Tractors and ploughs from throughout the South West will be converging on Milverton on Thursday (October 14) for one of the most prestigious events on the area’s farming calendar.
Wellington Monument and District Ploughing Society’s annual match dates back to 1947, interrupted only by the pandemic.
Because of the society’s name, it is always held on a field from which Wellington Monument can be seen – this year, it is on land at Burns Hill, Milverton, by kind permission of the Coles family.
Secretary Peter Hill said: “There’s always a good entry – last time, we had 61. Numbers are down at the moment, but it’s early days.
“We’ve always had a good strong committee, but now it’s down to two or three of us.”
That does not appear to have diminished the strength of the event: “It’s amazing, really,” said Peter. “I’ve been contacted by entrants from Hampshire, Cornwall – all over.”
Among those returning this year is David Jones, who ploughs with heavy horses and has featured on the Channel 4 programme Devon and Cornwall. He came with a camera crew the last time the ploughing match was held.
As well as the skills on display, an attraction is the age of the vehicles. For example, the first two classes are for tractors, and tractor and plough, in production before December 31, 1959.
There is also a match for ‘tractor and matching plough’ produced between 1947 and 1960, and a class for tractors produced without Q cab – cabs were added to tractors from around the 1950s – and ploughs in production pre-December 31, 1976.
Young Farmers will be challenged to plough two or more furrows, and the same goes for semi-diggers. There will also be competition to plough three or more furrows and for high cutting with any type of plough.
Open horse ploughing will bring the event, which starts at 9.30am, to a close at about 4pm. It offers the highest amount in prize money for the winner, at £40. The eight other classes have a top prize of £30.
The entry fee for all classes is £5, so be sent to Peter Hill who can be contacted on 07914 635013.