THE inaugural Ashley Hall Traction Engine Rally will be held at the Tatton Estate’s Ashley Hall Showground from tomorrow to Bank Holiday Monday.

The event will celebrate steam engines, classic trucks and vintage tractors. Vehicles will include the Burrell Agricultural Engine "Stanley Monarch"; an Aveling and Porter Steam Tractor; a 1947 ERF C15 Commercial Truck; and a Bedford D3 horsebox.

The 50-acre showground is close to Manchester Airport and major transport routes such as the M56 and M6. See tattonestate.com or outdoorshows.co.uk.

THE 62nd Tan Hill Sheep Show at Tan Hill, Arkengarthdale, takes place on Thursday (28).

The recent cold weather has reduced entries to 39, but the competition is still expected to be strong. Judging starts at noon.

Raymond Calvert, show secretary, explained that the cold had affected grass growth and meant farmers had been feeding their stock and had not had time to prepare for the show.

He said: “But it’s a day we always look forward to, I just hope the sun shines and it’s a warmer day.”

BROMPTON & District Agricultural Discussion Society visits the beef unit at Myton Hall Farms, Myton on Swale, on Tuesday, June 2, at 6.45pm and the DKB Trial site at Walworth Grange Farm, Walworth, on Tuesday, June 16, at 4pm. Members should confirm their attendance by next Friday.

ROGER Bacon has been appointed regional sales manager for the North of England by Barenburg UK, a leading producer of agricultural grass and forage seed mixtures.

From a beef and arable farming family in Derbyshire and currently living near York, he will work closely with merchants and farmers across the region.

Mr Bacon has more than 16 years' experience in agriculture and was most recently an agronomist for Agrovista, where he specialised in arable and forage crops, giving technical advice to farmers.