The 2014 Annual Members Weekend and AGM

Successfully concluded, a summary of the weekend is below:-

2014 Event held at South View Park Hotel – Skegness

The weekend was well attended by many familiar faces from all corners of the UK and we were so pleased to see several new people too. Skegness and the surrounding area did us proud.
On Friday evening Gary Naylor spoke about farming on the marsh from the 1960s up to now. The Mayor and Mayoress opened the AGM and stayed with us most of the day.
Many visited two tractor collections on Saturday afternoon and were buzzing when they returned to Southview Park Hotel.
When last in Lincolnshire we were entertained by Trudie in Holbeach St Johns village hall. Well, we asked her to entertain us again, and she certainly did!! Please ask Peter Aston what his new name is when you see him out and about this summer. Our retiring Chairman was caught out too, but for a very good cause. The magnificent sum of £440.50 was raised for the South Holland Branch of the Macmillan Nurses.

Even though people did not go to bed very early Saturday we had an early start Sunday morning and travelled to Bell Brothers Nurseries near Boston. It was amazing how many questions were asked as the groups toured the site which has 22acres of glass houses.

65 people had lunch on the outskirts of Boston at a traditional Garden Centre and we said our goodbyes late afternoon.

We hope we have shown everyone who attended what a productive area of the country Lincolnshire is even though we are so flat, and they enjoyed their stick of Skegness rock too! (a couple of pictures below are from the weekend)

-Judy Jeffries (General Secretary)

Planned venues for next AMW/AGM’s

2015 AGM/AWM

Preston/Lancashire – Mid April

2016 AGM/AWM

Gary Downes has offered to organise at the Coventry Motor Museum – Mid April

Ferguson Club wins best National Club Stand at the Annual 2014 Tractor World Event – Malvern, March 2014

Tractor World

The Ferguson Club won best club stand for the second year in a row. In 2013 the Club won with the famous “Airfix Ferguson” and in 2014 the subject was narrow/orchard/vineyard tractors.

Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire Area Reps Gary and Wendy Downes were the organisers. A big thank you to them and their team for keeping the Ferguson Club at the top of the league!

Events News…..

Ferguson Club AGM & Members Weekend 2015
Lancashire: Friday 17 April to Sunday 19 April 2015
Jim Hall – Lancashire Representative – 01772 690196
We will be staying at the Preston Marriott Hotel. This is situated just off junction 32, M6. Members can book a room anytime from now by calling 01772 864087 and choosing option 1 for reservations. We have negotiated special rates so please quote the code FE2 to take advantage of this. Alternatively, if you wish to book online you will need to follow the link (below) which will take you directly to our Club’s booking page where you should enter the code FE2FE2a if prompted. Double room B&B prices are £75pn, single room B&B is £70pn.

http://www.marriott.co.uk/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=Ferguson%20Club%5Eblkbp%60FE2FE2a%6070.00%60GBP%60false%604/17/15%604/19/15%603/20/15&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes

The AGM will be held at Myerscough College, formerly known as The Lancashire College of Agriculture. The college estate extends to 605 hectares. Including several local farms and extensive gardens, grounds and accommodation. The college has over 7000 students. 2500 full time, studying Arboriculture, Agriculture, Motorsports, Mechanisation, Sports and Leisure, Golf, Landscape Design, Animal Care, Equine Studies, Horticulture, Sportsturf, Photography and Farriery/ Metalwork.

More to follow about our 2015 AGM & Members Weekend!

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“The 2015 YVA show at Newby Hall, between Boroughbridge and Ripon, North Yorks. will be held on 6.7th June and will feature Ferguson, Massey Ferguson and makes such as Massey Harris and Wallis who make up the history of MF. Particular emphasis will be on Ferguson implements. Lets make this a great gathering of Ferguson Club members and friends.

Contact Brian Pickering (01423 323177) or any of the YVA committee for further details”.

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from Enid & Richard Hunt. Ferguson Club Suffolk Branch Summer BBQ – Thursday 22nd May 2014.

