British Ploughing Championships return to Somerset
Britain’s top ploughmen will congregate in Somerset once again in October when the 2011 British National Ploughing Championships return to Taunton. This will be the fifth time the event has been held in Somerset in its’ 60 year history, and was last held at Nynehead, near Wellington in 1995.
A prime site of 250 acres has been provided at East Combe, near Bishop’s Lydeard, Taunton by K S Coles Ltd and two busy days - Saturday and Sunday, October 8th and 9th – will be packed with competitions for many types of plough and styles of ploughing. Over 150 local champions from all over the country will contest 12 classes and competition will be fierce, because at stake are the British national titles for the ultimate winners and the two top ploughmen will be selected to represent their country at the 2011 World Ploughing Contest in Croatia.
The organisers of the event, registered charity the Society of Ploughmen, anticipate upwards of 15,000 spectators over the two days and many companies, both national and local, are already supporting the championships by demonstrating, exhibiting or by providing sponsorship towards the tremendous costs involved.
Executive Director of the Society of Ploughmen, Ken Chappell said, "We are very delighted to be invited back to Somerset where we always receive a very warm welcome, and the Championships are attracting considerable interest this year. The amount of enquiries we have had for trade stands and demonstrations is tremendous, especially with the economic climate as it is at the moment, and we are looking forward to a first class event".
Although the ploughing championships will be the main attraction for ploughing enthusiasts; and working farmers will be looking for the displays and demonstrations of the latest tractors, farm machinery and equipment; it will also be a rural spectacular to appeal to everyone with a love of the countryside. 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; a craft marquee with a wide variety of stands; a comprehensive "Harvesting Through the Ages" demonstration; and one of the major attractions, the horse ploughing. Magnificently turned out with ornate brass and leather harness, these true farm ’workhorses’ will be seen competing to produce the best general purpose ploughing on the first day and the stylish traditional ’high cut’ work on the second day. Main sponsors of the event are Goodyear and Firestone.
The host farmer, K S Coles Ltd, is a family owned vegetable grower and packer business, specialising in swede, peas and broad beans, which was established in 1964 by husband and wife, Ken and Christine Coles. Their business has expanded enormously over the years and the whole family has grown into it, along with various managers, which is in the heart of the West Country where the vast majority of their crops are grown.
Access to the site is easy. It is situated just off the A358 road, approximately 6 miles north of Taunton. For further information contact the Society of Ploughmen on 01302 852469 or see their website www.ploughmen.co.uk
