THERE was a record number of entries in the ploughing classes at Mid Devon Ploughing Club’s 31st annual ploughing match held at Moor Farm, Shobrooke, on Saturday, October 15.

Some wet weather during the night softened the ground which resulted in perfect ploughing conditions for the 56 competitors taking part.

The hilltop field was provided by kind permission of G A Mortimer and Sons and afforded drying conditions for the ploughmen and women and exceptional views of the surrounding countryside.

The Mid Devon Club and match was started 31 years ago by Bonzo Moyes of Bow, Eddie Vigers taking over the role of chairman of the organisation from him about six years ago.

Eddie’s daughter, Fiona Mortimer is match secretary and wife of George who gave permission for the field to be used for the match.

Ploughing began promptly at 10am, ploughmen and women travelling from across the South West to take part.

National rules applied and the judges were D Jenkins, G Dunn, P Hammett, P Brake, P Orchard, N Palmer and J Kerslake.

Chief steward was T Webb with stewards R Stacey, R Waycott, G Cheriton, R Ford, J Lethbridge and A Doney.

Refreshments were provided by and sold in aid of Cheriton and Tedburn YFC.

The youngest competitor was Alfie Hollington (13), from Launceston.

After a busy morning and early afternoon of ploughing, those who took part gathered for the presentation of awards.

Before this took place, a cheque for £500 was presented to John Groves, the local representative for the charity, Devon Air Ambulance.

Just moments before he was due to speak, a Devon Air Ambulance flew over the area from the Cheriton Fitzpaine direction.

John thanked the Ploughing Club for its donation and explained that it would be used to help sustain the flying capacity of the two air ambulances that the charity operates.

Then followed the presentation of awards by Anna Mortimer, George and Fiona’s daughter.

The award for the Best Turned Out tractor went to Richard Broom.

Champion ploughman was Roland Glanville, an exceptional ploughman who has won titles across the country for his quality ploughing.

The Champion YFC member was Michael Hayball and the Reserve went to Anna Mortimer.

RESULTS

Vintage Trailed - 1 R Hext, 2 M Smale, 3 P Mancini, 4 P Stone.

Vintage Hydraulic - 1 C Heard, 2 Roger Heal, 3 A Westcott, 4 M Williams.

Classic - 1 S Teague, 2 P Studley, 3 F Grose, 4 V Gill.

Ferguson T20 - 1 G Pursey, 2 J Paine, 3 R Reed, 4 N Stewart.

Semi Digger - 1 R Glanville, 2 D Tonkin, 3 M Adams, 4 W Tonkin.

Novice - 1 A Mortimer, 2 A Hollington, 3 N Cummings, 4 P Rowell.

Reversible - 1 S Reed, 2 P Pincombe, 3 M Pincombe.

Multi Furrow Conventional - 1 A Brazier, 2 R Broom.