May 21, 2026 - 188 views
A rare piece of Welsh agricultural history will take to the roads of the Vale of Clwyd next month as part of a charity tractor run raising money for Blood Bikes Wales.
Among the highlights of this year’s Vale of Clwyd Tractor Run will be a unique 1960s trailer built by Ifor Williams Trailers — believed to be one of only a handful ever produced by the world-famous company.
The historic trailer will be driven by former Ifor Williams employee Iorwerth Roberts, who spent 40 years with the firm before retiring in 2020.
The annual fundraiser, which sets off from Ruthin Farmers Auction at 10am on Sunday, June 7, is expected to attract more than 100 tractors and Land Rovers from across North Wales and beyond.
This year’s event has received a major boost after Ifor Williams Trailers donated £5,000 to support the fundraising effort.
The 74-year-old grandfather, from Gwyddelwern, said the trailer taking part has a remarkable history dating back more than six decades.
“Sometime in the early to mid-1960s, Ifor Williams did a very small run of agricultural tipper trailers with drop sides,” he said.
“I believe they only did maybe half a dozen of this particular model, perhaps less, possibly only three or four — they are hugely rare.”
The trailer was originally used around the company’s factory at Cynwyd carrying scrap and rubbish before eventually being abandoned in a nearby field and covered in brambles.
“When I joined in the 1980s the trailer wasn’t being used at the time and was left in a nearby field,” said Iorwerth.
After being given the trailer, he arranged for repair and restoration work to be carried out by smithy John Lloyd in Bryn Saith Marchog near Corwen before completing further restoration himself.
“I have had the trailer for at least 35 years now and it has served me well and is in constant use on the smallholding,” he added.
The trailer will be pulled on the day by another classic vehicle — a 1984 Case 1394 tractor.
Event organiser Merfyn Parry said organisers hoped this year’s event would raise a record amount for Blood Bikes Wales, whose volunteers transport blood samples, donated human milk, medicines and emergency medical equipment for the NHS free of charge.
“We’re bowled over by the generosity of Ifor Williams Trailers and are truly grateful for their contribution which will hopefully help us raise a record amount for this vital charity this year,” he said.
The annual event, now in its 18th year, usually raises between £4,000 and £6,000 for charity and attracts vintage and modern vehicles from across Wales and England.
Participants will stop midway through the route at Rhug Estate for a picnic break before continuing through villages across the Vale of Clwyd.
Merfyn said the event had become a popular social occasion as well as a fundraiser.
“There are a lot of vintage tractors out there and it gets them out and about and it is quite a social day,” he said.
The organisers selected Blood Bikes Wales as this year’s beneficiary after learning more about the charity’s work following the death of one of its riders in a collision last year.
Volunteer rider Huw Williams, from Ruthin, said the support was hugely appreciated.
“What we do is all voluntary and all free of charge to the NHS,” he said.
“We need £250,000 every year to run the Blood Bikes Wales service and we have 350 riders and 30 motorbikes.”
He recalled one recent emergency journey where he travelled to Liverpool to collect a specialist incubator filter needed urgently at Glan Clwyd Hospital.
Dave Robinson, Group Head of Commercial Operations at Ifor Williams Trailers, said it was fitting such a rare trailer would be supporting an important cause.
“Iorwerth’s trailer is a real piece of Ifor Williams Trailers history and it’s wonderful it is still in use,” he said.
“That shows the quality of the trailers the company has produced throughout its history.
“And it is terrific that the trailer is being towed by Iorwerth who spent 40 years with the company and was a hugely respected colleague.”
Donations can be made through the event’s online fundraising page.
