GOOD weather meant almost ideal conditions for the ploughing at Mid Devon Ploughing Club’s 27th annual match held this year at Spencecombe Farm by kind permission of George and Iain Mortimer.

This was the last match of the season in Devon. Youngest competitor that day was 13-years-old Joseph Wreford who ploughed in the open novice class, coming third.

In first place was Steve Honeychurch of Bow who first ploughed when he was 16, has driven tractors ever since but never ploughed again until Sunday when he won the open novice.

Steve has his own Ferguson T20 but on Sunday was driving Bonzo Moyse’s International 414. Bonzo is chairman of the ploughing club.

The only woman ploughing that day was 25-years-old Rachel Pincombe of South Molton, a member of Meshaw YFC. She was also the only YFC member ploughing.

Taking the award for the best tractor was Martyn Smale and champion ploughman was Francis Grose from St Just on the tip of Cornwall. Francis was the furthest travelled that day as well.

Bonzo and Ed Vigers, treasurer, thanked everyone for attending. There were more than 50 entries. Trophies were presented by 10-years-old Anna Mortimer. Secretary is Fiona Mortimer of Uton, who has been a competitor at other matches.

At the end Mr Vigers presented bouquets to Sheila Kerslake, Fiona Mortimer and Jenny Wreford for their work on the day and beforehand.

Judges were Antony Brewer, Ian Brewer, Graham Dunn, Peter Hammett, John Kerslake, Andrew Medland, Chris Norman and Roy Stacey.

RESULTS

Vintage trailed - P Stone (also the award for the best ploughing with a Ransome plough), 2 G Soper, 3 Martyn Smale, 4 R Hext.

Vintage hydraulic - 1 A Retallack, 2 Joe Hill, 3 K Phillips, 4 A Westcott.

Classic - 1 Francis Grose, 2 V Gill, 3 S Teague, 4 P Greet.

Ferguson T20 - 1 G Bufton, 2 T Hurley, 3 T Webb.

Semi digger - 1 D Tonkin, 2 W Tonkin, 3 C Kneebone.

Open novice - 1 Steve Honeychurch, 2 Jaime Raymond, 3 Joseph Wreford.

YFC - 1 Rachel Pincombe.

Multi furrow reversible - 1 Paul Pincombe, 2 Sam Reed, 3 S Radford. This award was presented by Graham Dunn of Dunn’s Ploughs, Winkleigh who sponsored this class.

Multi furrow - 1 Alan Bickley, 2 Arthur Heywood.

Sue Read