On Your Farm

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

Magazines & Reviews

Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Getting to the heart of country life with a look at individual farming endeavours

BBC Radio 4 FM

On Your Farm: Two Centuries of Tractors

Two Centuries of Tractors

BBC Radio 4 - On Your Farm, Two Centuries of Tractors

Anna Hill is at the world's largest monthly sale of second-hand farm machinery.

For nearly two centuries, Cheffins of Cambridge has been selling second-hand farm machinery. Anna Hill meets the man about to step down after more than 30 years in the business.

For nearly 200 years the machinery auctioneers Cheffins of Cambridgeshire have been selling second-hand farm machinery. It is the world's largest monthly sale of machinery, attracting around 3000 lots - including tractors, construction equipment and farm machinery. As one of its partners, Bill Pepper, signs off after more than thirty years in the business, Anna Hill meets him to find out about the company’s fascinating history. 

She joins buyers and sellers in the field where bidding is fast and furious, and talks to Bill about how the company has thrived, even during the pandemic, when sales had to go completely online. He tells her about the impact over the years of game-changers like Foot and Mouth disease, the fall of the Iron Curtain, and the changing landscapes created by Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic.

Produced and presented by Anna Hill.

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

On Your Farm

Two Centuries of Tractors

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4