It's time once again for the vintage tractors of Cambridgeshire to take to the road
to raise money for the National Health Service
- and to delight boys and girls of all ages.
We met up with them in the nearby village of Barrington
where we saw them passing the church.
Here comes the convoy!
All very nice on a sunny day at the end of June
but not so much fun ploughing in winter.
Somebody remarked, when I visited a steam show last year
that they never saw any women driving the machines.
These two photos show that they enjoy the old machines
just as much as the menfolk.
I like it that many of the tractors look as though they've just come off the farm.
A happy young man.
"Now woss that big owd bit o' tackle then?"
The puttering procession continues through the village.
Hey, that's cheating - having a cab!
Our Dad used to drive one like this on the farm,
though with a muck scraper on the back rather than a union flag.
Of course he drove other tractors,
but somehow the little red Fergie was always called "Ted's tractor"
Dad passed away in 2010, but today 29th June 2024 would have been his 100th birthday.
Carrying on past the village green.
Down to the far end where they will park up on the green for their lunch break.
There were around a hundred tractors, as well as support vehicles,
but somehow there was space for everyone.
Then you can all gather round and talk about tractors!
Or just relax and enjoy the sunshine.
Meanwhile the photographer can wander about and notice those little details
that aren't obvious when they're rattling by along the road.
Or poke their lenses at greasy engines
and pretend they understand what they're looking at.
And you can meet a real live bear
collecting money for Addenbrooke's Hospital!
*******
Ted Hagger,
our Dad.
Take care.
Lots and lots of happy smiles - and I am sure your father would have loved it too. What a lovely post to remember him on this his special day.
ReplyDeleteA good tribute to your Dad.
ReplyDeleteThe drivers all seem to be enjoying themselves.
I spotted a poster about the Pink Ladies tractor run happening soon but it's mainly in Norfolk and not coming to my village although there is sometimes a group who do go through
I love tractor parades. We always have one through Leyburn on Wensleydale Show day and there are always plenty of Fergies. My dear farmer mucked out with one every day in winter until the day he died. Nice tosee you back in circulation John. x
ReplyDeleteNice to be back in circulation again - and even better when I see you commenting. Much of what you wrote about "your farmer" seemed to indicate that he was similar in so many ways to my dad - the steady, hard-working, easy going sort but who could stand his ground when he needed to. Dad also discovered the joys of travel in later life, visiting USA, Canada, Portugal, Austria and the former Yugoslavia a couple of times.
DeleteWhat a great day out with these cool cars and great people. Really great photography
ReplyDeleteI love tractor parades - there is always one on Wensleydale Show day and always plenty of dear old Fergies. My dear farmer 'mucked out' every winter's morning with one til the day he died. 100th birthdays are days to remember aren't they. My dear first husband would have been 100 on April
ReplyDeleteFirst thing I ever drove was a Fordson Major when I was about 15 on my Uncles farm, I've had a soft spot for them since
ReplyDeleteI remember in summer of 22 going to the show at New Luce...the village showground heaving with tractors of all ages...and the joy of seeing all bar a dozen or so setting off on the run!
ReplyDeleteI think that people like your dad and these vintage tractors go together somehow. He would no doubt have derived great pleasure from a show like this. When I was last in Britain Miriam and I spent best part of a day at a ploughing match and there were a number of vintage tractors there. I am quite sure that men spoke more fondly of them than their wives! The most fascinating demonstration for us was hedge-laying. We also had lunch in a tent, seated elbow to elbow with others at long tables, with tea served in delicate china cups on saucers. Happy memories!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute to your dad. Love this country-life day of tractors!
ReplyDeleteThinking of Uncle Ted today. I remember when he visited me here at my house, how special that was! My mother adored her only brother.
ReplyDeleteThis post is a nice tribute to him , John. I sure see the resemblance to my mother!
I don't think we'd have ever got him into an aeroplane to visit anyone else but his little sister!
DeleteI like the parades of old tractors. I am always surprised at how small they were . In those days the farms were small so small tractor were suitable.
ReplyDeleteVery nice to remember your father on this occasione. The old tractors are cool.
ReplyDeleteThat is quite a grand parade of tractors there! A shout of Happy Birthday into the universe to your dad. (NewRobin13)
ReplyDeleteSounds like your Dad would have enjoyed that parade. Nice way to honor him on his 100th birthday! Great post, John!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing all those classic tractors and people enjoying the day. Your father would have been there too among all the people sharing his stories. Nice post and photos, John.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great parade and then the gathering of tractors and farmers and families and fans! Such a great tribute to your dad on his birth anniversary, and thanks for sharing it with us too! I loved reading all the comments that came before as well!
ReplyDeleteI've never seen such a parade but I can remember my Dad taking my Grandfahter to the ploughing matches here.
ReplyDeleteSo glad I stopped by. I love these old vintage tractors!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful parade with great weather. I was surprised to see it was in aid of the N.H.S. as I thought that was Government (taxpayer) funded. Perhaps we need that here.
ReplyDeleteThe NHS is of course funded by the taxpayer. However many individual hospitals have their own charities which help fund everything from research which otherwise would not be fully funded, to more toys for the children's wards. Lots of grateful patients and their relatives want to say thank you for all the help and support they've received.
DeleteThat makes sense
DeleteHi John - lovely photos ... and those tractors - some excellent different ones ... I loved the young lad's one. I bet they'd have preferred not to have a cab - as I'm thinking it was one of those hot days. Wonderful picture of your father ... happy birthday to him - one hundred years on. Then reminders for you and Les of days gone by ... thanks for sharing - and it's good to know you're out and about again. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteAs I always said about David John - 'you can take the farmer out of Yorkshire but you can't take Yorkshire out of the farmer.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lot of tractors...wonder what was the farthest distance one came to participate? It is nice to see a picture of your dad...mine passed away in January of 1975...
ReplyDeleteI haven't been around the blogging world for a while, but wanted to say I am so very happy to see you here. I love the tractors. I will check your other posts when I have more time. Again, it is SO good to see you.
ReplyDeleteSuper tractors and super photos.... and how wonderful that the tractors and tractor drivers all turned out looking marvellous to honour Ted's 100th birthday! I wonder how old the oldest tractor was. Probably not as old as Ted.
ReplyDeleteHappy memories of your Dad. What an impressive parade of wonderful machines. I grew up on a farm and learnt to drive on a Massey Ferguson like your Dad's, at the age of 12.
ReplyDelete