A living celebration of JCB’s 70th anniversary has been opened in Staffordshire – in the shape of a giant maize maze.
The 10 acre maze at the National Forest Adventure Farm in Burton-on-Trent has been sprouting into life for the past few weeks from 700,000 maize seeds. Three miles of pathways have been cut into the maize to form the shape of a digger.
It is based at Postern House Farm which is farmed by the Robinson family and is a typical East Staffordshire family farm. The total unit consists of just over 500 acres of arable and livestock farming. Aberdeen Angus beef cattle are the primary stock found on the farm, with grassland let for winter sheep grazing. Arable crops include oilseed rape, wheat and maize.
The maze tribute to JCB was officially opened by JCB Chairman Lord Bamford as the company prepares to mark its special anniversary on October 23rd. Lord Bamford said: “Staffordshire has been JCB’s base for the past 70 years and it’s wonderful that our anniversary is being honoured in our home county where we employ so many people.”
Tom Robinson, Director National Forest Adventure Farm said: “I am delighted we are celebrating the 70th anniversary of JCB with a fantastic maze design this year. I hope digger fans of all ages will enjoy navigating the maze this summer.”
The maize maze is in the shape of tracked excavator, a machine manufactured at the JCB Heavy Products factory in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. In total JCB has 22 factories around the world and has produced more than one million machines over the past 70 years – enough to stretch from the UK to Australia.
As well as tackling the maze, which grows to a height of eight feet, children can have fun in the JCB Construction Zone activity tent. Supported by Burton and South Derbyshire College Construction Department visitors can try their hand at bricklaying using real bricks and mortar.