The first Allett mower was built in 1965, but the journey began decades earlier. After his father passed away in 1919, Reg Allett became the family breadwinner at just seven years old. He worked his way up from errand boy to head of the lawnmower department at a local ironmongers by age 16.

One moment stayed with him — a groundsman broke his arm trying to start a petrol mower. Reg thought, “Why not an electric start?” That idea stuck.

After serving in the RAF, he returned to the lawncare industry, designing machines and improving existing mowers by adding decompression valves, reverse gears, and balancing engines. When manufacturers refused to implement these improvements, Reg decided to do it himself — leading to the creation of the very first Allett mower.

This remarkable photo shows the very first Allett mower prototype, built in 1965 by Reg Allett. Known as the Allett 36" MK1, it was powered by a Reliant car engine with electric start, reverse gear, and a 36" cutting width — solving real issues groundsmen faced with traditional petrol mowers.

This machine marked the start of the Allett brand and quickly gained popularity with sports grounds, cricket clubs, and even Royal estates. It was the beginning of Reg Allett’s mission to create a better mower at a realistic price.

This historic photo shows Reg Allett with the first production Allett mower, serial number 66001, taken outside the original Allett factory in Stamford, England.

Built in 1966, this was the first commercially produced version of the Allett 36" mower — a machine that set new standards for performance, reliability, and innovation in professional turfcare. Its robust design featured electric start, a powerful engine, and refined engineering that made it a favourite among groundsmen across the UK.

This image marks the moment Allett officially moved from a prototype to a production business — the start of a brand that would go on to supply mowers to sports stadiums, cricket grounds, and royal estates around the world.

This photo captures a historic moment in Allett’s early production days at their original Stamford workshop, circa the mid-1960s. You can see several of the first Allett mowers being hand-assembled — rugged, high-performance machines designed for sports grounds and large estates.

Standing in the centre of the photo is Roy Allett, son of founder Reg Allett, working alongside a small but skilled team. The workshop’s modest setting contrasts sharply with the impact these machines would go on to have, supplying iconic venues including cricket test grounds, football clubs, and royal estates.

This image reflects the hands-on craftsmanship and family-driven innovation that formed the foundation of the Allett brand.

Top image: Norman Heaver, the Head Groundsman at Northamptonshire County Cricket Ground, is seen operating an original Allett MK1 mower. This image captures the mower in action at one of England’s premier first-class cricket venues — a powerful symbol of Allett’s early adoption by top sporting institutions. The MK1's smooth, professional cut helped set a new standard for groundskeeping at the time.

Bottom image: Here we see Reg Allett himself, founder of Allett Mowers, personally cutting the outfield at Burghley Park Cricket Club. His hands-on involvement and passion for innovation helped shape the mower industry — and this image reflects that dedication in motion.

This remarkable image captures a defining moment in Allett’s early legacy — the MK1 mower in use at the legendary Wembley Stadium, operated by Percy Young, the Head Groundsman at the time.

Set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most iconic sporting arenas, the photograph highlights just how quickly Allett gained recognition for producing machines capable of delivering elite-level turf performance. Percy Young’s trust in the MK1 for Wembley’s pristine pitch is a testament to its build quality, precision, and reliability — values that helped position Allett as the go-to choice for professional groundsmen across the UK.

This image stands as a proud symbol of Allett’s rise — from a small workshop in Stamford to the global stage of premier sport.

This vibrant photo was taken at the Motspur Park Show, a key event in the British turfcare calendar during the 1960s. At the heart of the image stands the Allett family, proudly showcasing their early motor mowers to industry professionals and potential customers.

On the left is Roy Allett, while to the right are Annie and Reg Allett, founders of the company. The display features the signature Allett MK1 cylinder mowers, presented with bold branding and neatly lined up to reflect the engineering quality the company was becoming known for.

Events like this were essential in building Allett’s reputation and creating relationships with groundskeepers, sports clubs, and local authorities. The Motspur Park Show wasn’t just a sales opportunity — it was a stage where the Allett vision was shared, mower by mower.

This image captures a proud moment in Allett’s early export journey — six Allett 36K mowers lined up and ready for despatch outside the original Stamford factory.

