PLOUGHING MATCHES
Entries wanted for crawler tractor class at the Weald of Kent ploughing match Cash prize for best work TEL: 07872 501951
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Ploughing match season is here! We look at upcoming events in the South East.
Date: 18 September 2021 Venue: Honey Farm, Munday Bois Road, Pluckley, Ashford, TN27 0SU Gates open: 9am with free car parking Entry costs: Entry £7.50 (online) £8.00 (on the gate) Under 12s free Web: www.wkpma.co.uk
There will no doubt be an extra special spring in the step of visitors to the annual Weald of Kent Ploughing Match as rural life gets back to something like normal after the disruptions of 2020. The annual Weald of Kent match, sponsored by BTF Partnership, has a history stretching back 74 years, and last year’s cancellation because of Covid-19 was deeply disappointing. This year’s event will take place on Saturday 18 September at Honey Farm, Munday Bois Road, Pluckley, Ashford, TN27 0SU by kind permission of Mr D Gwillim. Alongside the vintage, steam-plough, horseploughing and conventional ploughing classes, there will be a full range of activities for all ages to participate in, including a: • gymkhana – classes for children aged up to 14 including showing classes, show jumping, fancy dress and novelty classes for young or novice riders • fun dog show with classes for all shapes and sizes • dog agility competition with classes for all sized dogs both new to and experienced at agility, plus have-a-go fun agility
THE LARGEST RURAL EVENT
IN THE WEALD OF KENT • clay shoot competition with six classes. The main show ring will feature a full programme of events to entertain spectators throughout the day. It will include: • birds of prey flying display • tossing the sheaf competition, open to all visitors • hounds parade • gun dog demonstration • gun dog scurry competitions • terrier racing • tug-of-war. For food and drink lovers there will be a large farmers’ market to browse, with local producers selling a range of delicious produce and gifts. The match will also be home to an extensive trade show with around 80 stands, a bar area and catering. This year’s event will be run according to the latest government guidance on Covid-19 and ticket
numbers will be restricted. People are encouraged to book an early bird ticket online from 6 August. Seth Nesfield, Chairman of the Weald of Kent Ploughing Match Association, organisers of the match, commented: “Sadly we had to cancel the 2020 match due to Covid-19 and this year we will also be restricting the numbers. “We have a large site this year which will be set up to allow people plenty of outdoor space to enjoy the events. This is an important event in the Weald of Kent farming diary, which brings the rural community together, and it will be a fantastic opportunity for people to get out and see friends after a long period of lockdown.” Entries for all classes, (ploughing, gymkhana, dogs and clay shoot) are welcome and details of how to enter and entry dates can be found at www.wkpma.co.uk along with how to buy tickets.
CHAIRMAN 50 YEARS LATER
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> Alan Piper, Fred Redman, Edwin Hull, Barry Penn, Brian Foster, John Seale, Arthur Adams feature in a 1971 newspaper cutting
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Brian Foster first took part in the East Grinstead and Three Counties Ploughing Match half a century ago. Fifty years on, Brian is now Chairman of an event that has been run by a thriving local association for more than 70 years and is well supported by many of the area’s well-known farming families. The 73rd East Grinstead event is being held on 11 September at Home Farm, Wallage Lane, Rowfant, appropriately enough the venue for Brian’s first match. The venue has been provided by Mr and Mrs N Penn. This year’s event features eight main ploughing classes and a hedge cutting competition, together with the third year of the Vexour Cup, which is open to ploughmen and women under 26 years of age and offers a cash prize of £100. The match features tractor and trailer rides, a bar, hot food, ice creams, a bouncy castle, a family fun dog show and more.
Date: 11 September 2021 Venue: Home Farm, Wallage Lane, Rowfant Entry costs: £5 per car
WWW.SOUTHEASTFARMER.NET | SEPTEMBER 2021
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