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Ripon vintage tractor run to return this weekend

The annual Brian Chester Road Run is back this weekend.

More than 70 tractors are expected to take part in the annual Brian Chester Road Run when it returns this weekend.

In a keenly anticipated preview of Tractor Fest being held at Newby Hall in June, the tractors will tour local villages to raise money for the Sir Robert Ogden MacMillan Centre at Harrogate District Hospital.

More than £4,500 has been raised to date.

The event, returning on Saturday (11th April), is being organised by the West Yorkshire group of the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club (NVTEC).

It's annually held in memory of local farmer, founding Tractor Fest member and former NVTEC chairman Brian Chester, who died in January 2022.

Tractors will arrive at Tates Garden Centre in Ripon from 9am and set off on a road run around local villages at 10.30am.

The tractors can be enjoyed on a 25-mile route around Galphay, Dallowgill Moor, Kirkby Malzeard, Sawley and Laverton returning to Ripon around 1pm.

The full route is:

  • Leaving Tates Garden Centre at 10.30am
  • Galphay Lane
  • Galphay Wood (off road)
  • Winkesley
  • Turn left at the church
  • Go to junction and turn right
  • Kirkby Malzeard
  • Laverton
  • Dallowgill Moor
  • Skelding
  • Grantley
  • Sawley
  • Hebdon Bank
  • Watergate Lane
  • Fountains Abbey
  • Aldfield
  • Past Horsley Gates Farm
  • Hayfield Lane
  • High Lindrick Farm (off road)
  • Low Lindrick Farm
  • Back to Tates

Mark Nicholson, chair of West Yorkshire NVTEC, said:

“The annual Brian Chester Road Run is an opportunity to not only remember our friend Brian, but to share our passion for all things tractor.

"Once again, we are delighted to be raising money for a cause which is close to the hearts of Brian’s family and we are very grateful for the support of the local community.”

Organised by the Yorkshire Vintage Association (YVA), Tractor Fest is the UK’s largest tractor festival and takes place at award-winning country house and gardens Newby Hall, North Yorkshire (Saturday 6th to Sunday 7th June).

Occupying 120 acres, Tractor Fest attracts more than 15,000 visitors annually and features more than 1,400 vintage and modern tractors, and another 2,200 exhibits including stationary engines, commercial vehicles, cars, trucks and motorcycles.

This year’s festival will celebrate tractors Made in Scotland, showcasing tractors, engines and machines manufactured in that country, Motor Rollers and the Zetor tractor brand.

A host of entertainment, crafts, food and drink will be on offer at the show and admission includes access to Newby’s RHS Chelsea gold medal winning gardens, adventure playground, dolls house and teddy bear exhibitions.  

For more information visit:  http://tractorfest.uk/

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