The message
from "Brian" contains these words:

I have absolutely no intention of being controversial, bigoted or
sexist~~ please believe. I have great respect for all lady gardeners.
Quite simply; is it possible for a normal[whatever that means!] lady to
pull-start any garden machinery?.

I've been doing it for decades (mower and brushcutter), no problem. So
do many of my friends and all the female professional gardeners I know.

Janet.