by Alan Quick

MID Devon Ploughing Association’s 26th annual ploughing match was held at Kitchendon Farm, Wembworthy, by kind permission of Mrs Audrey Sanders, on Saturday, October 15.

A weather forecast predicting heavy rain put many ploughmen off attending but the weather did hold off until the afternoon.

Many of the 30-plus competitors, about half the normal attendance, enjoyed fine ploughing during the morning, most having completed before the rains came.

The judges, G Hawke, A Biles, P Barribal, P Brake and A Medland, got very wet while trying to judge during the early afternoon.

The prizegiving took place in a barn at Kitchendon Farm, such was the downpour which resulted in some of those attending as spectators in cars having to be towed from the muddy fields by tractor.

Chief steward was Mr John Kerslake and secretary was Mrs Sheila Kerslake.

Ron "Bonzo" Moyse, organiser, announced the results, assisted by Mrs Kerslake.

Results: Vintage Trailed - 1 R Hearman, 2 M Smale; Vintage Hydraulic - 1 A Rettalick, 2 C Heard, 3 K Phillips; Classic - 1 F Grose, 2 J Jacob, 3 C Sanders; Ferguson T20 - 1 E Vigars, 2 T Webb, 3 R Jury.

Semi-Digger - 1 W Tonkin, 2 R Glanville; Intermediate One-Way - 1 R Cowle; YFC Reversible - 1 N Pincombe, 2 B Perryman.

Furrow Reversible - 1 S Reed, 2 C Tanner; Multi-Furrow - 1 A Bickley; Best Work with a Ransome plough - 1 R Heaman.

Champion ploughman was Bill Tonkin of Cheriton Fitzpaine.

Trophies were presented by Mrs Sanders.

Mr Moyse thanked all the competitors, the judges, stewards, Mrs Sanders and all those who helped with the day.

Mrs Kerslake was presented with flowers to thank her for her many years of service as secretary of the ploughing match.

A raffle was also held with many prizes donated by local businesses.