We held our summer BBQ at Rookey Farm Drinkstone by kind permission of Mr&Mrs R&P Baker We had two trailer loads and a mini bus of members and guests one of the trailers was pulled by J Proctor lovely mark1 65 still on the same farm. We were treated to some lovely wildlife, birds singing and wild flowers. In meadows that had no fertilizer or spray on them and four breeds of cattle Belted Galloway,Long Horns, South Devons, and Red-Poll, all with calves. What a fantastic sight and the bulls, Mrs Baker even scratched one of their backs. To finish the evening, the BBQ. It was all supplied by Elmswell butchers. and the puddings supplied by the Proctor family. Stephen Proctor presented Mrs Baker with bouquet & Mr Baker with a bottle of wine on behalf of the club for the wonderfull evening on their land.

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………..and the following three events from Henry Pirie – Scotland

The NE Scotland branch of the Ferguson Club are very pleased to have a Ferguson Brown belonging to Brian & Neil Forbes as a regular visitor on the stand. It creates a lot of interest and lots of comments as they are a rather rare tractor

BA Stores Weekend Rally. 17/18th May.The weather was fine and the Club stand had a very busy day.

“Fergie Day” organised by Colin & Sylvia Pike on 11th May. A great day was had by all even though the weather was damp.

Pictures from 4th May successful Forres Rally

At the Goodwood Festival of Speed 0n 27th June Bonhams auctioned the 1966 Felday-BRM 4 Group 7 sports-racing prototype car, raced by Mac Daghorn, and also by twice Formula 1 World Champion, Jim Clark.

The car was built by Peter Westbury and Mac at Felday Engineering in Surrey. Peter Westbury was himself an accomplished circuit racer who had previously won the British Hill Cimb Championship using the ex Stirling Moss front engined four wheel drive Ferguson-Climax P99.

The remains of the Felday 4 car are now in a pretty neglected and incomplete state, but it is undoubtedly an iconic milestone in motor racing history and a major restoration challenge awaits someone, with a guide price of £5-7,000.

There are in fact two cars built by Felday and originally using the FF system in the auction, lots 306 & 307. Refer to these links for final prices:-

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21906/lot/306

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/21906/lot/307

Vintage Tractor Road Runs/Events

Two recent road runs have raised good sums of money for charities.

1. The Old Newton Tractor Road Run raised £210 for the fabulous MacMillan Care Nurses. Don Sapsford from Suffolk was the organiser and he wishes to thank all those that took part, despite the Cloud Burst!

2. The Chiltern Vintage Tractor Charity Run. 54 Vintage tractors of all makes took part. Many pulling trailers with family and friends. The whole day event was conducted mostly off road through some of the most picturesque scenery in England. A record breaking total of £4,395.97 was raised for the local Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance.

3. Ellon fire Station Open Day ; Gary Norrie organised this event in Aberdeenshire. The objective was to raise money for charity and amass a collection of vintage tractors from the local area. The Ferguson Club was a big supporter.

We managed to get from a 1939 Ford Ferguson 9N right the way up to a Massey Ferguson 6495. Going through the stage of TEA, TED, FE35, MF35, MF135,MF575
We had a fantastic turn out to our small town open day.
As always it is a great opportunity to fly the Ferguson Club Flag whilst on the small run through the town then followed by the parade.
I would like to thank my fellow member Henry Pire for helping on the day and Ellon Fire Station would like to thank the Ferguson Club for their very kind donation.
A few pictures follow of the event……

Tractor Bumble 2014

I am organising a sponsored tractor expedition, to commence on 9th August. Naming it, “Tractor Bumble 2014″, I plan to drive from John O’Groats to Lands End) via Essex, then to head for Dover, where I’ll head up through Scandinavia to Nordkapp..and witness the Aurora Borealis. Then to return via Finland and back to John O’Groats, via Lands End…!

I have personally funded the purchase of the tractor, a vintage 1972 Massey Ferguson 135, aka ‘Annie’ (without a cab!) and a 28ft caravan, ‘Michelle’!! I imagine the trip will take three/four months…my apologies to all those stuck behind me!!

Back in the heady days of the 1980’s, I was in Young Farmers in Colchester, Essex…and it was during those years, two of my YFC friends in Colchester began dating, leading to them getting married..and having two children, Emma and Tom. Sadly, after a year’s battle, Tom died from cancer last year, aged just 19yrs. Therefore, my charities are fighting teenage cancer, through the Tom Bowdidge Foundation…and also UNICEF.

