The 160th North Somerset Show

Bank Holiday Monday takes place at the Flax Bourton showground on the 6th May 2019.  The North Somerset NVTEC will be exhibiting tractors and machinery on the showground and in the ring.  For entry form click on the picture on left.  Please note that the NVTEC/NFU insurance does not cover tractors that are driveable.  "All members receive Public Liability Insurance as part of their Membership. (eg. Stationary Engines and Static Agricultural displays). This does not cover the Road Traffic Act (includes moving on the showground), ie. Mechanically Propelled Vehicles (eg. Tractors)."

Films of yesteryear with Jim Wilkie. These are still on original filmstock so you may need to be patient with the projector! Also if you have not paid your club renewal then please do so tonight.

£2.00 charity donation entry for buyers. Gates open at 7:00am. Canteen will be available for hot drinks and breakfast. Assistance needed from local members please.

First meeting of 2019 at Redhill on 8th January - please note that this is not the first Tuesday. Please pay your renewals. Help our busy membership secretary by having your renewal form already filled out and the right money. Get a form here: http://www.nvtec-northsomerset.org/membership/ There will also be a club video to watch after you have paid your dues!

4th December Club Night with food and raffle to round off the year.  Get ahead of the game and renew your membership before the January queues!  Any final payments for NVTEC Christmas dinner - 15th December.

North Somerset Tractor Club Autumn Road Run starts from Chestnut Farm, Hewish BS24 6RU on the A370. Courtesy of James and Tom Bardwell

Start time is 10:00am and the finish is at the same location. 

Lunch will be in the Full Quart at the finish.

Please refer to 3. Road Run Guidance.  Those of you taking passengers in a trailer - also read the advice from the HSE - item 4

WC&PR with Paul Gregory.  The WC&P was an unusual independent light railway linking three North Somerset coastal towns. First planned in 1844, it opened in 1897 and closed in 1940. It was quaint and colourful and was operated on a shoestring.

Christmas dinner balance to be paid.

Last meeting at Redhill Social Club was 2nd October. The talk was "Up in Smoke, The Rise and Fall of Tobacco in Bristol" - WD & HO Wills by Mike Britton. Deposits on the Christmas Meal to be paid - Saturday 15th December.

Ploughing match briefing by Tim Hurley.

If you have not entered yet - go to ploughing forms page

Illustrated talk "Around Bristol by Tram" with Peter Davey.

NVTEC meeting at Redhill Social Club: Meeting starts at 8:00pm for club business.

The subject for the illustrated talk this evening will be:

The Stations and Halts of North Somerset with Michael Oakley.  Hopefully the photos will bring back some memories!

To be held on:

Practice Day - Friday 14th 2018 at Winters Lane, Redhill, Nr Bristol BS40 5SH

NO MEETING AT REDHILL THIS MONTH.

Be ready to board the coach to the museum at 7:00 am on Tuesday 3rd July at Redhill Social Club.  Breakfast stop at at Palmers Garden Centre, Yeovil at 9:00am.  Arrival at the museum around Tank Mueum should be in the region of 11am.  Depart time from the museum: 5:00pm with dinner stop at 6:30 at the Cross Keys.  The Cross Keys is a real ale country pub in the heart of Somerset, situated at the crossroads of the A37 and A3153 in the village of Lydford-on- Fosse, between the small market towns of Castle Cary and Somerton.  Arrival at Redhill will be about 10:30pm.

Usual time and there should be refreshments - no alcohol license though!  Last chance to settle up for the Bovington Tank Museum trip and chose your dinner from the menu - otherwise you will get what you are given!  Tick box slips from John Porter at the meeting.

An excellent evening. What a collection! Thanks to Dave and Chris Stuckey for their hospitality

North Somerset Show 2018. Great turnout of club tractors and  implements. Congratulations to Rob Jenkins for a great working demonstation of the thresher in full use and the Jones pickup baler alongside. Thanks to Ivan Williams for getting the selection of implements together for the ring display.  More pictures

Next meeting: May 1st at Redhill Social Club. “A Little Kingdom” with Andre Coutanche. Andre's talk is about that slightly mysterious Lundy Island situated off the north Devon coast. Reminder: those going on the Tank Museum trip should settle up this evening or at the June meeting at the 5th June visit to the Stuckey Collection, West Harptree.

1. AGM and video selection.

Sign up for the annual trip to Bovington Tank Museum. There are only 19 places left. £10 deposit - £65 for the whole day inc breakfast and evening meal. 

Sign up for and collect your North Somerset Show ticket - current mambers only.

Tractor Road Run from West Bagborough, Taunton

Sunday April 8th, 10 o'clock.

Meet at Lower Toollands, West Bagborough, TA4 3EP.

