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Romance is alive and kicking in the world of ploughing – thanks to John Crowder from Sturton-by-Stow, Lincolnshire.

Romance is alive and kicking in the world of ploughing – thanks to John Crowder from Sturton-by-Stow, Lincolnshire.

Mr Crowder travelled to Northern Ireland to compete in the European Vintage Ploughing Championships. He swept the board, winning the Vintage Trailing Ploughing title, the  European Vintage Ploughing Champion title – and his future bride too.

Important question

Mr Crowder decided beforehand that if he won his class, he would propose to his girlfriend Laura Dickson. He did just that immediately after he was presented with the trophies in the ploughing field. Ms Dickson said ‘yes’ to the all-important question.

Having finished a massive 120 points ahead of second place in his class at Ballykelly, Mr Crowder will now be getting his Fordson N tractor and Ransome RSLD Major plough ready for the British National Ploughing Championships.

The championships are being held on the Chatsworth Estate at Glapwell, Derybshire on 8-9 October. Mr Crowder will be trying to retain the British Vintage Trailing Plough Champion and win a place to next year’s European Championships.

He will be joined by over 240 other ploughmen and women taking part over two days in a number of machine-driven and horse-driven classes. There will also be championship classes for the Ferguson, Ford & Fordson and David Brown clubs.

Mr Crowder will be hoping to be one of 60 top competitors on the first day who will go on to take part in their respective ‘Plough-Off Final’ on the second day – hoping to represent England in next year’s World and European Ploughing Contests.

The title of Supreme Champion is also up for grabs when the champions’ winning plots are judged against each other.