'People have lost connection with food': Ripon Cathedral celebrates start of farming year with 'Plough Sunday'

Plough Sunday is seen as a way of generally celebrating farming and the work of farmers
Plough Sunday is seen as a way of generally celebrating farming and the work of farmers

Ripon Cathedral marked Plough Sunday with a service attended by large crowds from all around.

A tractor and plough could be seen parked outside the entrance to the cathedral as guests were treated to pulled pork sandwiches and entertained by a group of long sword dancers.

Plough Sunday is held annually to celebrate the start of the agricultural year and to pray for the coming year’s crops.

Leading the service was the Bishop of Ripon, the Rt Revd James Bell, who said that people had lost all connection with where their food comes from.

He stressed that it was hugely important to support and affirm the country’s farmers during these challenging times.

Poul Christensen, president of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, who spoke at the event said that Plough Sunday was an ‘under-celebrated event’.

He said the event helped give people a better understanding of just how important farming is.