On the 16th and 17th June an informal gathering saw Marshall enthusiasts and their machines get together at Tomlinsons Farm near Gainsborough to celebrate a few rather special anniversaries. The first of these was 170 years of the Marshall marque, William Marshall moved back to Gainsborough after his first wife had died while the family were living in St Petersburg in Russia. William was there working as an agent for Wm Fairbairn of Manchester where he had learnt his trade as a millwright. On returning to Gainsborough he bought the millwright’s business of William Garland on Back Street (now North Street) in 1848 thus starting the world renowned name Of Marshalls. The second anniversary saw the celebration of 80 years of the ‘Model M’ diesel tractor, this was Marshall’s fourth venture into the diesel tractor market and was a much improved version of the Marshall 12/20 and is still one of my favourites from the marque. Finally and probably most importantly we celebrated 30 years of the Marshall Club, founded by my good friend Peter Anderson who sadly passed away on the 16th May 2017, the club has and continues to go from strength to strength under the guidance of another good friend Bridget Laycock. You can learn more about and become a member of the club via their website here http://www.themarshallclub.com/ 
Marshall 12/20 and Model M Tractors at the Marshall Gathering
The range of tractors from the Marshall brand was well represented with the earliest model being a 12/20 owned by Michael and Linda Babbings. There were a nice number of Model M’s for it’s 80th birthday, including a nice example in its as found condition that had travelled up from London, one in non-standard blue livery owned by Andy Parker through to one in a beautifully restored concours finish owned by Bob Shaw. Every marque of the Field Marshall range was well represented from the Series 1 through to the 3a and the gathering also saw crawlers from both the Fowler and Marshall group.
Marshall Harvest Gold Wheeled Tractors 100 4×4, 802, 502 and 302
A nice feature of the event was the small collection of the later Harvest Gold wheeled tractors represented by fine examples of the Marshall 100 4×4, Marshall 802, Marshall 502 and the smaller Marshall 302. All of these were in great condition and are becoming more and more popular on the rally circuit. They were joined at Marshall’s Yard on the Sunday by another example, the Marshall 702 which looked as if it had just left the factory.
The event also saw the gathering visit Owston Ferry Pumping Station to see the superb 108 year old ‘LT’ class horizontal, compound, tandem steam engine built by Marshalls & Sons of Gainsborough driving 24 inch Drysdale centrifugal pumps which were made in Glasgow. Originally one of a pair, this engine is believed to be the only one of its class still in its original in-situ location, formally powered by two Marshall Cornish boilers it is currently run via an electric motor as these have been deemed economically unviable for repair. However, there are plans in motion to once more power the engine by steam from a modern boiler and the group are now awaiting approval for this to be run on public open days.
Marshall Class ‘LT’ Horizontal Compound Tandem Steam Engine at Owston Ferry Pumping Station
The pumping station also houses a Ruston & Hornsby, twin cylinder, size 8, ‘HRC’ class diesel engine which could develop 94 BHP at 290 rpm (revolutions per minute). Well worth a visit if you are in the area on one of their opening days.
In the evening Bridget Laycock of the Marshall Club provided a slideshow of all things Marshall to all those still in attendance.
The following day saw everyone up and about relatively early (for a Sunday) and keen to run the tractors into Gainsborough for the usual Father’s Day Road Run. A number of the tractors set off on a beautiful sunny morning into the village of Beckingham before crossing the fields to arrive close to Trent Bridge. As they arrived in the town to once more have the streets of Gainsborough singing to the pop pop of the diesel engines, it wouldn’t have been a Father’s Day run without passing and paying their respects to Britannia at the works.
There were a number of other tractors already awaiting their arrival in Marshalls Yard which of course is the site of the old factory, with a special guest appearance by the Marshall ‘S’ Type Hot Bulb Stationary Engine. Now back on its original steel wheels it had been a good few years since its last appearance back at its birthplace.
As well as celebrating the aforementioned anniversaries the Marshall Club was also at Marshalls Yard to recognise two of its stalwart members, Jeff Bloom and club founder Peter Anderson. The plaque in memory of the two Marshall men was the brainchild of friends of both men and club members Michael and Linda Babbings who also sourced and sponsored the plaque and the design was implemented by model maker David Brook.
The unveiling was held in the presence of a great many enthusiasts with a guard of honour from three very special tractors Field Marshall Series 3a no. 17329 XFO 345/IR 8057 once owned by Jeff Bloom and now owned by the Bloom family, Field Marshall Series 3 no. 12663 EFX 408 at one time owned by Peter Anderson and Jeff Bloom and again now owned by the Bloom family and Model M no. 1174 once owned by Peter Anderson and now owned by Paul Ducksbury.
The unveiling was held under the old Steam Crane at the entrance to Marshalls Yard and it is here that the plaque is now located. Kelly Bloom and Ross Anderson, brothers of the two modern authorities of Marshall’s being commemorated did the honours to rapturous applause.
Once again the Father’s Day event was well supported by tractors, enthusiasts and the general public some of whom were also extended VIP visits to the Gainsborough Heritage Centre. The weekend culminated with a fitting end to any birthday celebration and the cutting of a lovely cake resplendent with the Marshall logo provided by Andy & Lynne Birkitt as surprise for Bridget.
