A PLOUGHING match in memory of a much-respected champion ploughman saw some fine ploughing from those who took part.
The Joe Hill Memorial Ploughing Match was held on Sunday, March 27 at Dunsmore Farm, Silverton, by kind permission of Mark Weekes and family.
A total of 65 plough men and women met in the beautiful mid-Devon countryside to compete in the ploughing match to commemorate and celebrate the life of ploughing master-craftsman Joe Hill.
Competitors attended from all across Devon and Cornwall, plus as far away as Wiltshire and even Wales.
Long-time friend of Joe, and fellow ploughman, Kevin Phillips - together with a band of helpers - organised the match and they were blessed with a beautiful sunny spring day.
Ground conditions were dry, but fortunately not too hard to hamper the ploughing.
An excellent standard of ploughing was seen in all nine classes, from horses pulling ploughs that were more than 100 years old, through vintage and classic tractor classes, right up to modern day machines - with one plough only coming off the production line a couple of weeks before the match.
Prize cards were presented to the winners by members of Joe Hill’s family.
Champion ploughman on the day was Peter Ovens, from Somerset, ploughing with a Massey Ferguson tractor and Ransomes plough.
More than £900 was raised by those taking part and spectating at the event, with all funds being donated to Marie Curie to aid the work it carries out in the local community.
Paul Greet
• See more images from the event in the current issue of the Crediton Courier which is on sale now.