Colin Heard took 2015 Devon Ploughing Championship title

by Alan Quick

COLIN Heard from Pancrasweek, near Holsworthy, was awarded the title of 2015 Devon Champion Ploughman at the annual Devon Ploughing Association presentation of awards evening held at the Exeter Inn, Thorverton.

Colin had competed at qualifying society ploughing matches held across the county during the last year and it was his skill at producing the best ploughing which won him the title.

Mr Heard ploughs in the vintage hydraulic classes and the high quality of his work saw him achieve a percentage score of 68 per cent compared to Sam Reed, the runner-up, who achieved an admirable 60.6 per cent.

More than 40 ploughmen, supporters and Young Farmers’ Club members, from across the county attended the presentation evening.

The members represented the association matches and Withleigh YFC charity ploughing match, which had raised £420 for their charity, the Mid Devon Talking Newspaper.

Sam Reed, who had ploughed in the YFC reversible class at the National held at Marden in Kent and coming fourth, kindly gave a shield for a YFC member gaining most points in their class.

It was won by Michael Pincombe of Meshaw YFC.

Silence was observed for two ploughmen from Cornwall who had passed away, Bill Bickley, past judge of ploughing and roots and vice-chairman of Witheridge Ploughing Association.

The chairman welcomed members, officers and guests and thanked everyone for attending.

He thanked the honorary secretary, Sheila Kerslake, for all she had done throughout the year and for arranging the evening.

He said that nine ploughmen from Devon had ploughed at the National at Marden, with Bill Tonkin coming second in the semi-digger class and was in the plough-off, coming sixth.

Judges from Devon were John Kerslake, Chris Norman and Raymond Govier.

Colin Heard gave a report on his Vintage Six Nations Challenge Ploughing held at Elgin, Scotland, at the end of October.

A raffle was held and thanks went to all the societies for prizes. A buffet supper was also enjoyed following the presentations.

The president presented the trophies to the ploughmen and said it had been another ploughing season with good weather and competitors from far and wide taking part and enjoying their days of ploughing.

Results: Vintage Hydraulic and Devon Champion – Chris Heard 613 points. Reversible – Sam Reed 667.5 points. (The Devon Champion title is awarded on a percentage basis as the reversible classes have two more aspects gaining up to 40 points more, Chris Heard thereby winning with 68 per cent compared to 60.6 per cent achieved by Sam Reed).

Multi Furrow – Arthur Heywood 595, A Bickley 473. Reversible – Sam Reed 667.5, Paul Pincombe 653, G Bulled 639.5.

Semi-Digger – Bill Tonkin 396.5, Donald Tonkin 344.5, R Hill 282.5 (these had only been to three matches, hence the low total number of points).

Vintage Trailed – Martyn Smale 583, R Heamon 551, G Soper 434. Classic – D Jenkin 585, C Sanders 473, G Summerhayes 424.

Vintage Hydraulic – C Heard 613, Joe Hill 574, C Warren 465.5. Ferguson T20 – G Bufton 537, Roy Jury 448.5, E Vigars 235.5.