Leonard Edward Tuckwell 1926–2017 Forward-thinking pioneer in the agricultural industry, Len Tuckwell BEM, passed away in October.
Farmers Guide is sad to report the death of Len Tuckwell, founder of the Suffolk based John Deere dealership LE Tuckwell Ltd, who passed away at Ipswich Hospital on 19th October following a fall, aged 91. Len is survived by his children; Paul, Amanda and Dave, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His beloved wife Brenda passed away in 2015. Len was a forward-thinking pioneer in the agricultural industry and with spirit and motivation took his first step into the agricultural business in June 1954. Supported and encouraged by
R A D I O Call us NOW 01604 402403
C B
his wife Brenda he created his own contracting business with a capital of £3,000 and half an acre of land. He initially employed three men operating with two tractors, two sprayers, two combines and two balers. His first year’s turnover was £20,000. Today the family enterprise has developed into a multimillionpound business and is one of the UK’s leading farm machinery dealerships. Educated in Raydon and East Bergholt, Suffolk, Len left school aged 14 and started an apprenticeship as a mechanic with Tommy Groves of Hadleigh. He joined the Army in 1944 aged 18, and his service took him to Burma and Japan (which he loved and would return to) before his demob in 1948. Now equipped with more experience, more travelled and with a worldlier attitude to life, Len joined Farm Mechanisation of Crown Street, Ipswich, main dealers for the Ferguson range of tractors. Len’s great success in selling the ’Grey Fergie’ led him to seek a sub
ENCE NO LIC ED R I U REQ
dealership as part of his future business plan. Len and Brenda married in 1952 and in 1954 Len decided to branch out in the contracting business, alongside his Ferguson sub dealership, operating from Grove Farm, Worlingworth. That same year son Paul was born, followed by daughter Amanda in 1957 and second son Dave in 1961. As business prospered, more men and machines were employed for the increasingly comprehensive service now on offer, including the culling and burial of chickens and pigs during the fowl pest and swine fever epidemics of that time. Tractor sales were also developing as farmers learned the value of tractor power. In 1955 agrochemical sales were added with agencies for both Fisons and May & Baker pest control products. In 1956, the now flourishing business included an Allis Chalmers agency and in 1958 a Ford and Ransomes sub dealership. The following 10 years saw dramatic change and growth in Len’s business; the agrochemical sales took off and he had the foresight to go into the manufacture of liquid fertilisers. At the peak, he had over 400 sprayers and tanks out on hire to his Suffolk customer base. Len’s motto, “Why hump when you can pump?” proved to be highly popular! In 1964 Len purchased his first farm at Bedingfield House but undoubtedly the most significant move came in 1965 when the company became one of the first four dealers to take on the new John Deere Dealership in the UK. Sales of tractors and combines flourished and in 1978 LE Tuckwell Ltd became the first UK dealer to settle £1,000,000 in a single year with John Deere Ltd. Expansion of the franchise
continued to increase with the opening of a depot in Ardleigh by Len’s son Paul in 1975. In 2001, the now Tuckwell Group, trading as P Tuckwell Ltd purchased neighbouring dealership Blyth & Pawsey and JE Buckle Engineering in 2012.
Len pictured in 1981.
Also in 1975 Len and Brenda, accompanied by Amanda and Dave, returned to Len’s much-loved Japan where he secured the right to be the sole importer of the Iseki Tractor Range. He formed LE Toshi Ltd and created a good foundation for the Iseki range before selling it on to Lely UK Ltd. During his life, Len suffered a couple of serious illnesses which resulted in him having to slow down and take a back seat in 1982, however he still took a keen interest and to the very last was keen to know what was going on in the business. In 2014, he was very proud to be awarded a BEM in the New Year’s Honours list. Len will be greatly missed by many people and his vision and achievements will never be forgotten. ■
For the complete range of ALL CB Radios & Accessories visit
www.THUNDERPOLE.co.uk
CB Radio T-800
Only
£54.99
The Starter Pack CB Radio
Celebrating 40 years in business (left) and 50 years (right) at the Suffolk Show in 1994 and 2004 respectively.
30 www.farmersguide.co.uk December 2017
1-31 ROP Dec.indd 30
11/11/2017 14:18
AGRI