UKTPA Web Master

Webmaster

Living proof that the Webmaster actually exists... (sorry about the photo, but it's 8 years old and my new glasses are much better). My name is Mark Gass-Brown, otherwise known as 'Squirrel' or 'MG-B'.

I'm currently 60 years old and a married father of two, which meana I now qualify for free Prescriptions, Sight Tests and a Bus Pass). I work's for a telecommunications software company in Poole (Oak) as Technical Author and since mid 2008 covering Logistics as well. In my spare (?) time I climb and am a member of the WMC (Wessex Mountaineering Club). So how did I get into Tractor Pulling?

Well, I've always enjoyed watching the sport at places like the Heddington & Stockley and Great Dorset Steam Fair. My son used to work with one of the best known Dorset Pullers and in 2003 the late Bill Parker took us up to the GDSF site to see how the preparations were going for the show. That particular year the resident commentator Pete Evans (otherwise known as 'Spain') wasn't able to come down, therefore a replacement was needed. Bill mentioned this minor detail, as did Norman ('Stormin Norman') Young, the deputy Section Leader. Having already worked within the media I figured I could do that, and before I could stop myself I'd volunteered. Never volunteer for anything they say...

The first couple of days was spent talking to the Pullers and finding out what made their tractors and the sport tick, whilst my son was busy driving the pull-back tractor. One (full) spiral-bound reporters notebook later, plus writers cramp, I at least had something to say on the subject!

As a result of commentating at the GDSF I was invited to to the same job at Welland in 2004, which as many of you know is a Mecca for Pullers. Five hours of solid Pulling! Thankfully 'Stumpy' very kindly kept me going with some excellent cider ('Old Rosie') which kept the vocal chords nicely lubricated.

2004 also saw a stint at Landford (Hamptworth & Landford Vintage Rally) where the resident MC ('Laughing Heart', but you can call me Paul) was only too happy to pass the microphone over when the Pulling started (I wonder why?).

The 2004 and 2005 GDSF commentating was shared with Pete Evans. I worked through to Friday afternoon when Pete took over. Regular morning updates on Steam Fair FM were also started for the first time in 2004. This is now a regular feature on the radio.

After the GDSF 2006 Chris Evans of Steam Fair FM madly promoted me to Tractor Pulling Correspondent. Regrettably later that year Chris was forced to drop out of Steam Fair FM so my promotion was very short-lived!

Another of my regular event was Croeslan in deepest Wales the week-end before the GDSF. The location is stunning, set on a hill top in West Wales but if the wind is blowing the rain tends to fall horizontally! Never mind, the warmth of the welcome more than made up for it... In 2008 staging the Tractor Pulling was taken over by the SWTPA. I covered their first year but in 2009 their resident commentator Ted Corner took over duties on the microphone allowing me to bow out gracefully!

I managed to loose my virginity in 2005 (in terms of Tractor Pulling) firstly driving 'Midland Sherpa Spares' under Steve Browns tutelage, then with the 'Mad Massey' (Dave Spencer and Steve Knight really do need their heads examined unleashing the Squirrel on their Puller!).

If you are running a Tractor Pulling event in the southern half of England and are looking for someone to provide the commentary drop me an e-mail. I currently don't charge for my time, but I do charge expenses, which is the cost of fuel to and from the venue. The only other requirements are a PA system (I can't shout that loudly), an entry pass and somewhere to park a caravan (sorry, I've given up living under canvas). The caravan, a 13-foot Ace Rallyman, has the aerodynamic properties of a house brick so don't expect outstanding diesel economy on the round trip.

This web site relies on photographs to work effectively! Over the past five years I've had to rely on either images people have sent me or from a borrowed Canon EOS 350D from work. Well since both of these sources tend to suffer from a reliability/availability factor I've now become the proud (?) owner of a pre-owned (in other words third-hand) FujiFilm FinePix S 5600. Even though this only has a 5.1 megapixel resolution it does have a 10x Optical Zoom which should provide very decent images for the site...

If you're a member of 'Facebook' you can find me here: - facebook.com/sql.squirrel