Club News

Introducing the Ferguson Club Members Area

Introducing the Ferguson Club Members Area

From Journal 105, the Summer 2023 issue of the Ferguson Club Journal, we will be launching a new password protected Ferguson Club Members Area on the website. The purpose is to add value for subscribed Club Members.

Included in the Members Area will be the new Technical Team articles now appearing in the club journal, and other technical articles, and content restricted to club members.

An updated Members Area password will be published in each new journal. Once the password has been entered to Login to the Members Area, the password will be remembered by your web browser in a Cookie, until a new password is published in the next issue of the club journal. The new password will be implemented on the website around the middle of the month, when all journal recipients should have received their new journal, including overseas subscribers.

If you have any suggestions about what might be password protected content for club members, please contact us at website@fergusonclub.com


Looking for News

We are always looking for News….

If you have any Ferguson related news stories or you require sales or wanted adverts placing on the website (free to Club members); please contact the Web Site Co-ordinator, Gary Anderson on e-mail :  website@fergusonclub.com

For any “General Club” queries or questions please use this e-mail address:- info@fergusonclub.com


Ferguson Information Exchange Forum

Ferguson Information Exchange Forum

The Forum was introduced to the Ferguson Club website in May 2021.  It recently came to our notice that many requests to register on the Forum had not received an Activation email, due to an incompatibility between the Forum software and the website software.

This has now been corrected and any members who would like to register or re-register to use the forum are invited to join.

Do visit and see what is already online by visiting the ‘Information Exchange Forum’ on the Ferguson Club website menu.

Apologies to any members whose registration could not be activated due to the missing emails.


New Book ; Tractors in my Life – Mike Thorne

New Book ; Tractors in my Life – Mike Thorne

A review of Mike Thorne’s new book ‘The Tractors in my Life’  Jonathan Parkes

John Selley contacted me and asked me if I knew anyone who would be willing to write a review on Mike Thorne’s new book The Tractors in my Life. As I had read Mike’s three previous books that he has had published, I thought that I would have a go.

The Tractors in my Life is a hardback book of 150 pages. Mike starts the book with some twenty pages of autobio­graphical material. Covering his family life and school days, through to his early farming career and then on to his fabrication work and how he set up his Coldridge Collection and finally his book writing. This section of Mike’s book is fascinating, showing his determination and good humour through­out. It is always good to know the background to an author and Mike puts his story across very we]].

Fo]]owing on from this, Mike writes about all the tractors that he had acquired, having made extensive records right from the beginning on each one that was purchased. Originally, not all of his tractors

were Ferguson and Massey Ferguson, there are many makes and models from John Deere’s to Mercury Tug Tractors and a Lister Gold Star to name just a few. All of them have detailed descriptions, from whom and where he purchased them from, renovating and restoring them to selling them to make way for the Coldridge Collection to be Ferguson and Massey Ferguson orientated.

All the tractors listed in Mike’s book would be worthy prize winners at any tractor show due to the detail and meticulous restoration that they been subjected to under Mike’s ownership.

The final part of Mike’s book reflects on the unique buildings that homes his ex­tensive collection of tractors and artefacts.

Similar to Mike’s previous three books, his latest publication is an excellent one. Although very detailed and informative, Mike’s writing style makes it a very easy read, as his light hearted humour and having a tale to tell about each tractor and event in his life makes this book an excellent read.

Jonathan Parkes, published in Journal 104, Spring 2023

Read more about Mike Thorne’s Coldridge Collection:‘Tractors in the Coldridge Collection’


David Brown Tractor Museum Opens

David Brown Tractor Club’s opens its new museum at Meltham Mills

The David Brown Tractor Club (DBTC) has gone home: After several years of searching for a more suitable building to house its museum collection, the club has relocated to Meltham Mills – the spiritual home of David Brown tractor production from 1939 to 1988.

The previous premises at nearby Spinksmire Mill had become in need of some refurbishment and the landlords could offer no guarantee as to its future. The opportunity arose to lease an industrial unit at Meltham Mills. Fittingly, the unit is J Block adjoining the former assembly building where production of David Brown tractors began in the latter part of 1939.

