Tractors gather for Shrewsbury man John's 100th birthday
He spent more than 40 years working for one of the country's best known tractor firms.
And now John Mullard has celebrated his 100th birthday in style – with the chance to see some of his favourite vehicles.
Mr Mullard, who retired from David Brown Tractors 36 years ago, celebrated his centenary with family and friends, at the Riverside Hotel, Cressage, near Shrewsbury, yesterday.
Mr Mullard, who was brought up at Sheinton, near Shrewsbury and has lived there most of his life, had a long career with David Brown Tractors between 1938 and 1980.
In honour of the occasion, Pontesbury Tractors arranged to take a modern Case IH tractor and a vintage David Brown tractor provided by Gordon Potter, a former David Brown engineer, to the hotel, to bring happy memories to Mr Mullard.
He was ideally suited for a career with tractors, as the son of a blacksmith, with a smallholding at Sheinton.
His mother was also of farming stock. He joined David Brown Tractors in 1938, after working on the family farm and for Lucas electrical and automotive engineers. He worked for Case Tractors until 1980, following the 1972 sale of the David Brown Tractor Division, to the Case Tractor Company.
Until his health weakened in recent years, he could put together a fully working version of a David Brown tractor from his own era in no time at all.
Mr Mullard played an active part in community life, despite his busy career.
He retired from 25 years in the chair of the Cressage Harley and Sheinton Parish Council, at the age of 81.
He was also always ready to lend a hand to those needing assistance.
