Memories about an old tractor at Wighton in North Norfolk, our photograph C6433.The farmer writes - North Norfolk farmer Stephen Temple writes about the photograph of the Nuffield tractor featured in Down Memory Lane (EDP, Wednesday, April 11, 2007).

(C6433 Tractor pic)

The farmer writes -

North Norfolk farmer Stephen Temple writes about the photograph of the Nuffield tractor featured in Down Memory Lane (EDP, Wednesday, April 11, 2007).

“This is our tractor, driven by Russell Frary, probably taking hay from Copys Green Farm at the top of the hill behind him to Chalk Farm, further up the street.”

“The Methodist Sunday School is no longer, but the phone box is still there. The village is due to inaugurate a new village sign and seat, which will be located just behind the trailer in the picture, between the pub and the river bridge.”

Mr Temple, who runs the arable, dairy and cheese-making business with his wife, Catherine of Mrs Temple's Cheese, is the latest generation to run the farm.

The tractor driver writes -

Russell Frary, of Waterfield Avenue, Fakenham, recalled the day that the EDP photographer, the late Brian Smith, visited the village in June 1962.

“It was a very hot June day and it was also during a hot summer and a prolonged drought. I was taking straw from Chalk Hill to be put into a rack to supplement the grass for the Chalkfarm herd of Friesian dairy cattle.

“I was employed by JF Temple & Son, of Wighton, between 1952 and 1968,” said Mr Frary.

A cowman, he started work for Stephen Temple's grandfather, James, and then worked for his son, the late John. He recalled that summer because of the drought and also because he got married late that autumn on November 17, 1962.

“We went to Derbyshire for our honeymoon. When we woke up there was 1ft of snow on the ground and much more forecast. So we decided to come home early. It was the start of what became the winter of 1963,” he added.

The next driver of the tractor writes -

Tony Nelson, of Fring Road, Great Bircham, drove the tractor, TAH 448. A year after the photograph, in July 1963, the tractor was owned by Granges Transport Services, of Wells, having been purchased from Baxters of Fakenham.

“I drove TAH 448 for five years with Granges spreading lime from the pit at Wells and also fertiliser from ships at Wells to all parts of Norfolk.

“By this time, it had been fitted with a new Stay-Dri cab. This tractor gave very good service but we did wear out a lot of tyres because of the amount of road work.

“In those days, it seemed a long way from Wells to North Walsham, Stalham and Yarmouth. Many thanks for the memories.”