These 36" professional-grade cylinder mowers were built for high-precision turf care, and their destination abroad marks a key milestone: Allett’s growing reputation beyond the UK. The neat formation, polished green finish, and bold ALLETT branding reflect the company’s focus on craftsmanship and presentation — even at the shipping stage.

This moment in time represents more than just product delivery — it symbolizes Allett’s transformation from a local manufacturer to an emerging international force in turf management.

Top: A young Dave Allett operates the 36K at Stamford School, where the mower's precision and reliability were tested on well-kept school sports turf. The image reflects the hands-on involvement of the Allett family in both development and demonstration during the company’s early expansion.

Bottom: The same model, the Allett 36K, is now seen pitch-side at the legendary Lord’s Cricket Ground — a clear marker of its acceptance and reputation among elite groundsmen. With its professional-grade striping and cut, the 36K became a mainstay at top cricketing venues across the UK.

Together, these images tell a powerful story of Allett’s evolution — from grassroots beginnings to national sporting excellence.

Top: A young Dave Allett operates the 36K at Stamford School, where the mower's precision and reliability were tested on well-kept school sports turf. The image reflects the hands-on involvement of the Allett family in both development and demonstration during the company’s early expansion.

Bottom: The same model, the Allett 36K, is now seen pitch-side at the legendary Lord’s Cricket Ground — a clear marker of its acceptance and reputation among elite groundsmen. With its professional-grade striping and cut, the 36K became a mainstay at top cricketing venues across the UK.

Together, these images tell a powerful story of Allett’s evolution — from grassroots beginnings to national sporting excellence.

This photo was taken at the Institute of Groundsmanship exhibition in Peterborough, a key event in the UK groundskeeping calendar. Standing proudly in front of the Allett display are Reg Allett (left) and his son Roy Allett (right), representing the family business with the same passion and innovation that helped shape its legacy.

In the foreground is a newer-generation Allett cylinder mower, highlighting the company’s continued evolution in design and engineering. The exhibition provided a platform to showcase machinery to industry professionals and decision-makers — and for Allett, it was an opportunity to reinforce its reputation for building reliable, precision mowing equipment for the professional market.

Top: Roy Allett stands pitch-side at the iconic Benfica Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, while a Regal 36 mower delivers its signature striped finish on the pristine surface. His presence underscores Allett’s hands-on approach to supporting elite grounds teams.

Bottom: Another Regal 36 is pictured in action at Sporting Lisbon’s stadium — a venue known for its vibrant atmosphere and meticulous turf standards. The photo captures the mower’s professional performance at one of Europe’s top football clubs.

In early 2018, Allett Mowers completed a major relocation from its long-standing premises at Hangar 5 on the Hixon Airfield Industrial Estate to a new, purpose-built facility named Regal House, situated just a short distance away on the same estate in Staffordshire. The move began in late 2017, with the manufacturing department transitioning first, followed by the design, sales, and administrative teams by February 2018.

This modern facility provided Allett with significantly more space to accommodate its growing production demands, improved training and demonstration areas, and upgraded offices to support both domestic and export operations. The relocation represented a key milestone in the company’s ongoing development, strengthening its manufacturing efficiency, modernising its operations, and reaffirming its long-term commitment to British engineering and local employment in the Hixon area.

In 2019, Allett received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade, recognising five years of exceptional export growth. Sales expanded into markets worldwide, including Russia and the United States. During the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Allett supplied machinery to host stadiums and training grounds, cementing its reputation for world-class turf care.

The award was presented at Regal House in February 2020 by the Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Ian Dudson, who toured the factory and met employees after presenting a commemorative vase and certificate. Managing Director Austin Jarrett said the award reflected Allett’s innovation, engineering excellence, and commitment to raising turf standards globally. Held from 2019 to 2024, it remains a proud symbol of Allett’s international success and craftsmanship.

This historic machine is the very first production Allett mower ever built, manufactured in 1966 — a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of the Allett journey. Today, it proudly sits in the reception area of our headquarters in Hixon, Staffordshire, as a symbol of craftsmanship, innovation, and heritage.

Positioned beneath a framed photograph of Reg Allett operating the same model, this display serves as a tribute to the ingenuity and hands-on spirit that shaped the company’s early success. From this single prototype, Allett has grown into a globally respected brand trusted by groundskeepers, stadiums, and homeowners around the world.

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