Stunning early autumn sunshine shone on the West Grinstead and District Ploughing and Agricultural Society’s annual ploughing match and show, kindly hosted by John and Alison Ford at Priors Byne Farm, Partridge Green, West Sussex.

Society Secretary Rowan Allan commented: “It was a super day blessed by stunning early autumn sunshine, with a record crowd enjoying this wonderful site in the heart of the society’s area with panoramic views across the Sussex Weald to the South Downs.”

Thousands of visitors from across Sussex and adjoining counties enjoyed the show, with nearly 60 vintage and modern tractor and plough combinations competing, along with three teams of horses, an impressive steam engine display, old threshing machines and other steam engines. 

Overall Champion and Vintage Champion was Gary Rutter from Waterlooville, with a 1941 Fordson tractor and Ransomes two-furrow plough.

Rowan went on: “Brinsbury College and other local farmers worked hard at preparing their cattle for the show ring, including many calves for the young persons’ handling classes. There was also a number of sheep classes and the ever-popular children’s lamb-handling class split into three age groups. 

“There was a bumper range of trade stands and exhibits, both large and small and with lots of delicious local produce stalls, plus a colourful range of domestic and children’s classes alongside the field produce entries.”

Harris’ funfair entertained young and old, while the main ring included the livestock show, a falconry display, a tractor and plough demonstration, a well-fought tug-of-war which finished with a pull-off enjoyed by a flock of young children, a parade of the Crawley and Horsham hounds, terrier and ferret racing, a gun dog scurry and a clay pigeon shoot.

Frans de Boer, the society’s chairman commented: “Great thanks are owed to all the committee and supporters for their hard work in organising a very successful day and a super site.” 

The society holds an extensive range of field competitions through the year, while charities being supported this year include the Farming Community Network, the Stroke Association and Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance. The society also supports the community through its bursary scheme and local schools education awards.

Results

Champion: Gary Rutter 

Best Novice: Stepehen Ulrich

Best Ploughman (Reversible): Tim Foster

Premier Ploughing: William Tupper

Horse Ploughing: Tony Parks

Best Vintage Ploughing (Trailed): Gary Rutter

Best Vintage Ploughing (Hydraulic): David Hoare

Best Classic Ploughing: Phillip Corp

Champion Vintage Ploughing: Gary Rutter

Read results from across the region

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