The BBC have made a series of programmes detailing Harry Ferguson’s amazing exploits over 116 years ago. Harry designed, built and flew the first aircraft in Ireland.
The programmes show a team re-creating the aircraft to a similar design. They then go on to get the aircraft in the air to re-create the short flight Harry Ferguson bravely accomplished all those years ago.
On Sunday 15th May The Ferguson Club organised the 10th Chiltern Tractor run. The majority of the run was “off road” and 70 tractors took part of all vintage makes.
It was a full day run with bacon butties to start – a comprehensive BBQ lunch at Wycombe Air Park and cakes to end after 26 miles. The Thames Valley Air Ambulance charity was the recipient of the monies raised. The helicopter even managed to fly in and land to meet the tractor drivers and their families over lunch.
The final total of all money raised from the event, to include raffle, food takings, sponsorship, donations came to £6,598.88 ! This is a truly amazing amount of money from this one event. It has broken all records for the event, now in it’s 10th year.
On Sunday 10 July 2016, 48 vintage and classic tractors took part in a road run to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The fifth annual Mid Suffolk Tractor road run was organised by Ferguson Club member Don Sapsford.There were examples of Ferguson TEAs,
TEDs,TEFs and aTEP yellow industrial tractor. Massey Fergusons were35s 35xs,65s.135s,and a 165. Tractor drivers came from Suffolk,Norfolk,Essex,and Cambridge and were given a small plaque as a reminder of the day. There were larger wooden plaques for the furthest driven tractor driver and the best “ex farm tractor in original condition” The convoy set off from a local country park and travelled through local villages before stopping at a pub for an excellent snack lunch. On route many people waved from their gardens and local cars were happy to move over to allow the convey to get through the narrow country lanes.
The event cost £10 per tractor to enter with further funds coming from a raffle,prizes given by local businesses and the general public . In all £1,245 was raised for the Macmillan Cancer
Support.
A very enjoyable day with everyone arriving back at the park with a smile on their face!
Henry Castle.
This National Tractor Run was undertaken as an event to commemorate the name of Harry Ferguson and his production of the Ferguson T.20 in 1946, and also the 30th anniversary of The Ferguson Club, which had been formed in the memory of Harry Ferguson and his “little grey Fergy”.
Having been given the task of running this event, I have done so to the best of my ability. I would like to sincerely thank all those who have taken part in the event – both individually and by organising tractor runs in your areas – in most cases with great success.
When I came up with the idea of a national tractor run my intention was to raise the profile of the Ferguson Club, with Club members contributing by either entering their tractors in a run or giving a donation towards the charity. With the support of Macmillan Cancer Support there was wide-spread media coverage, including local press and also a couple of TV slots regarding the Ferguson Club.
The total amount raised for Macmillan Cancer Support is £3,844.80, with the total number of tractors taking part across the UK being 279. An entry fee for each tractor was £10.00, with the balance being made up of donations from individuals. A cheque for the amount raised will be presented to the Macmillan Cancer Support charity at a time and place agreed between the Officers of the Club and the Macmillan charity.
From 1 July those wishing to have a certificate may download one, signed by the Chairman, from the Club website.
Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank my daughter Beverley for doing all the paperwork and computer work, and for being on-call 24/7. Also my daughter Valerie who, along with her friend, works hard raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support and acted as the go-between with Macmillan HQ.
Basil George, 30th June 2016
Please click on the link below for the Certificate……
Coventry: Friday 15 April to Sunday 17 April 2016
Gary Downes – HSW Representative – 01568 613088
A very successful 2016 weekend took place. The new Committee was voted in (see contacts page)
Tours of the Coventry Transport Museum, Coventry Cathedrals, and British Motor Museum (Gaydon) were all part of a very friendly and fun few days.
Introduction from Alan Dunderdale, our Commercial Advertising Manager.
Our club has a membership of 1500 and each receive 3 copies annually of our Journal. The vast majority of our members are actively engaged in tractor restoration, including the very many implements which Harry Ferguson designed and manufactured. Our new advertising rates are shown below and is self explanatory. We have included costs for colour, should you consider that without it your advert may not “catch the eye”, as it were,but in the main most of our current adverts are “Black & White”. Please consider our new rates and if you are interested in advertising please contact me (details below). It is worth noting that a considerable number of our members and friends support our advertising very well, and our executive committee actively encourage them to do so.
I look forward to your valued instructions, and hopefully we can proceed with your advertising requirements in our next journal. Very many thanks for taking the time to consider this matter, and I can assure you of my very best attention to your reply.
Alan Dunderdale – Commercial Advertising Manager.
