Ploughing a straight furrow

The Romney Marsh Ploughing and Cultivation Society had their annual ploughing match at Scotney Court Farm, Lydd on September 4.

The club was formed in the late 1940s and although it was disbanded for a brief time in the 1990s, it has grown from strength to strength since its re-establishment in 2004.

It’s not all about ploughing though. This years’ event included a very popular fun dog show that was supported by over 150 individual class entries and eventually won by Paul Hackings Patterdale Terrier. Sheep shearing was demonstrated by local East Guldeford sheep farmer Richard Baker. There were also trade stands, bouncy castle, trailer rides, a parade of hounds by the East Sussex and Romney Marsh Hunt and a chance to have a go at ploughing.

53 ploughed in some challenging conditions, with several ploughmen from the Rye area, including three generations of Jurys; Bill,Kevin and Ed.

Local East Guldeford man, Alan Pilcher, not only won his class but was also awarded the cup for the best local ploughman.  It was a good day all around for the Pilcher family as Jim Pilcher was also awarded an Honorary Membership for the dedication and support he has shown to the Society.

The winners were as follows

• Class 1 – Semi Digger – G Burse
• Class 2 – Classic – Dave Linch
• Class 2A – AJ Pilcher
• Class 3 – Vintage Mounted – I Hogben
• Class 4 – Grey Ferguson & Ferguson Plough – R Fermor
• Class 5 – Vintage Trailer – G Newport
• Class 6 – Novice – Dennis Smith
• Class 7 – Reversible – J Braiden
• Class 8 – Premier Reversible – R Bulpit
• Class 9 – Horticultural – T Offen

Photo: Combat Moose Photography