Davey's first owner found.

The day at Barnstaple libarary (27th October) resulted in meeting the great nephew of Davey's first owner in 1954. We hope to meet him and for him to meet his tractor after over 60 years.
He kindly sent us a photograph taken when Davey was first in Parracombe.

On 1st December Mr Bray met his Davey, the tractor he bought new in 1954 from Squires agricultural merchants in Barnstaple. There was lots to tell, but it was clear that memories were flooding back. What a lovely occasion though it was a cold foggy day. Davey bears a few scars from his 60+ years but there was much that was not lost and here is a picture of him sitting on Davey.

Bray1

Davey and the Big Red Machine

Book Four is nowavailable, held up a little (see below) by the present lockdown. It is a story about a mystery machine that turns up in the woodland. The illustrations, again by Mary Oldham, are a delight. There are lots of hidden things to find in the pictures. The story is true however.

Sh ! the secret is out. Book 4 is with us now. An entirely new story again illustrated by Mary Oldham. I think the illustrations are the best yet and as always something for parents to read in the last pages.

August 2020. Shops are now open. Major stockist is the Exmoor Nationa Park through its three shops at Dunster Lynmouth and Dulverton., LIt can of course be bought from this website.

Brendon books in Taunton also stock copies. and I will restock them as soon as possible.

The section in the back of book four continues the theme of history of one of the character vehicle. In book four this is the much maligned Austin Gipsy. A very successful fire appliance Gipsy was a standard option from Austins.

The Book

Waking up Davey is a true story for young children and seems to hit the right note judging from the pressure to get the next story out . Enjoy this one though. It would not have happened had my friend Mary Oldham, a local artist agreed to illustrate the text.

Book 2 introduced a new character, Colin the County tractor. This too is based on true events.

Book three is about growing potatoes in a small field. It describes how the potatoes were planted and later harvested with machinary bought from a true countryman who lived on the Brendon Hills. The illustrations portray him delightfully.

As promised book 4 , "Davey and the Big Red Machine" is printed and is available now. A mystery machine arrives and Davey cannot work out what it does. Colin the big County tractor works it to start with but eventually things change for the better and Davey has a go driving it. Read the story to find out what the machine does.

For 2020 I think all possible meetings have been cancelled.