Please e-mail ; adunderdale@btinternet.com
or call Mobile number ; 07801 195603
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SIZE OF ADVERT
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PER COPY
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3 COPIES (over 12 Months)
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1/4 PAGE Black & White |
£20
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£50
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1/2 PAGE Black & White |
£40
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£100
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FULL PAGE Black & White |
£60
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£150
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COLOUR FULL PAGE ONLY Inside cover-front or back Outside cover-Back |
£350
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£900
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A beautiful sunny morning, a fantastic venue and good organisation can only mean one thing, the Annual Ploughing Match of The Ferguson Club in East Anglia.
By kind permission of Mr Andrew Long of Hall Farm, Bury St Edmunds this event took place on Sunday 4th October and as usual was well organised by Henry Castle and Don Sapsford. Some 40 vintage and classic tractors took part, including members of the Ford and Fordson Association. The competition was judged by three judges from The Society of Ploughmen whom we thank sincerely. All ploughmen received a plaque sponsored by Silver Fox Tractor Spares and a donation of £100 was sent to The East Anglian Air Ambulance.
The results were:-
Lady Champion. Sarah Tween, second Gemma Arbon.
Ferguson Champion. Richard Welham, second Jim Mawer.
Novice Ferguson. Dick Burch.
Classic Mounted Ferguson. Don Sapsford, second Stephen Proctor
Vintage Mounted Ferguson. Brian Upchurch, second Malcolm Self.
Best Tractor and Plough. Peter Rudling.
Guest Champion. Max Cherry. FFA.
Peter Aston (Club Vice Chairman) recently loaned his tractor for The Shaun in the City trail run for Bristol Childrens Hospital. It had press coverage and Television coverage providing excellent PR for our Club and raising money for a very worthwhile cause.
Further details below…
Clifton Suspension Bridge carried a different kind of heavy load this morning as a series of giant sculptures of the legendary Aardman AnimationsÕ creation Shaun the Sheep arrived in the cityÉ on a tractor, driven by Wallace and Gromit creator, Nick Park.
Clifton Suspension Bridge carried a different kind of heavy load this morning as a series of giant sculptures of the legendary Aardman AnimationsÕ creation Shaun the Sheep arrived in the cityÉ on a tractor, driven by Wallace and Gromit creator, Nick Park.
Wallace & Gromit’s Children’s Foundation. Charity no. 1043603
Shaun the Sheep & Shaun in the City ©& ™ Aardman Animations Ltd 2015
He managed the trip in 4 days, so arrived at Brymore Academy on the Thursday. He broke down in Gloucestershire having filled up with what appeared to be dirty diesel. So he had to remove the fuel tank and have it flushed out, replace filters etc. but was soon on his way again.
He drove his trusty Massey Ferguson 35 back up the drive to Brymore’s Open Day on Saturday 27th. June followed by several of his friends driving their own tractors.
The last we heard he had raised over £6,000 for Papyrus, which was excellent and I believe monies were still rolling in.
Letter from: Rex Eastment
Secretary Brymore Old Boys Association
I am secretary of the Old Boys Association of Brymore Academy, which is and Agriculture/Horticulture biased school in Cannington Somerset. The school takes boys from the age of 11 or 13 and teaches them academic subjects plus Agriculture, Horticulture, Woodwork, Metalwork and ITC skills.
Sadly last year one of its popular students, who had only just left the Academy, took his own life. As you can imagine, this had a dramatic effect on those who knew him and one of his best friends, who lives in Biggleswade in Bedfordshire has decided to support the Charity – PAPYRUS, by doing a Tractor Run from the family farm to Brymore, some 200 miles. He hopes to start his run on the 20th. June and hopes to complete his run to coincide with the Academy’s Open Day on June 27th. He will be accompanied along the later part of his journey by several ‘Old Boys’ and their tractors. We wish him well with his journey on his MF 35 tractor, which I gather from his Father was bought new and has remained well used and cared for on the farm.
I am writing to you to ask if you could publicise this event on your Owners website and also ask if any of your Massey Ferguson Owners could support him on his journey? We are hopeful, that as a well maintained tractor it will make the journey without any problems, but it would be good to know that if he did run into difficulties, that perhaps some of your members may be able to help him?
I have attached a copy of the Tractor Run leaflet, which explains its aims (see link below).
If you are able to assist in any way please contact his Father Ian Rook either by email or phone:
fgrook@btinternet.com
01462 812204 or mobile 07771 575171
Thank you in anticipation that you may be able to assist/promote Richard and his worthy cause.
Best wishes
Rex Eastment
Secretary Brymore Old Boys Association
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
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!
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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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:-
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……
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
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)
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”
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)
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 weekend of 4th and 5th 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, 2nd. Richard Daff and 3rd. Steve Arbon.
Open Class. 1st. Richard Parrott, 2nd. Bob Callaby and 3rd. 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 3rd and 4th 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!
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.
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.