VILLAGERS in Winkleigh are to turn out to bless the plough at the beginning of the agricultural year, marking an age old tradition for the first time in many years.

The whole village has been invited to the celebrations in the village square on Sunday, January 14, which will be led by the Bishop of Exeter, the Rt Rev Robert Atwell, and attended by David Fursdon, the Lord Lieutenant of Devon.

A procession of villagers will follow an old horse plough into the church at 11am for a short service, to ask for God’s blessing on the farming community and the land.

The Very Rev Graham Smith, interim priest-in-charge of Winkleigh, said: “It has been a difficult harvest for the farming community and we want to honour them and the work they do, and celebrate the close connections the Church has always had with farmers.

“Plough Sunday marks the beginning of the agricultural year, and Harvest Sunday its conclusion.

“It is the first time in recent memory Winkleigh has held Plough Sunday celebrations, though it is a village with a strong farming community.”

There will also be entertainment from the Winkleigh Morris Dancers, and a display of vintage tractors.

Plough Sunday is a traditional English village celebration which has been revived in recent years.

Alan Quick