Romney Marsh
Romney Marsh Ploughing & Cultivations Society match, held on Sunday 3 September 2017, by kind permission of Robert and Alan Clifton-Holt of AA Clifton Farms, was a well turned out event with 55 ploughmen doing considerably well given the damp conditions.
“The match was well supported by the trade, with local machinery dealer Bell Agricultural showcasing its range of Deutz-Fahr tractors,” said Alan Higgs, chairman of the Romney Marsh Ploughing & Cultivations Society. “We had a selection of craft stalls too, as well as sheep shearing demonstrations and it was also great to see the Romney Marsh Hounds again this year.”
The society also played host to the national vintage area finals with winners from this round qualifying for the national ploughing championships, which will be held in Taunton, Somerset on 14 and 15 October 2017.
While a venue is yet to be confirmed, next year’s Romney Marsh Ploughing & Cultivations Society match will be held on Sunday 2 September 2018.
Weald of Kent
Kent’s largest ploughing match, the annual Weald of Kent Ploughing Match sponsored by BTF Partnership took place on Saturday 16 September 2017 at Gatehouse Farm, Marden, and profits raised from the day will be donated to local and national charities.
“We are very grateful to R R Day and P J Burke Ltd of Gatehouse Farm for hosting this year’s ploughing match and to all of the committee who give up their time to ensure this truly local event continues each year,” said James Forknall, chairman of the Weald of Kent Ploughing Match Association. “We had a fantastic attendance at this year’s match. As well as being a fun day out this is an important date in the farming calendar, as it brings together many people in the rural business community.”
Ongar
The Ongar ploughing match was held on Saturday 9 September 2017 at Matching Hall Farm, Matching, Harlow, Essex.
Vintage mounted, was won by Michael Moore from Southminster, with vintage trailed awarded to Paul Wylie from Maldon. Terry Stinson from Witham took the classic first place. Most promising newcomer was awarded to Peter Harrin from Hockley. Trade demonstrators ploughing class was awarded to Nick Chalk from Ernest Doe & Sons. Reversible ploughing 2-4f was won by Carlo Cripps from Gt Wakering, while reversible ploughing 5+f was presented to Toby Hills (pictured) from Carters Farm, Duck End, Gt Dunmow, Essex.
East Grinstead
The East Grinstead ploughing match was held on Saturday 9 September at New House Farm, Tandridge, Surrey.
The premier reversible class was won by J Seale with open tractor and reversible plough first place going to T Foster. Open tractor and conventional plough was won by C Young and local tractor and conventional plough by R Gasson. M Fletcher won the classic ploughing with P Pierson coming first in the vintage tractor and mounted plough class, and W Cottington winning the Ferguson TE20 tractor and plough section. Best maintained tractor and plough pre 1976 was awarded to C Fryer and post 1976 to J Seale. G Winter won the pairs horses class.
Forest Row Young Farmers Club helped on the gate and also managed the terrier racing.
West Grinstead
The West Grinstead and District ploughing match was held on Saturday 16 September, by kind permission of David Exwood & Christ’s Hospital at Westons Farm, Itchingfield.
Tractors, old and new, steam ploughs and traditional horses all competed with the picturesque backdrop of the Sussex countryside.
“Once again we were delighted with the event and the very positive feedback,” said Rowan Allan of HJ Burt, honorary secretary of the society. “All our visitors had such a variety of things to see and we are always very grateful for all the ongoing support that we receive from our local rural community. We are looking forward to next year’s match which will be held at Priors Byne Farm, Horsham on Saturday 15 September 2018.”
The champion ploughman cup was presented society president Jeremy Quin MP to John Seale.
Laughton & District
The Laughton and District Agricultural Society hosted its 87th annual ploughing match at Preston Court Farm, Glynde, East Sussex on Wednesday 20 September with thanks to the Monnington family.
The site, which was full of competitors from all classes including three horse drawn plough entries, provided great soil for turning and an impressive back drop to the event. With only a small amount of the forecasted rain eventually arriving, the ploughing got off to a good start and was completed to a very high standard.
The local public came along to visit the local trade stands, family section arts, crafts, cookery and produce, and the education section, which was attended by Firle Primary School children.
Ian Linch was awarded overall champion ploughman.
Isle of Wight
The 2017 Isle of Wight ploughing match was held Saturday 16 September on land adjacent to Billingham Farm, kindly provided by Mr & Mrs J Fryer of Presford Farm, Shorwell, Isle of Wight.
An excellent site with perfect conditions for ploughing, good soil, level field and bright sunshine, 40 ploughmen (including two ladies) entered the competition’s eight different ploughing classes.
The oldest tractor ploughing was a 1938 Fordson owned and driven by Ralph Cook and the youngest competitor was 16-year-old William Earley.
Rob Richards was awarded the champion ploughman with Steve Peachey as reserve.
Surrey County
Surrey County ploughing match, held on Sunday 24 September at Eashing Farm, Godalming, was a fabulous day, with ideal weather and organisers recorded one of the best visitor attendances, with around 350 spectators making the trip to see 62 ploughmen compete.
Brian Young was named champion ploughman with Bill Parsons as reserve. The match also included a national vintage area final with champion vintage ploughman awarded to Max Cherry with Derek Allen & Peter Crockford winning the reserve.
East Kent
The annual East Kent ploughing match was held on 27 September 2017, at Quex Park, Birchington, Kent by kind permission of Quex Estates.
After the morning mist lifted, sunny weather provided the perfect backdrop for ploughers, and visitors used the opportunity to explore the wide range of trade stands, catching up with an array of suppliers from machinery dealers to the professional services sector.
Best trade stand was awarded to Furley Page, with Bell Agricultural as runner up.
Overall commercial ploughman was awarded to John Marsh, Ian Hogben won overall vintage and Ian Linch was the overall classic winner.
Greenstead Green & District
The Greenstead Green & District Agricultural Club annual ploughing match was held on Saturday 16 September at Seabrooks Farm, Little Leighs, Chelmsford, Essex.
The match was well attended by ploughmen and spectators alike. A good day ploughing was had by all with rain holding off for the day, with heavens only opening at prize giving. The new novice class proved to be exceptionally was popular as young and old were able to try out their ploughs. Overall champion cup and first prize was awarded to Michael Moore.