I have a son, Alistair, who is blessed with good health, I can’t imagine what my friends have and are still going through.

My faithful Labrador, Amber, will be keeping me company, and will naturally draw additional interest. On more temperate and dry days, she’ll occupy a cage fixed behind me, the tractor driver, furthering the attraction and attention! The driver of the tractor won’t get the luxury of avoiding the varieties of weather, come rain, snow or shine!

I hope there will be great interest in this hair brained idea!! I have arranged livery for all the vehicles, and I’ll be delighted for all support!! The caravan will also act as my ‘mobile billboard’, promoting all those who are supporting me during this venture. I intend visiting as many promotional opportunities as I can, including shows en route, Young Farmers’ Clubs, caravan parks, popular tourist areas and tv and local/national radio..to name but a few. I have already featured on Daily Mail online (22nd July) and the interest will surely grow. I hope to raise £100,000…

And anyone wanting to join I me to do a spot of driving, will be made very welcome! There’s the tractor AND Land Rover that needs piloting!!

Thank you for taking the time to read this…

With kind regards,
Peter (Matheson)
0750 811 5901
peter.matheson63@gmail.com
Web: www.tractorbumble.com
Facebook page: Tractor Bumble 2014

The Vale of Glamorgan Show, Cowbridge (2014)

As I get older it seems the years go by that bit quicker. On 13 August I did the annual trip to Fonmon Castle for the Cowbridge Show. I arrived at 7.30am to find the Tractor Boys from Aberthin set up and bushy-tailed. Their site was large enough to hold upwards of 30 tractors and implements on show and the flower arrangements were even better than last year. There was a large number of T.20 and M/F tractors on the stand, some in their working clothes and others looking as if they had just come out of the factory.

The Ferguson Club decided not to erect a stand this year because the fee requested for the area needed was far too high. Of all the shows we attend, as well as other events, we are never asked to pay a fee and I feel we are part of the heritage of farming throughout the country.

They say that behind every good man there is a good woman and the Aberthin Boys have a very good group who work very hard in the background, so we had to drag them out for a team photograph – well done all.

I am a longstanding member of the Glamorgan Iron Horse Vintage Society, but I must admit I am not a very active member. Quite a number of their members are also members of the Ferguson Club. Their stand this year had been reduced in size but they put on a first class display.

One of our club members, Tom Thomas, was missing this year due to ill health. However, his very good friend, Mr I Barwick, aged 89 and who recently came out of hospital had his display of vintage brass items which seems to be growing year on year. The polishing of his collection must keep him very fit!

Basil George (Ferguson Club Rep. Wales (South)

Ferguson Club at Scone Palace – 13/14th September 2014

Here is some photos from a recent rally at Scone Palace. The Ferguson Club stand was nearly filled to capacity with tractors ranging from a Ferguson Brown to a
MF135 plus a range of implements. The Club was delighted to welcome Philippa with her pink & gold TE-F & her friend Shane with his Ford 2N. Another very pleasant surprise was a visit, completely out of the blue, of our esteemed Chairman Brian Pickering & his “guardian angel” Jo Pickering our Membership Secretary.

The Ferguson Club won a trophy for “Best Stand”

The Ferguson Club European T.20 Ploughing Championship 2014

On Sunday 14 September, the second European T.20 Tractor and GP Plough Championship was held at Tyn y Caeau Farm, Marcross, Vale of Glamorgan by kind permission of John Evans and family.

Weather conditions were perfect, albeit that the top 3” of the field were as dry as a bone. However, all the ploughs handled the conditions first class.

Seventeen entries were submitted from across Wales and the southern parts of England for the draw. However, two entries pulled out before the event and so 15 competitors took part on the day.

