David Brown Is No.1

A record crowd, new exhibits, great atmosphere and a good auction were just some of the hallmarks of Tractor World Spring at the Three Counties Showground, says Peter Love.

- Peter Love

Now in its 14th year, Tractor World is setting new standards under Mark Woodward’s leadership and over the weekend of 25-26 February he took the show to new heights. It certainly has by far the largest selection of trade stands that you will find at any tractor show across Europe and the show also saw a new Show Champion in the form of Dylan Davies, from Cardigan, with his 1979 David Brown 1412.

In fact, David Brown was certainly the on-form marque, as close on his heals was Geraint Jones with his 1967 David Brown Selectamatic 880, which was the major winner of the September 2015 David Brown anniversary show. A considerable amount of the work carried out on this tractor is by Matt Packer – a name that has been associated with many winners over the years.

The inspiration for these fine David Brown restorations must surely have come from Steve and Dan Thornell as, over the last eight years, they have created the high standard for the Orchid White range of classic David Brown tractors. They have certainly brought a bright smile to my face, as well as others’.

Peter Williams had done an excellent job putting together an outstanding David Brown Tractor Club display and I hope everyone appreciates the effort he had gone to. Also on the stand was Amy Speakman’s 1965 David Brown 770 – a pairing that took the Best Young Restorer (under 21) award.

Red presence

At the top of the Wye Hall was The International Harvester Club of Great Britain’s stand, an organisation that can date and help with registering your tractor. This was the first time that the club has had a substantial presence at a major show and it looks as though a club solely devoted to this marque is being firmly established in the UK. We wish them well.