“The move has enabled us to host more events in-house,” explains DBTC secretary, Roger Brereton. “We now have all the facilities we need within our own building: a tractor display area, an excellent shop area, kitchen, archive room, large meeting/dining area and ladies and gents’ facilities; all heated.”

The windows of the unit afford views across the former tractor plant due to its elevated position at the top of the factory access throughfare, which was always known as the ‘Burma Road.’ Externally, the club has its own gated drive that sweeps down to the entrance with ample car parking and garden areas, again with superb views over the site. One of the museum exhibits, a Ferguson Type A, serves as a reminder that David Brown was responsible fore inaugurating Ferguson production.

The museum was officially opened by TV’s Sarah Crabtree at 10 am on Sunday 22 May with a huge crowd in attendance. The venue will be open on the club’s monthly open days and events (see www.dbtc.co.uk for details) or by special arrangement for tractor and car clubs and other associations to visit when refreshments can be arranged. Contact Roger at secretary@dbtc.co.uk for details.


Two Mototugs!

Two Ford Ferguson Mototugs!

Harry Ferguson would be amazed if he knew that two of the Ford Ferguson 9N tractors he converted for military use in 1942 were being driven on an operational RAF airfield in 2022. The RAF Cosford Airshow 2022 had a vintage village and were after items of interest for the static displays. Julie Browning and Gary Anderson provided their beautiful Mototugs for the occasion. Pictures attached….

 

 

When the USA came into the war they needed some aircraft tugs to primarily use on their aircraft carriers in the Pacific theatre. Ford Ferguson converted a number of their 9N tractors for this very use. Some were also used on military airfields. Many were abandoned or scrapped after the war as their use in agriculture was limited as they had no hydraulics. A very small handful remain in the World to their original specification.

These two Mototugs are both very original. One is from the Ferguson Hunday Collection and the other from the Top Gun Airfield  – Miramar in California.

 

 


Vintage for Victory

Vintage for Victory

I came across this vintage show while looking for shows to go to this year with my tractor. After making inquiries, my 1949 (just inside the 40s) Ferguson TED was accepted, I was glad of this, as it was agreed to place it alongside the Spitfire, which for a long time I have wanted the chance to get a photo with one.

On investigating whether Spitfires actual carried bombs and found out that they did I went about turning my tractor into a RAF Tractor and building a bomb trailer to go behind my tractor, it must have looked good as the bombs fooled quite a few into thinking they were real.

I would like to thank the organisers for putting on such a well organised and friendly show.  

Bob Atter, Wiltshire


MND Charity Ride : 4th June 2023

Charity John O’Groats to Lands End TED tractor run for MND – 4th June 2023

Well folks… the time has come for me to let the cat out of the bag so to speak.

After losing our mum in 2007 on her sixtieth birthday to Motor Neurone Disease, I vowed back then that I would try to do something for the charity which offer so much support for those going through the distress of living with this debilitating and cruel disease, and of course the families who have to helplessly watch their loved ones deteriorate.

Many of you are aware that I am still searching for our late grandads Ferguson TED20 tractor, which I first learned to drive at an age of about three sitting on his knee, and that I have fully restored my very own Ferguson TED20 tractor and plough over the last two years.

So without further ado, lets get to it.😃😁…..I will be raising money and awareness for Motor Neurone Disease by driving my restored Ferguson TED20 tractor from John O’Groats to Lands End.

This is a massive task to undertake by any means, but especially hard for a tractor that will be seventy four years old. It’s a big ask of my family and friends who will be joining me, and supporting me along the journey. Setting out from John O` Groats at midday on the 4th June 2023, the journey will take approximately twelve days to complete, covering over a thousand miles. The journey is one that needs a lot of preparation and planning so this is why I am starting now and will of course be updating you all with the progress as it happens. I have full backing from the MND Association and MND Scotland and a link to the justgiving page is below. Thank you.  Pete 😃

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the-little-grey-fergie-challenge