Can a ploughing competition still work in full rain. We find out near Much Wenlock.

Shropshire Star

A ploughing competition was taking place near Much Wenlock but its fair to say some of the cars needed the help of the tractors to leave the field after all the rain we have had.

Transcript

00:00We're here at Corve Barn Farm, not too far from Much Wenlock Centre itself, and a ploughing

00:17match.

00:18How you doing guys?

00:19Very well, thank you.

00:20I believe you're organisers?

00:21One of them, yes.

00:22So what's your names?

00:23Go on, introduce yourselves.

00:24Brian Hill, my wife Betty Hill.

00:31Hello Betty.

00:33Great weather for ploughing, possibly not.

00:35No, not this last hour.

00:38Have they got on, have they still been able to do what they wanted to do and do the ploughing?

00:43Yes, we have ploughed what we want, and we were very pleased with the numbers that came.

00:49How many tractors do you reckon you've had here?

00:51I reckon we've had about 53.

00:54Good numbers still then.

00:55Yes, it is.

00:56So how long have you been involved with the ploughing comps then?

00:59Ploughing with this Mauville Heath, about 30 years.

01:05And a little bird tells me you're stepping down from your role.

01:07Yes.

01:08Is that right?

01:09Taking a back seat, yes.

01:11Did you make that decision today when you saw the weather?

01:14No, I made it about three weeks ago.

01:18So you'll still be coming in and joining them, but just with less stress?

01:21Yes, I'll come.

01:22Can't keep him away.

01:24Can't keep him away.

01:25What is it that's so special about these ploughing matches?

01:28I mean, obviously there's a competition involved, but I guess there's a big social side to it?

01:32Well, there's a social side to it as well, yes, yes.

01:37But, I mean, they come from all over Wales.

01:41There's quite a number of ploughmen come from Wales and that down here.

01:45And they use support as well, like over the years.

01:50And when it's so muddy like it is today, that must make it more difficult, I presume, to plough?

01:58It doesn't make it any easier.

02:03And when was the last time you were doing a bit of ploughing yourself?

02:05Two years ago.

02:06Yeah?

02:07Back then we took ill health.

02:09Yeah, yeah.

02:11So it's kind of been a special event then for you.

02:14When's your last ploughing match?

02:16When was it?

02:17Is it today? Is today the last one?

02:19In your role?

02:21I shall still be involved in the roundabout way, like, you know.

02:26Yeah.

02:27Well, fantastic. Well, thank you for inviting us down on this glorious day.

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