Record entries for Newark’s tractor show
The 5th Newark & Nottinghamshire Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show (10 – 11 November) will see record entries of over 400 vintage tractors and more than 40 Land Rover exhibits from Series 1, 2 and 3.
Among the entries will be a unique tractor not exhibited in public before – a 1927 Case Cross Motor built in Canada and used for arable farming on the prairies. Lovingly restored last year, the Cross Motor belongs to Jeffrey Goodfellow of Cheshire. The show organisers are delighted that Jeffrey has chosen their event to show this rarity off in public for the first time.
The mass of entries has resulted in the show organisers ordering another marquee of 1,000 square metres, due to house exhibits and trade stands, and also to open up the John Hollingworth Halls, such has been demand.
Main attraction in the Lady Eastwood Pavilion will be the Nuffield Leyland tractors; celebrating the 60th anniversary of these much admired machines. Other vintage tractors on display in the new marquee will include Fordson Dextas, celebrating 50 years.
Nearby in the superb George Stephenson Exhibition Hall will be a unique display; an array of nominated show winning tractors, representing outstanding examples of their kind - from Titans to Browns, Fergusons to Olivers - all will be there.
A host of trophies, many of them new this year, will be presented at the pre-dinner prize giving on Saturday night in the Cedric Ford Pavilion. NFU Mutual has generously donated a trophy for the Best Overall Exhibit for Land Rovers and there will be a certificate for the best in each of series 1,2 and 3.
The Ferguson Club will be donating two new trophies – for the Best Grey Ferguson TE20 in Show and the Best Ferguson Implement in Show – while horticultural exhibits have their own new award for Best in Show, kindly donated by the Vintage Horticultural & Garden Machinery Club.
But it's not just tractors and implements that will catch the eye – in excess of 60 trade stands, including Border Fine Arts with its many model depictions of farming in days gone by, and several craft stalls will entice visitors.
For those who can remember catching a bus to school, there is the popular Gash's Newark bus, now owned by Johnson's of Worksop, thanks to its owner and company Managing Director, Lee Johnson. The bus is familiar to many in and around Newark and visitors will be able to enjoy a free ride around the showground.
More memorabilia can be found in the Art Exhibition organised by Max Neale, assisted by artist Robin Wheldon. Close by films from the British Agricultural Film Archive will be on show.
On the Saturday, the familiar auction of memorabilia, spares and treasures will take place opposite the George Stephenson and Lady Eastwood halls, led by popular auctioneer Ken Pritchard from Brown & Co in Brigg, near Louth.
Sunday sees the Remembrance Service taking place at 11 o'clock, complete with bugler, followed by a curry in the President's Suite or a carvery lunch in the pavilion.
Food is an integral part of the Vintage Tractor Show, keeping hungry visitors and exhibitors on the go. The Cedric Ford Pavilion will be catering for exhibitors from Friday evening when hot meals will be available, full English Breakfasts will be served up on both days and, of course, the carvery lunch on Sunday. Other food outlets, including Kate's Tea Room with its china cups, will be on site providing a whole range of eating choices.
Despite exhibits being at a record high, the organisers are able to take late entries for the show, although these will not be catalogued and exhibits will now have to be outside. Entries to the auction can be taken until 9th November.
Advance ticket sales are well up on last year, and a generous £2.00 discount off on the gate prices is available. Adults can purchase pre-show tickets at £5.00 with children's tickets costing just £2.00. These, and post prize giving dinner tickets (£15.00) can be obtained by ordering online at: www.newarkshowground.com or by telephoning 0870 224 1035 for credit card sales.
Exhibitors wishing to stay over can take advantage of the free caravan and camping park. Exhibitors using the camping facilities will be required to park their exhibit in its allotted place and have it checked out as present by a steward before exchanging their voucher for exhibitor passes. Public camping is available through the show office.
The 2007 Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show is set to be one of the very best yet. It has always sought the highest standards and will provide two great days of entertainment, memories, education and good food, bringing the outdoor show season to a fitting finale.
