COMPETITION ploughing in Devon is strong, especially vintage and Young Farmers’ classes, but it depends on the competitors and, especially, landowners who allow their acres to be used.

President of Devon Ploughing Association, Raymond Govier of Thelbridge, said at the annual presentations evening at the Exeter Inn, Thelbridge, that had not been an easy season.

The first three matches had resulted in nearly everyone being wet through, then it dried out and the ground became like concrete.

He thanked the landowners without whom there would be no ploughing matches, and thanked the competitors for taking part.

Champion this year was Joe Hill from Tiverton, runner-up was Colin Heard of Bradworthy, last year’s winner. This was the fourth year Joe has won the top trophy.

Joe won the vintage hydraulic class with 613 points, Colin being runner-up with 611 points and Richard Hill in third place with 562.

The multi-furrow class winner was Alan Bickley with 528 points. Runner-up was Arthur Heywood.

Sam Reed took the trophy for the reversible class with 660 points, Michael Pincombe (539) runner-up and Paul Pincombe (326) in third place.

Bill Tonkin took the trophy for the semi-digger class with 461 points.

In the vintage trailed class the top trophy went to Malcolm Smale with 556.5 points. Robert Heaman the runner-up was only half a point behind. In third place was Peter Stone with 527 points.

The classic class trophy went to Colin Sanders with 498 points, runner-up being Richard Hartnoll (421) and Graham Summerhayes (388.5) in third place.

The top trophy in the Ferguson T20 class went to Ron Jury (504), runner-up being Graham Bufflon (499) and Tim Webb (481) third.

There had been eight matches for the Young Farmers’ Club competitions plus those of Withleigh and Meshaw YFCs and the Devon winner this year was Nathan Pincombe (487), Ben Perryman (449) being runner-up, both of Witheridge YFC.

In third place was Tom Gillbard of Newton St Cyres club (295) and in fourth was Jack Branton of Culm Valley (276). Tom has been ploughing for three years, the other three for two years.

At the start of the evening the chairman, Chris Warren of Whimple, asked for a minute’s silence in memory of ploughmen who had died during the past year, including Tom Broome a founder member of the Devon Association and respected judge and Mike Cushing, a past chairman of Cheriton Fitzpaine Ploughing Association and judge.

There was a round of applause for the Association secretary Sheila Kerslake who is stepping down next year after 10 years.

It was announced that the South West Area meeting is to be held at The Countryman on December 7 and the annual meeting of the Devon Association would be on March 29, 2017 at the Exeter Inn, Thorverton.

Sue Read