Open day extension of TA’s open heart towards Uganda

COLIN PINKERTON feeds corn cobs into a corn stripper. The beautiful restoration job done on this machine shows the quality Mr Pinkerton has been able to achieve in representing items from the past in ‘as new’ condition. 053071AD

By Grant Johnston

Colin and Lynn Pinkerton are opening up their Pirongia Road wonderland of rural memorabilia and machinery to help raise funds to improve the lives of Ugandan villagers.

Te Awamutu’s now strong Christian connection with Mbarara in Uganda began in 2004 when a team comprising Ross and Carol Turner and Vic and Rosemary Clarke travelled to the region to share their knowledge of dairy farming with the local people through the establishment of a ‘heifer scheme’. Families in four villages have received heifer cows, with the first heifer calf from each of these going to another family in the village.

This has been so successful that the latest team is planning a fourth visit next month - comprising the Pinkertons, Clem and Patricia Captein, Ross Turner, Phil Sanderson and Nathan Bluett. This time the scheme is to be extended to a fifth village and the team will be working with the students at the Rwentanga Farm School overseeing the fencing of, and supply of water to, an area of their farm land. This will effectively create a ‘model farm’ and enable the sharing of more effective methods of managing and utilising available grazing land.

The fundraising open day at the Pinkertons’ property at 73 Pirongia Road on Saturday week (March 3) will raise funds for more heifers and fencing materials (those on the trip are paying all their own travel and personal expenses).

Fittingly, the displays have a resoundingly rural theme. There are two large barns filled with a treasure trove of tractors and all manner of farm machinery, implements and items that were part and parcel of rural life in a bygone era - including crank handle telephones and radios the size of small televisions.

Mr Pinkerton says he began collecting farm machinery more or less ‘by accident’. Having farmed in the Paterangi area for over 30 years, Mr Pinkerton had accumulated machinery himself (including a Dodge truck and T-bird). After selling their dairy farm three years ago, he built a huge American style barn to accommodate his collection. He does a beautiful job of restoration and people began giving him items to add to the collection (some on loan) - necessitating the building of another large shed.

The open day on Saturday week will feature a number of static displays staged by members of Waikato Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club. The Pirongia Road property’s impressive wetland area and gardens will also be open for viewing.

The open day runs from 10am-3pm. Tickets are available from Colin and Lynn Pinkerton (phone 871 3554) or lyncol.pinkerton@paradise.net.nz. The $10 admission charge includes Devonshire tea. Gate sales will be available but for catering purposes pre-purchase of tickets would be appreciated. Donations to the Ugandan project can be made at Te Awamutu BNZ.