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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.
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.
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
Lost and Found and Stolen posts are now listed under the
‘Lost & Found & Stolen’ sub-menu of ‘For Sale & Wanted’
MERCHANDISE CO-ORDINATOR REQUIRED.
The position of Merchandise Co-ordinator has become available for the Club. The person involved would become a member of the Club’s committee, would be responsible for ordering new stock, selling the Club’s merchandise on-line and by telephone to members and would also be responsible for distributing merchandise to a limited number of area reps for selling on at shows. If you think that you would like to take up this position then please contact our chairman, Kevin Britton or our vice-chairman John Jeffries.
We are sad to announce that Brian Whitlock, a good friend of the Club, recently passed away. He was very well know especially to our SW England members. Brian’s funeral will be at St Margaret’s Church in Tintinhull, Somerset on Thursday 30th June at 2pm.
Journal dates: these are copy deadline dates for articles to be submitted to our editor Tim Hanson at: editor@fergusonclub.com ; Autumn 2021.1st October. ; Winter 2022. (100th Journal) 1st January. ; Spring 2022.1st April. ; Summer 2022.1st July. ; Autumn 2022.1st October. Winter 2023. 1st January ; etc….
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 Neurones 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 next year (2023) 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 which 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
During the snow season please forward any good photos to chairman@fergusonclub.com ; the Committee will pick the best for Ferguson Club Christmas cards. We can then display the rest in the Club’s very popular photo galleries.
Thank you
