Hundreds celebrate farming traditions at annual Ploughing Match and Show

Hundreds of people watched on as farmers across generations pitted their finely honed skills against each other at the annual Ploughing Match and Show.

Organised by Royal East Berkshire Agricultural Association (REBAA), the match saw almost 30 farmers aged from 14 to 76 take to a Ruscombe field to compete.

James Dyer won out against the competition to be crowned Champion Farmer while George Randall took home the Young Farmers Cup.

REBAA committee member Alan Keene said the event had gone ‘really well’ and it had been ‘fantastic’ to see farmers keeping up the tradition.

That afternoon saw the start of heavy rainfall coined ‘Maidenhead’s wettest day for 100 years’.

But the cloud of an imminent downpour did not dampen the spirits of attendees - nor competitors.

Alan said forecasts of ‘thunder and lightning’ had held off and added ‘we had lots of visitors all of whom seemed to be really happy’.

Although the ploughing match missed its spectacular horses this year, due to the weather, other impressive animals were on display.

Highland cattle with their distinguishable shaggy orange fur made their first appearance at the show ‘for many years’, said Alan.

And there was more on show with mountains of vibrant regional produce on sale.

Eye-catching vintage tractors were also out in force; including a green Fordson Standard built World War Two.

Its owner Mark Burrows took home the award for Champion of the Vintage Trail Ploughing.

Traditional ploughing is becoming rarer and rarer but there are still Berkshire farmers and a new generation of youngsters keeping the ‘art’ alive.

Alan said: “I think it's fantastic because if young people don’t start doing it then it will die out.”

Alan wanted to thank Chris and Lucy Zeal, owners of the estate where the ploughing match and show took place.