Hundreds of illuminated tractors made their way around Welshpool and surrounding villages to raise money during the festive season.
On Sunday, December 10, 225 tractors and farm vehicles gathered at Welshpool Livestock market, which served as the start line for the fundraising convoy.
The 2023 event, now in its third year following prior runs in 2021 and 2022, selected The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust as its charity of choice, an organisation that provides free activities and programmes to terminally ill, disabled and disadvantaged children from all over the North West.
Jenny Clarke, one of the organisers from Powys Annual Charity Events, said: “We’re really pleased with how its come together. Every year the tractor run gets bigger and bigger. We have more participants and more spectators than ever in 2023.
“It’s fantastic to see not just for the spectacle but also for the community sticking together, gathering for a big charity event. We’ve seen tractors here from as far away as Yorkshire and Wolverhampton. It goes to show how much the word about Welshpool’s tractor run seems to be spreading.”
“It’s a lovely mix because the tractor run is both a competition to see who can create the best design, but there’s also a real team effort behind everything with everyone chipping in to deliver a great event for those watching.”
Accommodating more spectators than ever, the event offered the chance for people to travel in a trailer as part of the convoy, raffling tickets for the experience. Organisers also marked out some designated ‘quiet areas’ for spectators with sensory issues, where drivers were instructed not to sound their horns. Mrs Clarke added that it was part of their efforts to make the run “even more inclusive and accommodating”.
The tractors, each festooned with their own unique set of Christmas decorations, gathered at the livestock market at 2pm, giving the public a chance to view them up close and for judges to pick their favourite design.
Winner of the best design award, Kyle Connolly, said: “It feels really good to have won, especially as I spent a long while putting the decorations together.”
The tractors set off at 5pm, with the convoy passing through Welshpool town centre before setting off on a 13 mile long journey that saw them pass through Guilsfield, Arddleen, Four Crosses and Llandrinio.
The total amount of money raised from the event is still being tallied.
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