THE Rhayader Branch of Cancer Research UK benefited to the tune of £1,400 from the combined proceeds of two local tractor runs.
The presentation took place at the Crown Inn, Rhayader, last Wednesday evening (March 14), where members of the Tractor Enthusiasts of Nantmel club (T.E.N club) donated over £1,100 and Andrew Thomas, the well-known agricultural engineer, bestowed a further £265 to the cancer charity, with Liz Lewis and Veronica Jones-Davies, from the Rhayader Branch of Cancer Research UK on hand to receive the donations.
Club leader, John Bates thanked the invited guests for attending, with special thanks going to Andy and Katherine of K&S Toilets for donating their services free of charge. He then went on to thank Dave Connelly for providing the barbeque at the conclusion of the Run, Liz and Alfred Lewis for allowing their farm to be used as a start venue and everyone else who helped in some way from marshalling junctions to collecting donations.
This was a staggering amount considering the T.E.N club was only formed last May, with their inaugural Nantmel Tractor Run taking place on July 23 last year. The Run which proved to be very popular, saw 92 tractors turn up from all over the country, West Wales, Hereford, Bridgnorth amongst the other more local tractor drivers.
They toured the communities of Nantmel, Abbey Cwm-Hir, Bwlch y Sarnau before returning to Nantmel and to the Lewis’ farm.
Andrew Thomas organised his very own run, Andrew Thomas Tractor Run. This was the second running of the Run, which is a Christmas blues blow out, taking place on the last Saturday in December. The 23 brave souls battled the cold weather, starting from Andrew’s garage at Gwystre, the tractors circumnavigated the parishes of Crossgates Abbey Cwm-Hir, Bwlch y Sarnau, Llidiartywaun Sychnant, Pantydwr, St Harmon, Nantmel before returning to the Gwystre.
County councillor Kelvyn Curry congratulated everyone for organising such a tremendously popular event that raised so much money for charity.
Watch out for the second Nantmel Tractor Run on July 22 and the Andrew Thomas Run on December 29.