This incredible event was all down to Will and Ann Walker of Lincoln Lodge – farmers on Bridegate Lane, Hickling Pastures; it was something that Will had long wanted to try and do. One of the chosen village Millennium projects, the idea germinated in their kitchen and just grew and grew.

On Sunday September 3rd 2000, a trail of tractors and floats depicting a 100 years of country life started in Hickling and wended its way, very slowly, from Hickling to Kinoulton to Cropwell Bishop through Langar, to Harby then Hose and home through Long Clawson. According to the programme there were 29 tractors and 14 floats; the response throughout the trail was incredible – just as well, since there was no way of overtaking them all!

The Committee organising the tractor run consisted of: Will and Ann Walker, Cliff Ablewhite, Frank Ablewhite, Dorothy Chahal, Mark Fraser, Caroline & John Morling, Bob Naismith and John Scarborough, and any money raised would be donated to the Dove Cottage Hospice.

Favours were called in left, right and centre. For the princely sum of £47, the Red Cross kept an eye on everyone for the day. Thompson and Richardson provided complimentary public liability insurance and the NFU offered sensible advice on the vehicle insurance; ‘as no payment is involved, then as we already cover tractors for social, domestic and pleasure use, we would deem this event to be covered. Clearly, if there are any floats carrying people then the tractor owner should take all necessary action to ensure the safety of passengers.’ And a Jazz Band entertained at the stops.

76 letters asking for sponsorship and support went out – some successful and some not. In the event, the sponsorship, donations and support ‘in kind’ received was very generous; expenses were kept down to an incredibly low £600 (£400 of this paid for the Jazz Band). Combined with a great deal of very vigorous bucket rattling on the day, a cheque for over £2,000 was handed to the Dove Cottage Hospice in a special thank you event in October 2000.

The Programme:

Memories and Anecdotes:

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• The funniest moment was passing Langar aerodrome as bemused parachutists tried to work out was going on. (K Wadkin)

From the Wadkin Archives: