MBE for lover of vintage tractors

Samuel Evans has 10 tractors, including this 1939 Standard Fordson

An 84-year-old great-grandfather who preserves vintage agricultural machinery has received an MBE in the New Year Honours.

Samuel Evans' collection includes rare tractors, threshing machines, balers and chaff cutters dating back 70 years.

Mr Evans, of Pennal near Machynlleth, was a founder member of the Meirionnydd National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club.

The 84-year-old, also known as Sam Pennal, said the honour was a "shock".

"I knew there was something going on somewhere with all the questions I was being asked," said Mr Evans.

"I twigged something but I never thought it was anything to do with this!"

Mr Evans, who has one daughter with his wife Elizabeth, started his working life in 1938 at the age of 14 as a farm labourer.

"We were a family of six kids and I was the eldest. In those days, one mouth less to feed meant a lot to the family," he said.

"I had to earn my living once I left the school."

In 1943 he did a variety of farm work for the Meirionnydd War Agricultural Executive Committee, or war ag, developing his interest in vintage agricultural machinery.

Future generations

Mr Evans later set up an agricultural contracting business and started building his collection which now includes 10 tractors, five crawlers - tractors with tracks for hilly terrain, threshing machines, balers and chaff cutters.

"I keep them for the future generations for them to realise what was happening in the past," he said.

"Somebody must pass it on to the youngsters but whether they accept it or not I don't know."

His favourite item is a D2 Caterpillar crawler that was sent to Britain from the USA during World War II.

"They were given to the British government to help the growing of food for the population of the country," he said.

"It was only in 2007 that the UK repaid America for all these."

Mr Evans exhibits his machinery and is involved in the Meirionnydd club's tractor runs to raise funds for various charities.

• Roger Jukes of Welshpool, Powys, has also received an MBE, for services to farming and the environment.