Throughout Great Britain, ploughmen and women are busy polishing their ploughs and getting their equipment ready to take part in an event which is the highlight of their year.
Over 250 competitors have been sharpening their skills at their local ploughing matches in preparation to try and plough the straightest furrow when they take part in the 2024 British National Ploughing Championships. The event, combined with a country festival, will be held on the Thoresby Estate, near Ollerton, Nottinghamshire on 12th and 13th October, by kind permission of Thoresby Farming. In the 73 year history of the event, this will be only the third time it has been held in Nottinghamshire.
Although it is a ploughing competition, you don’t have to know anything about ploughing to visit the event! It is one of the few places where you can appreciate the changes in our farming heritage over hundreds of years, all working together. From magnificent heavy horses through to steam ploughing engines, vintage tractors, right up to the modern day equipment. Alongside will be trade stands, shopping stalls and a craft marquee, so you can buy anything from a pair of tyres to a pair of socks! To get around the huge 230 acre site, there will be tractors and trailer rides.
Horse lovers will enjoy seeing the horses working – there are 19 pairs entered on the first day and 16 on the second. There will be various breeds at work with some kitted out in all their finery, others as they would have worked on a farm back in the day. Whatever harness they wear, it will be a fantastic sight to see them all side by side.
Steam enthusiasts can see giant ploughing engines pulling a plough by cable between them, with four Fowler BB1 Engines from the early part of the 20th century. Lovers of vintage tractors will be able to see all the old tractors working – there will be well over a hundred ploughing in the competitions each day and static displays too.
For ploughing fans or for the curious, fifteen ploughing classes will be held over the two days – with ‘world style’ ploughing, classic and vintage ploughs trying to win a place in one of the ‘Plough-Off Finals’ on the second day.
The Supreme Championship trophy will be awarded on the second day with some of the champions seeking a place to represent their country in the 2025 World or European Ploughing Championships. The international events are traditionally held in a different country each year and the Europeans will be hosted by England in the spring, also in Nottinghamshire.
The Society of Ploughmen, who organise the event, are a registered charity and Chief Executive, Sue Frith, commented: “Whatever your age, there is something here that will be of interest to everyone. It’s an amazing event which has such a lovely atmosphere, bringing people together from both urban and rural communities. We are delighted to be back in Nottinghamshire and are hoping the weather will stay fine for us - but if it doesn’t just bring your boots, or buy some while you’re there!”
Main sponsors of the Championships are Bridgestone Firestone and further support has been given by A R Demolition, Aztec Oils, Cheffins, Dales Agri Sales Agency, Friends of Ferguson Heritage, HME, Homefire, JCB, Northfield Fencing, Ripon Farm Services and Russells.
Admission to the event is £15 per person on the day and just £2 for children. Discounted ticket are available in advance online. The site will be easy to find, it’s only about 3 miles from the A1 Apleyhead Interchange and it will be signposted. Further information and can be found on www.ploughmen.co.uk or from the Society of Ploughmen on 01302 852469, Facebook or Twitter.
Mansfield 103.2 Afternoon News - 221124
