Local News

Tractor Run sets off this Friday evening

18/12/2020

The annual convoy of tractors illuminated in fairy lights will tour the villages to the south of Banbury

For the past four years a fairy lit convoy of tractors has toured the villages to the south of Banbury. The Tractor Run is organised by RC Baker Ltd Agricultural Contractors and sees members of the farming community coming together to bring some festive cheer and raise money for the Katharine House Hospice.

The event was dreamt up by Jennie Steenkamp from RC Baker. When she shared the idea at a business meeting her colleagues at RC Baker weren’t sure what to think. “They thought I was mad”, Jennie told us. “The farmers work so hard, ourselves included with our contracting business. I thought to do something a bit fun at this time of year when the pressures are not quite as high as usual would be really nice.”

At the first Tractor run in 2016 Jennie was hoping for around a dozen tractors to join us, but 26 got involved. Jennie said: “I remember as they started coming down our driveway this idea had turned into a reality. I was completely blown away by the effort that people had made. It was absolutely amazing.”

Since that first year the event has grown into an annual attraction that people look forward to. Last year 103 tractors were part of the tour and the collection raised £10,000 for Katharine House.

Since inception the Tractor Run has in total raised over £21,000.

To enable this year’s event Jennie and her team have had to include changes to the way the convoy normally operates to ensure the safety of those involved and the safety of the general public. People have been asked to ensure social distancing is maintained, to wear face masks and to head home as soon as the tractors have passed.

Tonight’s Tractor Run will include 100 decorated vehicles. These are the approximate timings for seeing the convoy:

17:00 – depart from Spring Hill Farm
17:05 – arrive at South Newington
17:15 – arrive at Milcombe
17:25 – arrive at Bloxham
17:35 – arrive at Milton
17:40 – arrive at Adderbury
18:00 – arrive at Aynho
18.10 – arrive at Clifton
18.20 – arrive at Deddington
18.30 – arrive at Hempton
18.40 – arrive at Barford St Michael
18.45 – return to Spring Hill Farm

Due to the pandemic there will be no cash collection for Katharine House on the route this year. Instead people are asked to donate online or using their mobile.

To make a donation via the ‘Text to Donate’ facility Text “TRACTORLIGHTS n” to 70085, replacing “n” with the number of pounds you wish to donate. The minimum donation is £2 and texts will cost one standard rate message. As an example if you wished to give £10 you would text “TRACTORLIGHTS 10” to 70085.

You can also donate via a dedicated JustGiving page.

Find out more about the Tractor Run here.

Listen again to our interview with Jennie Steenkamp here: