Christmas charity tractor run starts tonight in Hampshire
Bob's Christmas Tractor Run will roll out tonight across North Hampshire in support of two local charities.
After a successful run last year — raising £4,789.40 for Victoria's Promise and Family Counselling Trust — a fleet of tractors will form a continuously moving convoy between 5.40pm and 7pm this evening to raise money for Basingstoke Paediatric Ward and Victoria's Promise.
The planned route and timings are as follows: Little London (5.40pm); Early Lands, Silchester (5.50pm); Calleva Arms (5.55pm); Pelican, Pamber Heath (6pm); top of Mulfords Hill (6.10pm); Tadley Hill (6.20pm); Bramley Church (6.45pm); Bramley Station (6.50pm); top of Lane End, Bramley (6.55pm) and Bow Bridge, Sherfield (7pm). All timings are approximate.
The event is free and ticketless. The public are encouraged to find safe viewing points along the route to welcome the convoy. Organisers kindly request that roads be kept clear to avoid congestion for fellow road users and emergency services and for spectators to mind their distance as the tractors pass. Ensure to wrap up warm and bring a torch.
Visitors are advised to walk or use public transport wherever possible, but limited parking is available at Sainsbury's Tadley, Tadley Swimming Pool, Clift Meadow Park in Bramley and in Silchester, where parking times have been extended until 7pm. Track the live progress of the convoy tonight on the event's Facebook page.
Festive volunteers wearing high viz jackets will be marshalling the convoy and holding collection buckets. Visitors can also support these two worthy causes via the event's JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bctr?.
Please contact Hampshire County Council on 0300 555 1388 for any travel enquiries.