Blinged-up tractor parade to raise cash for charity

Louise Parry, HertfordshireReporter
News imageLouise Parry/BBC People watching festive decorated tractors driving through townLouise Parry/BBC
People lined the streets to watch 160 decorated tractors parade through Baldock, Hitch and Letchworth to raise money for charity

A festive tractor parade thought to be the biggest in the UK has attracted crowds of thousands.

About 160 vehicles travelled through north Hertfordshire on the “Farmers on Christmas Lights Tour”.

It was set up by farmer Richard Hill two years ago to boost mental health and community spirit in the wake of the pandemic.

The event, which started in Baldock, also aimed to raise £50,000 for the Garden House Hospice.

News imageLouise parry/BBC Snowman sits at the from of a tractor decorated for Christmas Louise parry/BBC
The 'blinged-up' tractors parade the main streets of north Hertfordshire
News imageLouise Parry/BBC Hugo and Lucy fundraising with grandparents Jean and IanLouise Parry/BBC
Hugo and Lucy fundraising with grandparents Jean and Ian for the hospice
News imageLouise Parry/BBC Tractor decorated with festive lights for a charity paadeLouise Parry/BBC
Jingling all the way for the Garden House Hospice charity

The hospice provides free palliative care for people in North Hertfordshire.

Carla Pilsworth, of the Garden House Hospice, said it was her favourite - and their biggest - fundraising event of the year.

“I’m hoping for fun, laughter and awareness of Garden House Hospice,” she said.

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