Britain’s leading ploughmen and women will compete for national titles when the British National Ploughing Championships marks its 75th anniversary in Warwickshire next month.
The two-day event at Austrey, near Atherstone, on 10-11 October will bring competitors from Scotland to Cornwall. Winners could ultimately earn the chance to represent their country at the World and European Ploughing Championships in 2027.
Six women are among the competitors, including three young farmers. Sisters Ellie Bullard and Chloe Bullard, from Hertfordshire, will compete in conventional tractor and classic classes respectively, while Lauren Cope, from Derbyshire, enters the hydraulic class.
Family ties
Family connections run throughout the competition. Janet Vickers will compete in the classic class alongside husband Nigel and son Nigel, while the Bullard sisters’ brother Josh will also take part.
The second day will see leading competitors contest Plough-Off Finals for British titles and international qualification. The heavy horse section has attracted 16 pairs, including Clydesdales, Shires, Comtois, Percherons and Ardennes.
Away from competition, the Country Festival will showcase agricultural machinery and heritage. At least three pairs of steam ploughing engines will demonstrate, while Joe Hewes returns with his Chieftain tank for tracked vehicle ploughing.
Society of Ploughmen chief executive Sue Frith said: “It promises to be a fitting celebration of 75 years of competition and the generations of ploughmen and women who have made the event such an important part of Britain’s agricultural calendar”.
For details and tickets, see www.ploughmen.co.uk.