Vintage Scene JanuaryFebruary 2022_Layout 1 06/01/2022 14:30 Page 1
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 ISSUE: 13
The Vintage Scene FREE online & in print
‘VINTAGE TRACTORS, MACHINERY & SO MUCH MORE!’
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Welcome to the January/February issue of The Vintage Scene. $1'5(:6 75$&7256
5(*,675$7,216
Tractor Registrations, Dating & History Research Advice
Thomas Andrews, (Andrews Tractors) 2 Trendeal Vean Cottage, Ladock. Truro TR2 4NW. Tel: 01726·883195 Between 10am & 8pm ONLY Mon to Sat
A HAPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL! Just as the Country opened up again and we were getting back to something near ‘normal’, Omicron struck! Here’s hoping that we manage to put a lid on it so that we can enjoy our 2022 events. I’m in hot water this issue! I managed to fill up the magazine and not leave space for partner, Robin’s first instalment of Alice’s restore; you may remember Alice was my Dad’s old Allis Chalmers Model B which we bought back (as mentioned last issue). Robin has furnished me with photos of progress thus far, which will now appear in the next issue. I’d best cook him a nice Sunday roast to get back in his good books! My Brother, Charlie, usually participates in ploughing matches, but the Dadford match saw him mentoring his son, Nathan, who finished a tidy third. Nathan has had an exciting couple of months as he has inherited Dad’s little grey Fergie ‘Foxy’. She came by the name ‘Foxy’ as whilst Dad was carrying out repairs on her, a little tame fox snuck up on him, and pulled on his trouser leg! It later transpired the little fox was hand reared and learning the ropes of being wild. Anyway, ‘Foxy’ has been parked up for many years and is now in need of a great deal of attention. Dad’s friend of many years, Roger Seidel, is kindly helping Nathan with his new project.
Contents 4. Whitlock Bros and The Dinkum Digger 5. Subscription Form 6. Comeuppance’s Story 7. The Ferguson Club at Newark Show 8. The Ferguson Club 2021 Round-up 10. Dadford Charity Ploughing Match 12. Kirriemuir Ploughing Match
Till next time, see you in March. Heather. 14. McKibbins’ Threshing Day 2021 16. 2022 Year Planner Part Two 18. Diary Dates 22. David Brown Restoration 24. Confessions of an Engine Collector 27. All Around the Wrekin Road Run 28. Sherwood Forest Ploughing Match 30. Ednam Ploughing Match
Front Cover: Vernon Marshall drives his Dexta whilst Robert McKibbin operates the Albion 5A Bider. Photo by: Rebecca Carson (10yrs!) Back Cover by: Kenny Wharton www.kenpics.com; taken at Sherwood Forest Ploughing Match. Editor and publisher Advertising Sales /Distribution Design: Heather Dodd Hayley Anderson Freya Trewin & Heather Dodd @ HD&R Solutions Ltd h.dodd@vintagescene.co.uk hayley@vintagescene.co.uk design@vintagescene.co.uk Tel: 01295 404099. Tel: 01295 404099 Tel: 01295 404099 The Vintage Scene is published six times a year as follows: Jan/Feb, March/April, May/June, July/Aug, Sept/Oct & Nov/Dec.
Diary Dates: Freya Trewin freya@vintagescene.co.uk Tel: 01295 404099
Published by: HD&R Solutions Ltd, Unit 5 The Dairy, Bloxham, Grove Farm, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX15 4LL. Copyright The Vintage Scene. All rights reserved. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed within the magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or HD&R Solutions Ltd and while every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in the magazine is correct and current at the date of publication, HD&R Solutions Ltd will not accept any liability. HD&R Solutions Ltd will not be held responsible for the appearance of photographic material supplied without the necessary consent, copyright and/or photographer’s details. In addition, HD&R Solutions Ltd offers no guarantee of publication and reserve the right to edit any reader’s letters, press releases, reports and articles submitted.
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Whitlock Bros and The Dinkum Digger By Paul Sadler, A Ferguson Club Member
T
he first Dinkum Diggers were made circa 1954 and I used to see them as I passed by Whitlock Brothers Ltd on the school bus. I started working there in 1957 as an Apprentice Engineer and locked the gates forever in June 1975 as Production Engineering Manager, having spent eight enjoyable years as a Design Engineer along the way and kept it all going through the early 70’s three day week winters of discontent. (The hardest years) It was a happy place to work and employed approaching 500 people, including my wife. Obviously, the machinery became more sophisticated as the years passed. In the 50’s, there was a connection between the two Whitlock brothers Carlton and Roy with Australia and some products were exported there in the early days. My understanding is that the Australian front line infantry men in the First World War were known as “Diggers” and there was an expression “Fair Dinkum” applied to things that turned out well, leading to them being called ‘Dinkum Diggers’. I am also vaguely aware of an Australian cartoon series featuring Dinkum Digger and Platypus. Whitlock also built a crawler machine called Platypus and a photograph of that hung on the drawing office stairs wall at one time. As I say, this was about four years before my time there. The parallogram linkage on the main boom. The advantage was that this meant that the lift ram was extending on the main bore end to raise the boom and could provide more lifting capacity. See photo.
