Not so long ago, a tractor of a certain vintage might have just been considered as being outdated. But nowadays it is more likely to be a desirable object of much interest by the many people who share the enthusiasm for the restoration of such machinery.

Showing vintage machinery is a popular hobby - and older tractors can still serve a very useful practical purpose, as the success of Patrick Edwards illustrates.

Based at Langley Farm, Clanfield, Mr Edwards set up his business selling and restoring used tractors 25 years ago, and has seen it grow thanks, to interest outside the farming community.

"We are always busy. Sometimes too busy," said Mr Edwards. But he agrees that this is not an unpleasant situation in which to be.

Once he had time to take part in ploughing matches, but now the sales display at such events demands all his attention. However, he is also involved in organising his own local ploughing championships.

His workshop has also grow extensively to cope with the volume of work and the space needed to display the tractors.

Additions in recent years have included new welding and steam-cleaning bays, as well as an extended breaking yard.

Sharing a large part of the workload is Mr Edwards's father-in-law, Derek Mula, who joined him soon after the business began, along with six full and part-time staff.

Spare parts Call into Mr Mula's office any day, and he is likely to be answering one - or two - telephones dealing with requests for spare parts.

Many are available from the stores, others will be tracked down through various manufacturers, and the company has a mail order service for smaller items.

Mr Edwards spends much time on the road, delivering tractors and buying more. His sources include farm and collectors' sales, auctions and similar events.

His ambition to work with tractors started while at school, but he was discouraged by teachers who could not see a future in it. Instead, he took an apprenticeship as an electrician.

However, his interest in tractors remained, and after a while he found there was scope to start a part-time business - later becoming full-time. Now it is a source for enthusiasts all over the country.

Mr Edwards said: "When we started 25 years ago, old tractors were not in fashion. But now there is such a big following that it keeps us busy."

There are two sides to this, according to Mr Mula - the hobby' side and another where somebody has bought a house with land and needs machinery to manage the grass.

There are classes at shows for all sizes of tractors, and the two aspects of the business merge when a new owner becomes aware of events they could enter.

"They notice that tractors like their own are being taken to shows, and it goes on from there," added Mr Mula.

It all begins, though, at the point of purchase, when new owners are given up to three hours' driving instruction.

Mr Edwards' enthusiasm for tractors also extends to traction engines. He used to have one of his own, called Margaret, a 1918, 4hp Garrett engineer, which he and his wife Estelle were often seen aboard as they set off for a rally.

He traced Margaret's history back to a fairground in Sussex, where she powered the galloping horses ride, and he took her back to a rally at her original home.

The interest is still there, and he is on the look-out for another traction engine to enjoy in his - somewhat limited - spare time.

Meanwhile, Mr Edwards and Mr Mula have a busy summer and autumn at shows, rallies and road-runs, taking the business out to their customers.

For these and other prospective customers, here is a useful diary date.

On October 27, Mr Edwards will be holding an end-of-season sale, conducted by local auctioneers, and anybody with a tractor restoration project in hand could find that Clanfield is just the place to source that vital item.

n Contact: Patrick Edwards Limited, 01367 810259