FORTY-FOUR ploughmen entered Witheridge and District Ploughing and Agricultural Group’s annual ploughing match this year, the most ever.

The trophy for the best work of the day was won by horseman Martin Kerswell from Buckfastleigh with his two Shires, Buster and Prince.

Martin has been ploughing with heavy horses since he was 12 years old. He won the trophy given by the family of the late Mr Bill Bickley who had been vice chairman of the Association for several years and whose son is now chairman.

Bill had always helped the Association. He had begun ploughing as a boy with horses and used to compete in horse ploughing. He died in June this year.

Martin is the national horse ploughing champion, the first time this has come to Devon in the 15 years he has been ploughing.

The match was held at Tree Farm, Black Dog, home of the Burrow family. Association president , Mr Colin Burrow, said it was good to see so many young competitors this year.

The Association had held a tuition day earlier this year to explain the rules around the reversible classes, which he thought had contributed to the increase in young competitors.

Most matches include the class for the Ferguson T20 and plough, won this year at Witheridge by G Bufton, with E Vigers of Crediton second and R Jury of Okehampton in third place.

Trophies were presented by Mrs Nora Beer, vice president.

Alan Bickley won the trophy for the best work by a local ploughman and the one for the best work in the open class by a local ploughman.

Paul Pincombe won the trophy for the best ploughing with a reversible plough by a local competitor.

Michael Pincombe won the trophy for the best work by a ploughman under the age of 25.

Nathan Pincombe won the trophy for the best ploughing by a Witheridge YFC member. Rob Heaman won the trophy for the best work in the class for vintage tractor and trailer plough.

Rob Hayball won the trophy for the best work by a local ploughman. Rob Williams won the trophy for the best work in the classic, pre-1976, class.

Bill Tonkin won the trophy for the best ploughing using a Ford tractor. Martin Kerswell won the trophy for the best horse ploughing.

G Bufton won the trophy for the best work in the Ferguson T20 class. Colin Heard won the cup for the best work in the vintage mounted class.

In the produce classes, Alan Bickley won the trophy for most points in the farm produce classes (hay, feeding straw, home grown fodder, silage etc).

James Hayes won the trophy for the best exhibit in these classes, which he won last year.

Alan Bickley also won the trophy for most points in the classes for hay and silage.

Mrs Doreen Leat won the trophy for most points in the domestic classes (cakes, marmalade, chutney, flower arrangement, photography etc).

The Witheridge and District YFC shield for the most points gained by one of its members in the domestic, flower and vegetable classes went to Jess Powell.

Seven-years-old Isabel Govier won the trophy for gaining most points in the children’s classes. Elliot Cole was runner up.

Mrs Joyce Rowcliffe won the trophy for gaining most points in the flower and vegetable classes as well as the one for gaining most points in the domestic, flower and vegetable classes.

RESULTS

Open digger ploughing - 1 Bill Tonkin, Cheriton Fitzpaine; 2 Donald Tonkin, 3 Ricky Attril, Isle of Wight.

Open, under 26 on 1.1.15 - C R Hayball.

Open three or more furrows - 1 Alan Bickley, Puddington; 2 Arthur Heywood, Loxbeare; 3 Rob Hayball, Worlington.

Novice reversible - 1 Sam Reed, Bickleigh; 2 Paul Pincombe, Witheridge; 3 Gary Bulled, Cheriton Fitzpaine.

Novice reversible (second group) - 1 Michael Pincombe; 2 Nathan Pincombe, Kennerleigh; 3 Jordan Manning, Chevithorne.

Classic pre-1976 - 1 M Williams, Bridgwater; 2 W D Jenkin, Exminster; 3 Tom Walling, Exeter; 4 Colin Sanders, Exminster.

Vintage tractor and trailer plough - 1 R Heaman; 2 Martyn Smale, East Village; 3 Colin Stacey, Street.

Vintage mounted - 1 C L Heard, Holsworthy; 2 L G Hill, Tiverton; 3 Kelvin Phillips, Tiverton.

Ferguson T20 - 1 G Bufton; 2 E Vigers, Crediton; 3 R Jury, Okehampton.