AT Cheriton Fitzpaine Ploughing Association’s recent AGM it was agreed that proceeds from last year’s match enabled the association to donate £500 towards the Devon Young Farmers’ new rural hub at Cheriton Bishop.

The committee, together with the kind help from sponsors and supporters, will be hosting their 71st ploughing match, competitions and produce show this year at Thorverton.

The event will take place at Bidwell Barton, (EX5 5LJ) on Sunday, September 18 by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Crang. It is hoped that, once again, the ploughing horses will attend. It is such a wonderful spectacle to watch them in action gracefully ploughing the land.

The event is a chance to enjoy a day out in the countryside and is open to everyone to attend with well-behaved dogs welcome too. There will be ice creams, snacks and drinks to buy on the day, a raffle and cream teas will be available from 3pm onwards.

The produce and competitions tent will be available to view from late morning onwards, a chance to view local handicrafts and home craft.

Outside, in the field, visitors can view the plots that have been ploughed using a range of both modern and vintage machinery.

The produce and craft competition is available for anyone to enter and hosts classes for adults and children, including flowers, fruit, vegetables and the making of handicrafts, baking, preserves, flower arranging and photography.

There is a choice of children’s classes and certainly something which could be a project to entertain them during the summer holidays.

Entries are being accepted online, by telephone or by post, to be received by September 9 at the latest.

For schedules and more information please contact Mrs Julie Davie at West Raddon Farm, Shobrooke, Crediton, EX17 1BH, telephone 01363 772309 / 07791 347 788 or email: [email protected] .

For anyone thinking of entering the produce and crafts but may not be able to attend in person they can drop entries off beforehand by arrangement either at Crediton or near Shobrooke.

Entry on the day to the ploughing match is £2 for adults, with children under 16 admitted free.

There also will be a hamper for the lucky numbered programme and the day is rounded off with a ploughing service.