THE first-ever Tractor Jamboree and Country Fair at Thorverton attracted more than 1,000 visitors of all ages on Saturday, August 9 to see the incredible tractor innovation and engineering spanning 107 years from 1918 to 2025 on Devon farms.

All about the working tractor, and held in a field next to Exe Valley Farm Shop courtesy of Helen and Ross May, the hugely popular event celebrated the farming heritage, skills, food and drink and craft businesses in the Exe, Creedy and Culm villages and parish churches.

With virtually every major tractor brand represented, 50 vintage and modern tractors in daily use lined up in date order from the earliest 1918 Fordson from World War One, to the enormous yellow JCB Fastrac with every technical, electronic and comfort advancement possible.

The Reverend Tim Collins, who leads the Netherexe Mission Community, felt a celebration of the working tractor would bring families together to have a great day out as well as raise funds for the Farming Community Network and the nine churches. The ambitious event proved a winner and thousands have been raised for the two charities.

Rev Collins said: “Whether arable or livestock, the farms in this beautiful part of Devon work ceaselessly 365 days of the year to put food on our plates, to look after the environment and ensure the UK is able to provide for us.

“And of course, all accomplished with the help of the modern workhorse – the ubiquitous tractor.

“What was once a relatively simple, small machine has become a complex, technological marvel.”

Highlights of the event, organised and managed entirely by volunteers, included rides on the Exeter Miniature Railway, penny farthing display, children’s activity area, family dog show, fly fishing activities, artisan crafts, welly wanging, skittles and a Ruby Red beef barbecue, delicious homemade refreshments as well as local beers and ciders.