Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show took place at Newark Showground with world record attempt for largest gathering of Massey Ferguson 135 tractors

Published: 06:00, 13 November 2024

Tractor enthusiasts flocked to Newark Showground to see a world record attempt at the “jewel in the crown of the vintage tractor sector”.

The Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show took place over Saturday and Sunday (November 9 and 10), with vintage farming machines and their owners coming from all over the UK to take part.

More than 1,000 vintage tractors, implements, horticultural machinery and commercial vehicles – alongside a plethora of trade stands and a lively auction, as well as tractor and trailer rides.

L-R Jack Heap 5, Ernie Heap 1 and Arthur Heap of Bacup, Lancashire

Organised by the Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society and supported by the Nottinghamshire branch of the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club, this year’s focus was on the many milestones of respected manufacturers — as well as a world record attempt for the largest gathering of Massey Ferguson 135 tractors.

Co-supported by Friends of Ferguson Heritage (FOFH), the world record attempt also coincided with the 60th anniversary of MF 100 series production, and saw 203 of these much-loved tractors taking part in the attempt.

While it is not yet known if the world record was broken, show organiser, Elizabeth Halsall of the Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society said that it was a very busy and brilliant weekend:

John Ikin and his mum Dorothy Ikin, of Swadlincote, with his 1965 Massey Ferguson 135, family owned since new

Ernie Farren of Sedgebrook with his 1968 Massey Ferguson 135

“It was really busy and was a brilliant weekend, there were so many tractors there from across the country and it was a great event for the end of the season — the jewel in the crown of the vintage tractor sector.”

The Ford 6X 1000 series also celebrated its 60th anniversary at the show, with a collection of Pre-Force tractors on display dating from 1964 to 1968, and the show also marked 85 years since the introduction of the Bedford O series and paid tribute to the wartime David Brown VAK1 series.

Other highlights of the show were the 1939 David Brown VAK1, often called the Lady’s Tractor, was designed with women drivers in mind and restored by exhibitor Dick Burr, as well as a rare 1959 Porsche Master 408 tractor, one of only 200 made, which was rescued from a hedge in California, and restored by Seamus O’Dwyer and Donie Fitzgerald.

L-R Paul Bartle of Besthorpe, Damonn Clayton of Collingham and John Redfern of Claypole sitting on his 1938 Fordson N which has been in his family from new

Matthew Evans of Retford with his 1972 Massey Ferguson

The oldest tractor at this year’s Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show was a 1904 prototype built by Lancashire farmer and engineer Wilfred Sharp, now owned by enthusiast Kevin Watson, it is known by enthusiasts as a 'unicorn tractor' long spoken of but rarely seen.