INTEREST in vintage agricultural and horticultural machinery, together with ancillary implements and equipment has increased dramatically in recent years. In part, this is due to the increasing numbers of smallholders who can still make efficient use of equipment produced in earlier years and also groups of enthusiasts who passionately restore vintage items to their former glory prior to exhibiting at shows and participating in road runs and similar events.

Here in Mid Wales, Radnor Valley Vintage Club is celebrating 21 years of its existence as a club. Together with support from other organisations and individuals, the club is also pleased to be organising the vintage show at Builth Wells again this year as part of the Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival on May 19 and 20. This will be staged in the same location as in 2006 next to the main festival ring.

The Garvie Thresher and Ransomes Baler combination will be undertaking regular working demonstrations throughout the two days powered, of course, by a magnificent steam engine. Also on the upper level of the area next to the threshing equipment will be a fine display of static engines, all designed originally to take various aspects of tedium out of agricultural production.

In the section's main marquee, which provides the headquarters for the section, wonderful displays of hand tools and bicycles of a bygone era can be found. Outside, there will be a display at one end of the marquee, staged by the South East Wales Ferguson Club, which will include some of the finest examples of tractors and equipment ever to be seen in Wales. To the other end of the marquee visitors can examine a whole range of horticultural equipment. For those wanting to quench their thirst, there will be ongoing demonstrations of apple pressing.

Centre stage in the main tractor area will be a very rare example of an immaculate Fordson Triple 'D' and finally, to complete your visit to the section, feast your eyes on the ever powerful steam engines and their lesser cousins the mini agricultural traction engines. For those who wish to expand all they have seen and experienced, the Vintage Tractor Magazine stand will provide varied information on the vintage scene.

Please find time to visit this wonderfully educational section at the 2007 Festival and speak to the owners of the machines, in which they are so passionate about. We wish you all a happy and interesting visit.

Peter D Guthrie, Vice-Chairman of Radnor Valley Vintage Club