Vintage machinery meets light show spectacular

Vintage festival of light rally and illuminations organised by South Wingfield classic tractor group. Len Gillings with his 1920 matthews generating plant.

Dubbed Blackpool in Miniature, the ninth Vintage Festival of Light attracted around 2,000 visitors to Ashover Showground.

The weekend festival was organised by the South Wingfield and District Classic Tractor Group as part of ongoing support for the Derbyshire, Rutland and Leicestershire Air Ambulance.

Over the past ten years, the group has raised in excess of £10,000 for the service.

Dave Hoult, one of the organisers of the festival, said: “The air ambulance is close to our hearts.

“It doesn’t have any funding from the Government.”

Santa’s sleigh was towed around the showground by a 1949 Ferguson tractor, driven by Dave, who lives in Tupton.

More than 80 children visited Santa’s Grotto, older visitors watched a dozen bands and as darkness fell, the showground was lit up by festive displays, decorated stalls and strands of fairy lights in caravans.

Dave added: “It was a great weekend.

“We were very lucky with the weather.”

Visit vintagefestivaloflight.org.uk for information.