National ploughing champion dies
He was crowned ploughing champion of the British Isles a staggering 14 times and was well known throughout the country for the quality of his ploughing and his horses.
But now Tom Evans had died at the age of 87.
Born in Alberbury, the youngest of eight children, Mr Evans was a true Shropshire lad. He died on May 19 at Portland House Nursing Home, Shrewsbury.
Having left school at the age of 14, Mr Evans worked with horses on numerous farms around the county.
In his early teens he spent a great deal of time with a pair of horses and a plough which he bought for £10. At this time, he met his mentor who was also called Tom Evans who was known nationally as Tom the Lion and who was a champion ploughman.
Tom the Lion taught Mr Evans all he knew and at the age of 20 he entered the 1949 Cruckton Ploughing Match where he came second.
When he was 22 years old, he represented the Cruckton Ploughing Society at the British National Ploughing Championships where again he came second. But not willing to give up he competed again and again and was named British National Champion six times.
In 1954 he became the British Isles Champion and during the following 50+ years he had many wins at Cruckton and was named British Isles Champion 14 times. He also won the All Wales, All England, Ireland, Scotland and Cheshire titles as well as many others.
Mr Evans' funeral will take place at Alberbury Church on June 15 at 1pm.
His family would be very pleased to hear from his friends in the lead up to the funeral. Anyone with any tales should contact Richard on 07860 548865.
