Nearly £700 was raised on Sunday, August 20 for Guide Dogs Cymru in the inaugural Builth Wells Tractor Run.

Nigel Gethin in his Zetor leading the tractors
Nigel Gethin in his Zetor leading the tractors (E A Bates)

A variety of tractors old and new gathered at the Golf Links Road field for the start of the Run.

Route plotter, Nigel Gethin, who had chosen the charity close to his heart to support, led the tractors off at 10:30am up Irfon Bridge Road and passed the waving children to head towards Maesmynis.

Llandovery's Stan Archer in his Ford 3000
Llandovery's Stan Archer in his Ford 3000 (E A Bates)

Passing the little church, the convoy then headed off on a farm track to climb Moelfre Hill, before dropping down into the Duhonw Valley and meeting the tarred road again.

After following Nant Bwch and climbing up to head for Cwm Owen, the procession did a short stretch of the old Brecon road before picking up another track across the open hill to drop back down to the road at Pant y Colly.

Descending down the hedge-lined lane, the convoy took the sharp Y junction at Lower Rheol, before moving on to the dinner stop, courtesy of Lyn Jones, at Cilain Farm.

Here the raffle was drawn before the tractors continued on their descent down to Gwenddwr.

Ex garage man Richard Mason leading another garage owner Martin Davies.
Ex garage man Richard Mason leading another garage owner Martin Davies (E A Bates)
Mr and Mrs Tom Nicholls on their International 434
Mr and Mrs Tom Nicholls on their International 434 (E A Bates)

Heading up through the hamlet and over the brook, they climbed up and negotiated the adverse camber of the left-handed hair-pinned junction, before heading for the open hill Waun Hirwaun common.

Across the ridge, the convoy then dropped down to Pen y Garreg and met the old Brecon road again, before passing through Llanddewi’r Cwm over White Bridge and down back into Builth.

Here, the tractors congregated at the livestock market to bunch up and meet the big Valtra tractor and passenger trailer of Gwyn Davies of Penmaenau Farm, to parade through the town. They then parked up at the fun day organised by the town council on the Groe as a surprise attraction.

It was here the local children had a chance to see the classic and modern tractors that had taken part in the run up close and personal and see the Guide Dogs Cymru ambassador dogs.

The organisers would like to thank all sponsors, participants and landowners, especially Mr Edgar Morgan, Mr Lyn Jones, Mr Chris Rowlands and Mr David Bevan who made the event possible.

• Report and photos by E A Bates