FUNDRAISERS brought some tillage to a village and cultivated cash for a Suffolk heritage project.

Tractors of varying makes, models and sizes rolled through the countryside to help raise money for the Long Shop Museum Restoration Project in Leiston.

The farming-themed fundraiser, which set off from nearby Theberton Airfield, was organised by Judy and David Geater in aid of the project, to restore the museum’s listed Long Shop building, where the Garrett engineering works operated the world’s first purpose-built flow-line assembly hall for portable steam engines. The project also hopes to create a modern visitor experience.

Mrs Geater said: “We had a really nice day, with about 22 tractors, and raised �300 for the project with donations from members of the public who came round the museum with us.

“We travelled from Theberton to Bentwaters, where Bill Kemball showed us round the Cold War museum, and then back to Leiston.”

The Museum hopes to attract an extra 20,000 annual visitors by rejuvenating the historic building - part of the former Richard Garrett & Sons ‘Town Works’, a renowned manufacturer of agricultural machinery and engines, employing more than 2,000 workers in its height of production during the Second World War.