The two judges were David Bowyer (Devon) and Bill Isaac (Wilts) and the results of the championship were:

Champion – for the second year: Keith Williams (Hereford), 2nd Will John (Pembs), 3rd John S Evans (Pembs), 4th Graham L Jones (Flint), 5th Roy Jury (Devon)

International Team Wales: Will John (Pembs), John S Evans (Pembs)

Best Junior & Winner of the Ian Ferguson Shield: Sam Ritchie (Powys)

Highest Scoring Welshman: Will John (Pembs)

Best turned out T.20 Ferguson & Plough: Basil George (Glam)

Peterhead Rotary Club Charity Ploughing Match

On Saturday the 18th. October a few of our Club members attended the annual charity ploughing match organized by the Peterhead Rotary Club. After a wet and windy morning it turned out a lovely sunny day. Three of our members featured in the prize list by doing a great job, they were, Douglas Scott, Bob Milne and Bob Shepherd.

Cheers, Henry Pirie.

The East Anglia Ploughing Championship.

The weekend of 4^th and 5^th October was The East Anglia Ploughing Match Championship. On Saturday morning the weather was lovely, but then the heavens opened, 10mls was deposited! Fortunately Sunday was fine and very sunny, the ground dried up and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day, producing some very fine work. The event was held at Hall Farm Fornham St Martin, Bury St Edmund by kind permission of Mr Andrew Long and organised by club members Henry Castle and Don Sapsford.

In all 65 vintage and classic tractors took part, including members of the Ford Fordson Association and 6 lady drivers. Each tractor driver received a plaque kindly sponsored by Silver Fox Tractor Spares. Thanks were given to the 4 Society of Ploughmen judges who awarded points for each ploughed area. The results were:-

Lady champion. Carole Cage, 2nd. Gemma Arbon and 3rd. Diane Buddle.

Ferguson champion. Jim Mawer, 2^nd. Richard Daff and 3^rd. Steve Arbon.

Open Class. 1st. Richard Parrott, 2^nd. Bob Callaby and 3^rd. David Curtis.

Best tractor and plough. Sarah Tween.

£450 was sent to The East Anglian Air Ambulance

Next year this event will be held on the 3^rd and 4^th October 2015 when it will assume the mantle of The Ferguson TE20 European Championship, an event previously so ably run by Basil George.

Pictures show a 1937 McCormick Deering whose driver ploughed happily all day!

Henry Castle presenting Sarah Tween with the shield for the best turned out Tractor and Plough. Her M-F 35X was restored in memory of her granddad.

Proceedings were being observed by aliens!

Newark Show November 2014

The Ferguson Club once again had a successful and enjoyable time at the recent Newark Vintage Show.

There were tractors and implements on the stand from Ireland, Essex, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire, along with Club Merchandise.

Two of the tractors and a plough were awarded trophies as follow:

John McGann, from Ireland, won The Best Massey Ferguson 135 in Show- a new trophy for 2014 presented by The Ferguson Club;

Mark Andrew won the Swindells Trophy for Best Ferguson TE20 Continental;

Mick Webster was awarded The Best Ferguson Implement in Show.

There was a steady flow of members and visitors to the stand over the two days. John Jeffries and his team ensured our ‘Friendly Club’ ethos was followed by offering a warm welcome, tea and biscuits, advice and a good old fashioned natter.

We are already looking forward to next year’s show and hope you will be there too.

A Book by Ferguson Enthusiast and Club Rep. Mike Thorne

Ferguson Club members can order from Mike Thorne at £30 per book including postage. Please contact Mike directly on 01769-540233 and he will send you the book directly….

This book is a real gem detailing all aspects of the MF35 and MF65. From MH and Ferguson origins all the way through to the implements and accessories plus special variants. The famous MF detailed literature is also included specific to these tractors. Written in Mike Thorne’s relaxed but professional and informative style. Those of us who have read Mike’s TE20 in detail will enjoy this follow on publication, the similarities of these more advanced tractors to the TE20 are featured throughout.

Ferguson club member and long time employee of Ferguson/MF – Bob Dickman – has a section in the book towards the end which also makes lovely reading.

Tough Ferguson Club Members

The following three pictures show Fergie Club stalwarts hard at it on Saturday 14th December 2013 at a ploughing match at Udny, north of Aberdeen, It was a very cold day, blowing a gale, & then the rain came on later. The drivers are, Charlie McDonald, Douglas Scott & Bob Shepherd.

