Peter Warr was the inspiration and curator of the Ferguson Family Museum from the late nineties until COVID made its appearance. It was in this role that I first met Peter in 2008. I already had a couple of Grey Fergies and was keen to learn more about the Ferguson System and the engineering behind this successful business.
Meeting Peter was a truly amazing experience. His passion and knowledge about Harry Ferguson and his engineering prowess was second to none. At that 2008 meeting, I learnt that Peter had worked directly for Mr Ferguson at his home in Abbotswood from when he was 18 in 1950, up until the day the great man passed away in 1960.
The Ferguson Family Museum that Peter put together with the support of Jamie Sheldon (Harry Ferguson’s grandson and Ferguson Club President), represented a real slice of what Ferguson was all about. Peter provided me and my family a full guided tour of what was on display. It was evident that Peter still had a huge respect
for Mr Ferguson and those 10 years of direct employment working closely with him at Abbotswood, were some of the happiest times of his life.
The 2010 Ferguson Club Annual Members weekend and AGM was held at Brooklands Museum. Peter and his wife Ann attended with Harry Ferguson’s grandchildren, Jamie, Sally Fleming, and Caroline Sheldon (Blest). What was so special about this day, was Peter and the family were able to give us an insight into the personal memories of the man, Harry Ferguson.
Peter was often in communication with Mike Thorne about all things Ferguson. It was enjoyable just being on the periphery of a lot of these discussions. Sadly, we have recently lost both Mike and Peter. Mike’s books and The Coldridge Collection are his legacy. Peter leaves the Ferguson Family Museum, open to view on the Isle of Wight on request, see the website for details. As members of The Ferguson Club will be aware, there is also a book coming out later this year (2024) recording many of Peter’s memories of working with Mr Ferguson. (Peter only ever referred to Harry Ferguson as Mr Ferguson).
I was at Peter’s funeral on 28th May 2024 and it was an honour to be asked by Peter’s wife Ann, to read out a few words on behalf of The Ferguson Club in memory of Peter. A truly remarkable man.
Gary Anderson: published in Journal 110, Autumn 2024
The files for the late Peter Warr’s memoir, Harry Ferguson, the Man, the Machines, the Memories have been sent off for printing and, if all goes according to schedule, the book should be on sale well before the next edition of the Journal, in good time (and I can’t believe I’m writing this in late June!) for you to add it to your Christmas list. Matador Publishing, the service we’re using to print and distribute the book will make it available for sale through all the usual retail outlets, including Amazon and also through Matador’s own website. We recommend that you buy it through Matador’s website, as the Club, which is funding the publication will make more money out of each sale that way.The book has many previously unseen pictures and is priced at £14.99.
Bill Munro: published in Journal 110, Autumn 2024
