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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’
An interesting documentary has been made focussing on the Ferguson versus Ford issues after Henry Ford died. Here is a link to the promo….now generally available on BBC iPlayer – link below
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’
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 was held at St Margaret’s Church in Tintinhull, Somerset on Thursday 30th June 2022.
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