CALLING IT A DAY: After some 60 year indulging his favourite pastime on agricultural stationary engines, John Price of The Crescent, Cwmbran, now 74, is finally calling it a day.
Born in 1943 at Sebastopol of sturdy stock, he grew up in the rural environment of rural Usk. While a teenager he accidentally spotted a rusty old 1938 Lister D single-stroke engine abandoned in the corner of a barn.
He acquired it and brought it back to life. Thus his passion for such machines was secured. They were used routinely to power sheep-shearing, milking cows, grinding corn and much more besides.
Over the years John was a familiar and cheery face on the show circuit of England and Wales. And has been awarded numerous fine brass plaques/badges for his enthusiasm and dedication to these simple forms of stationary traction.
Moreover, in recent years and against fierce competition from all corners of England, John Price has been awarded the prestigious William Troake Trophy not once, but three times on the trot. What an achievement! The champion of England has shown that Welsh is best!
Sadly, his vintage engines now stand silent, relics of a bygone age unimaginable to the younger generation obsessed with social media and the like.
(Dr Gareth D John)
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