AN OLD tractor that was for many years a popular plaything for children has been given a new lease of life, writes Claire Hallett.
The tractor, which was used by children in Okehampton's Simmons Park, was removed from the site in 2005. But after hearing that the much-loved piece of play equipment was to be thrown out, Okehampton resident Peter Green volunteered to take the tractor home and restore it.
He said: 'Cllr Christine Marsh called me to let me know about the tractor. I took my LandRover and trailer down to the park, brought it home and stripped it all down.'
'Somebody got me the second-hand engine which used to be mounted on the drawbar of a 701 Massey Harris baler. I kept it red because that was its original colour.'
Mr Green said the standard van guard engine was the same as that used in cars in the late 1940s and the engine was as good as new: 'It was quite an exciting thing to do. I was jumping up and down when I got it going!'
Mr Green moved to Okehampton in 1946 when he was five years old and has lived on a farm near Mole Avon ever since. He now makes portable buildings such as sheds, chicken houses, field shelters, stables and summer houses.
He said: 'I still use the original Ferguson saw bench to cut up wood now.'
Fond memories of his father running petrol T20s fitted with potato planters and potato spinners, contribute to his love of vintage tractors and he hopes to show his latest restoration at tractor fairs. He is president-elect of Okehampton Show and is looking forward to next year's show.
Mr Green used to carry out market gardening with his father, supplying the grammar and secondary schools in Okehampton with vegetables. 'We started back in the 50s and continued it up to the mid 70s. We also supplied the eight grocers that used to be in Okehampton,' he said.
'I always remember back in 1963 we had a very bad winter, the ground was frozen six inches deep and none of the greengrocers believed us when we told them we were digging the vegetables out with a crow-bar!'