4 minute read
William Drives His Business Forward
from ONA 104
I joined RGS in Year 7 after obtaining a place from my previous school NPS. I can look back at my time at RGS as being a good stepping stone that allowed me to go on to do what I love doing. I owe a huge thanks to all the teachers who taught me and guided me in the right direction. By William Coates (13-18).
Above: Dr Mark Bell, Biology Teacher visiting William B efore obtaining my GCSE results I knew from the outset that I wasn’t going to be a student with a set of straight A* results but what I did know beforehand is that I tried my best and that’s all anyone can ask of anybody. Without the help and guidance from the RGS staff I can definitely say that I would not have obtained the results I did.
Advertisement
Outside of school
Ever since my early childhood I have always been fascinated with all things mechanical and from the age of about eight my focus turned to tractors. I bought my first tractor when I was 11 years old from the local auction mart which was a 1947 Ferguson TEA-20. Over that winter I stripped it down including the engine and rebuilt the tractor finishing it off with a fresh coat of battleship grey paint. The restoration all took place in a single stone-built garage just next to our house (which is now our kitchen). After winning 3rd Prize at a local tractor rally with the same tractor, my interest for vintage tractors has grown stronger ever since.
The early years of buying
From the age of around 12 to 13 I started buying tractors to sell. The problem was I wanted to keep every one I bought. This became quite a problem for my mother, who was forced to negotiate a host of tractors to get to the front door. After a long and hard decision, I decided to sell all the tractors I had collected, which at the time numbered around 13. I successfully sold every one of them and the business began in earnest after I took the decision to buy in tractors to sell.
Setting up of the business
After two years of ‘training’, when I turned 15, I set up a business; buying, selling and restoring vintage tractors. I named the business Coates Classic Vehicles. Since then, I have been all over the country, locating and purchasing these machines. From the Outer Hebrides, off north west Scotland to Lands End in Cornwall. I’ve travelled all over buying forgotten machines, some of which have been laying in barns for over 30 years, bringing them home and giving them a new lease of life. Much to my mother’s disappointment the yard started gradually to fill up with tractors, only this time they were only here for about a week before they were sold and shipped all over the world.
After one year of trading
The first year has flown by and after leaving school I can now turn all my attention to what I enjoy doing. Looking back on the first year I can say I’ve built up a good contact portfolio with various people whether it be private sellers or traders across the country. This has enabled me to build up what I would think is a good reputation throughout the Tyne Valley in Northumberland and further afield. It’s not only great to bring these old tractors back to life, but also to meet along the way some amazing people who share a similar interest in these old machines.
Where next?
After driving around in a tractor for nearly a year, I’m ready now to take my driving test. Some people have asked what car I’ll drive. After buying Land Rovers in the past (most of them in very poor condition) I thought the time was right to buy a proper Land Rover which didn’t require restoration. After going to view a tractor for sale, the same seller had this very tidy 1991 Land Rover Defender 90 truck cab, which he had just finished rebuilding. I managed to buy the tractor and Land Rover. I intend to use this for necessary towing jobs and as a general workhorse. This is now the business I intend to stay with.
Top: A John Deere 3350, one of the larger tractors William has sold to date Middle: William at work Bottom: A typical weekly stock of tractors on sale by William
A word of thanks
I would like to end by saying a huge thank you to all the teachers, support staff and friends that I have had the pleasure of meeting during my RGS career. I wish everyone in all years the best of luck for future exams and indeed the future. I would like to finish by saying don’t let anyone tell you what’s best suited to yourself. Only you know what you want to do with your life and nobody should be able to tell you differently. I know for sure, I wouldn’t change my way of life for anything in the world. Do your best and success will follow.
