There is never a good time for a tractor to break down, but for Lincolnshire farmer Colin Chappell, the timing was particularly unfortunate. Late April had been very dry, and with a change in weather prospects, the birdfood seed needed to be sown immediately. This 'crop' is intended to fill the birds' winter hunger gap and must be planted in a narrow window: after the early May frosts but before the soil dries out too much.
Chappell had just delivered a trailer of seed to the field and was returning to the farm to collect the rolls that press the seed into the soil. As he passed through Brigg, warning lights appeared on the dashboard and steam began to pour from the bonnet of his smallest and newest tractor. He hurriedly pulled into a driveway, with water gushing from under the engine. Half on and half off the road, he quickly caused a traffic jam. A brief inspection confirmed that a call to the tractor dealers was necessary; it was a tricky job and time was running out.
Compounding the situation, part of the traffic jam was a school bus carrying about 30 children, who were now late for their day trip to Chappell's farm. These 'inductions' are regularly organised with the Country Trust charity to educate young people about where their food comes from. As Chappell waited by the roadside, several windows full of waving schoolchildren only added to his embarrassment.
By the time he returned to the farm, the children had already toured the crops and were eating their packed lunches, unaware that instead of being photographed with the little tractor as planned, they would have to make do with the forklift. The day finished around dusk, with the barn owl already out, and Chappell was exhausted after fitting the rest of the day's work into fewer hours. However, the children had an exceptional experience on a real working farm, and the bird food was sown and rolled. The bank balance was much lighter than at the start of the day, but the machinery is vital to the farm's operation. Tractors can cost as much as a house, so they are worked hard, and breakdowns are inevitable. This one is now fully functioning again and back earning its keep.
