Drivers plough on despite pandemic
The sun shone for the Atholl and Breadalbane Ploughing Society’s autumn match when the area’s tractor drivers competed to make the perfect furrow.
The ploughing competition was held on November 7 at Guay Farm, Ballinluig, by kind permission of Mr R Laird, in a field visible beside the A9.
Jane Kennedy, Aberfelybased secretary of the society commented on a perfect day which attracted many willing entrants, adding: “It was fantastic to be able to hold our match given the current pandemic.
“The committee decided that provided we could comply with all the guidelines and take all the precautions necessary, then there was no reason why we couldn’t go ahead, especially as we are a small society.
“We had a perfect day weatherwise and although spectators had to be limited, the comments we received from those who did attend including our socially distanced judges and competitors were very positive.
“Many congratulated the committee for going the extra mile to make it work and as far as we know, we are the only match so far in Scotland to have managed to hold a competition, so it’s something really positive for our future committees to look back on.
“Hopefully next year we can return to running our match in the traditional manner, but this year we’re just pleased we managed to go ahead.”
The results were:
CONVENTIONAL CLASS Throw out:
Rory Scott, Blair Atholl. Feering:
1 Billy Henderson, Strathtay 2 Tommy Campbell, Aberfeldy 3 Rory Scott.
Ploughing:
1 Billy Henderson
2 Willie Grieve, Pitlessie
3 Chic McWilliam, Ballinluig 4 Rory Scott 5 Bobby McLeod, Ballinluig
6 Ally Robb,Tulliemet
7 Tommy Campbell, Aberfeldy 8 Mark Gilmour, Dunkeld
9 Ally Marshall, Strathtay
10 Ray Marshall, Aberfeldy 11 Henry Harrison, Aberfeldy 12 Ally Brown, Aberfeldy.
FINISH:
1 Rory Scott
2 Chic McWilliam
3 Willie Grieve.
Straightest Rig: Willie Grieve
Ins and outs: Tommy Campbell Best work by a non-medal winner in the conventional class: Ally Robb.
REVERSIBLE CLASS Throw out: Jonathan Marshall, Aberfeldy.
Feering:
1 Jonathan Marshall
2 Struan Wilson, Ballinluig. Ploughing:
1 Jonathan Marshall
2 Struan Wilson.
Finish:
1 Jonathan Marshall
2 Struan Wilson.
Straightest rig: Jonathan Marshall Ins and outs: Struan Wilson
Best work done by a non-medal winner in the reversible class: StruanWilson
Best JAC member: Struan Wilson Best work by a Ford tractor: Billy Henderson
Best overall Finish: Rory Scott. Best-kept tractors Oldest section:
1 Billy Henderson
2 Ally Brown
3 Mark Gilmour.
Newest section:
1 Willie Grieve
2 Chic McWilliam
3 Struan Wilson.
Oldest tractor: Ally Robb.
OTHER CLASSES Oldest ploughman: Tommy Campbell
Youngest ploughman: Struan Wilson
Furthest travelled: Willie Grieve Unluckiest competitor: Tommy Campbell
Best ploughed rig by a trailing plough: Ally Robb
RHASS Medal: Billy Henderson.