Tractor runs raise £2,000 to help cancer charity

They were the second Nantmel Tractor Run and the Newbridge on Wye Tractor Run.

The tractor enthusiasts of Nantmel presented £1058 the proceeds of the second Nantmel Tractor Run to the Rhayader Branch of Cancer Research UK at a presentation night at the Lion Royal, Rhayader.

The club's leader, John Bates, thanked Liz and Alfred Lewis for hosting the run again on their farm, traditionally held on the fourth Sunday in July. He went on to thank Katharine and Andy of K&S Toilets for their continued sponsorship, donating their services free of charge, Dave Connelly and Sue Williams for the barbecue, the Cancer Research UK women for the teas, all marshals, all landowners and helpers together with the tractor drivers.

This was a staggering amount considering the T.E.N club was only formed last year. The run which proved to be popular, saw tractors drivers 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, Saint Harmon before returning to Nantmel and to the Lewis' farm.

Saturday night saw the £910 being donated to Ida Bufton by Keith Williams the organiser with his wife Sue of the Newbridge on Wye Tractor Run. Keith thanked the invited guests for their attendance. He stated that when he and Sue started the run six years ago, they would either run 10 tractor runs or raise £10,000 which ever would be the sooner.

With the proceeds from this year, they have raised a total of £10,110, stating that this year's run would be the last. Ida Bufton in her reply thanked Keith and Sue and their helpers and hoped that they would reconsider their decision.

The run on September 23, saw the tractors tour the local communities of Disserth, Howey, Rhogo, Cwmbach, stopping for dinner in Builth Wells. After dinner, the run continued through Builth onto Maesmynis, before heading back to Newbridge-on-Wye.