MORE than 70 tractors gathered in the good weather for the annual Tavy Tractor Run recently, raising several thousand pounds for charity.

The day began with the distinctive sound of Eddie Heyward’s Field Marshal tractor arriving at the Knightstone restaurant on Yelverton aerodrome to drive the Ransomes thresher brought by Fran Mudge.

This year the tractor run went over the moors to Princetown, led by Alan Glanville driving his magnificent Ford 95-100 with Allis Chalmers from Holsworthy acting as pacemaker. Everyone then returned to refreshments on the barbecue and tea and coffee. Those with a sweet tooth were in for a treat with fantastic cakes and fancies baked by Lucy Hill raising funds for MS.

The event, which this year was dedicated to the memory of Mike Williams from Meavy who died recently, took place to raise money for local charities, with the principal recipient being Macmillan Nurses and a dog show was run by Children’s Hospice South West. The final total was in excess of £2,200.

Stephen Horn, one of the organisers, said: ‘It really brought back childhood memories when we used to listen to Bill Willcocks outfit coming from Goodameavy to Milton Combe for a day’s threshing — coming across Roborough Down, over Tanners Bridge, then that wonderful sound where he opened the throttle to come up the final hill.’

Muriel Blackledge, representative of Macmillan Nurses, said that such a day was important to raise awareness of how the nurses could help in the community in times of stress and reminded visitors of the Triangle Centre, operating in Tavistock, Kingsbridge and Liskeard, where they try to provide support on a local basis to save costly travel and stress.

Organisers of the event expressed thanks for the generosity of all who attended, contributed and donated.

• Pictured is Fran Mudge’s Ransomes thresher driven by Eddie Heyward’s Field Marshal MKII.