Transport Museum teams up with Massey Ferguson for new exhibition celebrating city's tractor history

Pictures, maps, memories and stories

Transport Museum teams up with Massey Ferguson for new exhibition celebrating city's tractor history

Postby dutchman » Thu Mar 31, 2016 4:27 am

Museum marks 70th anniversary of when first Ferguson TE20 rolled off the Banner Lane production line

Image
The 517,651st and last TE20 tractor rolls off the assembly line at Massey Ferguson in June 1956

There has never been any doubt about the pulling power of the tractor – but it is about to be immortalised as a mud and glory hero in Coventry.

The city's Transport Museum, in Millennium Place, will welcome enthusiasts through its doors to witness the significant role Coventry has played in the manufacture and global market dominance of the tractor.

Over the course of 2016, the landmark museum will celebrate the tractor's historical links to the city as we get ready to mark the 70th anniversary of when the first Ferguson TE20 rolled off Massey Ferguson's Banner Lane production line.

Kicking off with From Factory to Field, a family friendly exhibition, Coventry Transport Museum will host a series of events throughout the summer.

The opening exhibition, which runs from 26 March until 18 September, is supported by Massey Ferguson and features everything from the famous Little Grey Fergie to the latest earth moving and agricultural pulling technology.

Later this year, Coventry Transport Museum will also play host to 70 Tractors for 70 Years, a scheduled July event which will see 70 Massey Ferguson tractors parade through the city centre to Millennium Palace.

Other events to be held include a Farmer's Market in September, with accompanying folk music, and Fields of Joy, a musical celebration of the tractor set to be held in June.

Gary Hall, chief executive for Culture Coventry, said: “2016 will be the year of the tractor as our tribute to its pulling power and romantic appeal as well as reconnecting the city with a manufacturing icon that was sold all over the world – there is something for everyone in this mud and glory celebration.

“Without the tractor, the UK would not have become the agricultural powerhouse that it became, and without Coventry the story would have been very different.

"The events plough a rich furrow of landmark achievements and highlight the city’s role in popularising the tractor throughout the world.”

The exhibition From Factory to Field is now open.

Image
User avatar
dutchman
Site Admin
 
Posts: 50296
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:24 am
Location: Spon End

Re: Transport Museum teams up with Massey Ferguson for new exhibition celebrating city's tractor history

Postby dutchman » Fri Jul 29, 2016 3:24 pm

Coventry celebrates 70 years of tractor building with parade of 70 Massey Fergusons

Image

An iconic Coventry-built tractor that changed the face of agriculture across the world celebrates its 70th anniversary this weekend.

The Little Grey Fergie, turning 70 this month, will feature alongside 70 other Massey Ferguson tractors in a procession to Millennium Place on Saturday July 30.

The famous TE20 will be centre stage, joined by the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Coun Lindsley Harvard, who will be leading the parade on board a brand new MF 8700 specially manufactured in black and sporting the City of Coventry Culture 2021 bid colours and the City’s crest.

At 10.45am, tractors and attendees will gather for a mass ‘honk and hoot’ on Millennium Place to mark the occasion.

Visitors can also see the history of tractor production in the city of Coventry - which once produced in their tens of thousands at the Banner Lane factory - with an exhibition at Coventry Transport Museum.

Other attractions on the day include a special busking performance from Coventry based West End actor Dave Willetts on the Village Green from 1pm.

Les Arnold of the ‘Friends of Ferguson’ will also be presenting a special talk on the life of Harry Ferguson at 2.30pm.

The innovation behind the little grey Fergie - the brainchild of Harry Ferguson – lay in its legendary three-point linkage system which allowed the attachment of ploughs and gave the Fergie its unique pulling power.

With his own Fergie turning 60 this year, Les Arnold, said: “This is more than a tractor, it represents a piece of agricultural history that is famous the world over and as reliable and relevant as it was 70 years ago.

“The Fergie is synonymous with Coventry, but enthusiasts from all over the UK and further afield will be present in the city to celebrate its life on 30 July.”

Gary Hall, chief executive of Culture Coventry added: “2016 has been the year of the tractor and the procession will itself prove the lasting pulling power of the Little Grey Fergie 70 years after it rolled off the Banner Lane production line.”

“As we approach the bid for the City of Culture, we look back at the historic relationship between Coventry and Massey Ferguson, who have provided fantastic sponsorship for this celebration.

“This procession, which includes a number of different tractors, will plough a rich seam of history, but will also look to the future of this great city.”

Image
User avatar
dutchman
Site Admin
 
Posts: 50296
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:24 am
Location: Spon End

Re: Transport Museum teams up with Massey Ferguson for new exhibition celebrating city's tractor history

Postby 20A-Manor House » Sat Jul 30, 2016 11:48 am

Having worked at Banner Lane, I had to pop down and have a look.

Image
User avatar
20A-Manor House
 
Posts: 38
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:02 pm

Re: Transport Museum teams up with Massey Ferguson for new exhibition celebrating city's tractor history

Postby dutchman » Sat Jul 30, 2016 3:56 pm

Cheers Manor House, great picture :thumbsup:
User avatar
dutchman
Site Admin
 
Posts: 50296
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:24 am
Location: Spon End

Re: Transport Museum teams up with Massey Ferguson for new exhibition celebrating city's tractor history

Postby dutchman » Mon Jun 18, 2018 11:24 pm

User avatar
dutchman
Site Admin
 
Posts: 50296
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:24 am
Location: Spon End


Return to Local History

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests

  • Ads