Tractor run honours Staffordshire farmer who died from cancer
© Sally Elkin/Rocester and District Camera Club More than 40 tractors turned out over the weekend to honour a much-loved Staffordshire farmer who died from cancer last year.
Emily and Isobelle Meakin helped Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs (YFC) organise the JW Meakin Tractor Run in memory of their dad, John.
The run took place on Sunday (27 March) and has raised important funds for the Katharine House Hospice, where John was looked after, as well as the county federation.
See also: Knaresborough tractor run raises £21,000 for air ambulance
The convoy of vintage and new tractors, led by a rare Land Rover Defender 90 Heritage on loan from the Rybrook dealership in Stoke, set off from the Meakin’s farm in Little Haywood at around 11am.
The 22-mile run passed through Little Haywood, Great Haywood, Hixon and Kingstone before finishing at Blithfield Reservoir.
Celebratory send-off
John loved tractor runs and ploughing matches from a young age and attended events during his time as a member of Staffordshire YFC.
Emily and Isobelle, both former members of Chase YFC, said the coronavirus pandemic stopped the family from giving their dad the celebratory send-off he deserved in March 2021.
“Raising money for Katharine House Hospice and Staffordshire Young Farmers was paramount to us,” the sisters said.
Emily and Isobelle Meakin © Sally Elkin/Rocester and District Camera Club
“Dad was a vibrant member of Staffordshire Young Farmers all of his life, from the early raucous days, then later sharing his knowledge with the new generations.
“The tractor run epitomises Dad’s life for us, with tractor’s dating back to the 1940s, and all through the years, showing history and tradition all the way through to tractors built in 2022.
“Dad would have loved to see the variety and prestige that the tractors showcased,” they added.
So far, the tractor run has raised £1,896.
Julia Taylor, Staffordshire YFC county organiser, said: “It was about bringing friends and family together and we are so pleased we were able to finally help do so after the girls came to us last year with the idea.”
Make a donation in aid of the JW Meakin Tractor Run
HMRC: Red diesel can be used for tractor runs
HMRC has confirmed it will continue to allow tractors taking part in charity runs to use red diesel from 1 April 2022.
This is welcome news for farmers who raise huge sums of cash for charity each year through tractor runs, and clears up any lingering confusion about the rule changes.
The government initially said farmers could continue to run on red for ploughing matches and farm shows when the rules change on 1 April, but did not make clear the rules for charity tractor runs.
HMRC has now updated its guidance, Excise Notice 75, to confirm that red diesel can be used when “running or participating in events which provide information and education that benefit agriculture, horticulture or forestry, including taking part in charitable activities that promote these industries”.
Plans for the red diesel restrictions were set out at the spring 2021 budget as the government tries to meet its climate-change and air-quality targets.
Agricultural vehicles will be entitled to run on rebated fuel for purposes relating directly to agriculture, horticulture, forestry and fish farming.