Tractors light up county on dazzling festive parade

Alice CunninghamSuffolk
News imageCarl Humphrey A tractor decorated in festive colourful lights at night time. It has a blow up Santa Claus and snowman attached to its front. Carl Humphrey
News imageCarl Humphrey A drone image of the festive tractors all lit up and parked in a large car park. Other vehicles are parked nearby without lights. Various buildings can be seen in the middle of the site which is surrounded by fields. Carl Humphrey

Tractors dazzled as they made their way through east Suffolk
After the parade, the tractors gathered at the Clarke & Simpson Auction House at Campsea Ashe, near Wickham Market

Over 150 tractors bedecked in Christmas lights dazzled during an annual parade, raising about £16,000 for three charities.

The Suffolk Tractor Light Parade, now in its fourth year, was held on Sunday, with a colourful convoy covered in fairy lights passing through villages and towns including Campsea Ashe, Wickham Market, Melton, Woodbridge.

It was raising money for the Suffolk Accident Rescue Service, The Rural Coffee Caravan, which tackles loneliness with free, friendly pop-up cafes, and The Nest, which has a farm where young people facing mental health challenges get support.

Liz Quickenden, organiser, said it was a "fantastic" event which had "surpassed our expectations".

'Staggering'

"It's a genuinely emotional few hours for us as drivers and organisers, because to see the look on children and adults' faces as we're coming through with these beautifully lit tractors... it's been truly wonderful."

The event has been going since 2022 when just 36 tractors were involved.

Jackie Rusling, another organisers and tractor driver, said the growth had been "staggering".

"But having experienced the feeling you get from seeing so many people take to the streets to watch us go by, the happiness it creates and the excitement for all old and young, I can understand why so many want to get involved," she added.

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Related internet links