Ploughing Away!!

Bath and Trowbridge Ploughing Society’s 70th Annual Ploughing Match

“Ploughing has been carried out over the centuries. Although technology has advanced, the principles remain the same… The art of good ploughing gradually developed into a competition between local farmers. This ploughing match you see today is a direct result of this. Many of the competitors here today are not necessarily connected with agriculture, but have taken up ploughing as their hobby, thus preserving the art and science of good ploughing. Competitors in various classes are judged on the following key points: Straightness, uniformity, firmness of the furrows and a shallow finish. Ploughing matches are held at many locations around the country, culminating in the British National Final.” Bath and Trowbridge Ploughing Society

Some time ago, I noticed the sign for today’s Ploughing Match to be held in a field on the edge of Bath. Having neither been to one before, nor even heard of this competitive sport, I put the date in my diary and prayed for good weather! And it worked!!

Today was a beautiful day of warm Spring sunshine, the perfect weather to while away a couple of hours watching the ploughing action, with 64 different tractors competing in different classes (extras 1 and 2). The star attraction of the match though, wasn’t one of the tractors, or the Ploughmen, but Scrumpy the Jack Russel! (extra 3) He has his own custom-made seat and joins his master whenever the tractor heads out to the fields. Why is he called Scrumpy? Because he likes to enjoy the odd glass of cider! Before heading home, we sampled a real Ploughman’s Lunch picnic, as eaten by real Ploughmen!! (extra 4)

Who would have thought that tractors and ploughing could be so much fun?! :)

If, like me, you’ve never heard of competitive ploughing, and would like to learn more about one of the oldest sports around, here’s a link:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1058585/Its-oldest-sports-thousands-devotees--heard-competitive-ploughing.html