The Art of Ploughing winners
30.11.02

Talented, young artists received their prizes in an Art of Ploughing competition at the recent Newbury and District Agricultural Society's Ploughing Match held at Englefield Estate. Society President, Richard Benyon and Alastair Jeffreys, Farm Manager at Yattendon Estates presented awards to Brimpton, Chieveley and Englefield primary school children and students from Newbury's Castle School.

The theme of the contest was ploughing and Society Members drove tractors to participating schools to give pupils a close-up view of the machines and answer questions.

The competition was sponsored by Richard Benyon and Lord Iliffe, Chairman of Yattendon Estates and immediate past President of the Society.
One two hundred entries, divided into two age groups: 4-7 and 8-11 years, were submitted and judging was performed by members of the Society's Ploughing Match committee.

Committee Chairman, Steve Ormrod said, "We had a fantastic response and thoroughly enjoyed judging all the superb entries." Steve continued, "The enthusiasm for the Art of Ploughing competition is superb and it has become a key Society building block helping young people understand more about farming and what goes on in the fields around them."

In the 4-7 year group, Englefield's Mark Green and Emily Strang received tickets to the Watermill Theatre's "Firebird" pantomime and a £25 book token as first and second prizes respectively. William Howard and James White, also from Englefield, received the same first and second prize in the 8-11 year group.

In the Special Needs category Castle School's Adam Smith and Joe Bone received first and second awards. Teacher, Shannon Booth received Castle School's prize (£150 book tokens) and Headteacher Mrs Hankin received Englefield's £300 book tokens

For further press information please contact:
Annette Priestley
Comand (UK)
Tel: 01635 248258
e-mail: priestley@comanduk.co.uk