IN 2017 the Mid Devon Tractor, Engine and Machinery Group (MDTEMG) celebrated the 35th anniversary of its founding.

As many Courier readers will know, the Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) was also celebrating in 2017, in its case the 25th anniversary of when the first rescue flights took place.

From even before it started flying, MDTEMG has supported DAAT financially by donating to it each year part of the money raised for charitable purposes annually by MDTEMG activities.

Over the years, MDTEMG donations to DAAT have totalled around £20,000.

Bringing all this together, there was a presentation by MDTEMG at its Christmas party on December 20 of a cheque for £700 for 2017 to Graham Ley, representing DAAT.

Appropriately, the cheque was handed over by Keith White, the chairman of MDTEMG, who had, in 1991, also presented the first cheque from MDTEMG to DAAT at a time when DAAT was still raising money in order to begin flying.

After the presentation, Graham outlined to those present the latest developments by DAAT, particularly the ongoing roll-out of night landing sites, one of which is at Morchard Bishop, where MDTEMG is based.

In addition to the cheque, a collection on the night raised a further £67 for DAAT, which will again be the principal beneficiary of MDTEMG charitable fundraising in 2018.

MDTEMG, which has more than 100 members with a shared interest in vintage machinery, will have another busy year of activities in 2018.

As well as monthly club meetings, there will be working events when members exercise their vintage tractors and stationary engines, visits to museums and other heritage sites, trips to events well beyond Mid Devon and participation by individual members at many shows and fairs throughout the summer months.

The first meeting of 2018 will be at the usual venue of Morchard Bishop Memorial Hall at 7.30pm on Wednesday, January 17, when there will be a presentation on the South West Coast Footpath by Dave Westcott.

Potential new members would be welcome to go along as a sampler! Further information about the club can be found on the club’s website: mdtemg.org or by telephoning the Secretary on 01363 84622.