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Vintage tractor road run raises £1,300 for cancer centre

Thursday, 17 April 2025 12:41

The Brian Chester Road Run returned to Ripon and the surrounding area last weekend.

A vintage tractor road run has raised more than £1,300 for a Harrogate cancer centre.

The Brian Chester Tractor Road Run returned last Saturday (12th April) in aid of the Sir Robert Ogden MacMillan Centre at Harrogate District Hospital.

Almost 70 vintage tractors took part in the fourth annual Brian Chester Tractor Road Run ahead of Tractor Fest held at Newby Hall on 7th and 8th June.

The event started at the Tates Garden Centre in Ripon before taking in Kirkby Malzeard, Grantley and Laverton.

Organised by the West Yorkshire group of the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club (NVTEC), it celebrated the life and legacy of the late Brian Chester, a local farmer and founding member of the popular Tractor Fest.

Brian was a former chairman of NVTEC and was treated at the Sir Robert Ogden MacMillan Centre in Harrogate for five years before losing his battle with cancer.

Mark Nicholson, chair of West Yorkshire NVTEC, said:

“Brian was the fourth generation of Chesters to be farming tenants of the Newby Hall Estate. He was one of the founder members of the Yorkshire Vintage Association which organises Tractor Fest at Newby Hall and the force behind the move to Newby Hall, making it the fantastic show it is today.

“Saturday’s road run took place under cloudless blue skies – I would like to think Brian had a hand in that!”

The road run was supported by F Tate & Sons, Larkhill Nurseries in Ripon who provided facilities for drivers and visitors.

This year's fundraising efforts brings the total raised for the charity to £4,500.

Tractor Fest 2025

Tractor Fest is the UK’s largest tractor festival and returns to Newby Hall near Ripon on 7th and 8th June.

Occupying 120 acres, more than 2,000 vintage tractors, engines, commercial vehicles, cars, trucks and motorcycles are on display and the show attracts more than 12,000 visitors annually.

Tickets are charged at £18 for adults, £15 for children and £54 for family.

Find out more and get your ticket here.

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