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Comeuppance’s Story Comeuppance’s By John Selley, A Ferguson Club Member
S
he is called ‘Comeuppance’ because out of the blue, a lady named Dot Mathers, called to ask if I could advise her on what price to ask for her late husband’s Fergie that had big end problems. We talked about it and came to common ground and I bought it, telling her that all my tractors are named and hers would be called Dottie. She knocked £50 off the agreed price! It was arranged that we would pick the tractor up on Monday 1st July 2013. On Friday she sent me an E Mail to tell me that the tractor didn’t have a battery so if I wanted to start it I needed to bring my own. As far as I was concerned that was for information only, and I didn’t reply. On Monday morning, as my wife and I enjoyed our morning cup of tea in bed, I told her that Steve and I were working at the workshop. That wasn’t untrue as Steve kept his truck at the workshop and we were going to use it to fetch Dottie. It also wasn’t the whole truth! Anyway, we arrived at Dot’s. Steve fitted our battery and Dottie fired up immediately; no bottom end noise and good oil pressure, and was driven up onto the truck. Dot came out and asked if I had received her E mail for which I thanked her. As she hadn’t heard back from me, she had phoned home and was answered by a lady who sounded a bit bemused when told I was fetching a tractor from her that morning, so Dot said that she must 6
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
have the wrong number and rang off! When we got back to the workshop we tried to start Dottie and she was having nothing of it. Anyway, we persevered and eventually she started but made a very bad noise and allowed Steve just enough time to get off the truck before she threw a conrod through the crankcase! So there you are, I got my Comeuppance well and truly. When we stripped the engine we found that as the big end bolts had not been torqued up, one had rattled loose and the nut had come off during the journey. Also no split pins had been fitted. The engine was fully overhauled, crankshaft ground, new liners, pistons and rings, all new big end and main bearing shells, four new conrods, fuel injection pump and injectors serviced, head skimmed and all valves refaced and ground in and, of course, the crankcase repaired. You can see it if you look carefully just below the injection pump, a grey area. The fault had arisen from an appalling earlier overhaul. So the moral of this story is to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth! As it was a fairly scruffy little tractor and would have taken an awful lot of work to make her anything, I donated her to The Southwold Railway Trust and they are making very good use of her. I insisted they maintain her name!
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The Ferguson Club at Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show photos by Peter Aston, a Representative of The Ferguson Club
John Sharpe with his MF 135.
Ann Mitchell is with her grey Ferguson with the loader. Please mention THE VINTAGE SCENE when responding to advertisements
Myself and Kevin Britton, vice chairman, with the merchandise. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
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2021 2 021 R ound Round Up Up Photos by Peter Aston, a Representative of The Ferguson Club.
Chepstow Road Run: Grey and Gold 35 on left and green Bedford Tanker on right.
Club stand at the Mid Wales Autumn Fayre in Builth Wells.
One of our oldest Ferguson ploughmen, Keith Williams, on his yellow bonnet Fergie.
Maxwell Hole, 14, ploughing his first match on his red 35 with his Father watching. Jack Price, also 14, getting some tips off Keith whilst his Dad looks on. Jack ploughs with a T20 Ferguson. Two young keen lads ploughing for the future. 8
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Vintage Scene JanuaryFebruary 2022_Layout 1 06/01/2022 16:44 Page 9
Are you interested in Old Tractors, Sta琀onary Engines and Farm machinery? Ferguson Club members wish you A Very Happy and Healthy New Year.
The Na琀onal Vintage Tractor and Engine Club The only club that caters for all tractor and engine enthusiasts The NVTEC is over 50 years old and has been catering for the needs of Vintage Tractors and Engines throughout the UK during that 琀me. We are able to o昀er members either membership of a local group, of which there are 30 do琀ed throughout the UK, or Na琀onal Membership where there is not a local group close by.
We will be at The Somerset Vintage & Classic Tractor Show Sat.29th & Sun 30th January 2022 and our stand will feature Ferguson & Massey Ferguson tractors and implements. We look forward to greeting you & inviting you to join us. It will be the best £20 you spend in 2022! You can join us online at www.fergusonclub.com, on Facebook, or by Emailing our Membership Secretary, Mrs Lynn Turner on membership@fergusonclub.com or even by phone 01964 562239!
DA VID
BROWN PARTS LIMIT
ED
1947-2022
All members receive a copy of the club Magazine Vaporising which is published 4 琀mes a year, produced by club members and featuring reports from up and down the country. For details of how to become a member of the NVTEC or how to 昀nd your local group please contact:
Mrs Ann Alcock Na琀onal Secretary 8 Douglas Road, Forest Town, Mans昀eld, No琀s NG19 0LT nvtec.secretary@ hotmail.com 07889242189 Please mention THE VINTAGE SCENE when responding to advertisements
1947 2022 -
To celebrate we’re offering 10% off sitewide for all DB Club Members.
10% off
for DB C Membe lub rs!*
*Quote your membership no. with your order.
www.davidbrownparts.com 01989 562743 (9am-4pm Mon-Fri) peter@davidbrownparts.com JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
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Dadford Charity Ploughing Match on Sunday 5th December 2021
Photos by Charlie Dodd 1st
2nd
3rd
O. Turner
H. Hoyle
M. Laight
Mounted
M. Franklin
N. Stroud
J. Boxler
Trailed
M. Cherry
J. Cook
D. Smith
Ferguson
C. Huck
R. Ingram
G. Soule
Hortic.
A. Hett
S. Hitchman
N. Dodd
Novice
B. Butlin
F. Smith
Youngest Ploughman
J. Cook
Overall
B. Butlin
Classic
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Vintage Scene JanuaryFebruary 2022_Layout 1 06/01/2022 16:37 Page 11
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Kirriemuir Ploughing Match at Woodside Farm, nr Forestmuir, Forfar on Sunday 14th November 2021 Results by Lizzy Baxter, Match Secretary / Photos by Val Fenton Photos Results:Overall Champion -
Willie B Grieve
Reserve Champion -
Brian Baxter
10 Inch Class 1 2 3
Ron Phillips David Veitch Jack Clark
1 2 3
Raymond Smart Ed Bennie Dougie McNicoll
Trailing Class
12 Inch Standard Class 1 2 3
Dave Herald Ron Napier Kevin Gibbons
12 Inch Hydraulic Class 1 2 3
Willie B Grieve Jock Sivewright #NUM!
