The Staffordshire countryside will see around 100 festive tractors take to the road in a charity Christmas convoy on Sunday 5 December.
Arranged by South Staffs Water and Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs, this will be the second time a cavalcade of tractors will travel the 20-mile route through the villages of Blithbury, Hamstall Ridware, Hill Ridware, Colton, over Blithfield Reservoir and into Abbots Bromley in aid of charity.
The first event was held in 2019, with 80 tractors joining the convoy. The tractors were lit up with Christmas lights, inflated Santas and one had a rotating Christmas tree. The 2019 event raised £4,138 which was split between three worthy charities, and was due to be repeated in 2020, before COVID struck.
This year’s event will be raising money for two charities; Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs and Midlands Air Ambulance and has been supported by many sponsors, including B&B Tractors, CH Froggat and son, JA Bloor, EJC Contracting and Spectrum Print and Visual solutions.
Nina Yiannoukos-Benton, senior catchment advisor at South Staffs Water, said:
“We work really closely with the Staffordshire Farmers, to ensure we maintain good wholesome drinking water for our customers so it’s amazing to be involved in the tractor run. We were so pleased at the numbers that took part in 2019 and to see the smiles on the people’s faces as we drove by was wonderful. We’d love everyone to get involved and watch the convoy along the route.”
Julia Taylor, County Organiser at Staffordshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, said:
“The Christmas Tractor Run was a first of its kind for us to organise, working alongside South Staffs Water. We were completely overwhelmed by the amount of people who came out to support and give generously in 2019. Our tractor drivers who have pre booked into the event are really looking forward to bringing festive cheer to the local community and presenting a positive image of the agricultural industry.”
The tractors will leave Longacre farm in Blithbury at 6.30pm and will pass the following locations (times are approximate):
6.40pm Hamstall Ridware towards Pipe Ridware and Hill Ridware.
6.50pm: Chadwick Arms turn right onto B5014 and left onto Stoneyford Lane then Hollow Lane.
7.05pm: Colton turn right onto B5013 and over Blithfield Reservoir.
7.20pm: Causeway at Admaston.
7.30pm: Abbots Bromley.
7.45pm: left at the old Bull and Spectacles pub and back to Longacre Farm.
More information can be found on the Facebook event including live update on the evening.
