Weather fails to deter vintage collectors

Farm machinery enthusiasts took a trip down memory lane during a weekend of displays and demonstrations in west Suffolk.

Despite the inclement weather, several hundred people attended the Monks Eleigh Bygone Collectors Club’s (MEBCC) annual rally, held at Great Waldingfield airfield on Saturday and Sunday.

Now in its 14th year, the event enables avid collectors to show off their prized vintage tractors, steam engines, cars and motorbikes. Club members, local charities and organisations also set up stalls, and entertainment is provided in a grand show ring.

All money raised from this year’s event will go to Bury-based Suffolk Diabetes Interest Group and the local branch of Age UK.

MEBCC chairman and founder Paul Goodchild said: “The weather wasn’t too kind but we were so pleased that it didn’t put people off coming out and supporting us.

“New this year was a display by a dog agility team and they invited dog owners to take their pets along to find out how they should be trained properly.

“We had steam tractors and lots of stalls with people collecting a wide range of different items, and exhibitors came from all over the region.

“As usual, we would really like to thank Chilton Grain for continuing to allow us to use the airfield.”

The club, which currently has around 130 members, is looking for young people to join its ranks.

Mr Goodchild added: “We have handed a lot of the running of the event over to our younger collectors and we are keen to attract more young people to the club to ensure its future.”

Anyone interested in joining can call Mr Goodchild on 01787 372478.

The club’s next event is a vintage tractor ploughing day in Valley Road, Great Waldingfield, on August 30.