The farming community came out in force to spread festive cheer as the now annual tractor run made its way through County Durham country villages.
A convoy of brightly decorated tractors wound its way through villages in Teesdale on Friday evening (December 12), lighting up a cold winter’s evening for hundreds of excited families.
Around 95 vehicles took part in this year’s Woodland Christmas Tractor Run, with drivers dressed as Father Christmas, The Grinch and other festive characters, as the dazzling tractors travelled from Tilesheds Farm Woodland, through Cockfield and Ramshaw before returning home.
The event, now in its fifth year, originally began as a small community event in 2021, and has now grown into a cherished family tradition.
Organiser Becky Land, 40, said: “We started this in memory of our cousin Michael, who we lost during Covid.
“It was such a difficult time for everyone, and we wanted to do something positive together.
“We had about 20 tractors that first year, so to see nearly 100 vehicles lined up now is mind-blowing.”
This year’s tractor run was held in aid of Butterknowle Primary School, after the school’s outdoor play equipment was condemned and needs replacing.
Becky said: “All the money raised will go directly to Butterknowle Primary School to help them replace their outdoor equipment.
“They needed help with raising money for it, so when they approached us, we just decided to do it for them.”
The organisers of the beloved event also pledged £200 to each of the schools along the route, including Cockfield, Ramshaw, Woodland and Evenwood, as a thank you to the communities who welcomed the convoy through their villages.
Huge crowds flocked to watch the festive tradition, braving the chilly weather as streets filled with families excitedly waving as the tractors drove past.
Ms Land said the response was “incredible.”
She said: “In Woodland, people were lined up from one end of the village to the other, and in Cockfield and Evenwood there were crowds everywhere. To see that many people out on a cold winter’s night was really special.”
Organisers had already raised more than £4,000 before the convoy set off, with a final total still being counted following bucket collections and online donations.
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Ms Land said this year’s event was “another success” and it wouldn’t have been possible without the tractor drivers and volunteers who took part.
She said: “You look down that line and see how much effort the drivers put in decorating their tractors.
“Without them turning out and supporting us, none of this would happen.”
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