Despite the bad weather forecast, Sunday, July 23 turned out to be a dry and overcast day for the annual Nantmel Tractor Run, organised by the Tractor Enthusiasts of Nantmel (TEN club).

The annual Run was again a fundraiser in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Participants came from all over the country including Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Ceredigion, Shropshire and Breconshire, as well as the usual locals.

Starting from Maesygelli Farm, Nantmel, by kind permission of Mr Brian Pugh, the procession, led by John Bates on his trusty Nuffield 345, left the field at 10:30am before turning right into the village of Nantmel.

From here the convoy climbed up past St Cynllo’s Church.

The Run then travelled off-road across to Bwlchbrondinam Farm, by courtesy of the Lewis family, taking in views over the Clywedog and Ithon valleys before picking up the tarred road again.

Heading down to Crossgates and picking up Trelowgoed lane, the convoy continued on via Brynthomas to Llandegley. Here, the tractors did another short stretch of the A44 to turn onto the Rhonllwyn lane to circumnavigate the Shepherd’s Tump to Dolau.

Down over the Heart of Wales railway level crossing, the convoy climbed up to Heartese and past the Colony to Llanbister. Here, the tractors climbed the Rock House pitch to the Pound, where they pulled up for lunch and the raffle was drawn.

Soon they were off again as they raced across the common to Moelfre City to the Brook Cottage, before turning towards Maesllan and descending steeply through the wood to meet the A483 at Llananno.

Turning off to climb Castle Vale to Bwlch y Sarnau, the procession met a convoy of classic Land Rovers enjoying a trip out in Mid Wales.

Turning south to descend the upper reaches of the Clywedog Valley, the convoy passed the Fishpools to emerge on the edge of Abbey Cwm-Hir. Over Rhayader Hill, they then turned onto the Llwyn’s lane to Dolau Chapel and back to the start field.

The TEN club would like to thank all participants, landowners and helpers in their fundraising efforts, amounting to approximately £500.