Cumbrian pensioner successfully led vintage tractors across notorious Morecambe Bay
for Diabetes UK

The first ever convoy of vintage Massey Ferguson tractors will crossed the hazardous sands of Morecambe Bay, between Cumbria and Lancashire, to raise money for Diabetes UK this Summer.

Bob Dickman, 81, from Bampton, Cumbria organised and led the seventeen mile return drive. Mr Dickman himself drove will a 1954 fully reconditioned, Grey Ferguson TEF 20 tractor.

He said: “A similar crossing was successfully undertaken by Land Rovers some years ago, but this was the first time such a crossing was undertaken by tractors. Massey Ferguson is a massive part of Cumbria’s heritage, the tractors were enormously popular from the 1950s onwards, and are still in use today, plus Massey Ferguson is part of my own, personal history, I worked for the company for over 40 years.”

A huge amount of money was raised – £5,554.10 for Diabetes UK.

Money raised from the convoy will go to a Diabetes UK, Type 1 diabetes research project conducted by Kings College, London. The cheque will be presented on the 18th December to Professor Peter Jones from Kings College.

Tractor Run raising Money for Alzheimers

My name is Michael Fishwick, self-employed engineer from Marple.

My Ferguson T20 tractor was acquired by my late father in the late 70’s. The engine was seized up and incomplete, the front smashed in, the mudguards and one back wheel rim were rotten. Also, the front tyres were badly ripped so, all in all, the tractor was in a bit of a state.

My father had intended ‘doing it up’ but the Fergie was left outside under a sheet for a few years and then pushed into the back of a shed where it stayed. In the meantime, my father was getting older and then Dementia set in and he died in 2008.

Over the years I have restored one or two vintage vehicles and a 1914 motorcycle. Last year I didn’t have a project on, so decided it would be nice to do up the old Fergie. With the help of my friend Martin it was extracted from the depths of the shed. I had in my possession a 3 cylinder Perkins engine out of a generator, so I measured it up and decided it would fit in the Fergie, making it more economical to run.

I decided to do a sponsored run in the tractor from John O’Groats to Land’s End in memory of my father and on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Research UK, so major renovations were required. I fabricated a new engine backplate and flywheel housing, and a front engine mounting. The Perkins is a taller engine than the original, so the bonnet needed raising. I made two extra strips and fitted them one each side along the bonnet. An extra panel was made and inserted between the bonnet top and the dash, and the grill was extended to meet the higher top panel.

Next a new stainless exhaust was made, a pair of foot plates and some new rear lights incorporating flashers and stop lights. Father Christmas brought me a new seat cushion and a tool box.

Contact details for the charity run are: Kate Jelen via email: katejelen@hotmail.com or by phone: 01457 857089. To donate to Alzheimer’s Research UK, you can go to the Just Giving site via the ‘Donate’ box on the left or contact Kate.

Click here for full details….

Rally held at Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire

Rally held at Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire on the 4th. August. One picture is a general view of the very busy stand, the other two are of Ferguson Clubs young member, Gary Norrie, who had a very successful day and who deservedly came away with two awards,one of them being the much coveted “Bob Lindsay” Cup pictured here being presented by Gladys Lindsay.

Thanks to all those that supported the Ferguson Club – Henry Pirie.

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Fraserburgh Rally – Sunday 2nd June 2013

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Fraserburgh Vintage Rally Report by Henry Pirie

First picture is a general view of our very busy stand & the other is of Gladys collecting the trophy for the “Best Stand” at the show, ably assisted by Emma, her granddaughter, who is a junior member.

Over the last few years we have been nominated for a similar award from quite a few rally’s, which is entirely due to our members making the stand such a welcoming place,

Forres Rally – 5th May

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Forres Rally report by Henry Pirie; Pictures taken at our first rally of the season at Forres. It was quite a nice day with lots of sunshine but very windy, and at one stage the tent almost blew away before we got it anchored to some vehicles! The stand was very busy all day, both at the merchandise table and the tea table, and also answering the many questions we get fired at us!

2013 Annual Members Weekend and AGM

May I on behalf of my team here in Gwent & South Wales,extend a very heartfelt Thank You to all the members of The Ferguson Club who travelled from all parts of The British Isles to attend our weekend.

