MP ploughs own furrow away from PM’s speech
DERBYSHIRE Dales MP Sir Patrick McLoughlin gave Wednesday’s Brailsford Ploughing Match a glowing seal of approval – by turning up to the event in Osmaston instead of watching Theresa May’s Conservative Party Conference speech in Birmingham.
The former Conservative Party chairman, who stepped down from his ministerial role in January, says he has always been a fan of the match, which sees competitors from around the country compete in various rural crafts.
He told the Derby Telegraph he was confident the Prime Minister would manage fine without him on the final day of the conference.
Sir Patrick praised the organisers of the match, the Brailsford and District Ploughing and Hedgecutting Society, for an event of which he has always been fond.
He said: “I think it’s a marvellous event and it seems to be going from strength to strength.
“I’ve always enjoyed attending it, but it’s rare I get the chance as it always clashes with the final day of the Conservative Party Conference.
“I was at the conference on Monday and Tuesday and I listened to the Prime Minister’s speech on the radio.
“For the last 15 years I’ve had to attend the final day of the conference. This is the first time in 15 years I haven’t had to attend the final day, and that’s why I chose the Brailsford Ploughing Match. That’s all there is to it.”
This year’s 113th event was held at White Meadow Farm, in Moor Lane, Osmaston, and thousands of people turned out to watch the competitions, enjoy the trade stands and soak up the atmosphere at this year’s scenic location, part of the Osmaston estate.
Alongside the ploughing and hedgecutting classes was livestock judging, ladies and children’s classes, a stick show and working exhibitions.
Among the visitors were dozens of schoolchildren, who had taken the day out from their various classrooms to see the show.