Multi-Furrow Reversible Class 1 Steven Gannon 2 Ryan West 3 Michael A Melville Novice Multi-Furrow Reversible Class 1 Bruce Pattullo 2 Ryan Farquharson 3 Craig Caird 2 Furrow Reversible Classic Class 1 Steven Fowler 2 Gordon Douglas 3 Harold Mutch 2 Furrow Reversible Butts Class 1 Brian Baxter 2 Andrew Mitchell Snr 3 Dave Carnegie
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Horticultural Class 1 2 3
Colin Prentice Bob Smith Sandy Blackie
Best Vintage Yoke
Dave Herald
Best Ins & Outs in Field
Willie B Grieve
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
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McKibBins’ Threshing Day 2021 By Rebecca Carson
I
n Co. Antrim, Robert and John McKibbin sow, grow, harvest, thresh and bale a field of oats using vintage tractors and attachments. One day in August the phone rang. It was John. Daddy answered and said that we were going to help in the field, setting up the sheaves. When we arrived there was a small group of people there to help; I was helping Gareth Mark putting the sheaves into stooks. The crop was stored until their threshing day on the last Saturday in October. John said that I could bring my engine to the event. I was so excited that we were invited. We arrived at possibly the most miserable time of the day; it was a (very) cold and foggy morning but the sun came out and I soon warmed up. I was starting to enjoy myself. Some of my old engine friends turned up including James Courtney with his Lister D and Lister water pump, and Stephen Wilson was there with his Ruston & Hornsby. Sammy Gault arrived with his Lister D and H3 water pump on a trailer behind his Zetor 4011, closely followed by his brother Mark driving his E1A Fordson Major. Gareth Mark parked his County Super Six in the long row of tractors which stretched across
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the field. There were other interesting things to see like classic motorbikes in the shed and the visitors’ old cars and trucks parked in the yard. Now let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be a threshing day without some threshing. Rory Woolf belted his steam engine up to a Ransomes threshing mill with the Jones baler set in behind. The Calderwoods set their Major in line with their Garvie mill and soon they were ready for a load of oats. When it arrived Geoffrey Mark climbed up with his fork and began to pitch the sheaves up on top of the mill. After looking at all the machinery, we went to see Thomas Steele demonstrating his blacksmith skills. I must say, he was pretty handy with a hammer. Later on, after our engine had been lifted into the back of the car, Daddy and I were asked to have a cup of tea in the shed and later I played football with John’s Grandchildren. It had been a great day at McKibbins’.
Rebecca
Geoffrey Mark forks a sheaf up to the thresher
Thomas Steele working hard at his anvil in the forge
Stephen Wilson with his Ruston Hornsby
Mark (left) and Sammy Gault park their tractors in the line-up
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
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Vintage Scene JanuaryFebruary 2022_Layout 1 06/01/2022 17:02 Page 15
Vernon Marshall drives his Dexta while Robert McKibbin operates the Albion 5A Binder.
Joe Johnston and Andy Hayes talking about setting up the thresher.
Jack Gault with his Grandfather’s Ferguson TEF 20.
My Lister D unloaded and ready to go.
It was Halloween after all!
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se News
The Vintage Scene
T’S ON
2022 British National Ploughing Championships & Country Festival Chatsworth Estate,Glapwell 8th & 9th October
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online shop offering quick and easy ordering Fergiland, The Workshop, Highfields, Melbourne, Derby, DE73 8DG Tel: 01332 862972 enquiries@fergiland.co.uk www.fergiland.co.uk
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2022 Planner 2022 Planner Part 2
Join on line today at
www.fergusonclub.com
or contact our DON'T FORGET YOU CAN DOWNLOAD A SELECTION O Membership Secretary on 01964 562239 WWW.CENTRALHORSENEWS.CO or by Email at membership@fergusonclub.com
OCTOBER 2022
It might just be the best £20 you spend!
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Claymills Victorian Pumping Station
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Meadow Lane, Stretton, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs, DE13 0DA
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Children’s activities Stoker’s Rest Cafe
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Visit our website for steaming dates and special events www.claymills.org.uk Tel: 01283 5099029 (answer phone) enquiries@claymills.org.uk
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NOVEMBER 2022
REGULAR LIVE STEAM EVENTS!
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Four giant beam engines and more than twenty others in steam
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Independent agricultural engineering and machinery sales All aspect of farm and plant machinery repairs and sales - Brian James trailer main dealer along with Zetor tractors
- Vintage tractor restorations on all makes and models
Subscribe today for- Ourjust £15 (6 issues) shop is open 5 days a week 9-4 - John Deere tractor specialists Ditton Priors Trading or Estate, Call2a01295 404099 email Ditton Priors, Bridgnorth, WV16 6SS freya@vintagescene.co.uk 01746 712217 / 07868 440423
Museum Open
27th March - 30th October 2022 CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS: WWW.LONGSHOPMUSEUM.CO.UK OR CALL US ON: 01728 832189 THE LONG SHOP MUSEUM MAIN ST, LEISTON IP16 4ES
Vintage Scene JanuaryFebruary 2022_Layout 1 06/01/2022 18:20 Page 18
Diary Dates **IMPORTANT NOTICE ** Please check that the event is running before setting out. To the best of our knowledge, the events listed in this diary are running at the point of going to print. However, the situationis cahnging daily due to Covid-19. Market Lavington Vintage Meet Family Fun Weekend 16th & 17th July, Wiltshire SN10 4NT www.mlvintagemeet.com
Claymills Victorian Pumping Station Meadow Lane, Stretton, Burton-on-Trent, Staffs, DE13 0DA
Four giant beam engines & more than twenty others in steam Children's activities Stoker's Rest Cafe 'Professor Pumpernickel returns with his amazing mad science show - not to be missed!'
