Farmers go head-to-head in annual Joint Ploughing Match at Aubrey Farm in Keyhaven

TRADITIONAL agricultural skills were put to the test at an annual ploughing match in Keyhaven at the weekend.

Now in its 61st year, the Joint Ploughing Match saw members of Lymington Growmore Club and South Avon and Stour Agricultural Society go head-to-head in an array of agricultural classes.

Held at Aubrey Farm, the event also saw a number of local young farmers competing for the first time. Altogether there were 55 entries across 10 classes.

Joint Ploughing Match secretary Tania Niccolls said: “This year was again a tough competition as there was a good number of very skilled ploughmen who entered. This year we also had a small number of entries that was their first ever ploughing contest, and a few who had not ploughed much before.”

“We have a lovely community of ploughmen that would always give advice to a novice, if they had a question, despite it being a competition.”

The club classes included members of the Lymington Growmore Club and South Avon and Stour Agricultural Society, and young farmers clubs competed for the champion of the day.

Tania continued: “We had lots of support including 12 entries from residents of the Isle of Wight, which they had the added challenge of getting their tractors to and from the match via a ferry journey, others from surrounding counties and as far as Somerset. This is an amazing age-old traditional agricultural event that brings the community together.”

An extended period of dry weather during September meant ground conditions were fairly firm which caused some challenges for the inexperienced ploughmen who struggled to keep their furrows straight. Spectators enjoyed refreshments, and tractor-and-trailer rides provided by Jim Hoare.

The overall champion of the day was Mike Dolbear from Beaulieu, who has been ploughing for a number of years. Reserve champion of the Lymington Growmore Club was Mark Shutler of Christchurch, and the South Avon and Stour Agricultural Society reserve champion was Archie Butler of Christchurch.

Tania said: “We had an exceptionally warm and sunny day, which brought out plenty of support from the public and the local community, who came and watched the ploughmen in action by walking around the site.

“The Joint Ploughing Match committee would like to thank our host Simeon and Lisa Morgan, and all our competitors, sponsors and volunteers for making the day happen.”

Proceeds from the event this year will go to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.

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