THE great-great grandsons of a celebrated local blacksmith, James Wright, are appealing for help in finding a prize plough that took part in a famous “ploughing duel”.

Nick Heard, of Exeter, and Richard Wright, of Crediton, were visiting the new exhibition ‘Down on the Farm’ at Crediton Museum.

It features plaques from their great-great grandfather’s West of England Ironworks.

James and his brother Robert ran the highly successful forge at the bottom of Rose and Crown Hill in Sandford.

Nick, an avid family historian, said: “As children we’d always been told by parents about the prestigious blacksmithing work done by our Wright ancestors of Sandford.

“I’ve been researching my family history for almost 15 years now, and when looking for mention of the Wrights in historic newspapers it was very rewarding to find references to their decorative ironwork and farming implements, that won prizes in agricultural shows throughout the country.”

One particular item from his research stood out. It was a letter in the “Western Times” of June 1856 in which the Wright Brothers of Sandford issued a challenge to John Eddy of Kennford, then a well-established plough maker.

They made a wager of £5, a considerable sum of money in those days, that their plough could beat his “…having heard that yourself or servants have expressed an opinion that we are not competent to produce a plough equal to yours…”.

“It’s a window on a bygone age and an insight into their characters, suggesting they were competitive craftsmen, and jealous of their reputations,” said Nick.

And while this year’s exhibition at the Museum includes Mr Eddy’s plough, no trace can be found of the challengers’ plough.

The only clue is a line drawing in an advertisement from a couple of years later showing that it went on to win top prizes.

Richard Wright said: “It would be wonderful if one of their ploughs has survived the years somewhere and someone knows of its whereabouts.”

The exhibition at the old Town Hall in Searle Street runs throughout the summer from 10am - 4pm, Wednesday to Friday, and on Saturdays from 10am – 1pm. Admission is free.

“I’d been looking forward to the opening of the exhibition, as like so many natives of this area, farming is at the centre of my family’s history. I wasn’t disappointed by the displays of artifacts and farming memorabilia,” Nick added.

The Crediton Area History and Museum Society’s archivist, John Heal, said: “The exhibition contains artifacts and material from our own collection, but we are also grateful to those who have loaned items such as the Eddy plough now owned by Keith White of Sandford.”

Alan Quick