Entry: £7.50 adult, £6.00 concession, £3.00 child, £18.00 family. Visit our website for steaming dates and special events
www.claymills.org.uk www.claymills.org.uk Tel: 01283 509929 (answer phone), enquiries@claymills.org.uk
REGULAR LIVE STEAM EVENTS! Museum Open
27th March - 30th October 2022 CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS: WWW.LONGSHOPMUSEUM.CO.UK OR CALL US ON: 01728 832189 THE LONG SHOP MUSEUM MAIN ST, LEISTON IP16 4ES
Pocock Tractor Supplies Ltd Pocock Richard Pocock, Manor Farm, Berwick St John, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 0EX
SATURDAY 1ST JANUARY 1/1/2022 New Year’s Steam Day at Coldharbour Mill, Devon. www.coldharbourmill.org.uk 1/1/2022 Somerset Traction Engine Club New Year’s Day Road Run at Sedgemoor Auction Centre, Somerset. www.somersettractionengineclub.com 1/1/2022 New Year’s Day Special at Chasewater Country Park, Pool Lane, Brownhills, Staffordshire. Tel: 01543 370737 1/1/2022 New Years Steam Up at Westonzoyland Pumping Station, Bridgewater, Somerset. www.wzlet.org 01278 691595 1/1/2022 New Year Steam Up (1st-3rd) at London Museum of Water & Steam, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, Greater London. www.waterandsteam.org.uk SUNDAY 2ND JANUARY 2/1/2022 New Year Steam Up (1st-3rd) at London Museum of Water & Steam, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, Greater London. www.waterandsteam.org.uk 3/1/2022 New Year Steam Up (1st-3rd) at London Museum of Water & Steam, Green Dragon Lane, Brentford, Greater London. www.waterandsteam.org.uk SATURDAY 8TH JANUARY 8/1/2022 Novice Ploughing Day at Portlaoise, Ireland. 035386 3101822 TUESDAY 11TH JANUARY 11/1/2022 LAMMA (11th-12th) at NEC Birmingham. www.lammashow.com WEDNESDAY 12TH JANUARY 12/1/2022 LAMMA (11th-12th) at NEC Birmingham. www.lammashow.com SUNDAY 16TH JANUARY 16/1/2022 Banbury & District Vintage Ploughing Society Cup Match at Stratford Apon Avon. www.bdvps.co.uk SATURDAY 29TH JANUARY 29/1/2022 Somerset Vintage & Classic Tractor Show (29th-30th) at Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet. www.somersettractorshow.com SUNDAY 30TH JANUARY 30/1/2022 Somerset Vintage & Classic Tractor Show (29th-30th) at Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet. www.somersettractorshow.com
T: 01747 828272 F: 01747 828964 E: rjbpocock@btinternet.com
Thousands of used and new parts available for British and American built tractors.
Fordson Fordson Nuffield Nuffield Nuf field David David Da vid Br Brown own John Deere Deere Massey Massey Masse yF Ferguson erguson John International Interna tional Case Case International WE THAT HARDtr TO FIND VisitMAY our HAVE website website ffor or used tractors actor s ffor orPART sale:
www.pocock-tractorsupplies.co.uk 18
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SATURDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 19/2/2022 East Riding Federation of Young Farmers Club Ploughing Match at Littlethorpe, Rudston, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 4JF. Contact Fiona: 01723 890811 SATURDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 26/2/2022 Steaming Weekend (26th-27th) at Claymills Pumping Engines Trust, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE13 0DA. Tel: 01283 509929 www.claymills.org.uk
call 01295 404099 to advertise or email advertising@vintagescene.co.uk
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Diary Dates SUNDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 27/2/2022 Malvern 4x4 Land Rover & Vintage Spares Day at Malvern Three Counties Show Ground, Worcestershire. www.4x4sparesday.co.uk 27/2/2022 Banbury & District Vintage Ploughing Society Cup Match at Broughton. www.bdvps.co.uk 27/2/2022 Collingham & District Agricultural Society Spring Ploughing Match at Larksfield, Newark Road, Collingham, NG23 7RD. www.thecollinghamshow.com 27/2/2022 Steaming Weekend (26th-27th) at Claymills Pumping Engines Trust, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE13 0DA. Tel: 01283 509929 www.claymills.org.uk SATURDAY 5TH MARCH 5/3/2022 South Yorkshire Charity Ploughing Match & Thorne Ploughing Match (5th-6th) at Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Contact Ruth: 01302 840098 SUNDAY 6TH MARCH 6/3/2022 South Yorkshire Charity Ploughing Match & Thorne Ploughing Match (5th-6th) at Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Contact Ruth: 01302 840098 6/3/2022 Makerfield Ploughing Society Ploughing Match at Lancashire. Contact Jeanette: 07974 170675 SATURDAY 12TH MARCH 12/3/2022 Shire Horse Society National Show (12th-13th) at Newark Showground, Lincoln Rd, Nottinghamshire. www.shire-horse.org.uk 01536771611 SUNDAY 13TH MARCH 13/3/2022 Shire Horse Society National Show (12th-13th) at Newark Showground, Lincoln Rd, Nottinghamshire. www.shire-horse.org.uk 01536771611 SATURDAY 26TH MARCH 26/3/2022 Whitchurch YFC Ploughing Match at Stoke Manor, Market Drayton, Shropshire. Contact Stuart: 07710 338138
SOMERSET VINTAGE & CLASSIC
TRACTOR SHOW Bath & West Showground BA4 6QN Sat 29th & Sun 30th January 2022 INDOOR STATIC TRACTOR SHOW Special Feature: Massey Ferguson Tractors, implements, trade stands, toys, models & books, etc AUCTION on Sat 29th by H J Pugh & Co Raising money for local charities Sat: 9am-4pm & Sun: 9am-3:30pm
Contact: Mike 07976 535762 If an entry form is needed by post please ring Marcie Tel: 01747 822662
www.somersettractorshow.com
Registered Charity No 210619
NEW VENUE
Shire Horse Society To preserve, promote and protect the horse that put the Great into Britain
SATURDAY 2ND APRIL 2/4/2022 Herefordhsire Ploughing Association Ploughing Match at Upper Moraston, Sellack, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. Contact Nigel: 01989 569377 SUNDAY 3RD MARCH 3/4/2022 Herefordshire Charity Ploughing Match at Harewood End, Hereford. Contact Jon: 07866 460917 SUNDAY 10TH APRIL 10/4/2022 Newbury 4x4 Land Rover & Vintage Spares Day at Newbury Show Ground, Worcestershire. www.4x4sparesday.co.uk SUNDAY 17TH APRIL 17/4/2022 Easter Steaming Weekend (17th-18th) at Claymills Pumping Engines Trust, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE13 0DA. Tel: 01283 509929 www.claymills.org.uk
NATIONAL SHIRE HORSE SHOW 12th - 13th March 2022 NEWARK SHOWGROUND, NEWARK, NG24 2NY
