Working Day, Guscotts 3rd September 2016
Text by Michael Coleman. Photos by Sarah Chown; click on them to see full size.
Despite a dire weather forecast which limited attendance to some extent , a good turn-out of vintage tractors, ploughs, harrows and cultivators provides a colourful and nostalgic working spectacle for participants and spectators alike at the club’s annual autumn ‘Working Day’ held at Guscotts Farm, Coleford on Saturday 3 September, 2016.
An overcast morning with an occasional light shower made for good working conditions on the firm, dry stubble field kindly made available by the White family. With plenty of variety among the equipment in use and lots of movement for spectators to watch, an enjoyable morning slipped rapidly by (too fast for the tractor drivers!) before at around 1300 (exactly as predicted by the BBC weather forecast- a rare occurrence!) the threatening black clouds that had been scudding overhead all day finally unleashed what became fairly steady rain, bringing a premature end to the tractor working, except for one stalwart who steadfastly ignored the downpour to optimise the ploughing opportunity!
However, all was not lost as one of the MDTEMG’s large marquees provided good shelter in which those who chose to remain were able to partake of the excellent refreshments on offer and to set the world to rights before the afternoon concluded with a raffle, the prizes generously given by many of those present. Charity donations of almost £200 were for the benefit of the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, the principal charity supported by the club.
