Cruckton Ploughing Society prepares for bumper match
Cruckton Ploughing Match celebrates its 82nd event this year and will be held on Saturday, September 20, at Wood Hall Farm, Hanwood, near Shrewsbury, home of Cruckton and District Ploughing Society chairman Richard Savage and family.
With a record number of 12 demonstration plots present this year there will be a full display of tractors and equipment for farmers to see.
Ploughing starts at 10am and visitors will be able to see teams of horses ploughing as well as a display of vintage machines, some of which will be giving a working demonstration. The Stiperstones Brass Band will entertain.
Hedge-laying also makes a welcome return and the society is grateful to Hafren Hedging for organising it. Shropshire YFC members are also giving their support to the match, organising various competitions from 'Hook a Duck' to guessing how many balloons there are in a tractor.
Cruckton Ploughing Society secretary Helen Davies said: "We are very grateful to Richard Savage for allowing the competitions to be held on the farm.
"The society needs up to 100 acres of ground to accommodate all the ploughing and increased number of trade stands and demonstrations. It is not always easy to fit an event like Cruckton into the farm rotation and our host farmers show a real commitment to maintaining traditional agricultural skills and events."
As an added attraction, the society is pleased to announce that a sheepdog trial will take place at the match. The trials will be organised by Pauline Thomas who can be contacted on 07974 081657 for further details. Entries will be taken on the day.
Cruckton will once again play host to the area eliminators for Cheshire and Shropshire for vintage classes, and qualifiers for the Inter Counties Ploughing Match.
"We will again act as a qualifier for the Ford & Fordson Association along with a new TEF20 class," Helen explained.
Admission into the match is £6, with children going free, there is also free car parking and a match programme.
The match will be followed by a Sunday lunch in Westbury Village Hall on Sunday, September 21. For inquiries for this and trade stands and sponsorship, contact Helen Davies on 01938 590535 or 07976 803066, or info@crucktonploughing.org.uk
