Tractors at the ready for an Isle vintage spectacular

The spectacle of the Isle’s very first Vintage Tractor Road Run takes place later this month from Epworth, with over 40 trundling vehicles expected to take part.

Three farming friends have organised the Run, in aid of the Lindsey Lodge Hospice.

Epworth men Geoff Fillingham, Stuart Lindley and Richard Thompson will host the event, and with Mowbray Arms landlord Shaun Scally, will welcome vintage drivers to the start with drinks and bacon sandwiches. The tractors will then follow a 30-mile route around the central Isle of Axholme area.

Geoff Fillingham said: “We thank landowners for allowing us over their land, the local police for their co-operation and the local landlords for their hospitality. To fully appreciate a tractor run, you’ll need to be there to see it, but most of all to hear it.”

Pete Smith, landlord of the White Hart, Owston Ferry, will serve lunch around mid-day, and back at the Mowbray Arms around 3pm, there will be a prize raffle to top up donations given to buckets carried along the tractor run.

The three-man committee is sure of strong support for this inaugural event, and hope that it might become an annual fixture in the future.

Tractor owners who would like to take part should email Geoff Fillingham at [email protected], or call 07872 433545.

The route on June 22, with a 10am start (meet from 8.30am) will move west along Mowbray Street, up Blow Row, down Burnham Road and turning left into Fieldside, will head out towards Tunnel Pits passing the Epworth Showground en-route.

Then traversing Haxey Carr and Turbary Road the tractors will emerge onto The Nooking in Haxey, before heading off across country over High Burnham and on to the White Hart at Owston Ferry.

After sustenance the tractor train will continue in the afternoon along North Street, Trentside Road, on to West Butterwick then across the country once more, coming out onto the Beltoft Road and turning left towards Epworth.

Finally, from across the fields towards Newlands Lane, they will eventually return to the Mowbray Arms, along Rectory Street.

Along with tractor enthusiasts from the Isle itself, the organisers hope to be joined by others from across North Lincolnshire and other neighbouring counties.

Mr Fillingham added: “It’s a great family day out and lots of fun for all who are involved.” Independent charity Lindsey Lodge Hospice needs over £1.4 million for running costs.