Westfield Vintage Tractor Run

Report & Photos by Kenny Wharton, www.kenpics.com

There are many charity runs taking place throughout the year raising hundreds of thousands, if not millions of pounds for well deserved causes. Some are well established and others quite recently created, having only a few years to their name. Westfield Charity Run on 5th July this year ran it’s first ever road run.

Paul Stevenson, an agricultural engineer from Loftus, North Yorkshire organised the event and had the North East coast towards Whitby and the North Yorkshire Moors to choose for his route. The North Yorkshire Moors has been home to several TV and Movie filming locations and is commonly known as ‘Hearbeat Country’ after the popular TV series. It would have been all too easy for Paul to simply select these locations but he did not want it to become the ‘Heartbeat Run’ He chose several other spots including the scenic village of Egton and Danby beacon, a high spot on the moors with fantastic views. The route also passed through a ford next to Duck Bridge, a grade two listed steep sided bridge near the ruins of Danby Castle.

Unfortunately only a dozen or so tractors turned up for the run and Paul openly admitted he still has a lot to learn about organising the run. Despite the low turnout Paul managed to raise £365 for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute. Since photographs of the run were shared on social media it has generated a lot of interest with people asking about future runs in the area. Paul has said next year’s run will take place a little earlier in the year to avoid clashing with other events.