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Tractor Triumph for Alan - 03/07/08

A four-year labour of love to restore a 40-year-old tractor to its former glory has paid dividends for Baines Jewitt senior manager Alan Wilkinson.

Alan scooped the trophy for best agricultural vehicle at the Preston Park Vintage Vehicle Rally, which attracted thousands of visitors to the Stockton on Tees venue over the weekend of 28 and 29 June

.His winning vehicle was a 1967 McCormick International 434, which has a long association with Alan’s family.

Alan began his working life on his father’s farm, and they bought the tractor in 1967 for around £600.

The tractor continued to be used by Alan’s brother, who subsequently took over the farm, up until five years ago. It was on its last legs and destined for the scrap heap until Alan took it on as a restoration project after already cutting his teeth on a Ferguson.

Alan caught the restoration bug after reading a tractor and farm machinery magazine his wife brought home from the newsagent where she worked. He admits he has no mechanical knowledge but successfully completed both restorations with the help of books, the internet – which was invaluable in sourcing parts – and talking to fellow enthusiasts. He says: “It was a case of trying something and seeing if it would work. It’s amazing what you can do if you put your mind to it!”

Since he completed the McCormick restoration a year or so ago, he has shown the tractor at a number of events and taken part in vintage ploughing competitions but had never won a first prize before.

Now Alan is planning to renovate a baling machine to accompany his tractor – which he keeps in his garage when it’s not on display – and has a busy schedule of summer shows, including the Cleveland Show on 26 July, and ploughing contests ahead of him.

When he’s not working on his vehicles, Alan deals with a range of accounting, audit and tax issues at Baines Jewitt, with a particular specialism in VAT.

He and his tractor are sponsored by the practice, which has a 100-year history of looking after the accountancy needs of farmers in the area.

For more information, call 01642 632032

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