A grandfather’s passion for vintage tractors extends to his young grandsons – whose special tractors will be featured in Tractor Fest at Newby Hall, Ripon.
It is the largest tractor festival in the UK.
Bill Moody, 74, from West Auckland, is a regular exhibitor at Tractor Fest and has a 10-strong collection of vintage tractors.
His grandsons Joseph, 4, and Max, 10, are proud owners of a a grey Ferguson TEF20 and a green Deutz FL14 – which are set to star in the upcoming Tractor Fest.
Tractor Fest will take place at Newby Hall on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 June 2024.
Bill gifted both vehicles to the boys after they caught the tractor ‘bug’ while being taken for rides on their grandfather’s vintage tractors.
Bill said: “All the family come with us to Tractor Fest. We enjoy taking the grandchildren so we can potter and work on the tractors. That’s what’s so good about vintage tractors – you can work on them, repair them and make parts for them. They are a wonderful part of our heritage which is important to keep alive.
“We go to as many shows as we can and enjoy looking at other people’s tractors and exhibits – there’s some really unique equipment out there. The Newby show is in a class of its own.”
Tractor Fest, organised by the Yorkshire Vintage Association, attracts more than 12,000 visitors annually and features more than 1,500 vintage and modern tractors, stationary engines, commercial vehicles, cars, trucks and motorcycles.
Highlights for the 2024 festival include a display celebrating orange tractor marques including the original orange tractor made by US machinery manufacturer Allis Chalmers.
The show will also feature displays from specialist marque clubs and working vintage machinery.
Other fun activities for families over the weekend include mini tractor driving, face painting, colouring and interactive exhibits, as well as a host of entertainment, crafts, and food and drink.
Admission to the festival also includes access to Newby’s award-winning gardens, adventure playground, dolls house and teddy bear exhibitions.
Advance tickets for Tractor Fest are £18 for adults, £15 for children (under 4’s go free), and a family ticket for two adults and two children is £54 (more on the door). Book them online here.