From Ireland to Somerset
William Livingstone is the proud owner of a 1982 David Brown 1690 – a tractor that he has owned from new and one that represents the pinnacle of the family’s love for the Meltham-built models.
“Our family has been farming since the 1930s in Ireland, near Ardlougher in Co. Cavan,” William’s son, Mark, explained. “My grandfather farmed approximately 90 acres, which belonged to his brother in-law, and cattle was the main focus of the operation. This was in the day of the horse and cart, which my father can remember well!
“My grandfather then moved his family, his wife and two children – my dad and his sister, up to Co. Tyrone in Northern Ireland. This was in the very early 1950s when my dad was six years old.
“They bought a 104-acre farm, known as Fairyhill Farm, that was made up of fairly wet ground, and although it wasn’t stereotypical Irish bog ground, it was covered in rushes.
“Dairy cattle, along with rearing replacements, sheep and a few pigs, were the main animals at Fairyhill at this time. As time progressed and agriculture advanced, Grandad built the first covered silo, with the aid of his brother-in-law, to house the silage.
“The land was gradually
