Giant straw bale tractor sculpture wins art competition

A giant tractor and trailer made from 62 straw bales has made it to the top spot of the annual Wheat Art competition.

The 10ft tractor sculpture, created by Cambridgeshire grower Michael Sly and his team from Park Farm in Thorney, impressed the panel of judges with its detail and creativity.

Mr Sly’s design won out over creations which included a tower of multi-coloured farm animals and a sausage dog, giving him the chance to nominate a charity to receive a £1,000 donation.

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The cash has gone to The Thorney Society, which runs a local heritage museum that educates visitors about the importance of local food and farming.

The competition was launched by Weetabix to celebrate the 10th harvest under the breakfast cereal brand’s wheat protocol, which promotes sustainable farming practices.

“Winning the competition means that our chosen charity, who run the Thorney Heritage Museum, will be able to continue its good work of informing visitors, of the importance of food and farming, past and present, within the parish, which is a cause close to our hearts,” Michael said.

“We’ve been growing wheat for Weetabix for nearly 70 years, and this competition was a great way to celebrate the connection between our local fields and the food that ends up in breakfast bowls up and down the country,” he adds.