With many restrictions surrounding Covid-19 being lifted we have decided to hold an Annual Rally and AGM at Milton Keynes Museum on the weekend of 2/3 October.

It has been two and half years since our last annual rally and we really wanted to do something this year, as long as the situation allowed. 

The safety and wellbeing of our members, their friends and families, and the staff and visitors at the museum will be the priority. The event will abide by whatever precautions or restrictions are in place at the time.

At the moment there is no reason why the event should not go ahead. However, as we know from the past 18 months, things can change very quickly. We will monitor the situation in the weeks leading up to the event  and make decisions accordingly. We will also be guided by advice from our hosts at the museum.

This year is the centenary of Atco and JP, two of the best known and successful manufacturers of the 20th century. Many of our members have examples of these manufacturers' machines in their collections and we will be featuring them over the weekend as our main rally themes.

Look out for more updates in the coming weeks.

The second, and final, instalment of BBC Gardeners' World look at the history of the lawn and lawnmower is scheduled for this Friday at 9pm. More mowers will be featured from the collection assembled by club member Clive Gravett at the Museum of Gardening at the South Downs Heritage Centre.

If you are in the UK and miss the show, it will be available on the BBC iPlayer after the initial transmission for up to 12 months. The initial instalment that was broadcast in April is also available.