Ploughmen to battle it out for championship
MORE than 150 top ploughmen from all parts of Britain Will compete this autumn in he 2003 British National Ploughing Championships, to be held at Brougham, near Penrith.
The event is held in a different part of the country each year and after an absence of 13 years the championships Are returning to Cumbria. Phey are being held at the Same site as they would have been in 2001 had it not been or the foot and mouth epiiemic.
Two busy days - October 11 and 12 - will be packed with competitions for many types 3f plough and stkles of ploughing. The event will climax when the two top ploughmen are selected to represent England at the 51st Vational Ploughing Contest n Northern Ireland next par.
The site, at Hornby Hall Farms, covers 200 acres and has excellent facilities for ,omectitors and public, with asy access by road and alenty of car parking space.
The event is organised by the Society of Ploughmen, based at Loversall, near Doncaster, which is expecting upwards of 15,000 spectators spread over the two days.
The society's executive director, Ken Chappell said: "The cancellation of the championships in 2001 due to the foot and mouth crisis was a huge disappointment for everyone involved so we are . delighted to be invited back to Brougham this year.
"The championships have already attracted considerable interest and we are looking forward to a first-class event. Hornby Hall is an excellent site and there is tremendous interest and support both in the immediate area and surrounding counties."
Visitors will see not only the highly skilled competition ploughing and an extensive trade stand area but also attractions such as vintage tractors, ploughs and equipment, steam engines and threshing displays.
There will also be a craft
marquee with a variety of stands, together with demonstrations of the latest tractors, farm machinery and equipment under working conditions.
On the first day,, the ploughmen will compete in two classes - reversible and conventional. Those who qualify will go through to the finals on the second day to find the two national champions.
On the second day, lovers of classic machinery will enjoy three classes for vintage tractor ploughing - with trailing ploughs, hydraulic ploughs and classic ploughs - with ploughmen competing for the honour of being the British Vintage Champion.
One of the major family attractions will be the horse ploughing, with many pairs of heavy horses at work each day, magnificently turned out with ornate brass and leather harness.
Further information can be obtained on the internet at www.ploughmen.co.uk or from the Society of Ploughmen, tel 01302 852469. ,
