Popular club outgrows its home (From Gazette & Herald)

Popular club outgrows its home

FARMERS and rural hobby engineers are growing in number in Ryedale, and the district's vintage tractor and engine club has had to move to new headquarters to cope.

Club secretary Tracy Vitty, of Newstead Grange Farm, Low Marishes, Malton, said that since the club was formed some eight years ago, it has met at The Beansheaf, Kirby Misperton.

However, its membership has escalated to around 90, so it has had to make a new home at the Pickering Recreation Club in Mill Lane.

Tracy, who with her husband David owns two vintage tractors and engines, added: "We have members from as far as Driffield. There is a lot of interest in vintage machinery in general."

Each year the club runs a rally which attracts some 150 tractors and 70 engines.

While today's giant tractors are computerised and more sophisticated and comfortable to drive, says Tracy, there is still a great deal of affection for vintage models. "We get some coming to our rallies which are in their original state while others have been restored," she said.

And, added Tracy, there is keen interest in the old machinery by youngsters and a lot of women.

The new season starts on Sunday, October 9, with a ploughing match at Coppice Farm, Cropton, and followed the following night, with a presentation by member Bridget Laycock and others will include talks on Rosedale railway, workings of a blacksmith, Lancashire mill engines and lorries working in India and Jamaica.

Further information can be obtained from Mrs Vitty on (01751) 475015.

Updated: 15:12 Wednesday, October 05, 2005