countryfile
SPEED THE PLOUGH In January, the month when Plough Monday is celebrated, Sue Lee and Jean Orpin look at the history of this important agricultural activity.
Ploughing in the Past There are examples of ploughing in cave paintings and Egyptian hieroglyphics long before our own recorded history. The plough developed from a simple stick to today’s complex piece of machinery. The power to draw the plough was initially a pair of oxen (still used in the third world) then a pair of horses, possibly as they are more amenable than the oxen. It was only in the 20th century that tractors and machines took their place. Improvements in plough design date from the 18th century when the first iron plough was developed. This was subsequently improved and then produced in a factory rather than made by a local blacksmith. Perhaps the most famous name associated with ploughs is Robert Ransome who, in the late 18th century, improved the plough share by making it out of chilled steel. This plough had replacement parts and was the most widely used for the next hundred years. Steam ploughs were introduced by John Fowler in 1858 – a stationary engine pulled the plough back and forward – but they never really became widely used due to the cost and our small fields. They had an advantage in that ploughing could be undertaken in all weathers and may have developed if the economic conditions had been more favourable. An agricultural depression began in 1875 due to the high level of imports from America. Ploughing with Tractors Fordson tractors were introduced in 1917 and originally pulled the old horse drawn machinery behind them. Harry Ferguson designed a light weight tractor with a mounted plough in 1926 which was later used all over the world. Due to
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two world wars the use of tractors in Europe was delayed and most farmers were ploughing with horses until the 1950s. In 1942 there were 100,000 tractors and 585,000 horses: by 1952 there were 325,000 tractors and only 254,000 horses. Ploughing has always been recommended for destroying weeds and loosening the top layer of soil before planting a crop and in the last 50 years, tractors and ploughs have increased in size and efficiency. Now however there is a change of attitude with recent research suggesting that water retention is greater and there is less erosion if ploughing is less intensive. Some farmers today practice minimum tillage but plenty are not convinced. Ploughing Matches The best place to see ploughs old and new in action is to visit a Ploughing Match. It’s an enjoyable occasion attracting spectators as well as participants. There is an opportunity to see teams of horses ploughing in the old way, classic Fordson and Ferguson tractors and huge modern machines with six furrowed ploughs. At Ketton this November where all our pictures were taken there were 90 ploughmen and six teams of horses on a pleasant November Day. Contestants come from near and far, some working farmers and some enthusiasts who take part as a hobby. There are several ploughing matches in the Stamford area – for dates this year see www.ploughmen.co.uk Plough Monday From pagan days there was a period of midwinter festivities later associated with the twelve days of Christmas. On Plough Monday agricultural work was resumed after this winter
break: in medieval times the Monday after Twelfth Night. The plough would be blessed in church on the previous Sunday then carried around the village by members of a Plough Guild, collecting funds to maintain ‘plough lights’ in the parish church. These candles were lit in memory of past members. The day would still end with traditional singing, dancing and mummers’ plays. From the middle of the 16thC these guilds and lights were banned by the church but people are loath to give up their traditions so carried on to the financial advantage of the plough boys. As the ploughboys processed around the locality, they would perform ‘Molly Dances’ and collect money to provide for a feast and some extra income for the winter. They often darkened their faces as a disguise because those who didn’t pay up would be likely to find their doorsteps or gardens ploughed up! Today some traditions survive or have been revived but they are more likely to be held at a weekend. At Whittlesey old customs were revived in 1980 resulting in a whole weekend of entertainment – this year 13th -15th January. A full sized bear costume made of straw is worn and taken round the village by ‘plough witches’. They dance and collect money then on the Sunday the costumes are burnt on a massive bonfire. Also revived in the 1980s were the Hinckley Plough Bullockers in Leicestershire where they process and dance around local villages on the Saturday before Plough Monday. Churches services to bless the plough have also been revived and Common Worship, the Church of England’s prayer book includes prayers for Plough Sunday.
STAMFORD Living january 2012
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