North Herts' annual Christmas tractor tour is returning this weekend.

The Farmers on Christmas Lights tour will be coming to Baldock, Letchworth and Hitchin on Saturday, December 16.

Hundreds of tractors will be decorated from top to tyre with Christmas lights to parade through the High Streets.

The aim is to bring festive joy to thousands of spectators before Christmas, and to raise money for Garden House Hospice at the same time.

The event is being organised by Richard Hill, a farmer based in Baldock, for the third year running. He said: “You may be familiar with the Hospice and the amazing work they do.

The Comet: Richard Hill is organising the event for the third year in a row.Richard Hill is organising the event for the third year in a row. (Image: Garden House Hospice)

"It’s based in Letchworth and their staff, including nurses, doctors, physiotherapists and counsellors care for 2,000 people with life-limiting illnesses every year.

"They’ve cared for friends of mine with such dignity and I’m sure many of you reading this will know someone who has received their care too. 

“They are a charity and need to raise £9,700 every day to provide their care free of charge.

"My ambition is to raise £50,000 from the tractor tour, which could fund ALL of their services for five days over the festive season. 

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“I encourage everyone living near the route to come along and witness this festive spectacle, and to make a donation, of any size, to help me reach this target for this true community charity.” 

The tractor convoy will begin in Clothall Road in Baldock at 6pm before making its way through the High Street and into Letchworth via Pixmore Way at 6.45pm.

It will circle the Broadway Gardens Roundabout and hit Eastcheap and Leys Avenue in the town centre, then head back onto the Broadway leading into Hitchin for 7.30pm.

The route will include Hermitage Road, High Street and Market Place in Hitchin, and finally end at St Mary’s Church car park. The full route can be viewed on the Hospice’s website.

Members of the public are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy a funfair, music, food and refreshments ahead of the tour. There will also be a chance to view the tractors up close at the end of the event. 

Jean Allinson, relationships fundraising manager at Garden House Hospice Care, said: “We are hoping that following its success last year, the Farmers on Christmas Lights Tour 2023 will be bigger, brighter and better than ever. 

The Comet: The event is being held to raise money for Garden House Hospice.The event is being held to raise money for Garden House Hospice. (Image: Garden House Hospice)

“We even got local schools involved this year. We sent out a ‘design a tractor’ competition to hundreds of primary school pupils in the area, and the winning design has been brought to life and will lead the parade. 

“We would like to once again say a huge thank you to Richard and all the farmers for putting on this wonderful event in aid of the Hospice.” 

If you would like to donate to the Farmers on Christmas Lights Tour, you can do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/campaign/xmastractors or www.ghhospicecare.org.uk/donate.

You can also text TRACTOR to 70460 to donate £5, or donate on the night when volunteer bucket collectors will be on hand.