LOOSE soil because of the dry weather and then the rain, did not make for many happy ploughers at the Witheridge and District Ploughing and Agricultural Group’s match on Tuesday, September 13.

A minute’s silence was observed before the presentations in respect of the late Queen, led by the president, Mr Raymond Govier, who also presented the trophies.

The match was held this year at Pilliven, Witheridge by kind permission of the Yabsley family and Mr Roy Mills.

With three more matches that week, Witheridge had attracted men from Cornwall and Cumbria and in between, including one ploughwoman.

It was said that the people ploughing had done a good job considering the conditions. Not only was the going not that good, but it rained on and off for most of the morning, clearing after everyone had finished.

There were 59 ploughers including three novices, all from Devon, plus more than 300 entries in the produce show. Judges said that, considering the season, the flowers and vegetables were superb.

Judges for the ploughing were Mr Peter Hammett with Geoff Yeandle as his guest, Desmond Jenkins, Chris Warren, Fred Anthony and guest, Edward Tanner and John Kerslake.

For the produce show, judges were Andrew Stone for the farm produce, Mrs Brenda Tucker and Mrs Una Venner for the domestic, Michael Edwards and Henry Cruwys for the flowers and vegetables, and Mrs Sandra Trick for the children’s classes.

AWARDS

Ploughing

Perpetual cup for Digger ploughing, Donald Tonkin.  The Late Mr HW Bickley Cup for best work of the day, Paul Studley. 

The Ganesha Farm Services Trophy for best work with three or more furrows by a local ploughman, Michael Pincombe.  The Late Mr and Mrs C Burrows Cup for best ploughing by a local reversible ploughman, Michael Pincombe.

MST Trophy for best ploughman under the age of 27, Jason Kneller.  Archie Beer Memorial Trophy for the best work in Vintage tractor and trailer plough, P Stone.

Graham Beer trophy for best ploughing by a local ploughman, Raymond Govier.  The Late WJ Yeandle trophy for the best work in Classic class, Paul Studley.

Graham Beer rose bowl for best ploughing using a Ford Tractor, Ross Hext.  Mr and Mrs R Govier trophy for the best work in Ferguson T20 and Ferguson plough, Tim Hurley.

Perpetual Cup for best work in Vintage mounted, Malcolm Williams.  Late Mr C Burrows trophy for the best work in Reversible, Sam Reed.

FARM PRODUCE

Edwin Tucker and Sons trophy for most points, Paul Gillbard.  The Dick Symons Memorial trophy for most points in classes 14-18 (straw, hay, silage), Paul Gillbard.

CHILDREN’S 

The Richard Webber Memorial trophy for most points, Greg Baldwin and Billy Cleverdon-Brend.  Rose Bowl for runner-up, Scott Baldwin.

DOMESTIC 

Perpetual trophy for most points in domestic classes, Mrs Joyce Rowcliffe.  Perpetual trophy for most points in flowers and vegetables, Tim Blake.

The Greenslade Family trophy for most points in classes 27-63 (cookery, flowers, veg, craft), Mrs Joyce Rowcliffe. 

Perpetual shield for most points gained by any YFC member, Miss Isabel Govier.

MOST POINTS

Farm produce, Paul Gillbard.  Children’s, Greg Baldwin and Billy Cleverdon-Brend.   Domestic, Mrs Joyce Rowcliffe.   Flowers, Mrs Thelma Willmetts and Nigel Pincombe.

Vegetables, Tim Blake.

BEST EXHIBITS

Farm produce, Francis Nott.  Children’s, Billy Cleverdon-Brend and Reuben Gillbard.  Domestic, Mrs Joyce Greenslade.  Flowers, Mrs Thelma Willmetts. Vegetables, Tim Blake.

The committee thanked everyone for helping and competing and gave special thanks to The Yabsley Family, Mr Roy Mills and The Reed Family for the site and all the Judges.

Sue Read