It was a packed meeting at West Dorset Vintage Tractor and Stationary Engine Club at The Colliton Club, where two cheques totalling £2,611.66
were presented to Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.
The cheques were presented in memory of Les House, one of the founding members and long-standing committee members of the club who died unexpectedly at home in May 2020, during the first lockdown.
The first cheque, presented by Adam Biss, Eric Biss and Simon Mills, was raised during a Tractor Trundle, organised last April by Les’ cousins Sammy Biss and her brother Adam, in a memorial to celebrate Les. Covid restrictions at the time of his funeral only allowed ten people to attend – and the family knew many of his friends wanted to pay their respects. More than 100 family and friends gathered for the memorial at Manor Farm in Godmanstone.
Les also held his own ploughing match each autumn with friend, Peter Symonds, who said: “I met Les over 25 years ago at the Steam Fair and became firm friends, going to rallies and ploughing matches,” said Pete, “and we started our own ploughing match in Chideock 22 years ago, and any monies raised going to the Air Ambulance.”
The second cheque was presented by Peter Symonds and Michael Symonds from last October’s Chideock Ploughing Match, in memory of Les.
Receiving the cheques, Susan Dredge from the Air Ambulance thanked everyone, saying: “Each time Pegasus flies is costs £3,500, so every penny
counts. You help keep us flying, as without you we couldn’t be operational.”