Terry or Jane Ayre, 01823 432439  terstractors@icloud.com

Food available at start and lunchtime.

The small print!

10 o'clock, give yourself time to book in.

One seat one bum unless second properly fitted.

Transport boxes and trailers with prior approval and insured.

4 X 4s allowed at the rear.

Donation from passengers please.

The Agricultural Revolution ‐ an illustrated talk by Jim Pimpernell.

The annual trip in July sign up form will be available.  This trip is to the Tank Museum, Bovington.  Cost per person is £65.  Coach, breakfast, entry and dinner all included.  Deposit £10.

Meet at H. Curtis & Sons, Stanton Wick Farm, Stanton Wick, Pensford, Bristol

BS39 4DB

Setting off at 9:45 but you will need to book in from 8:45 first!

Full details on Ploughing & road run page with a copy of the entry form.

Those of you taking passengers in a trailer - also read the advice from the HSE (document 4 in the list)

This a new date for the club event on the North Somerset Showground.  Please put this date in your diaries.  VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!  Contact Kevin or Rob Jenkins.

The annual ploughing match will take place on the usual date in September ( 14th for the practice and 16th for the match).

The Victorian model farm in south Gloucestershire and north Somerset
From 1850 to 1880, British agriculturists responded to the repeal of the Corn Laws by enlisting the modern advances in chemistry and industrial organisation and steam power.  Prince Albert may have led the way, but several in the Avon region were also setting an example. The new approach had little time to settle before British agriculture was hit by imports steamed in across the oceans, but it left its mark, as much perhaps as had the enclosures of an earlier age. Here William Evans tells how the story played out in these parts.

This book will be launched in the spring but before that you have the opportunity to order it at the special price of £2.95  including p&p. Just send the order form at the bottom of the page)  to W Evans, 5 Parrys Grove, Bristol BS9 1TT before February 15 2018. William will also have copies to buy on the night.

Renewals for 2018 and club videos.

Click on the poster (left) for more details.  If you cannot make that evening then download a copy and post to the membership secretary.

Volunteers needed from 7:00am onwards especially on the gate during arrivals and giving directions to traders and public for parking and unloading.

Christmas get together. 

The final meeting of the year - food provided.

Last meeting at Redhill Social Club on Tuesday 7th of November - 8.00pm. A selection of videos from club member Mike Lawrence.

Deposits taken for Christmas dinner on Saturday 16th December at The Wellsway, Harptree Hill, West Harptree,
BS40 6EJ

Next meeting at Redhill Social Club is 5th September.

Information for members for the Club Weekend & Ploughing Match 15th to 17th September. Volunteers needed!

Video to follow.

Next meeting at Redhill Social Club 1st July. Illustrated talk by the RNLI.

"The RNLI is a the charity that saves lives at sea. Every day of every year, people of all backgrounds get into danger in the water. It’s a problem that we’re here to tackle. 

On 28 February 1823, Sir William Hillary made an impassioned appeal to the nation, calling for a service dedicated to saving lives at sea. 

That service was to become the RNLI. And since our foundation in 1824, our brave lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 140,000 lives.

Today we celebrate our long and proud lifesaving history through our archive and library, collections, exhibitions and museums, all of which keep our inspiring stories of courage alive."

Excellent weather made this a grand day out for the coach party. Despite making good time on the outward trip, the farm shop at  White Row Farm near Beckington did a great job with the full English breakfast - a bit too full for some! The museum and house proved to be well worth the visit despite a hunt for ice creams for a few members of the party. This was later rectified with double helpings. The dinner stop was equally well serviced and enjoyed by all with a few dozing off the meal on the way back (The Three Horseshoes at Chapmanslade).

Some of the younger members of the party had to try out the photo opportunity (left). Mr Williams wearing a suitable soft crash helmet in a pre war Grand Prix car.  He was also seen climbing on the Fordson N in the under 7's play area - with supervision.

Have a clear out and change out your hoard!  Agricultural, automotive, domestic and car boot sales welcome.

 Sharing the passion for this machinery of yesteryear specifically Massey Ferguson,and also other brands, but also to pay homage to the past and present agricultural workforce who toiled often against considerable odds to deliver food to our tables.

With origins going back to mechanical transport before 1890, it is not surprising that as a family the Shoplands have collected a number of vehicles over the years. The family's interest in Military Vehicles stems from employing them in the Timber Business.   http://www.shoplandcollection.com/

Find about more about the project at: http://valeofberkeleyrailway.co.uk/

In the summer of 2013 a small group, all with significant experience of heritage railway preservation, became aware of the potential to create a heritage railway along the existing Sharpness Branch line from Sharpness to Berkeley Road.