It was a dull day but spirits were high as dozens of tractors converged into Booths Car Park at Garstang. Some old ones and some new ones, over a 100 with the old ones being parked in the square outside Booths store. They’re so small compared to the new mammoth tractors at the far end of the car park.
This is all in aid of the Garstang and District Children’s Festival, collecting money for the 2025 festival.
After a couple of hours of display the parade began at midday. Launched by a chequered flag and a Reindeer tractor towing a Santa sleigh. The route round Garstang was packed.
The old ones, Fords in blue, Massey Ferguson’s in red plus some others:
The new ones:
Garstang has its own Mayor and Town Council which was news to me. The Mayor is Councillor Michal Halford, wearing the chain of office. I wanted a photo to also have the sign on the gentleman’s back. ‘Garstang & District Children’s Festival’. That’s what it’s about.
The Queen of Garstang raised the starting flag then the Mayor offered a hand. Forward came Santa’s sleigh and tractor.
The old tractors awoke from their slumber while the new one’s were already buzzing round the route but they merged at the roundabout.
This grey one was a little corker. It has a very smart iron seat made in Newark it says.
Walking to High Street was a surprise as it was packed and the tractors were racing through. Too fast it seemed and a relief when a delivery driver blocked the road.
A blue one to match the cafe-bar sign. Nineteen: had a bacon sandwich in there and it was thumbs up, the staff were very friendly with all the customers.
A delivery van brought them to close up enabling this good photo of the Massey’s en-masse.
Here looking towards the clock the packed crowds on both sides. The children loved the musical horns.
Here the Mayor demonstrates the horn to a waving child.
It was a fine display and parade. It’s great to see all that together coming in from the fields all around.
Two Garstang posts on here very close, here’s the other: http://www.madeinpreston.co.uk/b/2024/12/a-walk-through-and-beyond-garstang-26th-october-2024/
The related website has a page on Garstang although we just noticed it’s 10yrs old http://www.madeinpreston.co.uk/1hrAway/Garstang.html