Tractor fan always returns home

A Shropshire vintage tractor enthusiast has travelled the world competing at shows but always returns to the West Mid Show - this year being his 37th as an exhibitor.

Sonny Smith, of Ford, has devoted his life to vintage tractors and competition ploughing, which has seen him travel overseas to America and Europe. But he stays loyal to his local show and always looks forward to the spectacular.

This year he is exhibiting his Oliver 80 vintage tractor - a vehicle he has had since he was nine - as part of the Mid Shropshire Vintage Club's display.

He said: "My dad had this tractor new in 1941. We have owned it from new.

"It did a lot of work in the war which was mainly ploughing.

"In 1969/70 I put a coat of paint on it and that's all it has had done to it."

Mr Smith has displayed his tractors all over the country including in Worcestershire, Cumbria, Nottingham and Shropshire.

The 74-year-old's passion for vintage tractors began as a child when he began ploughing, which led to him ploughing professionally and judging competitions all over the world, including in America, Holland, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and Hungary.

But he always returns to the West Mid Show year on year.

"I have been coming to the show since before I left school and I'm 75 next birthday.

"I started ploughing when I was nine with this tractor I have with me today, which was during the war, and have loved it ever since," he added.

"I have been showing vintage tractors since 1970 so have been coming showing here for 37 years.

"It's my hobby, the vintage tractors but I have been doing a lot of competition ploughing over the years.

"I started ploughing in competitions when I was 13 in 1947, when I won my first competition in this tractor. That was at the Alberbury and Cruckton Ploughing Society.

"I have since ploughed in the world championships in America and have won the European championships in Germany in 1988. After that I decided to retire from professional ploughing."

By Sarah Bullock