Once more BOAT rebuilt a vintage tractor this year to be raffled off to raise much needed funds. The rebuild by Bicton College students and staff took place as usual on the Bicton College Stand at the Devon County Show starting on Thursday 22nd May. As most of you will be aware though, the Saturday of the Devon County Show had to be cancelled due to bad weather.
Following on from Devon County show Gretel first went to the Bath and West show where thanks to the Tropical Agricultural Association’s team of ticket sellers over 1000 tickets were sold. Last week on the Fullwood milking machine stand at the Royal Cornwall show the phenomenal team of Mick and Heather Merritt and family assisted on Friday by Tim Roberts who was making a visit to the show where a further 1855 tickets were added to the total, now standing at 5165.
The tractor this year is a 1962 Massey Ferguson 35 straight petrol tractor which was apparently imported from Germany. As a consequence she has been named GRETEL. The tractor was sold at Cheffin’s Auction a few years ago to Tractor and Machinery (Kelsey Publishing) who have kindly donated it to BOAT.
Attached are some picture’s of Gretel on the cancelled Saturday morning of Devon County show when the two Chris’s and their team of students went in to complete the job. The first picture is of show secretary Ollie Allen who has always been of great support to BOAT together with Chris and the students and I’m pleased to see that it brought a smile to Ollie’s face.
Bill Vellacott
Bicton College’s Chris Jaworski sits atop the rebult ‘Gretel’.
Bicton College Principal David Henley, gets the rebuild underway.