Tel: 01536 771611 Email: info@shire-horse.org.uk www.shire-horse.org.uk theshirehorsesociety
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@saveourshires
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Diary Dates MONDAY 18TH APRIL 18/4/2022 Easter Steaming Weekend (17th-18th) at Claymills Pumping Engines Trust, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE13 0DA. Tel: 01283 509929 www.claymills.org.uk SATURDAY 30TH APRIL 30/4/2022 East Midlands Steam & Country Show (30th2nd) at Lancaster Farm, Chelverston Rd. 07877942533 30/4/2022 Lechlade Annual Vintage Rally & Country Show (30th-2nd) at Langley Farm, Langley Lane, Clanfield, Oxon. www.lechladecollectorsclub.co.uk SUNDAY 1ST MAY 1/5/2022 East Midlands Steam & Country Show (30th2nd) at Lancaster Farm, Chelverston Rd. 07877942533 1/5/2022 Lechlade Annual Vintage Rally & Country Show (30th-2nd) at Langley Farm, Langley Lane, Clanfield, Oxon. www.lechladecollectorsclub.co.uk 1/5/2022 May Day Steaming Weekend (1st-2nd) at Claymills Pumping Engines Trust, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE13 0DA. Tel: 01283 509929 www.claymills.org.uk MONDAY 2ND MAY 2/5/2022 East Midlands Steam & Country Show (30th2nd) at Lancaster Farm, Chelverston Rd. 07877942533 2/5/2022 Lechlade Annual Vintage Rally & Country Show (30th-2nd) at Langley Farm, Langley Lane, Clanfield, Oxon. www.lechladecollectorsclub.co.uk 2/5/2022 May Day Steaming Weekend (1st-2nd) at Claymills Pumping Engines Trust, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE13 0DA.01283 509929 www.claymills.org.uk SUNDAY 8TH MAY 8/5/2022 Cowpie Country Show at Blue Anchor Farm, Blindley Heath. www.cowpie.co.uk SUNDAY 15TH MAY 15/5/2022 Chiltern Hills Vintage Vehicle Rally at Weedon Hill, Weedon Park, Aylesbury, Bucks. www.chilternhillsrally.org.uk 15/5/2022 Malvern 4x4 Land Rover & Vintage Spares Day at Malvern Three Counties Show Ground, Worcestershire. www.4x4sparesday.co.uk SATURDAY 21ST MAY 21/5/2022 Woodford Vintage Festival (21st-22nd) at Woodford Community Sport Complex, Highfield Rd, Woodford, Kettering, Northants. T: 07460428484 (Donna) 21/5/2022 Spring Tractor World (21st-22nd) at Three Counties Showground, Malvern, WR13 6NW. 01697 451882 21/5/2022 Three Okefords Preservation Society Ploughing Steam & Vintage Rally (21st-22nd) at Shillingston, Blanford Forum, DT11 0SQ. www.threeokefordsrally.co.uk SUNDAY 22ND MAY 22/5/2022 Woodford Vintage Festival (21st-22nd) at Woodford Community Sport Complex, Highfield Rd, Woodford, Kettering, Northants. T: 07460428484 (Donna)
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22/5/2022 Spring Tractor World (21st-22nd) at Three Counties Showground, Malvern, WR13 6NW. 01697 451882 22/5/2022 Three Okefords Preservation Society Ploughing Steam & Vintage Rally (21st-22nd) at Shillingston, Blanford Forum, DT11 0SQ. www.threeokefordsrally.co.uk SATURDAY 28TH MAY 28/5/2022 Chipping Steam Fair (28th-29th) at Green Lane Showground, Chipping, Lancs. Tel: 01995 61866 28/5/2022 The Classic Vehicle & Steam Engine Show (28th-29th) at Pikes Farm, Organford, Dorset. www.organfordclassicevents.co.uk 28/5/2022 Launceston Steam & Vintage Rally (28th-30th) at Fivelanes Near Altarnun, PL15 7RR. www.launcestonsteamrally.com 28/5/2022 Steaming Weekend (28th-29th) at Claymills Pumping Engines Trust, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE13 0DA. Tel: 01283 509929 www.claymills.org.uk SUNDAY 29TH MAY 29/5/2022 Chipping Steam Fair (28th-29th) at Green Lane Showground, Chipping, Lancs. Tel: 01995 61866 29/5/2022 The Classic Vehicle & Steam Engine Show (28th-29th) at Pikes Farm, Organford, Dorset. www.organfordclassicevents.co.uk 29/5/2022 Launceston Steam & Vintage Rally (28th-30th) at Fivelanes Near Altarnun, PL15 7RR. www.launcestonsteamrally.com 29/5/2022 Steaming Weekend (28th-29th) at Claymills Pumping Engines Trust, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE13 0DA. Tel: 01283 509929 www.claymills.org.uk MONDAY 30TH MAY 30/5/2022 Launceston Steam & Vintage Rally (28th-30th) at Fivelanes Near Altarnun, PL15 7RR. www.launcestonsteamrally.com THURSDAY 2ND JUNE 2/6/2022 Strumpshaw Steam Rally (2nd-5th) at Strumpshaw Old Hall, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 4HR. 07753 182065 FRIDAY 3RD JUNE 3/6/2022 Strumpshaw Steam Rally (2nd-5th) at Strumpshaw Old Hall, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 4HR. 07753 182065 SATURDAY 4TH JUNE 4/6/2022 Strumpshaw Steam Rally (2nd-5th) at Strumpshaw Old Hall, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 4HR. 07753 182065 SUNDAY 5TH JUNE 5/6/2022 Strumpshaw Steam Rally (2nd-5th) at Strumpshaw Old Hall, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 4HR. 07753 182065 SATURDAY 11TH JUNE 11/6/2022 Stoke Row Steam Rally (11th-12th) at Whitchurch Hill, Reading, Berkshire, RG8 7PU. www.stokerowsteamrally.com call 01295 404099 to advertise or email advertising@vintagescene.co.uk
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Diary Dates 11/6/2022 Wiltshire Steam & Vintage Rally (11th-12th) at Lydiard Park, Swindon.www.wapg.co.uk SUNDAY 12TH JUNE 12/6/2022 Stoke Row Steam Rally (11th-12th) at Whitchurch Hill, Reading, Berkshire, RG8 7PU. www.stokerowsteamrally.com 12/6/2022 Wiltshire Steam & Vintage Rally (11th-12th) at Lydiard Park, Swindon.www.wapg.co.uk SATURDAY 18TH JUNE 18/6/2022 Wessex Midsummer Vintage Show (18th-19th) at Semington Showground. www.wessexmidsummershow.co.uk SUNDAY 19TH JUNE 19/6/2022 Wessex Midsummer Vintage Show (18th-19th) at Semington Showground. www.wessexmidsummershow.co.uk SATURDAY 25TH JUNE 25/6/2022 Sheffield Steam & Vintage Show (25th-26th) at North Anston, Rotherham. shefsteamvcl@gmail.com SUNDAY 26TH JUNE 26/6/2022 Sheffield Steam & Vintage Show (25th-26th) at North Anston, Rotherham. shefsteamvcl@gmail.com SATURDAY 2ND JULY 2/7/2022 Duncombe Park Steam & Vintage Rally (2nd-3rd) at Duncombe Park, Helmsley. www.gytec.weebly.com
