Eastern Area Road Run 2005

On Sunday the 10th April 2005 about 23 tractors and 4 or 5 4x4's met at Trethorne Leisure Farm at Kennards House for the annual tractor outing. The day started looking a bit grey and I didn't know quite know what to expect in the way of weather as I made my way to Trethorne for the start. However my worries soon proved to be unfounded as the sun began to peep through the clouds to give quite a nice day. We left at around 10.15 and headed to Pipers Pool where we dropped down into the Kensey Valley to go off-road up over Red Down on a stone track and then across three grass fields to join the parish road once more. This section was kindly volunteered by Mr Paul Burden and proved to be very popular as it gave us a chance to enjoy the long distance views that can be had from this high ground. Penheale Manor was next giving a chance to admire this beautiful estate which is lovingly looked after by its owner and custodian, Mr James Colville, to whom I am very grateful to for his permission to pass through. The ford over the River Ottery proved very interesting for the passengers in low trailers! Climbing up the hill away from the ford I began to wonder where the years had gone as this land used to be my home patch. I have probably driven tractor wheels over every inch of those fields in my time but I find it hard to believe I left 27 years ago. On the way to Canworthy Water we saw a few of the locals who seemed pleased to see us and as I stopped to ring our dinner venue with our eta I wondered what the house owner was thinking to look out of the window to see twenty odd tractors stopped in the lane!

At Treneglos we turned into a lane marked "unsuitable for motors" and headed down to a little ford and then to Higher Scarsick to head up another track past fields owned by Mr and Mrs French who kindly allowed us the right of passage.
After unlocking the barrier I then took my trailer and ten passengers into Wilsey Down forest where we stopped for a while. This was to allow Paul Burden time to relock the barrier and then go on in front to unlock the edit barrier. Many people took this opportunity to go and inspect the trees!!
Wilsey Down forest tracks were made available to us courtesy of Forest Enterprise and my gratitude must go to them and to Mr Andrew Ball the forest ranger without whom we would not have gone in there (and yes he is related to me!)
The meal at the Wilsey Down Hotel was in my estimation excellent. Thanks must go to Jane and all of her crew who worked hard to keep our waiting time as short as possible. I have told her we would be more than happy to go back again.
After dinner we crossed the A395 to head for Treglasta and down into the Inney Valley. Climbing up the other side gave us a view down the valley which is quite unique as the rock structure and steep sided valley which is like no other in Cornwall. Bowithick came soon after with its sleepy little hamlet and little ford. This place was quite busy during the war with Americans billeted in huts up the valley. A walk up by the steam will reveal foundations that are still probably better than the foundations of most newbuilds today.

Moving on towards Polyphant we quickened the pace a little before calling a halt on Polyphant green. This village green is probably one of the most picturesque in Cornwall and certainly looked it in the bright afternoon sunlight.
Lewannick soon came into view followed by Trelaske and the steep hill down to Trelaske Mill which was once part of the large estate which owned all the land in this beautiful area. The road junction here is very dangerous as tractors have to put their noses out into the road before the driver can see, so we needed a marshal. Thank you to Yvonne for offering to do the job.
Heading up the hill towards South Petherwin and the finish I couldn't help but notice everyone's good mood so I was not surprised to find, on arriving back at Trethorne, that everyone had enjoyed themselves. I was also surprised to find that your very kind donations amounted to just over £170, which will go towards our Macmillam Nurses appeal this year.

There that's washed the chassis

Yes but whose chassis !

After a bit of chin wagging everyone went off to their home patch and I would like to think they had a lot of things to talk about when they got home!
I must thank Winston and all the Davey family for allowing us to use Trethorne as a meeting place. It was ideal and it is nice to have been told we are welcome to meet there again. Thank you also to Paul Burden who offered to help organize this years event, he was more of a help than he will accept credit for.
Lastly thank you all for participating and making all the planning worthwhile, remember its your event, I just organise it. Please feel free to make any comments or suggestions as to how to improve things, you wont upset me! (next year lets have more lady drivers)
I hope I haven't missed out anyone so if I have I am sorry, that's it from me.

Bob Ball

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