Playing with tractors - how a work horse became multi-purpose

Liz Wright looks at the changing role of vintage, veteran and classic machinery with even the modern tractor coming out to play

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The little red tractor has long been an iconic vision of farming with the grey Fergie not far behind. But tractors generally are having a big of a moment, escaping from their fields to take to roads and show grounds with their proud owners. It's not new, the vintage tractor display and the tractor runs but they do seem very much on the increase with a whole new generation of tractor lovers taking to the tractor seat. Ploughing competitions have been around for many years and are a very serious business with the competitors sometimes seen measuring, considering and planning their plot. You can do 'fun' ploughing with no awards but even that looks quite serious to me. The Society of Ploughmen (and now women too), do a great job in explaining the rules and are very helpful to those wanting to get started. In October they have the National Ploughing Championships that they move around the UK so they are on different soil types requiring different approaches. This year it is on the 11th and 12th October at land near Allesley, Coventry. But there are some worries; in 1994 there were some 268 ploughing societies and now there are 211 affiliated to the Society. Its also getting more difficul