Dorset to Stithians by Tractor
Philip Elms will be going to the WESES rally in Stithians, Cornwall this August by tractor. Nothing wrong there, just a short 170+ miles run from home in Shaftsbury, Dorset!
I'm 50 years old and have reached a point in life where if I don't fulfil the things I want to do I'll never do them, hence the long journey to Cornwall, incidentally I do intend to try and get to Lands end before returning back home.
Philip’s main job is driving coaches and buses, which he’s been doing for about 15 years. “I couldn't have an office job or similar, I have to be outside and the driving job I have couldn't be better.”
Back in 2006 Philip was experiencing what some might call a ‘bit of turbulence’ on the domestic front and was in need of something to occupy my time so as not to dwell on things to much.
I've always had a keen interest in the past and old machinery etc but in particular old tractors, the older the better.
I started reading about various tractors and restoration projects and the things people did with them and I came up with the idea of restoring an old tractor and living van and driving them to various rallies and shows. A lot of inspiration came from people like Fred Dibnah and I have also read a couple of articles on the ‘tractor trekkers’ and a chap from Somerset, both drove the length of the country!
After mentioning this to a work colleague of mine (who knows everyone) we looked at a few tractors before finally settling on the B414. I bought one from a place called Hilton near Milton Abbas (s/n 46187 of 1965). I went for this model because everyone seemed to be restoring Fordson’s and Ferguson’s so I thought it would make a change to do a less popular restoration. It was estimated that it would cost between one and two thousand pounds to complete, little did I know, and it's still ongoing!
It was good to hear the tractor running when I bought it, which I thought was a good sign, the seller had been using it to split logs.
Not being fantastically rich, Philip settled on a 12-18 month restoration plan, although time and costs stretched his plans, but it was a labour of love spurring him on!
“I was elected to drive it back home from the seller’s, I'd never driven one before, and never anything in such a poor state of repair as this one, and I was shortly to find out how bad this state was!” As Philip neared home he realised the brakes and steering would need sorting (after negotiating a 90-degree downhill bend), but eventually he made it home.
A bit of naivety with the logbook but with help from the Farm Machinery Preservation Society (FMPS) in Norfolk, the logbook was sorted, the tractor getting an age-related Dorset-registration of around 1963/64.
The Living Van was built by a man called Dick Pettis from a village called Sixpenny Handley about 10 miles up the road from me. He has built a few of these over the years and after Philip had looked around for an original one with a reasonable price tag a deal was struck!
It's a bit small but only weighs about one and a half tonnes and I only need it to sleep in and keep me dry. It's well insulated and lined inside with tongue and groove and wood stained. From what I can gather it's built on an old bomb trailer. There’s a wood-burning stove inside but this has to be finished off with the flue etc. The van is fitted with rubber tyres; if I am to do a lot of travelling with it then it has to be practical. I’m finishing fitting it out with a bed and cooker and a few other creature comforts.
As this is my first attempt I'm opting for the easy route, which is the A30, No need to worry about reversing along there! I would love to take the scenic route but it's peak season and one has to take into account the acute lack of patience exhibited by motorists and thus the increased likelihood of something going wrong. I could travel at night but then this would defeat the object of taking the scenic route!
From Shaftesbury I travel to Gillingham, join the A303 and head west for Exeter, this is likely to be the most awkward part as between Ilminster and Honiton there is only a single carriageway so I have decided to do this at night, so the first 80 miles will be in darkness or semi-darkness.
Day 1: Shaftesbury - Honiton 57miles
Day 2: Honiton - Okehampton 41 miles
Day 3: Okehampton - Bodmin 40 miles
Day 4: Bodmin - Stithians Showground 34 miles
Before the trek home Philip plans to go to Lands End, from there he will probably ponder a John o’ Groats run, who knows!
After arriving at Stithians for the West of England Steam Engine Society rally he will have 172 miles under his belt, with a further 46 miles to go via Camborne/Newbridge to Lands End afterwards!
Written by Peter Squires
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