Great Day Out Along the Furrows
26/09/05

Fifteen pairs of magnificently turned-out heavy horses, top vintage tractor ploughmen and the country's premier ploughmen will compete at the British National Ploughing Championships - when the event visits Cambridgeshire - at Soham, near Ely, on Saturday and Sunday, 8 and 9 October, promising a great day out for the family.

With more than 180 contestants over the two days, the two top prizes include a trip to the Republic of Ireland to represent England in the 2006 World Ploughing Contest. In the main tractor ploughing classes, entrants include the some of the top ploughmen in the world - the current World Reversible Ploughing Champion, Simon Witty from North Yorkshire, who won the title for the second year in succession in the Czech Republic recently. His brother James will also be taking part, who was the 2003 World Reversible Ploughing Champion along with previous three times World Champion, John Hill from South Yorkshire. The present European Vintage Ploughing Champion will also be taking part, John Milnes from South Yorkshire, who won his title recently in the Netherlands, again for the second year in a row.

Alongside the ploughing competitions, there will also be an extensive trade stand area and craft marquee. Visitors also have the opportunity of seeing how farming has changed throughout the past century. They can see displays of vintage tractors and machinery which can all be compared to the latest ploughs and cultivation equipment in action, adding up to a farming spectacular second to none.

Main sponsors for the event are National Grid, Firestone, Goodyear and Total Butler.

The admission to this popular annual event, which moves around the country each year, is £6 each day with school children and senior citizens £3 and car parking free of charge. Full catering and licensed bars will be open each day.