56 intrepid tractor drivers congregated at Treago Farm, St Weonards on Sunday morning, 14th July, for the annual St Weonards Tractor run in aid of the Midlands Air Ambulance. After the success of last year raising £2500 for the Air Ambulance, Ron Evans and family welcomed everyone to his farm again, with a dedicated band of volunteers providing tea and coffees and homemade cakes before the off. Participants came from all over Herefordshire as well as Wales and Shropshire.

Then just after quarter past ten, it was time for the off and ‘Rocket’ Ron Evans led the procession on his Massey Ferguson 135 out on the route entitled castles and climbs. Out across the road to take in Treago Castle and out through the estate on the old drive to climb up into St Weonards. Turning left along the A466 to Sandyways and the procession encountered the traffic lights for the roadworks before turning left at the crossroads to head along the hedge lined lanes to Orcop. On to another section of off road, on a farm track before reaching the village of Bagwyllydiart. The convoy now going in a south westernly direction down Bannut Tree dingle passing Bannut Tree farm and taking in the glimpses of Kentchurch Court and the estate church of St Mary’s before reaching Kentchurch.

Crossing the border into Wales, the tractors reached the hilltop village of Grosmont overlooking the Monnow valley with its Norman built castle which controlled a key section of troublesome border country. The castle had been besieged in the rebellion led by the charismatic Welsh leader, Owain Glyndŵr in the 15th century. On towards Skenfrith via another stretch of off road hugging the Monnow to emerge in the picturesque village passing the remains of an early 13th-century castle, which commanded one of the main routes from England. Crossing the Monnow bridge and climbing up to Garway with waving spectators before heading downwards to the dinner stop at Beechlands Farm, Garway.

After much needed replenishment, and vote of thanks to James Hughes of Pengethley Farm Shop for providing the burgers and sausages, the raffle drawn. Thanks as well were given to the all the volunteers for marshalling, catering and selling the raffle tickets etc. Also receiving a round of applause was Tony and Lorraine Webb from Norton, who had decided to celebrate their ruby wedding anniversary by coming on the tractor run with their Fordson Super Dexta. Then it was off again, passing the drive of Glanmonnow House to emerge out on to B4521 to climb up to Broad Oak. Here the procession turned right at towards Welsh Newton, then another stretch of off road through Hill farm ground to Llancloudy village. Heading for home now the tractors crossed the A466 to circumnavigate round to St Weonards and back to Treago Farm.

Approximately £1700 had been raised on the day with more donations to come in.