Tractor heritage, news and features

Welcome... August 2010

The Series 1 Marshall belongs to and is driven by Brian Graves; he is pictured in the ring at the show pulling John Branston and George Smith’s Threshing Box. The outfit was part of a display by the Lincs NVTEC in the John Rainthorpe ‘Harvesting Through the Ages’ machinery display, which included machinery for the harvesting of beet, potatoes and corn etc.

The presence of vintage tractors and machinery at such an event is invariably drowned out by the vast numbers of livestock, horses and farming machinery there. But it was a pleasant surprise to discover them there flying the heritage flag for quite a few years now. It typified the memories I have of John Rainthorpe who did a lot for the vintage tractors but never advertised the fact. Brian said it was an enjoyable event and evoked a lot of memories for all the members. Thanks too go to Janet Richardson, editor of our Wrights Farming Register publication for supplying the picture.

A reminder at this point to all organisers of events however big or small, please don’t forget to drop me a line or two to say what you’re up to; we’re only too glad to get your message out to a wider audience.

Still on the subject of shows, it was good to see the Belvoir Castle Steam Festival benefiting this year from a good dose of weather, I’m sure it was a welcome boost for the organisers after the poor weather conditions of previous years. And it is only fitting that such a large event set in such beautiful surroundings – the nearby Grantham Canal is also worth a visit. The winner this year of the best tractor award at the Belvoir Castle Steam Festival, sponsored by Tractor Magazine, was Mr AR Wilkin of Norfolk with his International McCormick Super BW6. Manufactured in July 1957 as one of 275 of this model built at Doncaster, it was used at a farm in Cornwall from new. It is believed to be one of only four or five of this model to remain in original specification. Mr Wilkin purchased the tractor in November 2004 and has since totally rebuilt and resprayed it. Old Glory editor, Colin Tyson, just managed to catch him pictured here, as he loaded up his valuable cargo for the return trip home.

Tony Hoyland
Editor