- Location
- Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Today has been a very special day and one that up until 9am this morning, I had not seen coming
A verbal quote for a bit of business through a key dealer contact in Norfolk resulted in a request to do a site visit local to me, ostensibly to take a few measurements.
I recognised the end customer name and address immediately. As I drew in to the industrial estate looking for building 5, I had the good fortune to see another building door open. I was aware, of course, that Paul Rackham had a forthcoming auction with Cheffins to sell his collection of tractors and machinery on the 26th September 2015. I had heard the rumours of shipping space already being booked and the level of interest this sale would generate.
My business done and a lovely, feet on the ground discussion with Mr Rackham about the cattle farm requirements, politics and the fact that his Daughter lives in my village, I just felt compelled to ask if I could take a look around the collection. In his own very gracious and quiet unassuming way he insisted I did so and drove me down to the building.
I stepped inside and recognised the lines of tractors, in marque / type layout. I introduced myself to the two engineers working on the collection and they kindly pointed out a few of the "stars".
Now as a simple stockman, I have a rudimentary knowledge of tractor history, I can even remember a good few models over my 52 years and from the books I read avidly as a kid.
Nothing, however, could have prepared me for the sight of such a wonderful lifetime collection of 20th Century agricultural mechanisation heritage
What I was witnessing was what my Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather would have seen as boys themselves and this complete collection will be being disbanded in less than one calendar month only 16.8 miles away from my home
As my friend Richard Bryant in my home village remarked when I rang him; even the Cheffins catalogue will become a collector's item
My Father always counselled me that the American assistance in the back end of WW2 was not just military but brought new machinery and aid to the food growing resource of Great Britain at it's greatest need. Coming from some of the best wheat growing ground in the World, I'm sure the Essex farm workers must have relished improved, more reliable machinery. I've been told countless times, the men on the land who grew up with horses became resourceful self taught mechanics
My Great Grandfather Elijah, a horseman working on the land, died early but he may well have recognised some of these fantastic machines including the Holt armoured tractor that never ever made it across the Channel in WW1
To the good experts and enthusiasts on here, I apologise that I was already in information overload as Mr Rackham's engineers regaled me with information about what was unique and special about some of the photos you will now see.
I particularly enjoyed the Ferguson collection replete with implements
The catalogue will outline much more detail and history but I just couldn't resist taking as many photos as my iPhone would allow this morning
Enjoy. Sometimes in a job that I love I have to pinch myself that I get paid to do what I do.
Today was some reward
All the very best to Mr Rackham on the 26th September
A verbal quote for a bit of business through a key dealer contact in Norfolk resulted in a request to do a site visit local to me, ostensibly to take a few measurements.
I recognised the end customer name and address immediately. As I drew in to the industrial estate looking for building 5, I had the good fortune to see another building door open. I was aware, of course, that Paul Rackham had a forthcoming auction with Cheffins to sell his collection of tractors and machinery on the 26th September 2015. I had heard the rumours of shipping space already being booked and the level of interest this sale would generate.
My business done and a lovely, feet on the ground discussion with Mr Rackham about the cattle farm requirements, politics and the fact that his Daughter lives in my village, I just felt compelled to ask if I could take a look around the collection. In his own very gracious and quiet unassuming way he insisted I did so and drove me down to the building.
I stepped inside and recognised the lines of tractors, in marque / type layout. I introduced myself to the two engineers working on the collection and they kindly pointed out a few of the "stars".
Now as a simple stockman, I have a rudimentary knowledge of tractor history, I can even remember a good few models over my 52 years and from the books I read avidly as a kid.
Nothing, however, could have prepared me for the sight of such a wonderful lifetime collection of 20th Century agricultural mechanisation heritage
What I was witnessing was what my Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather would have seen as boys themselves and this complete collection will be being disbanded in less than one calendar month only 16.8 miles away from my home
As my friend Richard Bryant in my home village remarked when I rang him; even the Cheffins catalogue will become a collector's item
My Father always counselled me that the American assistance in the back end of WW2 was not just military but brought new machinery and aid to the food growing resource of Great Britain at it's greatest need. Coming from some of the best wheat growing ground in the World, I'm sure the Essex farm workers must have relished improved, more reliable machinery. I've been told countless times, the men on the land who grew up with horses became resourceful self taught mechanics
My Great Grandfather Elijah, a horseman working on the land, died early but he may well have recognised some of these fantastic machines including the Holt armoured tractor that never ever made it across the Channel in WW1
To the good experts and enthusiasts on here, I apologise that I was already in information overload as Mr Rackham's engineers regaled me with information about what was unique and special about some of the photos you will now see.
I particularly enjoyed the Ferguson collection replete with implements
The catalogue will outline much more detail and history but I just couldn't resist taking as many photos as my iPhone would allow this morning
Enjoy. Sometimes in a job that I love I have to pinch myself that I get paid to do what I do.
Today was some reward
All the very best to Mr Rackham on the 26th September