SUNDAY 3RD JULY 3/7/2022 Duncombe Park Steam & Vintage Rally (2nd-3rd) at Duncombe Park, Helmsley. www.gytec.weebly.com SATURDAY 16TH JULY 16/7/2022 Alrewas Show at Alrewas Show Ground, Daisy Ln, Alrewas, Burton-on-Trent. www.alrewasshow.co.uk 16/7/2022 The Market Lavington Vintage Meet (16th-17th) at The Elisha Field, Drove Lane, Market Lavington, Devizes SN10 4NT. www.mlvintagemeet.com SUNDAY 17TH JULY 17/7/2022 The Market Lavington Vintage Meet (16th-17th) at The Elisha Field, Drove Lane, Market Lavington, Devizes SN10 4NT. www.mlvintagemeet.com SATURDAY 20TH AUGUST 20/8/2022 Yesterday’s Farming (20th-21st) at Dillington Park Estate, Nr Ilminster, Somerset. www.yesterdaysfarming.co.uk SUNDAY 21ST AUGUST 21/8/2022 Yesterday’s Farming (20th-21st) at Dillington Park Estate, Nr Ilminster, Somerset. www.yesterdaysfarming.co.uk Please mention THE VINTAGE SCENE when responding to advertisements
SUNDAY 28TH AUGUST 28/8/2022 Bank Holiday Steaming Weekend (28th-29th) at Claymills Pumping Engines Trust, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE13 0DA. Tel: 01283 509929 www.claymills.org.uk MONDAY 29TH AUGUST 29/8/2022 Bank Holiday Steaming Weekend (28th-29th) at Claymills Pumping Engines Trust, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE13 0DA. Tel: 01283 509929 www.claymills.org.uk SATURDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER 17/9/2022 The Collingham Show at Larksfield, Newark Road, Collingham, NG23 7RD. www.thecollinghamshow.com SATURDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER 24/9/2022 Steaming Weekend (24th-25th) at Claymills Pumping Engines Trust, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE13 0DA. Tel: 01283 509929 www.claymills.org.uk SUNDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 25/9/2022 Steaming Weekend (24th-25th) at Claymills Pumping Engines Trust, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE13 0DA. Tel: 01283 509929 www.claymills.org.uk SATURDAY 29TH OCTOBER 29/10/2022 Steaming Weekend (29th-30th) at Claymills Pumping Engines Trust, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE13 0DA. T: 01283 509929 www.claymills.org.uk
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David Brown Restoration By Peter Williams, David Brown Parts Ltd reverse manual gearbox. It was fitted to experimental tractors based on the then current 1200. It worked well, except that test drivers reported a lack of power, due to the energy absorbed by the transmission. A simple answer was to increase the power by adjusting the fuel pump, though test driver Mike Funnel rather overdid this on one tractor, resulting in a broken crankshaft! The experimental department fitted a new crankshaft and tested the engine, finding that the output had been increased from the standard 72 H.P. as fitted to the 1200, to over 90 H.P. Mike Funnel says that he was surprised to escape dismissal due to this act! From then on, David Brown did concede to increase the power, but by a more moderate amount. The starting point
C
lutch-less transmissions are now the norm on many vehicles, but before this innovation most tractors could only carry out work in the gear that they were capable of starting from a standstill in. Both John Deere and Ford had offered clutch-less transmissions to enable changing gear whilst on the move, under load, in the 1960’s. Neither had been widely accepted, partly due to the power losses involved. Others, including Massey Ferguson, offered a simple, clutch-less “High” and “Low” facility on each conventional gear, which whilst useful, was limited in its scope. Meanwhile, building on their experience of making tank transmissions, David Brown had been experimenting with “Autodrive” (a fully automatic transmission) on a 990 Implematic but this never reached production. However, a traditional British compromise rose out of its ashes in 1971. Dubbed “Hydrashift”, it provided 4 clutch-less changes on every gear in a 3 forward 1
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The system met with widespread approval and went on to win a Queen’s Award to industry. The more powerful 1412 tractor followed with this transmission, then it was offered as an option on the larger models from the 90 series that was introduced in 1979. The subsequent 7 final series of tractors to be built at the Meltham, Yorkshire factory were the 94 series, now branded as “Case”. Now, Hydrashift was also made available on 4 wheel drive tractors. Indeed, the largest in the range, the 4 wheel drive 1694 was only available with Hydrashift. With only 1,200 built, it is now very collectable. During the following years this format was copied and refined by virtually every other tractor manufacturer until gradually being superceded by “constantly variable” transmissions. With the 50th Anniversary of this innovation in mind, I set about the restoration of what is probably the earliest surviving David Brown incorporating this transmission, a 1212. Built in April 1970, it was the 12th one built, as a pre-production tractor, ahead of the official launch the
Setting up the control valve call 01295 404099 to advertise or email advertising@vintagescene.co.uk
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following August. It has been suggested that this tractor is the one that Mike Funnel increased the power output on, but even if not, the engine does seem quite lively and there is no paint on the injector pump, suggesting that it has had work carried out on it. As part of the restoration, it will be left in this state in acknowledgement of the tractor’s experimental days. Restoration work commenced in March 2021, initially concentrating on the non-functioning “Selectamatic” hydraulic system, the Achille’s heel of white David Browns! As work on this system is akin to brain surgery, I enlisted the assistance of friend and David Brown factory trained engineer Cliff Price. Even then, much head scratching was involved as aside from an exchange control valve it was found that other components had been botched, requiring replacement with parts from another tractor being broken for spares. Once the hydraulic system had been sorted, the cab, sheet metalwork, radiator and fuel tank were removed. All oils were drained, the bare engine and transmission were hot pressure washed, then flipped upside down and the underside cleaned. Back in the workshop, the brake and clutch rods were removed and cleaned, much easier this way up! Following a coat of paint it was returned the right way up so that painting & re-assembly could continue. At the time of writing (December 2021) work continues apace. Most of the parts have been painted and put aside for the paint to harden. Many restorers use “2 Pack” paint which hardens much faster, but I
