THE final meeting before the summer break of the Mid Devon Tractor Engine and Machinery Group will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday, May 18 at Morchard Bishop Memorial Hall when the speaker will be John Wakeham.

John will be familiar to many people as an auctioneer of many years at sales throughout the county, but he is also a leading expert on steam traction engines and has featured with his 1917 McLaren engine at many local events, as well as annually at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.

He was also seen nationally last August on BBC “Countryfile”, when Matt Baker was introduced to the joys of driving a steam traction engine by John at the controls of John’s machine.

On Wednesday, John will give a presentation on “Steaming through Ireland and New Zealand”. Potential new members are welcome and refreshments will be served.

For further details please telephone the secretary, Michael Coleman, on 01363 84622.