FORTY-EIGHT tractors were driven to Morchard Bishop from a wide area, some driving for more than an hour to get there, for David Gunn’s Memorial Run in aid of Devon Air Ambulance.

Everyone gathered in the field behind the London Inn, three rows of tractors that were set off in fives at five-minute intervals for the 20-mile circular run that took them to Sandford, East Village, Stockleigh English and Cheriton Fitzpaine then Poughill, Puddington and Littleborough for Black Dog and back to the London Inn.

Lots of people had turned out in the rain to look at the tractors.  Luscious cakes for the cake stall had been made by Lisa Daw, David’s widow Gill Gunn, and friends.  

Sarah Gillbard of the London Inn and Wendy Vere ran the barbecue, the bacon and burgers donated by the London Inn and there was a DAA stall run by Volunteers Glynn and Margaret. Eley.  The stall included knitted egg cosies made by a lady in Scotland plus Christmas cards.

There was superb face painting and a band played all through the rain which eased as the first tractors were returning.  The young band had played at the Royal Albert Hall in London. 

The day had been organised by Tash Edwards who was at primary school with Richard and this was the first time they had met since, although they had kept in touch through Facebook. 

Gill Gunn is a local box collector for Devon Air Ambulance.  David died in 2021, no-one could go to his funeral because of covid restrictions but lots of people lined the road from Jane Way’s Grave through the village to the parish church, so in a way this day was a Wake for David.