British National Ploughing Championships

Posted by Chris Graham on 27th November 2023

Chris Graham reports from the British National Ploughing Championships, and spotlights the Ferguson successes at this year’s event.

British National Ploughing Championships: Giles Pursey, from Street, in Somerset, takes time to make some last-minute adjustments before the competition begins. His Ferguson TE-A 20 was one of the smarter-looking tractors working at the championships.

For the third time in the past 12 years, Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton in rural Somerset, welcomed competitors in the British National Ploughing Championships. The 72nd running of this event – organised, as always, by the Society of Ploughmen – saw more than 250 top ploughmen and women from all over Great Britain gather to do serious but friendly battle on land kindly made available by KS Coles and family.

This is local entrant Derek Parsons’ canvas-cabbed TE-20.

The event, which took place over the weekend of October 14th-15th, provided a feast of entertainment for enthusiasts of the various styles of ploughing, and the assorted equipment used to undertake them. Rain in the days leading up to the extravaganza was insufficient to dampen spirits, although it did provide something of a headache for car park marshals, and turned many of the thoroughfares through the onsite trade areas into a muddy morass.

Judges compare notes after the initial ‘opening-up’, as Andrew Marshall’s TE-F 20 waits patiently nearby. Andrew and his tractor travelled all the way from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, to be in the competition.

Those involved in the competition took part in a total of 15 different ploughing classes over the two days and, in six of these classes, the top 10 competitors from the first day moved forward into the Plough-Off Finals on Sunday, with the aim of establishing the British Champion in each section.

Bob Allen, from Greatworth, in Oxfordshire, concentrates hard during the early stages of the competition, aboard his TE-D 20.

Visitors to the event – and there were certainly plenty of them this year – marvelled at everything from the magnificent steam ploughing engines to the majestic heavy horses. But, of course, for many it was the tractors that took centre stage, with all types and ages to be found on site and working hard. Other attractions included manufacturers and local dealers demonstrating the latest farm equipment, agricultural trade stands, hedge-laying displays, shopping stalls and country crafts.

Timothy Hurley, from Stanton Wick, near Bristol, finished 2nd in Class 10, with his TE-F 20.

The heavy horses always provide a major attraction and, this year, the event boasted 18 pairs working on each day. Magnificently turned out with their ornate brass and leather harnesses, these fine animals were seen competing to produce the best general purpose ploughing on Saturday, then the stylish, traditional ‘high cut’ work on Sunday.

Christopher Spooner, from Polyphant, in Cornwall, at the controls of his once blue-painted TE-D 20.

Main sponsors of the event included Bridgestone/Firestone and Aztec Oils, with further important support coming from AR Demolition, Agricultural & Farming Jobs, Bridgwater Agricultural Society, Cereals Event, Cheffins, Clarke Wilmott, John Corsan, Dales Agri Sales Agency, Exmoor Skip Hire, Friends of Ferguson Heritage, Hunt Forest Group, Lantra Awards, Parriss Tractors and Tama Farm Grown Solutions.

This is the winner of the Ferguson Ploughing Championship (Class 10), Keith Williams, from Kings Caple, in Herefordshire. Keith’s victory confirms that ultimate success is all about the skill of the operator, not the quality of the paint on the tractor.

Class 10, the Ferguson Ploughing Championship, was dedicated to competitors using Ferguson tractors and ploughs, and who had qualified at the Area Finals organised by the The Ferguson Club and the Friends of Ferguson Heritage. There were 23 competitors in this class, but the one who came out in top spot was Keith Williams, from Kings Caple, near Hereford, in Worcestershire, with his Ferguson TE-F 20. Congratulations to Keith, to everyone else taking part and to all the judges, stewards and marshals who all contributed to making the event such a success overall.

There’s a real art to good ploughing. Not only should the furrows be straight and consistent, but the ‘ins and outs’ at each end must be neat and aligned, too.

Richard Mee, from Helmsley, North Yorkshire, secured 3rd in Class 10, with his TE-D 20.

One stand-out static exhibit was this mid-1960s Massey Ferguson 2130 Industrial model.

Away from the ploughing action, there was plenty more to see on the show site, with a good selection of trade stands, club displays and craft marquees. There was also an interesting variety of Massey Ferguson and Ferguson tractors being displayed by the South Somerset Agricultural Preservation Club.

I visited the site on Sunday but, from chatting with marshals it’s clear that the muddy and slippery car park had caused a few problems on previous days. Thankfully it was on predominantly flat ground.

You can learn more about all aspects of competition ploughing, and about forthcoming events, by getting in touch with (or joining) the Society of Ploughmen. Contact details are as follows:

The Society of Ploughmen Ltd

Quarry Farm

Loversall, Doncaster

S. Yorkshire DN11 9DH

tel: 01302 852469

email: info@ploughmen.co.uk

website: ploughmen.co.uk

This feature comes from the latest issue of Classic Massey & Ferguson Enthusiast, and you can get a money-saving subscription to this magazine simply by clicking HERE

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