Ploughing Past and Lady First
15.10.02

Old and new will stand side by side when two of the oldest steam ploughing engines in the world come to the Newbury & District Agricultural Society's Ploughing Match on Saturday 19th October 2002 at Englefield Estate, Theale.

This unique pair of vintage engines, built in the 1870's, will join some of the latest ploughing machinery as competitors from across the country put their skills to the test.

Entries for the horse drawn classes are strong and the first lady competitor, Ethel Worthington from Doncaster, will drive the first pair of mules ever to compete in a Society Ploughing Match. Commenting on the mules, Ethel said, "They need a lot of coaxing - you have to talk to them like children!" Aged 18, Ethel has been competing around the country this season taking a First in Southern Ireland and coming Second in the national Festival of the Plough.

Held in the magnificent grounds of Englefield Estate, by kind permission of Society President Richard Benyon and his family, there will be continuous action from 9.00 am, start through to mid-afternoon presentations. Free trailer rides for those wanting to get a close up view and commentary on the latest action will be available.

Major sponsor of the Ploughing Match is Newbury Building Society and Chief Executive, Nigel Fleming, will attend the afternoon prize-giving. Also receiving prizes will be winners from the 'Art of Ploughing' competition. Local primary schools were invited to draw pictures of ploughing and Society Members drove tractors to participating schools to help pupils draw and gain first hand knowledge of the machines. Members of the Society's Ploughing Match committee, chaired by Steve Ormrod, undertook the judging.

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