Red Tractor lines up at Bristol Rugby Club to spread farm assurance message
Two passionate Westcountry farmers took a Massey Ferguson to Bristol Rugby Club to tell fans why they should look for the Red Tractor logo on the food they buy.
Livestock farmer John Hore from Easter Compton and chicken farmer Charles Bourns from Charfield parked the machine at Ashton Gate before 6,500 fans arrived to watch a nail-biting win against Moseley on Friday night.
Both are life-long Bristol rugby fans and for the past four years have sponsored centre Jack Tovey.
Every time Jack scores a home try, Red Tractor Assurance is mentioned on the public address system.
The logo assures customers that the food has been produced in the UK to comprehensive standards of food safety, traceability and animal welfare.
Charles, who supplies two leading supermarkets with chicken, said: "My main reason for being involved is that I’m a passionate believer in Red Tractor and have been Bristol fan for 60 years.
"Jack is a Bristol boy and sponsoring him is a good way of getting the Red Tractor in front of people.
"I hope that more farmers try to do this with rugby clubs because it promotes the right image of good, wholesome UK produce being connected to fit young people."
Fans and players were invited to have their picture taken next to the branded Massey Ferguson which is being hired by farmers across the country to use when they are talking to the public.
They were also given pens, key rings, car stickers and farm assurance literature with help from Jason Cavill from the NFU Mutual’s Thornbury branch.
John, who has 700 sheep and 200 beef cattle, said: "We’ve always been keen on promotion because as farmers it can be very difficult to promote your own product so we need an organisation like Red Tractor that we can all get behind.
"It’s the people who are in the cities and towns that we need to reach.
"There are other opportunities to do this across the board and it would be great to see more farmers coming up with ideas like this."
Jack Tovey added: "Through John and Charles, Red Tractor Assurance has been a longstanding sponsor and a strong supporter of my career.
"I'm delighted to continue to be associated with them and look forward to many more positive years being an ambassador for the brand."
The machine was loaned to the pair by Massey Ferguson through Thornbury Lister Wilder dealership.
