MORE than 50 ploughmen and women competed in the ploughing classes at the 79th Cheriton Fitzpaine and District Ploughing Match held at Bidwell Barton, Thorverton on September 21.

Ploughing at Cheriton Fitzpaine Match with Thorverton Church in the background. AQ 3579
Ploughing at Cheriton Fitzpaine Match with Thorverton Church in the background. AQ 3579 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
Toby (7) and Wilf (5) enjoyed sitting on their grandads tractor at Cheriton Fitzpaine Ploughing Match. AQ 3587
Toby (7) and Wilf (5) enjoyed sitting on their grandads tractor at Cheriton Fitzpaine Ploughing Match. AQ 3587 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

The weather was warm and sunny and the soil good for ploughing, competitors coming from across the South West.

Judges toured the ploughing at Cheriton Fitzpaine ploughing match. AQ 3606
Judges toured the ploughing at Cheriton Fitzpaine ploughing match. AQ 3606 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Great exhibits at Cheriton Fitzpaine ploughing match and Produce Show. AQ 3645
Great exhibits at Cheriton Fitzpaine ploughing match and Produce Show. AQ 3645 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

A marquee and outside housed the cookery, floral, handicraft, children’s and farm produce classes.

Colin Sanders of Tiverton had a good day at Cheriton Fitzpaine ploughing match. AQ 3592
Colin Sanders of Tiverton had a good day at Cheriton Fitzpaine ploughing match. AQ 3592 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
Rachel Reed of Witheridge enjoyed ploughing at Cheriton Fitzpaine Ploughing Match. AQ 3603
Rachel Reed of Witheridge enjoyed ploughing at Cheriton Fitzpaine Ploughing Match. AQ 3603 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Four youngsters take a break from spectating for an ice cream at Cheriton Fitzpaine Ploughing Match. AQ 3696
Four youngsters take a break from spectating for an ice cream at Cheriton Fitzpaine Ploughing Match. AQ 3696 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)

Gail Whalley, churchwarden at Cadbury Church, led the Ploughing Service and blessing of the plough.

Champion Ploughman was P Stone, other winners: S Reed, A Gell, M Smale, M Dolly, B Baxter, K Davie, J Norman, R Ayre, J Lee, R and A Stoyle, C Baxter, H Cheriton, J Skinner, S Fox, L Cann, G Haberfield, A Bickley, F Grose and Cheriton Fitzpaine School.

Alan Bickley with his ploughing at Cheriton Fitzpaine ploughing match. AQ 3668
Alan Bickley with his ploughing at Cheriton Fitzpaine ploughing match. AQ 3668 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
A marquee and outside housed the cookery, floral, handicraft, children’s and farm produce classes at Cheriton Fitzpaine and District Ploughing Match and Produce Show. AQ 3638
A marquee and outside housed the cookery, floral, handicraft, children’s and farm produce classes at Cheriton Fitzpaine and District Ploughing Match and Produce Show. AQ 3638 (Alan Quick, Crediton Courier)
Trophy and award winners at Cheriton Fitzpaine and District Ploughing Match and Produce Show.
Trophy and award winners at Cheriton Fitzpaine and District Ploughing Match and Produce Show. (Helen Lee)