THIS YEAR'S show at LAMMA represented the start of a year of celebrations for John Deere's UK operations as it is its 50th anniversary.

The company started trading from Langar in January, 1966, and the original premises are still in use today as John Deere's visitor centre and national parts distribution centre.

One of the tractors sold by John Deere dealers 50 years ago was the 4020 Diesel. This 91hp six-cylinder tractor was the first to appear on the UK market with a powershift transmission and became arguably the most popular tractor of its era.

Langar's restored 4020, nicknamed BEV after its original registration plate, played a starring role in last November's Lord Mayor's Show in London, helping the Worshipful Company of Farmers and the NFU to promote the Back British Farming campaign.

It was also on the stand at LAMMA, alongside the more modern equivalents as a promotion for a special event that will take place at Langar in September, 2016. John Deere customers and fans are being invited to get involved in the 50th anniversary celebrations by visiting a dedicated page on the company's website, which will be going live later in January at www.JohnDeere.co.uk/50years.

Classic John Deere tractor and machinery owners who were at LAMMA 2016 also had an early chance to register their machines for this field-based event, which aims to gather together examples of John Deere products sold through the company's UK and Irish dealers during the period 1966 to 2016.

There will be demonstration and working plots for those who would like to bring implements (preferably made by John Deere) and use them on their tractors, plus parades and prizes.

Owners of old and new John Deere machines are encouraged to submit an application form for the event, which are available on the John Deere website.