Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Competition begins
learning bushcraft techniques.
There were numerous trade stands and it was also a good opportunity to snap up gifts including glassware, pottery, silver jewellery, alpaca socks and handcrafted walking sticks.
East Kent Ploughing Match chairman Simon Phillips said the day had been a huge success.
He said: “The good weather and great location helped and it was rewarding for the organisers who work so hard to see so many visitors.
“Obviously, the Brexit vote has created some uncertainty in the farming industry which is already struggling with low commodity prices.
“But we tried to put that at the back of our minds to enjoy the day. It’s very much a highlight of the social calendar for farmers to meet up and do it a bit of networking.
“But more and more people not involved in the industry are interested in country life and where their food comes from and I think that was reflected in the numbers.
“Farming does need some new younger blood and hopefully events like the ploughing match will also encourage newcomers.” Champion ploughman, W. Collard, reserve champion, E. Batchelor; 2nd reserve, C. Marsh; best ploughman under 21, S. Batchelor; best ex Hadlow student, A. Priesig; run round ploughs, R. Hobbs, 2/3 furrows, R. Victor; four furrows, P. Brenchley; five furrows, C. Marsh, six furrow, W. Collard; best Ford Tractor work, P. Bolton; best Lemken plough work, W. Collard; best Massey Ferguson tractor work, A. Prieseg; vintage trailer plough, A. West; vintage plough champion, I. Hogbin; 2/3 Mounted two furrows, S. Day, F. Harvey, R. Norrington; mounted two furrows, I. Hogbin, C. Cullen, N.tanton: mounted three furrows, J. Vowell, N. Cannon, M. Hobbs; classic two furrows, I. Linch, A. Pilcher, T. Sinden; classic two furrows, R. Hobbs, A.
Cauliflowers, T. & S. Bradley, W. Laslett; brussel sprouts, W. Laslett, brussel sprouts six stalks, W. Laslett; potatoes (whites), W. Laslett, T. & S. Bradley.
Open veg section, L. Brady; malting barley, J. C. Plommer; feed barley, Nonington Farms, milling wheat, feed wheat, and oats, G.&D. White; oil seed rape, P. Overy; most points in the grain tent, G.&D. White; combining pease, R. H. Spencer; winter wheat, H. Twyman; oil seed rape, P. Overy; grass silage, W. Hickson.