Avebury & District Ploughing Match

On Saturday 29th September 2018 the Avebury & District Ploughing Association are holding their annual ploughing match at Bell farm, Cherhill near Calne, Wiltshire.

There are 5 silver cups to be competed for ad the classes range from Class 1 “Open Vintage for conventional mounted and trailed ploughs drawn by a wheeled tractor” right through to the giants of the ploughing world Reversible – for 5 or more furrow reversible semi-mounted ploughs drawn by a wheeled tractor”. All competitors will plough not more than 1/3rd of an acre!

The Hon Secretary is Mr Charles Lucas who works in the Marlborough office of Woolley & Wallis. He said “ We welcome a host of local farmers and ploughmen to the event and we’re very proud of the high standard of ploughing in the district” . He went on to say that “ the ploughing starts at 9.30am and finishes at 12 Noon, we look forward to seeing plenty of family, supporters and spectators”.

29th September is a very traditional day in the farming calendar and is known as Michelmas – one of the four Quarter days of the year when rent usually falls due. In addition arable farms have traditionally changed hands on this date to allow a new farmer to plant and grow his crops ready for the onset of winter.