The sun was shining at the Edenbridge and Oxted Agricultural Showground in April, as organisers of its annual show opened up the ground to the public and invited them to help plant trees and view a collection of vintage tractors.
A community effort
Armed with spades and trowels, members of the local community helped to plant 300 saplings at the Ardenrun Showground, as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
(Photo: Helping plant trees)
Show chairman Louise Young said:
“With so many celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee throughout 2022, we wanted to be a part of the fun and get behind the initiative to plant trees in honour of the occasion.”
Hedgerows and habitats
The saplings, which came from The Woodland Trust, will form a new hedge in the field adjacent to Tandridge Lane. This will create a habitat which will encourage birds and other wildlife to nest and forage there, increasing the biodiversity in the area.
It’s part of a wider initiative created to mark the Jubilee: everyone across the UK is invited to plant trees to create ‘The Queen's Green Canopy'.
(Photo: Planting saplings)
Vintage tractors on parade
Fun on the day didn’t stop there though, as members of the South Eastern Vintage Agricultural Club (SEVAC) were also on hand, helping to raise funds for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution, which provides local support to the farming community across England and Wales.
They showcased a fantastic display of vintage and crank handle tractors (tractors that are started with a hand crank), from Fordson Majors to Massey Fergusons.
The club’s tractor run took them all around Tandridge, before returning back to the Showground in time for a sausage sandwich and an ice-cold drink!
(Photo: Vintage tractors)
Fundraising
Around thirty tractors took part in the tractor run, and an impressive £764 was raised with donations from members of the club itself and members of the public.
“We were overwhelmed with the support we had from exhibitors, show organisers and the public,” Anthony Bradford, SEVAC vice-chairman said. “I was one of many people who helped pull this together, so a big thank you to everyone who attended and to the landowners who let us use their fields.”
If you missed it, there will be another chance to see the tractors at the Edenbridge and Oxted Agricultural Show when it takes place on the August bank holiday weekend this year.
One of the oldest agricultural shows in the country, and largely run by volunteers, its purpose is to support agriculture, while educating the public on farming.
Farmer’s daughter and media professional Emily Davies has more than 15 years’ experience in broadcasting, journalism and digital marketing. Through EmPower media she helps local, rural and agricultural businesses and individuals bring their story to life through digital storytelling. Contact her by emailing emily@empowermedia.live or find her on Instagram: @emily.empower.
