Hopes of record year as tractors roll for Grimston church

Supporters of a historic West Norfolk church think they could be in for a record year following their main fundraising event.

Dozens of vehicles took part in the annual vintage tractor road run to and from Manor Farm in Grimston on Sunday morning.

The run was followed by a country fayre which featured a range of craft stalls and demonstrations, displays of steam and traction engines and farm machinery, an owl display and live music.

The event raises funds for the Friends of St Botolph's Church, a Grade I listed building which the group has raised more than £100,000 towards renovations over the past 14 years.

Secretary Roger Haywood, who is also part of the event's organising committee, said: "We're hoping to have raised around £5,000 towards the church's fabric fund. It could be a record year."

Proceeds from the day will go towards one of two major renovation projects which the Friends are hoping to start in the coming months.

One is to renovate the platform on which the pews in the north part of the church stand, while the other is to remove the platform from the west end of the building to create a new social space for events.

Some parts of the building are 1,000 years old and Mr Haywood said the experience the Friends have gathered is helping them to cope with its challenges.

He said: "Every five years, we have an inspection by the church authorities to make sure it's being looked after properly and we're getting good results now.

"We've been going for 14 years and looking after the place for all that time and the jobs that are coming up we're able to cope with."

Mr Haywood also thanked the owners of Manor Farm, Roger and Christine Coe, for hosting the event.

He said: "It's a wonderful setting with the church in the background."

Around 40 vintage tractors formed the road run, which featured a refreshment stop on the village green in Great Massingham.

Meanwhile, popular attractions during the afternoon fayre including a Norfolk Owls display, as well as live music from the band DNA.