Eskleyside Agricultural Society’s 108th ploughing match was held on Sunday September 28th at Vowchurch Court by kind permission of Mr Ian Prior. It was a most successful day with almost 50 competitors. The weather was glorious, and the ploughing field adjoined the B3438, so passers-by had a spectacular view of the tractors working their plots.

The John Gwilliam Perpetual Memorial Trophy for the best ploughing by any vintage plough was won by Ken Stanley, the George Cole Cup for the best ploughing on the day was won by Pip Davies, and the Bryan Jones Cup for the best work from an under 26 years competitor went to Sam Whistance, Abbeydore.

PLOUGHING RESULTS The judges were Messrs R Hill, Harry Jones, John Harris, Viv Samuel, John Tucker and Ron Williams, and the results were as follows: Class 1 World Style: 1 & John Nixon Cup, Pip Davies, Weobley; 2 Alwyn Davies, Eastnor; 3 John Bennion Class 2 – Vintage (trailing): 1 & Royal British Legion Cup, Ken Stanley, Colwall; 2 David Bryant, Bristol; =3 Dennis Hitchings, Llanwarne & Barry Evans, Kington Class 3 – Vintage (hydraulic): 1 & Mr & Mrs Edwards Trophy, Glyn Morgan, Builth Wells; 2 Norman Prosser, Gloucester; 3 Neil Rollings Class 4 Novice Vintage: 1 & Eric Gane Cup, Sam Whistance, Abbeydore; 2 Gary Whitehouse; 3 Ken Jones Class 5 High Cut: 1 & Nick Herdman Cup, Derek Needham, Kings Lynn; 2 Vernon Davies, Sennybridge Class 7 21 years and under: 1 & Eskleyside Cup, Daniel Ford, Monmouth Class 8 Horse Ploughing: 1 Roger Smith, Cwmyoy Class 8a Iron Horse – Vintage single furrow: 1 & Grace Davies Trophy, Andrew Pomeroy, Worcestershire; 2 David Price, Rhosgoch; 3 Des Grubb, Ewyas Harold Class 8b Iron Horse – Market garden tractor: 1 George Allen, Bromyard; 2 Len Evans, Much Dewchurch; 3 Mike Powell GROWING AND SPECIMEN CROPS The growing crops were judged by Mr Ian Howie on September 25th. The results are as follows: Young Ley: 1st C Miles, The Parks; 2nd D R Watkins, Lower Park; 3rd Dennis Price, The Weston Old Ley: 1st C Miles, The Parks; 2nd John Hughes, Pentre; =3rd T Layton, Pontypinna and C Price, Dolward Fodder Beet: 1st Wilmaston Farms, Peterchurch; 2nd John Hughes, Pentre; 3rd D Price, Weston Catch Crop: 1st Nantyglasdwr, Cusop; 2nd Blackmoor Farms, Wormbridge; 3rd Dennis Price, The Weston Swedes: 1st M T Price, Vowchurch General Root Crop: =1st C Price, Dolward and Wilmaston Farms, Peterchurch Specimen Roots: 1st I R Prior, The Holsty; 2nd K Goodwin, Dorstone; 3rd J G Goring Ltd; 4th Richard Stokes Overall prizes: Ivor Goodwin Perpetual Challenge Cup: Colin Miles Eric Gane Cup: M T Price