Tractors from across the UK gather for Welsh National Tractor Road Run

A number of tractor drivers from Powys and border counties descended on Crynant, Neath on Sunday for the Welsh National Tractor Road Run.

The run was held in aid of Brecon Mountain Rescue, Neath YMCA Baby Bank and A Children’s Christmas Fund.

Inaugurated in 2012 by brother and sister team of Anne and John Bates of Rhayader, Sunday’s run was its ninth running having started as a bi-annual event and having a compulsory break for Covid.

The run was organised under the leadership of Ian Davies and his team from the Neath Steam and Vintage Club. The participants did their very own three peaks challenge - with the route taking in views over the Neath valley, the Dulais valley and Swansea Bay.

The tractors toured the communities of Crynant, Cilfrew, Aberdulais, Resolven, Tonna, Ynysgerwn before returning to Crynant.

Tractors came from all over the UK with one hardy soul coming all the way from Scotland to participate. Locally, Martyn Nicholls of New Radnor did a marathon road trip in his 1164 County. He did a round trip of 150 miles by driving his 1164 County the 2 and a half hours to and from the run - while also taking part in the run itself!

John Wilding of Knighton had his Massey Ferguson 135, Brecon’s Ian Griffiths had his International B275, Defynnog’s Rees Price had his Ferguson TEF20 and Libanus’ Mike Yeats has his Case International 884XL.

The Llanwrtyd Tractor Club was represented by Jim Davies on his trusty Fordson Dexta with wife Sandra in transport box and farmer Evan Lewis with his Ford Super Dexta 3000.

The Llandovery Vintage Club was well represented by Justin Thomas with his cabbed Massey Ferguson 135, Gwyn Williams with his David Brown 770, Aeron Thomas with his Roadless Ploughmaster 6/4 and Gareth George with his International 634. While agricultural engineers, Dave Eady complete with his grandsons in the transport box, had his International 434 and son, Martin Eady had his Ferguson T20 which they had converted to four-wheel drive.

Herefordshire had a good delegation as well, with octogenarian Tom Mason and his Ferguson T20, Edward Godsell and his Massey Ferguson 135, Nigel Hantschar and his Ford 3000, Jack Phillips and his David Brown 880 and Dave Evans with his Massey Ferguson 165.

Monmouthshire participants with Herefordshire connections were Abergavenny’s Rhys Kedward with his Fordson Major with his family in the trailer and Ian Harper with his Fordson Dexta.