Road run held in memory of farmer and tractor enthusiast
© West Yorkshire NVTEC More than 20 vintage tractors took to the roads of North Yorkshire to remember a much-loved farmer and tractor enthusiast who died in January.
The Brian Chester Road Run honoured the popular farmer, who was a committee member of the Yorkshire Vintage Association (YVA), and chairman of the West Yorkshire group of the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club (NVTEC) for 22 years.
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A total of 26 tractors set off from Tates Garden Centre, Ripon, on the road run that passed through Galphay, Dallowgill Moor and Low Grantley.
A collection and a raffle raised more than £729 for Brian’s charity, the Sir Robert Ogden MacMillan Centre at Harrogate District Hospital.
Prizes for the raffle were donated by local businesses.
Brian’s wife Heather, and daughters Elizabeth and Samantha supported the tractor run.
© West Yorkshire NVTEC
The run took place on 9 April, ahead of the UK’s largest vintage tractor show, Tractor Fest, in June.
Kevin Watson, chairman of the YVA, said: “Brian was one of the founding members of Tractor Fest and an enthusiastic organiser of the event each year.
“He will be much missed when the show returns to Newby Hall. We wanted to pay our respects and mark Brian’s role in making the show what it is today – the Brian Chester Road Run will be an annual event.”
Tractor Fest
The three-day event takes place on 3-5 June at Newby Hall, Ripon, North Yorkshire.
On display will be thousands of vintage tractors and modern marques, stationary engines, commercial vehicles, cars, lorries and motorcycles.
In celebration of the Platinum Jubilee, this year’s festival will feature a display of 70-year-old Jubilee and Coronation vintage tractors, as well as exhibitions celebrating 100 pre-1922 vintage tractors.
Tickets can be bought from the Newby Hall website.