John Deere enthusiasts gear up for Newark as brand marks 60 years in the UK and Ireland

John Deere’s six decades of business in the UK and Ireland will be marked with a special class at this year’s Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show. 

Dozens of exhibits from across the UK will compete to draw the eyes of judges who will single out the best John Deere in Show on Saturday 7 November.

Visitors will also get to see the evolution of the brand’s most popular models with John Deere’s own 4020 from 1966 (pictured) being shown alongside a modern-day 6 Series, which was only launched in June.

The show takes place at the Newark Showground on 7-8 November. Exhibitor entries are open, and the full range of ticketing options – including camping – are on sale. 

Among those hoping to take home the coveted John Deere title is Lockerbie collector Danny Key, who will travel more than 300 miles with a selection of tractors from his growing collection. He will be joined by friend and fellow enthusiast David Kerr, whose painstakingly restored John Deere 3120 claimed the Best John Deere in Show award last year.

“A group of us travel down from Scotland every year and stay in the same accommodation and we’re like a family now,” Danny shares.

Danny has been collecting John Deere machinery for 14 years and credits his growing collection to a piece of wisdom passed onto him by David.

“He told me that they don’t make them anymore, so if you see something then try to buy it if you can afford it,” he said.

This philosophy has helped Danny build an impressive collection, with his number of tractors alone reaching double figures.

“I like to keep them in their original condition as much as I can. I’m a joiner and my plan is to build a workshop just for the tractors.

“I still work them too. I have five acres that I put barley into every year, and I do some combining and baling for other people too. I own a 1065 John Deere combine and recently bought a 545 round baler, which I’m hoping to bring to Newark.”

The centrepiece of his collection is an 1140 – a classic utility tractor built in the 1980s, and the machine he credits with kick-starting his passion for John Deere.

“I worked on a farm as a young boy while I was still at school and they mainly had Fergusons, but they had one John Deere tractor which was the 1140, and I always liked it better.

“It was the first John Deere I ever drove and I managed to buy that exact one in an auction 100 miles away.”

Danny plans to bring his 1020, 2120 and 2140 John Deere tractors to the show.

“The 2120 is special because ‘Key’ is my surname and that happens to be on its original number plate,” he added.

David hopes to bring his 1020, 2120, 3120 and 4240 John Deere tractors.

The 3120 is fitted with a rare Sta-Dri cab, was rescued from a wreck in Ashford, Kent, and restored to its former glory by David in a labour of love that took 14 years to complete.

Chris Wiltshire, John Deere’s Tactical Marketing Manager, said: “Our 60th anniversary in the UK and Ireland is a huge milestone for the business. So much has changed in agriculture over that time, so Newark will be a perfect place to bring all that history together.”

The Newark Vintage Tractor & Heritage Show brings together one of the UK’s most diverse collections of working heritage machinery, attracting exhibitors and visitors from across Britain and beyond.

Much more than a tractor show, the event encompasses more than 49 classes spanning the full breadth of agricultural and industrial heritage. 

Exhibits include tractors, plant, commercials, horticulture, stationary engines and implements, with expert judges travelling from across the country to award prizes to the best on show. The variety on display is one of the event’s enduring strengths, with each year bringing fresh exhibits to the showground.

Entries are open across all classes. Exhibitors must enter by 16 September, and with strong interest expected across the board, timely submission is encouraged.

For exhibitor entry forms, please go to: https://showingscene.com/events/newark-vintage-tractor-heritage-show-2026-nov-2026

To purchase visitor tickets, see here: https://newarkvintagetractorshow.ticketsrv.co.uk/product-collection/3