Sunday, August 18 saw tractors descend on Llanddewi Village Hall for the 24th running of the Llanddewi Tractor Run, writes E A Bates.

Greeted to the run by complimentary tea and coffee and Welsh cakes by Mrs Dot Bevan and Mrs Joan Davies, Barry Bevan gave a speech of welcome and told the assembled participants that the chosen charity was again this year Blood Bikes Wales.

Blood Bikes Wales is a 100 per cent volunteer charity based in Wales, providing completely free courier service to the NHS, delivering blood samples, plasma, donated human milk, documents and other items all over Wales.

The tractor run started at 10:30am when it was time for the off with Dennis Davies in a Leyland 602, who led the convoy away, turning right to climb Llanddewi pitch. On the crest of the hill a left turn was taken to Cefncunfoel to pick up the farm track to emerge back on the tarred road.  

Dennis Davies, Leyland 602 leading the convoy of tractors
Dennis Davies in his Leyland 602 leading the convoy of tractors (Copyright: E A Bates) (.)

Organiser and backmarker Barry Bevan with his Fordson Major
Organiser and backmarker Barry Bevan with his Fordson Major (Copyright: E A Bates) (.)

After bearing left across to Heartsease, the tractors continued through the hamlet out onto Maelienydd common. Here, the procession turned off the road to cross the common to emerge by the Boot Quarry then on through Vronganllydd farmyard. The procession then went up to Cantal to Crossways, turning left and then right on to the Felindre road, before heading off-road again across the open hill where the tractors paused for lunch and took in the views of the wind farm.

After a spot of lunch the run set off again, working its way across to Fron top and before dropping down to Llanbadarn Fynydd and crossing the main A483 to ford the river. The run was heading south now and picked up the private road and bridge across the Ithon again to cross the main road at Brook Cottage.

Heading to Maesllan and turning left, the run passed Drainllanbir across the common to the Pound. it then doubled back to Crossways but this time headed towards Llanbister Road before turning right to travel across the open hill to the Mere house. Finally it was back through Heartsease and via the tarred road, back home to Llanddewi.

Kevin Pugh of Llidiartywaun with his County 4600 four
Kevin Pugh of Llidiartywaun with his County 4600 four (Copyright: E A Bates) (.)
Mark Hornsby with his International
Mark Hornsby with his International (Copyright: E A Bates) (.)
Some of the 4x4s taking part, Lilian Powell of Penybont with her landrover and Andy Price of Dolley Green in his discovery
Some of the 4x4s taking part, Lilian Powell of Penybont with her landrover and Andy Price of Dolley Green in his discovery (Copyright: E A Bates) (.)