by Alan Quick

MORE than 55 ploughmen from across the South West of England competed in a range of classes at Cheriton Fitzpaine and District Ploughing Association’s 72nd annual match and produce show, held in fields overlooking Crediton and across the glorious backdrop of Mid Devon countryside.

Held in fields along Higher Road, Crediton, just off the A377, the site was kindly provided by Mr and Mrs Roger Pennington of Copplestone.

No-one can doubt that the views were exceptional looking across to Dartmoor and further afield and the weather was kind to the organisers after some recent heavy downpours.

Only a few cars became stuck in the mud gaining access to the fields, and wellies were the order of the day.

The event was a perfect opportunity for people to enjoy a rural day out in the countryside, view the ploughing competitions taking place and also the produce and competitions held within the marquee which showcased a variety of skills such as handicrafts, cookery, flower arranging, photography and garden produce classes.

Visitors could also see entries in a range of children’s classes.

Show secretary Julie Davie said there were more than 400 exhibits in the classes inside and outside the marquee as well as the ploughing classes. Fiona Mortimer of Uton, Crediton was the only female plough woman.

Ploughing classes included semi-digger, three or more furrow plough, open novice (ploughing one way only), multi-furrow reversible, vintage tractor and trailed plough, vintage tractor with hydraulics, crawler tractor and plough, classic, Ferguson tractor and Ferguson plough TE20 series only and horticultural plough.

Each ploughman was given a plot to plough to the best of their ability, each plot judged by some of the region’s finest judges.

BILL WAS CHAMPION

Mr R Pennington presented the awards and Champion ploughman was Bill Tonkin from Cheriton Fitzpaine, who ploughed in the semi-digger class.

Other trophy winners were: Perpetual Netherexe cup (winner of reversible class) - Mr P Pincombe, Perpetual Cup (best ploughing by YFC member) - Mr R Morgan of Bridgwater YFC, W J Lee Perpetual Memorial Trophy (best kept tractor and equipment) – Mr P Beer, The Stockleigh House Perpetual Challenge cup (for local exhibitor or competitor gaining most points in any of classes) – Mrs L Cheriton, Black Dog Perpetual Challenge Cup (the YFC member gaining most points in any of classes) – Miss Katie Davie, The Bowley Perpetual Challenge Cup (YFC member of opposite sex to winner of the Black Dog Cup gaining most points in any class) – Mr Ben May.

The Tiresome Perpetual Challenge Cup (competitor gaining most points in the field root competition) – Mr Ben May, Challenge Cup (competitor with best field of grass in local leys competition) – Mr I Tapp, Perpetual Cup (for exhibitor gaining most points in hay/silage/specimen roots and corn) – Mr R Stoyle, Pauls Agricultural Perpetual Challenge Cup (exhibitor gaining most points in samples of corn exhibition) – Mr R Stoyle, William Cheriton Perpetual Memorial Challenge Cup (most outstanding entry in the field root competition (kale) - Mr Jim Stephens, Reg Pike Perpetual Memorial Rose bowl (most outstanding exhibit in flower and vegetable classes) – Barry Mildon for apples.

Challenge Trophy (exhibitor gaining most points in produce classes 40-63) - Mrs L Cheriton, Perpetual Family Challenge Cup (any two members of the same household jointly winning the highest number of points in any classes) – Mrs K and Miss K Davie, Bibby Perpetual Trophy (best sample of corn in classes 34-37) – Mr R Stoyle, Nora Kingdon Perpetual Memorial Trophy (competitor gaining most points in any of produce adult cake/sponge classes 40-43) - Mrs Sarah Fox, Hosegood Junior Champion Perpetual Cup (junior competitor 16 years and under gaining most points in children’s classes) – Katie Davie, Reg Bulled Perpetual Cup (winner of vintage Class) – Mr J Hill, Junior Schools Challenge Cup (most junior points) – Cheriton Fitzpaine School, The Bill Bulled Cup (presented to winner of the classic class) – Mr V Gill.

Mr P Beer of Cheriton Fitzpaine won the cup for best kept tractor and also the lucky numbered hamper draw.

New, keen young ploughing entrant, Joseph Wreford (13), of Crediton, was placed a respectable third out of six in the open novice, ploughing one way class, proving he is certainly one to watch for next year.

COOKERY

The most popular cookery class, for four chocolate brownies attracted 15 entries with both lemon drizzle cakes and a loaf of bread made from a bread maker, not far behind.

The cress grown in an unusual object this year was won by Louise Turley with cress in an old animal skull, with other exhibits in a very long cattle horn and also in swimming goggles.  There was a colourful display from the floating flower head class which had seven entries and was won by Mr John Hodge.

The junior section of the produce and craft show was extremely colourful and well supported with entries from Silverton Beavers, Cheriton Fitzpaine School, Cheriton Fitzpaine Brownies and Cheriton Fitzpaine Rainbows, Thorverton Pre-School and Primary School, Newton St Cyres School, with the remainder coming from individual entries.

The most popular classes for 12-16 year-old was four chocolate muffins. There was an incredible 60 entries in the eight-to-11-year-olds class for a hand written copy of the “Lord’s Prayer”, which was quite challenging for the judge, Miss Nicola Bellew.

The decorated plate titled "my favourite meal" for five-to-seven-year-olds attracted 40 entries. The four-year-olds-and-under class had 15 entries in the class for the decorated kitchen roll.

Cheriton Fitzpaine School clinched the Junior Schools Challenge Cup for most junior points. Previously it was won by Thorverton School.

Sandra Turner, on behalf of the Association said she would sincerely like to thank all the local firms, businesses, families and individuals who kindly gave sponsorship and/or donations, draw prizes, and members of Newton St Cyres Young Farmers’ Club who helped with stewarding.

The ploughing service, conducted in the field before the prize giving was led by Mr Kingsley Cross from Cheriton Fitzpaine and it included the blessing of the plough.