prefer the more authentic finish of Synthetic paint. The“Sta-Dri”, cab has caused a few headaches as many of the fixing holes don’t line up. As the first generation of safety cabs fitted by David Brown, they were rather crude and noisy. However, I do have a soft spot for them as they were locally built, in Bristol, and they are rather more in proportion to the tractor than the later, rather tall, ungainly “Weatherframe” type that was designed and manufactured by David Brown themselves at their Leigh, Lancashire factory. The aim was to have the tractor ready for showing during its anniversary year. Even with most events cancelled, I had hoped to display it at the Newark Tractor Show in November 2021. Although this deadline could have been met, it was felt that as the tractor is so historically important it was preferable not to rush the restoration. The tractor should be ready to display at “Tractor World” 2022, at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern. This event will take place on May 21st & 22nd, rather than the February date of previous years, where the main David Brown theme will be the 70th Anniversary of the Cropmaster. Plans are being made for a display of these iconic tractors If you are there, do come and see us, the David Brown Parts Ltd. stand will be there together with the David Brown Tractor Club. For more information visit www.davidbrownparts.com or call 01989 562743 (9am-4pm Mon-Fri)
Cleaning the underside
Back the right way up
Underside painted
Nearly there
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Confessions of an Engine Collector By Willy Carson
The Ruston & Hornsby, the first engine in Trevor’s collection o gather together, to accumulate, as a hobby or for study,” this is what the dictionary has to say about the word ‘collect’. To those in-theknow, collecting things is much more than this simple definition might indicate. The thesaurus includes an extensive list of synonyms such as acquire, accumulate, amass, congregate, flock together, rally and assemble; verbs which suggest some complexity to the initial concept.
“T
Consider the farmer keeping a close eye on the performance of his plough as the furrows turn over. A glint of light appears on the up turned soil. He takes a moment’s pause from his work, walks back and unearths an old bottle which may not have seen the light of day for several decades. He rubs off the worst of the dirt and sets it behind the tractor seat for further examination at the end of the day. That’s not a collection, that’s just a bottle but when the same thing happens a few days later, it’s the start. He tells the neighbour what he has found and before long he receives a box with a few old bottles that have been sitting on a shelf in someone’s shed for years. It would be rude to say no. From that moment on there is no going back; he’s a collector. Is it instinctive behaviour? It certainly isn’t something which has to be learnt. It may be a case of being in the right (or wrong) place at the right (or wrong) time. Some will even blame it on bad company but whatever its origins, collecting old stuff has been a recognised condition for years and a cure has yet to be found.
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Trevor Cooke from Gortin, Co. Tyrone understands. “It all started more than twenty five years ago when my father-in–law, William, bought a Lister D to restore and take to shows. He knew little about old engines and I knew less so we went to the late Bertie Marshall who was an engine man and he kept us right. The engine was complete and the mag was good so it was just a matter of cleaning the carb and some of the moving parts. William then acquired a Lister H3 water pump which needed a bit of work and when it was working properly we made a trolley for it and the engine and took it to local rallies.” Before long Trevor decided that he needed an engine too. Finding a Ruston Hornsby 3hp PB complete with a water pump for sale in the classified ads in a magazine, he made his first engine purchase. The engine was in Wigan and it could have cost him more to bring it home than it cost to buy it but he had a plan. His brother was a student at Harper Adams at the time and he arranged to borrow a friend’s trailer and transport it as far as a farm near Dumfries in Scotland. It stayed with an expat Tyrone man for several months until he was returning to Northern Ireland with a cattle lorry and was able to complete the engine’s journey to Trevor’s yard. The Ruston was in good condition and before long Trevor had it running and ready for a cosmetic restoration in original livery and with new transfers. It takes more than one engine to start a collection but the Ruston didn’t have to wait long before it had
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1½hp Alamo engine built in Michigan USA centre of gravity low and make the whole assembly more stable during transport.
company. “My daughter went to study in Manchester which meant that when Diane and I went to visit her we arranged our trip to coincide with the 1000 Engine Rally at Astle Park. That’s where I bought a few engines over the years including an Amanco engine which I had to strip it down, taking the flywheels off, so that it would fit into the car for the journey home. On a more recent trip we went to the Woodford Stationary Engine Autojumble in Northants where we bought an Alamo 1½hp engine which was running and ready to show.” Over the years Trevor and Diane built up a circle of ‘engine’ friends and went to see various collections. They met Vince Hopkins when he visited Northern Ireland’s Traction Engine Club Rally and that led to a visit to see Vince’s collection in Herefordshire. Sadly, Vince passed away last year but Trevor has good memories of their friendship and great respect for his restoration skills and attention to detail. It is no surprise that he was delighted when the Hopkins family offered him the opportunity to buy a rare 1927 Frank Hartop Model M 1¼hp. Vince had built a beautifully crafted trolley for the engine which is designed to keep the
The 1927 Frank Hartop Model M 1¼hp, engine from Vince Hopkins’ collection. It sits on a beautifully constructed steel trolley which Vince made. Frank Hartop engines were built in Bedford.
