THOSE country people who lived and worked in the hills of south-west Herefordshire more than a century ago needed to be rugged, and strong.

They had to ride and break horses, control and feed their livestock, and follow the plough for many a long daylight hour.

They took a pride in their work and it was in a bid to attain perfection that led to the formation of the Eskleyside Agriculture Ploughing Society in 1897 and now 105 years later to the publication of a book, entitled Reflections by Cecil Pritchard and Grace Davies, who both know every knook and cranny of the hilly area.

Apparently, four farmers met by chance one evening in1897 and arranged a contest to find out who was the best ploughman. So much interest was generated that 78 teams of horses turned out and this led to the formation of the society, named after the Eskley brook.

From its ranks have come a world champion ploughman, many national champions, a world-class marathon runner and the invention of jalopy racing, now called autograss.

Packed with pictures and copies of old newspaper cuttings, the book gives a tremendously personal record of the very wide, varied and interesting goings-on in this corner of the county. Cecil Pritchard, and his family have been inextricably linked with the society and its activities. A former chairman and champion ploughman, he was brought up at Clothiers Farm, Urishay.

CHampion

His grandfather was a founder member of the society and his father a former chairman and champion ploughman.

Grace Davies was brought up at Lower House, St Margaret's. She and Robin Lloyd now farm at Painscastle, They lost their stock during the foot-and-mouth outbreak and so turned her attention to writing the book.

The book is being launched at Vowchurch Village Hall on Sunday, March 2 between 2.30-pm and 5pm.

Copies will be available then or can be obtained from Imagin Design and Print, Unit 7, Old Forge Industrial Estate, Peterchurch, HR2 OSD, at a cost of £10, including post and packing.