We hope we put on a varied programme for you and that you all enjoyed yourselves,it was nice to meet up with members from far away who are very loyal to our club and travel and support our members weekend and I thank you for your friendship and the thanks you gave at the end of the weekend.

It would be amiss of me if I didn’t mention The Tractor Boys from Aberthin who not only took the time to take tractors to St Fagans on Saturday but also provided some light refreshments for us,most of these guys are our Club members as well.Thank You.

Our Area Rep from The Vale of Glamorgan,Basil George who got involved at the start when I said we would host the members weekend for all the organising at St Fagans and his generous sponsorship of the Coaches for members travel on Saturday.Thank You.

And my team here,without their support and help it would have made my job a lot harder.Thank You.

Area Representative for Gwent & East Wales.

Peter Aston

Brook Farm.Bishton.Newport.Gwent.NP18 2DZ

Telephones:-01633-412780.Mobile;-07770762602.email:-paston@btinternet.com

Tractor World 2/3 March – Malvern 2013 / Ferguson Club Stand

The Ferguson Club win best Club Stand – a marvellous display was put on replicating the AIRFIX Ferguson Tractor Kit – the first Airfix kit made in the World! …..see pictures below….. full thanks go to all those that took part ; especially Gary and Wendy Downes Ferguson Club Reps. There was great teamwork on display and the judges selected the Ferguson Club stand as the best at the show.

Tractor World2013-Rhys and Lewis Kedward receive award for best Ferguson junior members.

Harold Beer –Close friend of the Ferguson Club

It is with great sadness that we report the passing away of Harold Beer

Harold Beer

21st March 7th 1947 – 26th January 2013

Harold Beer, family man, farmer and Ferguson enthusiast who worked his Fergies with their implements on the family farm, Great Shortridge in North Devon.

Harold’s fondness for all things Ferguson was formed when, as a young boy, his mother insisted that his father replace their tired old horse with a TEA 20. Loyalty to that marque was retained throughout his life. As the family worked hard to extend their business, additional Ferguson and MF equipment was bought in. To expand their acreage they bought Great Shortridge Farm in 1967.

His wife Eileen and their daughters Jean and Gemma, who also shared Harold’s passion for all things Ferguson, actively supported what Harold and his two brothers were working towards.

Harold had been a long time member of The Ferguson Club, their North Devon representative as well as being Club Chairman. (Vice Chairman 2000, Chairman 2002/4)

It was in the year 2000 that Old Pond Publishing were looking for a location where they could produce a series of DVDs featuring Ferguson tractors, and most of the range of implements, under real working conditions. It was suggested that they contact Harold who had a huge collection of Ferguson equipment. This was the genesis of the series they produced, ‘Ferguson on the Farm’ parts 1, 2 and 3. The amount of work and dedication that Harold put into this project, single handed, is abundantly clear in the quality of what was achieved in this series. This is validated by the very successful sales worldwide. As a result of the popularity of these DVDs, a much wider audience knew Harold.

Harold was diagnosed with prostate cancer about seven years ago. When he told me of his condition he said ‘I have a health problem that is not going to go away’. He bravely and positively continued his life with that knowledge, supported by Eileen, Jean and Gemma.

Harold’s funeral was held on Sunday 10th February at Umberleigh Christian Fellowship. He was taken to the Church using his original TE20 tractor and 30cwt trailer.

300+ people attended showing how highly hewas held intheir esteem. There was a good turnout of Ferguson Club members. One member said it was very moving and interesting. The pallbearers wore Massey-Ferguson boilersuits, which were donated by Massey Ferguson. Harold was finally laid to rest overlooking his beloved farm.

Donations in Harold’s memory were divided between The North Devon Hospice, North Devon District Hospital Chemotherapy Unit Appeal and Prostate Cancer UK.

Eileen, Jean and Gemma would like to thank all the Ferguson Club members who attended Harold’s funeral and they are sorry they did not manage to speak to everyone. ‘We really appreciate their support and the messages we received, as well’.

Mike Thorne, who wrote this obituary, adds the following.

On a personal level I have known Harold for 33 years, firstly as a customer for farm buildings and latterly sharing a common interest in collecting Ferguson machinery. A kind friend and

neighbour – a true gentle man in every sense of the term.