Region's pea prowess to be displayed in capital parade

A giant pea harvester, given a colourful '˜Back British Farming' makeover, has made a 200-mile journey from Yorkshire to the capital for a special appearance on the streets of London tomorrow.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Nov 2016, 15:08 BST
Updated 16th Nov 2016, 15:55 BST

The machine, which is 12m long, will be central to a display being fielded in the 2016 Lord Mayor’s Show. The entry is a combined effort between the National Farmers’ Union and the Worshipful Company of Farmers to celebrate British farming and the International Year of the Pulse.

Supplied by Goole-based farming cooperative, The Green Pea Company, the PMC harvester takes an hour to pick, thresh and clean seven tonnes of peas, and in London, its driver will be company operations manager Gary Creaser.

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Accompanying the harvester on the three-mile-long procession is 27-year-old Mike Temple, a grain buyer from Beverley who will be representing the region as part of a team of 12 young farmers from across the country. The young team will walk alongside the machine and an NFU branded Massey Ferguson red tractor. Millions of people who are expected to watch the show live on the BBC.

Ahead of the event, Mr Temple said: “I will be able to explain a bit about this huge machine to members of the public lining the streets. It will be a great sight to behold.”

NFU North East regional director Adam Bedford said: “Growing high-quality peas is something farmers in Yorkshire are very proud of. Taking part in the Lord Mayor’s Show gives us the chance to put the spotlight on just how they produce this great British favourite.”

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