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Other engines were purchased closer to home, often needing a complete overhaul. Trevor’s most remarkable restoration began after a conversation with his uncle who told him that he had seen what he thought might be the remains of an engine in the undergrowth behind a hayshed on a local farm. Trevor went to investigate and at first thought that he had come across a Lister CS diesel but closer examination revealed that it was a very early International Harvester Company 2hp vertical engine built in 1906. Its thermosyphon cooling tank mark it out as a ‘pre-Famous’ engine built before the name Famous became associated with the marque, the screen cooling system was introduced and the fuel tank was cast as part of the crankcase base. What was the condition of this one hundred year old engine? “Both flywheels were present but everything was seized and there was a bird’s nest in the bottom of the crankcase. I undid the big end, took the head off and removed the barrel with the piston still seized solid. I soaked them in diesel for months and gave the piston a tap every now and again until, eventually it moved. The timing gears were useable apart from the crank gear. I left the crank with an engineer who lathed it down to solid metal and then made a sleeve to bring it
1906 IHC 2hp vertical engine. Trevor built the trolley and cooling tank stand for his 100 year old engine.
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still has the original rusty pitted magnets. I sent the dimensions of the fuel tank to Frank Gelder in Goole, Yorks and he made a new one. When I had everything assembled I started to mess about with the timing and gave it a couple of swings and, well I wasn’t expecting anything to happen but it fired up and ran. The original cooling tank was long gone but I found that a honey extraction spinner was the right size and it looks right.”
back to the original diameter. He turned the crank gear down so that the original centre boss could be used and then machined a new gear with the correct tooth profile and fixed it to the original centre. The barrel was bored, relined and machined back to the original specification but I was able to use the original piston and rings. The head needed new valves, the seats had to be recut and I had to buy new springs. There’s a firm in Maryland called Starbolt who supplied all the valve components and the head gasket. The carburettor, the ends of the push rod and the fuel pump had rotted away but Don Oberholtzer in Ohio who casts new parts was able to supply what I needed. The magneto was rewound but it
The carb body was cast by Don Oberholtzer in America.
Trevor made some inquiries about the local engine suppliers of the era and found that Henderson’s Foundry, just six or seven miles away in Omagh, imported IHC machinery. After the foundry had been shut down for the day, some of the Henderson family would have uncrated and assembled farm machinery from the International Harvester Company bearing the McCormick brand name. As a further local connection, Cyrus McCormick, founder of the company in the 1830s was descended from a Co. Tyrone family. Footnote: Leaf through the Collins English Dictionary and you’ll find the following definition; incomplete: not finished, not completely developed, imperfect. Synonyms include: deficient, imperfect, insufficient, lacking, unaccomplished, wanting. If you’re a collector, you’ll understand.
The atmospheric inlet valve is one example of the primitive engineering used a century ago.
The original Magneto was rebuilt using the original Magnets. 26
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All Around the Wrekin Charity Tractor Road Run on Sunday 29 August 2021
report by Brian Smith
O
n Sunday 29th August, 122 tractors, plus a few 4x4's set off on a 22 mile run around the Wrekin, one of Shropshire's landmark hills. The weather was beautiful and the event was a great success, raising £6,200.00 to be shared equally between Lingen Davies Cancer Fund and Prostate Cancer UK.
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This was the third and final road run I shall be organising. I am now 80 years old and the reason I did this one was because I was diagnosed with prostate cancer 18 months ago and following successful treatment wanted to give something back to the charities that have helped and treated me.
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SherwoOd Forest Ploughing Match 28th November 2021 Report & Photos by Kenny Wharton www.kenpics.com n the midst of the previous days storms, power failures and snow, somehow the sun managed an appearance causing some of the ploughmen to wear sunglasses. The weather held out until the end of the match, then the snow returned.
I
The match raised £1400 for the Lincs/Notts Air Ambulance. Thanks to everyone who made donations including B&B Tractors of Warsop, Sherwood Lime and Fertilizer of Warsop, Hose and Hydraulic of Langwith, and The Bubbling Kettle who were the caterers on the day, along with all others who donated raffle prizes. Thanks to Andrew Naish for the use of the land.Special thanks to Sue Blaydes and her helpers for the organisation of the event.
Results: Class 1 – Trailer: 1st – John Crowder 277 points 2nd - Paul Bartle 255 points 3rd – Chris Bichard 248 points Class 2 – Ferguson (this is a qualifier for 2022): 1st – Richard Ingram 293 points 2nd – Edmund Mason 275 points 3rd – Allan Richards 242 points Class 3 - Horticultural (this is a qualifier for 2022): 1st – Andrew Pomeroy 247 points 2nd – John Kitching 240 points 3rd – Stephen Mellors 239 points Class 4 – Vintage Mounted: 1st – Brian Knight 258 points 2nd – Joe Baxter 231 points 3rd – Raymond Powell 222 points Class 5 - Reversible: 1st – Graham Sutton 298 points 2nd – George Sutton 260 points 3rd – Ted Wright 214 points Class 6 – Classic: 1st – Carl Fretwell 286 points 2nd – Carl Wright 276 points 3rd – David Curtis 256 points
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Class 7 – Novice: 1st – Mick Ablett 221 points 2nd – Philip Strawson 201 points 3rd – Jonathan Key 193 points Farthest travelled competitor: Ceri Richards Best work of the day: Richard Ingram
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Ednam Young Farmers Club Ploughing Match 20th November 2021
Photos by Kenny Wharton www.kenpics.com
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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022
call 01295 404099 to advertise or email advertising@vintagescene.co.uk
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The
British Rubber Co. B H LEAKE & SONS LTD Traction engines + steam rollers + living vans + trailers + more! Tel. 0121 472 0657
Fax: 0121 414 1135
email: sales@bhleakerubber.co.uk
80 Dogpool Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham, B30 2XH Take a LOOK at our website www.bhleakerubber.co.uk check out our gallery
Tractor & Truck Tyres Classic & Vintage Tyres in Goodyear All Agricultural Tyres
B H LEAKES & SONS LTD have remained in full production through the Covid-19 Crisis, we have not furloughed nor lost any of our excellent staff
As manufacturing suppliers to several front line services – Food Industry, Pharmaceutical, Agricultural and MOD – we are proud to be playing our part
www.britishrubberco.co.uk British Rubber Co, Otley Road, Shipley, BD17 7QA Tel: 01274 585 427 Email: sales@britishrubberco.co.uk
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EMAIL: H.DODD@VINTAGESCENE.CO.UK DIARY DATES, STORIES, REPORTS, CLASSIFIEDS & ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
