WHEN what should have been a routine hip operation turned out to be anything but, leaving Ken Nott with major mobility problems, fellow tractor enthusiasts decided to do something to help defray some of the extra costs for Ken and his wife, Helen.

They used to live at Henstill but now live in Copplestone.

Ken had the hip replacement operation at Shepton Mallet. He nearly died, but was sent to Yeovil Hospital where he stayed for five weeks, then Tiverton for a week before going home.

“I still have problems,” he said. “I still need two crutches to be able to walk.”

On Wednesday, August 17, Ken had an operation at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital at Stanmore, London to sort out a trapped nerve. He was back home on Friday, August 19 and he and Helen were at the tractor run on the Sunday afternoon (August 20).

Ken has been a member of the Mid Devon Tractor Engine and Machinery Group ever since it began 40 years ago. He has a 1980 Massey Ferguson.

The dozen club members did an 18-mile run that day taking two hours to visit Hittisleigh, Bow, Bow Parish Church to Coleford and back to Knowle for a cream tea.

People and their tractors had come from Ashreigney, Coldridge and places nearer Knowle.

Some were also members of Okehampton Ploughing and Vintage Machinery Group, including Ken Nott.

This October sees the 40th anniversary of MDTEMG which members will be celebrating.

Sue Read