14/08/2026
We don't normally post photos from a 'live' issue of CLASSIC TRACTOR, but we genuinely don't want readers to miss our delve into Thriplow Farms' archives in our current September cover date magazine, which is on sale until 27 August.
Based in south Cambridgeshire, Thriplow Farms was often in the media spotlight in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, largely on account of the public profile of its owner, the late farming personality, Oliver Walston. The often outspoken farmer and commentator not only spent a lot of his time in front of a camera, but also behind one, recording the operations on his family’s farm and its impressive machinery. One of our contributors, Chris Lockwood, has been studying Thriplow Farms’ extensive records and reviewing the equipment the business used between 1977 and 2007. You can read all about it in our current issue.
This fascinating archive photo, most likely taken by Oliver during the 1984 harvest, is typical of those that appear in our review of the past machinery used by Thriplow Farms. It shows the farm's four combines (three Claas machines and a single IH Axial-Flow) cutting Panda winter barley in South Cambridgeshire. The sprayer is applying a product that helped to break down the chopped straw, as an alternative to burning. Note also the two Schluters in attendance.
Photo courtesy of the Walston family archives.
