European Festival of the Plough
This May Bank Holiday (Sunday 6th & Monday 7th May 2007) South Yorkshire will host the European Festival of the Plough, incorporating the unique European Reversible Ploughing Championships! Some 20,000 visitors from all over Europe are expected to attend this amazing event which is taking place in Lindholme, Doncaster.
The Ploughing Championships are a highlight of the farming year – the last time the competition was held in the UK was in 1995 and last year's event took place in Austria. The title of European Reversible Ploughing Champion will be hotly contested by Europe's most experienced and skilled ploughmen, all champions, from countries including Germany, France, Scotland, Sweden, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Holland, Wales, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria and England.
Over the last two decades England's ploughing teams have proved to be the most successful across the world. North Yorkshire based Simon Witty, ex-European Champion and the current World Reversible Ploughing Champion, has held the title for the last three years, beating off tough competition from other European teams. He has also qualified to represent England in the 2007 World Ploughing Championships which will be held in Lithuania in September.
Another feature of the Festival will be the Five Nations Ploughing Challenge – a fairly new competition now into its' fourth year - which will see champions from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland battle against each other.
Ken Chappell MBE, Executive Director/ Secretary for the Society of Ploughmen commented:
"This really is a world-class event and it will be a fantastic family day-out; I am delighted that the UK has been chosen to host the Festival and its competitions. I have been involved in the ploughing industry for over 35 years and the Festival is one of the most exciting highlights of the Society's year, allowing all those with a passion for the plough to demonstrate their expertise by pitting their skills against their rivals from across Europe."
Richard Jones, Chief Executive of Yorkshire South Tourism, the destination management partnership for the sub-region also commented:
"We are thrilled to be hosting this unique event in South Yorkshire; it will be a great day out for all the family and we are looking forward to welcoming competitors and visitors from the UK and across Europe. The event is set to be a great showpiece for the area and, in particular, for the rural tourism businesses that are such an important part of our visitor economy. We are aiming to attract more and more European events to South Yorkshire and the fact that we have the facilities of Robin Hood Airport gives us a valuable advantage over other areas."
Ploughing was recently featured on the BBC's Top Gear programme. The Top Gear team were hoping to "grow their own fuel" and were seen on the programme driving tractors and ploughing the fields ready to sow their crop. One of Britain's top ploughing judges, David Chappell, who is also co-ordinating this event, was invited to judge Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May's attempts at Reversible Ploughing. They managed half a point for effort!
The European Festival of the Plough features various styles of ploughing – modern tractors pulling conventional and reversible ploughs; three vintage classes with vintage tractors pulling trailing, hydraulic and classic ploughs, which will feature the top vintage ploughmen in the UK; and horse-drawn ploughs. Visitors can see displays and working demonstrations of vintage tractors and machinery dating from the First World War through to the 1950s and 60s and it is an increasingly rare opportunity for spectators to see giant steam ploughing tackle at work.
One of the most popular events with spectators is sure to be the Heavy Horse Ploughing, which gives visitors the chance to watch the majestic shire horses at work as these magnificently turned out gentle giants evoke by-gone days when farming was an altogether a slower way of life.
With all of this, plus trade stands and craft stalls, the Festival promises to be a rich mixture of rural arts and crafts, and the chance to see Europe's top champions in action.
Further information can be found on www.ploughmen.co.uk or from the Society of Ploughmen on 01302 852469.
