JCB’s flagship 8250 Fastrac tractor has picked up the Royal Agricultural Society of England’s (RASE) prestigious Gold Medal for outstanding innovation, technical achievement and potential to serve the industry.

The machine achieved the top accolade handed out as part of the Machinery Awards Scheme after being assessed for its performance in a variety of working situations.

WORK has started on the first phase of a new £7 million factory dedicated to the production of attachments for JCB machines.

Phase one of the 120,000 sq ft facility – which will create 15 new jobs – is being built next to JCB’s World Parts Centre on the A50 at Uttoxeter, Staffordshire and is scheduled for completion at the end of September.

JCB Managing Director and CEO John Patterson officially got the project underway by cutting the first sod for the JCB Attachments factory.

The fastest diesel car on the planet will be making an appearance at the 24th annual JCB Lakeside 5 fun run to help raise money for the NSPCC.

But competitive runners fearing that they may be at a distinct disadvantage to the world record-breaking JCB Dieselmax car can sit easy. For while it is bound to prove the star attraction for participants and spectators alike, it will not be competing in the five-mile run, which takes place on Thursday, July 12.

Long-serving JCB employee Mick Shufflebotham has retired after spending more than 38 years working as a toolmaker.

But rather than preparing to relax and wind down in his retirement, the 62-year-old now has a whole new challenge to prepare for: looking after his seven-month-old granddaughter, Olivia, for two full days per week.