northampton, said: “I worked for 48 years repairing the central reservation on the M1, so coming home to the peace and tranquillity of my garden was a great escape. The thing I always loved about Flymos is that they are so easy to use and lightweight. Over the years, I’ve tried all sorts, but nothing matched the performance and simplicity of a Flymo. I’ve even got a second one, 40 years old and still hanging in the shed.”
In joint second place: A 55 year old Flymo owned by firefighter Eric Causey rescued his neighbours Flymo from the skip, using it ever since; and 1970 purchased Flymo owned by retired engineer Colin Carter, 80 in Essex. Runner-up Sandra Barnes, 77, from Peterborough, has used her 1977 Flymo Minimo for more than four decades and still keeps it as a reliable backup to their new model.
“What better way to commemorate Flymo’s 60th birthday than by celebrating our customers and the machines that have stood the test of time. Pete’s story is heartwarming and full of heritage, perfectly representing the durability, simplicity and innovation that Flymo has always stood for. We’re so proud that his Flymo has been inducted into the British Lawnmower Museum,” said Julie Blades, Global Product Manager for Flymo.
The winners exemplify the adage “If you take care of your tools, they will take care of you.” An example to buck the consumerism trend and maintain (gardening) equipment. Thereby not only ensuring its longevity, performance, and energy efficiency, saving money and effort but moreover, it reduces waste and conserves vital resources by extending the lifespan of tools, thereby mitigating its environmental impact. Well done to all.
Brian Radam, curator of the British Lawnmower Museum, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Pete’s 60-year-old Flymo. It’s a brilliant piece of British engineering and a mower passed down through generations and still going strong. That’s exactly the kind of legacy we’re here to preserve. The museum showcases the best in antique garden machinery from the past two centuries, and now, Pete’s Flymo will join mowers once owned by King Charles, Brian May and Nicholas Parsons.”
